Follow-up to August 14th teaching
Sunday Follow-up
Acts 17 – “Turning the world upside down”
From the birth of the church till now, there has never been a time when the world did not need to be turned upside down. As you look at what is happening in our nation today, you will realize that the only hope our country has is for it to be turned upside down. But not through revolution, nor through changing which party is in power. Our nation needs to be turned upside down through a spiritual awakening in the country and a revival in the church.
Each of us who are followers of Jesus can play a part in turning the world around us upside down. Now you may be thinking – “I am only one person. How can I possibly play a part in changing our nation?” It starts with sharing Jesus with the people around you. You see, if we want to change the direction of our nation, we start with individuals.
In Thessalonica, Paul and Silas are accused of turning the world upside down. Why? Because people were turning away from their worship of false gods and turning to Jesus Christ for salvation. As people were getting saved, they turned away from false beliefs and began to follow the truth. Their worldview changed as did how they lived their lives. Things that they once believed were acceptable and good, they no longer did. Their world was turned upside down.
There are 4 things I believe are essential for us to have a part in turning the world around us upside down:
First, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I believe the main reason for Paul’s success in leading many to Jesus is because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. If you are continuously filled with the Holy Spirit, you will find yourself being used by God to lead others to Jesus.
Secondly, know what you believe. That means, knowing your bible. When Paul ministered to the Jews in Thessalonica, he reasoned with them from the scriptures. Paul was able to do that because he knew the scriptures.
Third, know why you believe what you do. When Paul shared the Gospel in Berea, reasoning with them from the scriptures. The Jews there were open-minded, but they didn’t just accept what Paul said. They went back and daily examined the scriptures to see if what Paul said was true. When they accepted the truth of Jesus, it wasn’t just because of what Paul said. They studied it for themselves and the Spirit bore witness to their spirit that what Paul had said was true and they responded. So when they would share the truth of Jesus with others, they could explain not only what they believe, but why they believed it to be true.
Lastly, look for ways to connect with people. When Paul had the opportunity to share the Gospel with the philosophers in Athens, he began by addressing the altar to the “unknown god”. Sometimes sharing the Gospel begins with just talking about what is going on in someone’s life and seeking to point them to Jesus as the answer to their needs.
As you go forth this week, daily asked to be filled with the Holy Spirt. Commit yourself to go deeper into the Word of God. Seek to not only know what you believe but why you believe what you do. As you become more confident about what you believe and why; you will become more confident in sharing the truth of Jesus with others. Look for opportunities to connect with people where they are.
May your week be fruitful in turning the world around you upside down.
Acts 17 – “Turning the world upside down”
From the birth of the church till now, there has never been a time when the world did not need to be turned upside down. As you look at what is happening in our nation today, you will realize that the only hope our country has is for it to be turned upside down. But not through revolution, nor through changing which party is in power. Our nation needs to be turned upside down through a spiritual awakening in the country and a revival in the church.
Each of us who are followers of Jesus can play a part in turning the world around us upside down. Now you may be thinking – “I am only one person. How can I possibly play a part in changing our nation?” It starts with sharing Jesus with the people around you. You see, if we want to change the direction of our nation, we start with individuals.
In Thessalonica, Paul and Silas are accused of turning the world upside down. Why? Because people were turning away from their worship of false gods and turning to Jesus Christ for salvation. As people were getting saved, they turned away from false beliefs and began to follow the truth. Their worldview changed as did how they lived their lives. Things that they once believed were acceptable and good, they no longer did. Their world was turned upside down.
There are 4 things I believe are essential for us to have a part in turning the world around us upside down:
First, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I believe the main reason for Paul’s success in leading many to Jesus is because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. If you are continuously filled with the Holy Spirit, you will find yourself being used by God to lead others to Jesus.
Secondly, know what you believe. That means, knowing your bible. When Paul ministered to the Jews in Thessalonica, he reasoned with them from the scriptures. Paul was able to do that because he knew the scriptures.
Third, know why you believe what you do. When Paul shared the Gospel in Berea, reasoning with them from the scriptures. The Jews there were open-minded, but they didn’t just accept what Paul said. They went back and daily examined the scriptures to see if what Paul said was true. When they accepted the truth of Jesus, it wasn’t just because of what Paul said. They studied it for themselves and the Spirit bore witness to their spirit that what Paul had said was true and they responded. So when they would share the truth of Jesus with others, they could explain not only what they believe, but why they believed it to be true.
Lastly, look for ways to connect with people. When Paul had the opportunity to share the Gospel with the philosophers in Athens, he began by addressing the altar to the “unknown god”. Sometimes sharing the Gospel begins with just talking about what is going on in someone’s life and seeking to point them to Jesus as the answer to their needs.
As you go forth this week, daily asked to be filled with the Holy Spirt. Commit yourself to go deeper into the Word of God. Seek to not only know what you believe but why you believe what you do. As you become more confident about what you believe and why; you will become more confident in sharing the truth of Jesus with others. Look for opportunities to connect with people where they are.
May your week be fruitful in turning the world around you upside down.
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