The Holy Spirit had clearly called Paul and his team to cross over from, what is now, Turkey to Greece (Acts 16:9-10).  Despite significant difficulties, Paul planted a church in Philippi and now set out for the next strategic city.  His team travelled west, and then south, on the military road, the Via Ignatia, to Thessalonica - the capital of Macedonia.  It was about 100 miles, with the lesser towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia at 30 miles and 60 miles respectively on the route to provide rest and refreshment.

The synagogue was always Paul's preferred starting point for ministry (Acts 14:1).  Thessalonica had a Jewish population and so Paul explained, from the Old Testament Scriptures, how the death and resurrection of Jesus proved that He is the promised Messiah (Isaiah 53:5-6).  Paul's method was to compare the prophetic promises with the actual events in Jesus' life and death, calling them to repentance and faith as Jesus did (Luke 5:32).

Waiting is never easy, and the Jews had been waiting for their Messiah for many centuries.  Their hope of His coming had been deferred so long that, to many, the possibility of it becoming reality seemed unlikely.  So, Paul taught them extensively, over three Sabbath days, that the Messiah had come and that He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.  He took questions and answered them as any visiting rabbi would.  Some believed - a mixed group of Jews and God-seeking Gentiles including influential women.  Another new church was formed.

Paul's missional approach was strategic in location and content.  He was guided to cities and not villages, places where many people passed through for trade or government business: places where good news could travel quickly through the community, and then be carried out to many distant locations by those who had been converted.  His preaching was not about how Jesus could meet their felt needs for health or finance or relationships: it was focussed on Jesus Christ, His life, His death and His resurrection (Luke 24:45-49).  It was not a plea to join the church so that they could prosper, but a plea to submit to the only One who can forgive sins and welcome us into His kingdom.  How does your personal and church gospel strategy compare with that?