"Turning the world upside down" for Jesus
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 17:1-15
Memory Verse: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Paul and Silas continue their journey, being led by the Holy Spirit (See map). They passed through two cities till they came to Thessalonica (capital of the province). Paul starts with proclaiming the Good News -- in the Synagogue -- and he does it for three Sabbaths in a row. (Acts 17:2) A word received: Look at Paul's perseverance. He has returned three weeks in a row. How many give up after the first time. I want you to persevere in you witness. Paul didn't wait to begin witnessing. As a result many came to know the Lord. A word received: There will always be someone I want you to minister to. All you have to do is ask. "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." (Acts 17:4) A word received: And some were persuaded. Will you rejoice with me that "some were persuaded"? Not all, but "some". I rejoice over that. I want you to rejoice over every sinner who turns to me. Don't be discouraged if only "some" respond. Jesus said "There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7)
"But some of the Jews were jealous." Wherever the work of God is being done, there will be opposition. We shouldn't be surprised by hostility and opposition to the gospel. The large following provoked other Jews to jealousy (and hurt pride). The same thing happened to Jesus. These men got some bad characters to start a mob and a riot. Because of the mob mentality, a crowd can have a mind of its own and do terrible things that people would not do individually. They went to a local man's house (Jason's) looking for Paul and Silas and turn their mob rage against Jason and some other new Christians and take them before the city officials. Jason and the other new Christians are some of the unsung heroes of the spread of the gospel. Jason had welcomed Paul and the others into his house and lives were changed because of his courage and faithfulness. (See note on Jason at end.) Jason and his friends had to post bond. The mob leaders shout, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also." Paul's reputation had preceded him. A word received: I want more of my people to be accused of this. Consider this is what the Pharisees said about Jesus in John 12:19. Has our walk with the Lord caused anything to happen? Are we people who turn the world upside down with the news about Jesus which we bring?
The leaders of the mob shout false and distorted accusations about "another king, called Jesus." Why was this false? Jesus is not an earthly king or ruler in competition with Caesar. But this is the same distortion used to attack Jesus before Pilate. In both cases they were losing their following. The Jews were not fond of Caesar but they used this to try to get rid of him. The Macedonian Jews (and Gentiles) were not fond of Caesar. He was their conqueror but they used the idea of disloyalty to Caesar as a threat to frighten the city officials. The Sanhedrin said to Pilate, "If you release this man you are not Caesar's friend." (John 19:12) King Herod killed all the boy babies around Bethlehem because he feared anyone who might challenge his power and throne. Jesus IS a King -- as he told Pilate -- but his kingdom is "not of this world." Later on when the Roman Emperors began to demand worship of Caesar in the cult of Emperor Worship (as well as political obedience) then people had to choose who they would worship as God. There were many martyrs.
God's protection is seen in both cities where the new Christian brothers and sisters quickly got Paul and Silas safely out of town. They travel to Berea (a smaller town 60 miles southwest of Thessalonica. It would take several days to get there. Paul and Silas repeat the same approach in Berea but there people were different, "more noble". Many believe. A word received: Not everyone will receive your witness in the same way.
Contrast: how were these Bereans different from those in Thessalonica?
God wants us to go and see for ourselves, not just take someone's word for it. (Recall how Jesus said to his first disciples, "Come and see.") Our faith stands up to scrutiny. God wants us to use our minds. Jesus said we are to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Acts 17:7 describes Paul as "reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving" that Jesus was the Messiah (Christ). We need to know the Scriptures to be able to reason from them. (See 2 Timothy 2:15, the memory verse for January 29th). God says in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, let us reason together." God expects us to use our power of reason even though there is much about God that is beyond our human understanding. We have to believe and trust what God has revealed about himself. "Knowing God" in the biblical sense means both knowing him personally and loving him with our whole selves, with our minds and our emotions and our wills. Is there a part of you that has not been involved in loving God and knowing him better?
The Bereans were different and wanted to know what was really true. They evaluated what Paul said in light of the Scriptures they had (the Old Testament). Whatever new things God does would be consistent with what he has already done. We too can evaluate teachings by the light of God's word.
The Jewish leaders of Thessalonica were so jealous of Paul's success that when they heard of his success in Berea that they traveled 60 miles to Berea to make trouble, even though they had not really taken the trouble to examine the Scriptures as the Berean Jews did. They probably felt proud to be defenders of the faith -- like Paul before he met Jesus!
Paul is sent off quickly by the new Christian brothers and sisters as far as Athens, the cultural and intellectual capital of Greece and even the Roman Empire. (Athens was not in Macedonia.) He sent word for Silas and Timothy to join him as he was alone.
We need to remember that God was at work in the midst of the persecutions, with many conversions and protection for his people. When there is trouble and persecution, remember that Jesus has won the victory. "In the world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33) Jesus speaks a personal word to Paul shortly after this -- see Acts 18:9-10. In time of difficulty the Lord will find ways to encourage us and urge us to persevere and remind us that we are not alone.
Be prepared and do not fear; being bold will result in lightning rod reactions. Look at Paul. The reason he was singled out is he spoke a truth that challenged their beliefs and their power. Put on the full armor of God as called for in Ephesians 6:10-20 for times of testing are here. Fear not, "you are not your own. You were bought with a price." Do not be afraid of what man can do to the body, but fear him that can judge your soul. God's eye is on the sparrow. "You are worth far more than many sparrows."
Jim Elliot wrote in October 1945 "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." He was an American missionary killed in the Amazon by frightened and hostile tribesmen in January 1956. His story is in the new movie, "The End of the Spear".
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 20
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. Paul wanted to share about Jesus because he was excited about Jesus' love for him and he wanted others to know it too.
2. God wants us to share with others like Paul did. Ask Jesus to show you who to talk to.
3. When we share about Jesus, some people will like it and some won't, so don't get discouraged.
4. We don't need to be afraid about sharing Jesus' love. God will protect us.
NOTE on Jason: Jason is mentioned in Romans 16:21, which Paul apparently wrote from Corinth between 54& 58 AD.
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