God's Word for Me Today
Sunday, October 14, 2001
Focus: Change the World!
A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today
My Prayer Today
Gracious, Heavenly Father, as I turn to You on this day of worship, I pray for all worship leaders everywhere, and particularly for the worship team of New Life Christian Ministries, and our pastor, Chris Marshall, that You may anoint them with Your Holy Spirit. May I, also, be filled and empowered by Your Holy Spirit to worship and praise You now, and in fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Jesus. As I turn again to the account of Paul and Silas “turning the world upside down,” may I be encouraged to be a world changer right where you have placed me this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word for Me Today: Acts 17:1-9
1 Now Paul and Silas traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul's custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he interpreted the Scriptures to the people. 3 He was explaining and proving the prophecies about the sufferings of the Messiah and his rising from the dead. He said, "This Jesus I'm telling you about is the Messiah." 4 Some who listened were persuaded and became converts, including a large number of godly Greek men and also many important women of the city. 5 But the Jewish leaders were jealous, so they gathered some worthless fellows from the streets to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. "Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city," they shouted. 7 "And Jason has let them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, Jesus." 8 The people of the city, as well as the city officials, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 But the officials released Jason and the other believers after they had posted bail.
Questions for Reflection
To what do you most look forward as gather in corporate worship?
Have you ever been blamed for something someone else did? What was the end result?
What gave Paul and Silas the courage to face new and threatening situations daily?
Questions for Exploration
Where did Paul go first to preach the Good News of Jesus when he entered Amphipolis and Apollonia? Why? (17:1-2)
Who were among the converts of Paul in these two cities? (17:3-5)
What was the cause of opposition to Paul and Silas? (17:5-6)
Questions for Understanding
What was Paul’s strategy for ministry when entering a new city?
What was Jason’s “sin” according to the Jews?
Questions for Application
Paul and Silas were strategic in the sharing of the Gospel. They went to the Jews before the Gentiles, since the Jews had the same faith tradition. Who do you know who hasn’t responded to Jesus, but who may be more open than others? Pray for this person or people today.
What partnership can you develop with another Christian or Christians to help make changing the world—in this community easier? Ask God to show you potential partners in ministry, then go ask for that partnership.
A Strategy for Changing the World!
Paul and Silas carried out their ministry of transformation strategically. In every town they entered they sought out the synagogue first. The Jews who worshiped there were familiar with all the biblical history that pointed toward the coming of a Messiah, who would redeem the people of Israel. Thus, preaching that Jesus was the Messiah, would not be a total surprise or come to the Jews out of a vacuum. They would at least understand Paul’s frame of reference. Often some or many of the Jews would believe Paul’s message of salvation through Jesus. But just as often the Jews who didn’t receive the Good News of Jesus, turned on Paul and his companions, sometimes violently. Then Paul would turn to the Gentiles, the non-Jews. With them he would preach in the marketplace. When anyone responded to the Good News, Paul would establish “house churches” where these families could worship, learn more about Jesus, and share in fellowship and ministry with other believers. In this way, city by city Paul and his companions “turned the world upside down”!
What is your strategy for changing the world? Do you have a strategy? At New Life Christian Ministries, our strategy is to come together for corporate worship—to celebrate God’s presence among us, to glorify Him for who He is and to thank Him for all He does. Then we go out into the world to share the Good News. We equip ourselves and each other to be witnesses through participation in LIFE groups, through reading and studying God’s word every day, and through daily pray; and through weekly gatherings to study together on Wednesday evenings. The we go out and serve in our community in many ways: through prayer walking, through short-term mission experiences, through volunteering in local schools and helping facilities, and by living the Good News of Jesus in our words and actions at work and school. When we’re intentional about this process God opens doors, and people are changed forever as they respond to Jesus! It’s a simple plan, but it works, because it’s God’s plan for redeeming His world!
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