Turning the world upside down
Acts 17:1-16 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 5 But the unpersuaded Jews took along[a] some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. 6 When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers[b] before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” 8 The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. 9 When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there. 15 But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed. 16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
Verse 6 “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
Christianity turned the world upside down.
British evangelist and preacher G. Campbell Morgan said, "Organized Christianity which fails to make a disturbance is dead."
Preacher Vance Havner said, "We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God."
Someone has said, there are only two kinds of people who are making a difference in this world, the committed Christian, and the committed communist.
But, it doesn’t happen unless Christians stand up.
What do you have to have to turn the world upside down? Courage, Content, Converts, Conflict, Concern
Let’s pray
Courage
Definition: Confidence in God: Confidence that if you know God is in it, it will succeed, it will do what it’s supposed to. It will accomplish what it is supposed to.
We can have that kind of confidence in our calling as Christians, in the message of salvation.
I have never been successful as a salesman. Because of two things; I am rarely convinced of the real value of a product. Second, even if I am convinced of the value of a product, I’m not convinced that anyone just absolutely needs it.
But I can be convinced of the value of salvation, and of the need of every individual. That’s why Paul and Silas were described as “turning the world upside down.” They were courageous. They had the confidence that they were doing God’s work, God’s message.
And there really is no better example of that kind of courage than Paul. He went to two towns in this narrative. Thessalonica and Berea. And he follows the same pattern in both towns. In Thessalonica, go to the synagogue. We mentioned that last week. It took some courage for him to go to the synagogue. Because every time he went to the synagogue, he got converts, but it also stirred up trouble. The Jews who didn’t believe opposed him, drove him out of town, even going so far one time to try and kill him.
So, there was trouble in Thessalonica, so the believers in Thessalonica help Paul get out of town.
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.
Now, compared to Thessalonica, this was a nowhere town. It was about 50 miles from Thessalonica. A little town, maybe they figured he’d be out of harm’s way there.
When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
Again, he goes back to the synagogue. He had courage, a confidence in God and his plan. But he also had content.
Content
Definition: To turn the world upside down, to make an impact on the world for God. You have to have the content—the correct message.
I was a part of a virtual meeting where our 8th graders were getting oriented and enrolled at North High School on Wednesday. And so let me illustrate what “the correct message” is by what I heard in that meeting. Specifically, the question was asked about playing sports at North High School. And do you know what they said? They told these 8th graders, that if you are failing 5 classes in your last semester in middle school, you can not be on the High School sports team; basketball, soccer, cheer. Now isn’t that rather narrow-minded? That is such a negative message.
And do you know what else? They told them that in High School, if you are on a team, soccer, whatever, you got on the team, you’ve been practicing, that right before the game, do you know what they do? They check your grades. And if you’ve got an F in any class, you won’t play in the game that night.
Now isn’t that just mean-spirited?
But do you know why they do that? Because you are in High School for one reason; to pass your required classes and graduate. So they are not afraid to get to the chief content of the message; you don’t pass your class, you won’t be passing the ball.
The message Paul and Silas preached was real true content.
They went into the synagogue and got straight to the heart of the issue; Jesus Christ, prophesied, crucified, and risen again. The way of salvation.
2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
He reasoned with them from the Scripture. What was he saying?
3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
And in Berea, the same message.
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
We, as believers are afraid to speak the truth. It’s to narrow-minded, mean-spirited, negative. But do you know what the purpose of this life is? To get every individual into right standing with God. So, we shouldn’t be afraid to get to the heart of the message.
Courage and Content
This time we consider Converts, Conflict, Concern
Converts
So, are you telling me that in order to “turn the world upside down” I have to have converts? Yes. It should almost go without saying that if we are to make an impact on our world, we have to impact the hearts of individuals. There have to be people whose lives are upturned. It reminds me of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 6: 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Look at that! He is saying that the church in Corinth was full of former sexual deviants, homosexuals, drunks, partiers, gluttons and thieves. But not anymore. He uses these words, such were some of you.
The world in Corinth was turned upside down because God Almighty got ahold of some filthy sinners, and changed them into saints.
The world is turned upside down with conversions.
Look at what it says about Paul in Thessalonica.
2 and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Some of them believed. By the way, the word in the Greek for believed, is better translated “were persuaded.”
4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
So, some of the Jews in the synagogue were persuaded. Now we can contrast that to the Bereans in a moment. But some Jews were persuaded. A great multitude of devout Greeks. And not a few of the chief women.
So, there’s a pretty sizable group who are persuaded, a large number of converts. Which, by the way, is probably the reason that persecution started. The synagogue was losing it’s following. The Jewish leaders were losing a good part of their congregation.
Let’s look at what happened in Berea.
Berea
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.
Now the word here for believed is well translated. They believed. The people in Thessalonica were persuaded. In other words, in Thessalonica, Paul had to convince them. He opened the Scripture, and talked to them until they understood, and were convinced. In Thessalonica, Paul had to convince them. In Berea, they convinced themselves.
11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
In other words, the Berean Jews weren’t laid down with a lot of prejudices, and prideful views of themselves. They heard what Paul said, they opened the Scriptures, and seeing that Scripture agreed with Paul, they immediately believed.
