Jesus Turns the World Upside Down

June 19, 2022 Pastor: Pastor James Wychers Series: The Rise and Witness of the Church

Topic: Jesus Christ Passage: Acts 17:1–15

Jesus Turns the World Upside Down_web

How is it possible for Paul to rejoice in sufferings? Paul and his team were bringing the witness of the gospel, Jesus, to the end of the earth. They had success in Philippi with the conversion of a woman named Lydia. and the deliverance of slave girl from the evil spirit, and the salvation of the jailer.

They ran into conflict with the spiritual world and the authorities. They were beaten. Thrown into prison, asked to leave the city.

Yet, the mission continued. Paul moved on. He picked up the mission in the next cities along the way.

In that we see a contrast here. A contrast of the responses to the gospel.

Today we will see that in Thessalonica and Berea. The proper response to the proclamation of God’s word is open-hearted examination.

This examination bears fruits—the fruit of salvation, the fruit of growth, the fruit of the knowledge of God.

We’re going to ask a key ministry question—what is success in ministry? How do we define success in Christian ministry and Christian mission? How do rejection and suffering actually play into it?

Again, we are challenged to view ministry in the world differently. We’re challenged to see Christian ministry as an “other worldly” thing. Something that just in this world that cannot be explained.

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