Jason: A Man Whose House Was Worthy

I.        In the limited commission, Jesus taught that some houses are worthy while others were not (Matt. 10:5-15).

A. Those who received His word were considered worthy (Matt. 10:13). B. Jason, a Christian we read of in Acts 17, welcomed Paul and Silas and proved his home to be worthy.

II.       Paul and Silas went to Thessalonica after leaving Philippi (Acts 17:1-9).

A. Paul and Silas preached the Gospel (Acts 17:1-3).

B. Some were persuaded, and joined in support of Paul and Silas (Acts 17:4).

C. Persecution soon followed (Acts 17:5-9). HI.      What lessons can we learn from the text?

A. Paul had a method to his preaching.

B. Persecution accompanied the faithful preaching of the word.

C. Jason was one of the faithful.

Discussion

I.        Paul's Preaching In Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4)

A. He preached in the synagogue (Acts 17:1-2).

1.  His work took him to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

2.   His preaching included debating (Acts 17:2).

3.  His theme was the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, not social

improvement (1 Cor. 2:1-5). B. The basis for his preaching was the Scriptures (Acts 17:3).

1.  The Old Testament prophets spoke of Him (Isa. 53; 1 Pet. 1:10; Psa. 22).

2.   Men were living who had been eyewitnesses of the resurrection of our

Lord (2 Pet. 1:16-21; Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8). C. This resulted in conversions (Acts 17:4).

1.  Some were Gentiles, others were Jews, and some were prominent women of the city (Acts 17:4).

2.  Faith is impossible without evidence (John 6:44-45; Rom. 10:17).

3.  They became a force for good in that area (1 Thes. 1:8-10).

4.   Among the members of that church was Jason.

II.      Persecution Accompanied The Preaching (Acts 17:5-9)

A. The Jews were jealous of the success of Paul's preaching (Acts 17:5-6).

1.  The Word had accomplished its purpose (Isa. 55:10-11).

2.  They found allies in some wicked men in the city and went looking for Paul and Silas (Acts 17:4-5).

3.  When they could not find them, they took Jason instead (Acts 17:6). B. What was there about Jason that prompted this action? (Acts 17:7-9).

1.  He had earlier obeyed the truth through the preaching and debating of Paul (Acts 17:5).

2.  He had provided a shelter for Paul and Silas (Acts 17:5-6).

3.  He was not ashamed to be supporting men who had "upset the world" (Acts 17:7; 2 Tim. 1:15-18).

4.  He was known in the city for his agreement with Paul's preaching, and

was falsely accused along with Paul (Acts 17:7-9). C. How do we compare to him?

1.  Are we known as a faithful Christian where we live? (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17).

2.  Would we help and support those who preach the truth and those who defend the truth in debates? (2 Tim. 4:1-18).

3.  As someone once asked, "If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Conclusion

I.         Is your house a worthy house?

II.       Have you obeyed the gospel?

III.      Will you defend the truth?