When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. Acts 17:1-4

Paul spent three weeks trying to persuade the synagogue goers and leaders that Jesus was the Messiah. That would have been a tall order!

It was a tough sell because it would mean that those people just missed someone they had been taught about all of their lives. Paul also ran the risk of being ostracized and persecuted for making such bold pronouncements in public. We’ll see that take place later in the chapter.

Paul was taking the evidence and the case directly to the people. He was probably vocal during the “down time” too. He knew exactly what he was up against.

But he also knew that the power of God was on him. He wasn’t preaching and teaching in his own strength. It’s an important point to remember when we’re “in the weeds” of ministry and life, and it seems like we’re losing battles left and right.

As long as we’re being faithful, He will provide the strength and fruit.