Turn the World Upside Down!
Opening Prayer
Lord God, I know that the Good News of Jesus rankles some people but I’m very, very grateful for it.
Read Acts 17:1-9
[1] When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. [2] As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said. [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. [5] But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. [6] But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, [7] and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” [8] When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. [9] Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why were some Jews angry with Paul?What do you think is easier—mission to your own people or mission to others, perhaps in a different country or from a different culture to your own? Paul took the gospel first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. We can see from today’s passage the jealousy and conflict that he experienced for doing this. As David experienced the jealousy of Saul for his successes, so Paul experienced the jealousy of the Jews for his successful ministry among the Gentiles. But as the shepherd boy David was granted success and protection by the power of the living God working within him, so Paul, who used to persecute Christians, becomes the biggest evangelist.
The English Standard Version (ESV) translates v. 6 as: “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also …” What an inspiring picture of the spread of the Gospel and its power to change lives and history! I want to see this happening in my generation! Don’t you?
Apply
Who can you take the Gospel message to? Who can you reach out to in your immediate environment?
Closing prayer
Lord, I don’t know if I can turn the world upside down, but I want to make an impact for You.
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