But there were converts in Berea.
You may say,
How do I have converts? How do we have converts? We would love to see more come to faith.
Recognize your obligation
Ezekial 33: Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 if when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
Recognize that the results are not always positive
Isaiah 6: 8 I heard
the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”Then I
said, “Here I am. Send me!”9 He said, “Go, and tell this
people,‘You hear indeed, but
don’t understand.
You see indeed, but
don’t perceive.’10 Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy,
and shut their eyes;lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their
heart,
and turn
again, and be healed.”11 Then I said, “Lord, how long?”
He answered,“Until cities are waste without inhabitant, houses without man, the land becomes utterly
waste,12 and
Yahweh has removed men far away, and the
forsaken places are many within the land.
Recognize your power
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
John 20:23 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
Recognize His promise
John 15:16 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Conflict
Definition: This is the result of the other three. Courage, content, converts, If you are doing the other three correctly, conflict will come.
Look at what happened to Paul and Silas.
Thessalonica
5 But the unpersuaded Jews took along[a] some wicked men from the marketplace,
Guys who just hang around looking for trouble. Guys who are willing to do anything for hire.
and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar.
They worked up a mob.
Assaulting the house of Jason, (probably a new convert) they sought to bring them out to the people. 6 When they didn’t find them, (Paul and Silas) they dragged Jason and certain brothers[b] before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
Isn’t this remarkable. Paul and Silas had just worked in two towns in Greece. They had only been there, maybe a month. And they are saying that they’ve upset the entire world. And they dragged this new convert before the judges.
7 whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!”
Were Paul and Silas violating Roman law? Yes, there are three general reasons why Christians were considered especially dangerous, and criminal. They were propagating a non-sanctioned religion. Religio nova
They didn’t have the stamp of Roman approval for their religion. Second, unlawful assembly. There was no right to public assembly in Rome. And Rome got particularly nervous if a group gathered with political overtones. (Like preaching that their messiah was crucified by Rome, but risen from the dead.) And third, the reason they mention here, Paul and Silas believed in Jesus as King. And any proclamation of a king other than Ceasar was treason.
Now, we know that these Christians were not trying to overthrow Rome. But their enemies in Thessalonica were trumping up charges to move the city to action.
8 The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. 9 When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, (a bail promise to appear later) they let them go.
Every where they went there was conflict. The same happened in Berea.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.
The Bereans themselves didn’t cause trouble for Paul and Silas. The people back in Thessalonica heard that they were preaching in Berea, so they took the trouble back to them.
14 Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there. 15 But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.
What appears to have happened here is that Paul is forced out of Berea. So their fellow believers take them down to the coast, as though they are going to leave the country. But instead, once the heat is off, Paul leaves Silas and Timothy there, and then goes over 100 miles south to the city of Athens.
So, it is apparent that they had conflict. So much so that they had to get out of the area entirely.
And here’s the truth of the matter. If you are going to be a world changer for Christ, there will be conflict. And I’m not talking about conflict because you are just a contentious obstinate person. Some people have personality problems, they just stir it up because they are abrasive and rude.
But if you are courageous, and you proclaim the content of the gospel message, and see converts come to Christ, there will be conflict. How do I know? Because Scripture tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
In other words, when you go out with the gospel, you are taking on the kingdom of Satan himself. And so he will raise up his evil forces against you.
Courage, content, converts, conflict, and
Well, the last attribute of one who turns the world upside down will be concern.
Concern
One who turns the world upside down will have concern. You say, oh yes, we are concerned for the souls of people. Yes we are, but there’s a bigger concern than that.
Definition: The right concern; God’s glory
Paul goes to Athens. He is alone in this city. He has been beaten and imprisoned. He has had to leave behind new believers among enemies in every city he’s been to. He goes as far as Athens, really as a way to get away from enemies who were pursuing him. He has left his fellow laborers a hundred miles away.
But this is a fresh new city. And it’s Athens. The Athens of the 4th or 5th century B.C. was called the greatest city in the world. It was full of art and literature. It was the intellectual center of the world. Socrates and Plato were from Athens. Athens was the adopted city of Aristotle. Epicurus, who founded the Epicureans; and Zeno, who founded the Stoics. Great buildings and culture.
But Paul noticed one thing about Athens.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
Athens dedicated every building to some god. They offered themselves as a home to every god.
Peterronius said, “It was easier to find a God in Athens than it was a man,”
We will read next week how Paul preached the gospel on Mars Hill in Athens, and started by pointing out that they had an image in the city entitled “to the unknown god.” What that means to me is that Paul walked all around Athens in those days that he was waiting for his fellow workers and read all the names of statues and images. And despite the fact that they honored every conceivable god under the sun, they apparently had no image or acknowledgement of the true God, the God of the Jews. All the false gods in the world, and not one mention of the true God. So it says,
his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
1 Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
1 peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
So he had a great concern, that God was not being glorified.
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
Those who will turn the world upside down will be properly motivated. Motivated by bringing glory to God. Not to self, or a church, but to God.