Daily Dose of Hope

December 15, 2025

Scripture - Acts 17

Prayer: Holy God, Almighty Father, the Great I AM, throughout all time, you are good. Your ways are perfect. Teach us your ways, Lord. Help us to know you better, to know you more. Lord, on our own, we are powerless. We are desperate for your wisdom, love, and mercy. More of you and less of me, Jesus. Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan. We have now walked through the Gospels and we are in the second half of the book of Acts. Today, we will discuss Acts 17.

In this chapter, Paul preaches in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. At each place, he tailors his message to his audience but it's still clearly the Gospel. The reception he receives at each location is different too. In Thessalonica and Berea, he starts at the synagogue, which has been his pattern. He preaches the Gospel to the Jews first. Some Jews believe in Jesus, as did a number of prominent Greek men and women. But things turn south pretty quickly. A number of Jews in Thessalonica are jealous at Paul's success and they raise up a mob to stop him. They actually go to home in which they are staying and drag out Jason and other believers, arresting them and forcing them to post bond. Paul and Silas were being helped by other believers, who were aiding their travel to Berea.

In Berea, they were accepted warming at first. People believe. But the troublemakers from Thessalonica find out that Paul and Silas are there and they try to get hold of them there. But Paul and Silas are helped once again by believers who help them get to the coast.

In Athens, things are different still. The philosophers are interested in what Paul has to say and he shares the Gospel and there are varied reactions – belief, sneering, and wanting more information. But they aren't beaten up or thrown in jail, so that is quite a relief.

In each city, as different as they are, there are some people who take to the Gospel message right away and others who have more questions. I think this is such a great model for us. We share as God leads us and we tailor the message to those who are listening. If we are telling the Jesus story to Jews, then we will focus on the Old Testament and the various prophecies about Jesus. If we are telling the Jesus story to Gentiles, then the story will be spoken in a way that makes sense to them. Paul appealed to what they knew – think about his use of the altar to an unknown God in Athens.

In our world, I present the Gospel to someone who grew up in the church differently than I do to someone who has never heard of Jesus. I guess the theme here is know your audience and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki