035 Turning the World upside down Acts 17:1-9

035 Turning the World upside down

Paul and his companions were know for turning the world up side down. Everywhere they went they were causing problems, breaking the peace.

Were they doing something wrong? Uncivil? No! It was because they boldly spoke the truth!

Everywhere the apostles went the natural order of things was upset. Why? Were they doing something wrong? Uncivil? No! It was because they boldly spoke the truth!

Disturbing the Peace is usually a bad thing. Laws are passed against almost anything people don’t want you doing. Getting loud, getting in the way, bothering them, etc.

Disturbing the Peace is usually a bad thing. Laws are passed against almost anything people don’t want you doing. Getting loud, getting in the way, bothering them, etc.

But sometimes it’s very good to D.T.P., esp. if the people in peace are in danger. The world is in a false peace; they don’t know they’re displeasing God and are under His wrath. It’s our duty to warn them, to sound the alarm!

Intro to Thesslonica:

- As far as we can tell, they did not pause to minister in either Amphipolis or Apollonia. Perhaps there were no synagogues in those cities, and Paul certainly expected the new believers in Philippi to carry the message to their neighbors.

It was Paul’s policy to minister in the larger cities and make them centers for evangelizing a whole district. .

new believers in Philippi to carry the message to their neighbors. It was Paul’s policy to minister in the larger cities and make them centers for evangelizing a whole district (see , ; and ).

Paul knew that Thessalonica was a strategic city for the work of the Lord.

1. it was the capital of Macedonia, but it was also a center for business, rivaled only by Corinth.

2. It was located on several important trade routes, and harbor.

3. The city was predominantly Greek, even though it was controlled by Rome.

4. Thessalonica was a “free city,” which meant that it had an elected citizens’ assembly, it could mint its own coins, and it had no Roman troops within its walls.

5. Paul labored at his tentmaking trade (; ), but on the Sabbath ministered in the Jewish synagogue where he knew he would find both devout Jews and Gentiles, “God-seekers” and proselytes. This witness went on for only three Sabbaths; then he had to minister outside the synagogue.

because it is the truth

because judgment is coming

because it is a command by our Saviour

I. How they turn the world upside down

by preaching Jesus

vv. 2-3 How did he preach

As his manner was-method or plan that he followed

He made a plan but depended upon the Holy Spirit to do the work

ii. First, he reasoned, which means he dialogued with them through questions and answers.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Sixteen: Responding to God’s Word (Acts 17)

First, he reasoned, which means he dialogued with them through questions and answers.

iii. He explained (“opening”) the Scriptures to them and proved (“alleging”) that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. The apostle set before them one Old Testament proof after another that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah God.

iv. He preached that Jesus is alive

He preached because it is the power of Salvation

by

when they preached it inturupted the false peace the false hope that people had

It is saying you are wrong in how you live and what you believe

It is saying wrath is upon them

II. Why they turn the world upside down

why did they do this? Why were they willing to be beaten, mocked, have their lives threaten and throw into jail?

because it is the truth

He preached because it is the power of Salvation

because judgment is coming

because judgment is coming

because it is a command by our Saviour

because it is a command by our Saviour

III. What happen when they turned world upside down

1. v. 4 The power of the Gospel changed the hearts of men

men who were of baser sorts

men who were idol’s

2. v. 5-9 it caused a war

ILL. 1. Rodolfo Loyola was born in Camagüey, Cuba in 1928. He came to Christ when he was 24 years old when a woman evangelist shared the gospel with him.

1. Rodolfo Loyola was born in Camagüey, Cuba in 1928. He came to Christ when he was 24 years old when a woman evangelist shared the gospel with him.

2. In 1968, Rodolfo was the professor of literature at a Cuban university and also a local pastor. The Cuban government instructed him to either abandon his faith or quit teaching school.

2. In 1968, Rodolfo was the professor of literature at a Cuban university and also a local pastor. The Cuban government instructed him to either abandon his faith or quit teaching school.

3. They gave him 15 days to decide. Loyola replied, "I don't need 15 days. I don't need 15 minutes. I won't be back to teach tomorrow." Several days later, in the middle of the night, he was abducted and imprisoned in a Cuban concentration camp for over two years.

4. In the camp Loyola was sent to, he won the inmates around him to Christ. He caused such a stir in the concentration camp, they transferred him 13 times in 2 years!

5. In 1970, Castro's government told him that he had 30 days to find two thousand dollars to take his family out of Cuba. He and his wife prayed for guidance, writing to family and friends in other countries.

6. Thirty days later, there was two thousand and ten dollars. So with ten dollars in his pocket, Loyola and his family were sent to Spain where he joyfully exclaimed that he was a missionary to Spain sent by Castro!

Application:

Paul and his companions were known for turn the world upside down. This is how the world viewed him. This was their testmony before the world, they were men who were causing trouble. For preaching Gospel.

How does the world view the Church today?

It was the power of the message.

Should we hold back the truth of the Gospel so we won’t often anybody?

How does Pickle Lake view us?

It not that we go around trying to make stir up trouble, the point is when we live for Christ, it going to the false peace that people have. The peace that I am OK.