Acts 17:4-10

"The people of [Thessalonica], as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports [that Paul and Silas were disturbing the city..."

"Not finding [Paul and Silas, the mob] dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. "Paul and..."

"Dear Follower of the Way, The growth of My Kingdom will not necessarily be an easy undertaking. Spreading the good news of the Father's grace is..."

"Some of the Jews were persuaded [by the preaching of the Gospel] and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few..."

"But some of the Jews were jealous [of Paul's message and success], so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a..."

"Some of the Jews who listened [to Paul's proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah] were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing...."

Inspirational illustration of Acts 17:4 -- Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.

"That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea [because of the turmoil created by the opposition in Thessalonica]. When they arrived..."

Why pay such a high price and take such a big risk? Max Lucado writes about the high cost of doing God's work and the hope, joy, and crown we will glory in when we go to be with Jesus and it will be all about people!

God uses the most amazing connections and people to fulfill his promises to bless all people! James Nored and Phil Ware share Jesus' plan to reach all peoples, like the Ethiopian Nobleman and the people in the farthest reaches of the earth, with the goodness of grace.

How is your perception? A humorous account of a hanging leads to some observations on how frequently our perception is wrong.

What in the world did were they for? Jesus' resurrection fills all of our life with meaning.

Throughout the Bible, we find great examples that can help us sort through our challenges today. Phil Ware begins a series for church leaders and congregations in transition which uses Paul's experiences in his ministry to Macedonian churches to help us in our struggles today.