"THE MAN WHO TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN"
Acts 17:1-6
This is Memorial Day
Act 17:1-6 NOW AFTER [Paul and Silas] had passed through Am-phi-polis and A-pol-lo-ni-a, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul entered, as he usually did, and for three Sabbaths he reasoned and argued with them from the Scriptures, {explaining and quoting from the Old Testament Scripture} and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah {the Christ} to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, Whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ (the Messiah).
And some of them were induced to believe and associated themselves with Paul and Silas, as did a great number of the devout Greeks and many of the leading women.
But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to jealousy, and, getting hold of some wicked men (ruffians and rascals), they gathered together a mob, set the town in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring Paul and Silas out to the people.
But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities, crying, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.
I have never really done an in-depth study on unique statements made about individuals that is not said about anyone else in the Bible.
David (A man after God’s own heart)
Caleb (He wholly followed the Lord) Samuel – not a word that he spoke fell
Abraham (A friend of God)
Ahab (He did evil above all that went before Him)
Without controversy, anyone, will agree that the Apostle Paul was the one New Testament figure that stood out above all others. Baptist have been accused of worshipping the Apostle Paul rather than the Lord Jesus. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We do worship the same Lord that Paul worship. We do give allegiance to the same God that Paul did.
I believe he was the greatest Bible preacher that ever lived. He was also the greatest example for preachers. I believe that we can examine his life and learn from him. Not be another Paul - but be what Paul was by the grace of God.
He truly turned the world upside down for Christ.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE APOSTLE PAUL?
A. His childhood (Typically Jewish)
Raised in a typically Jewish home. Roman citizen. Lived and was raised in the City of Tarsus. His parents were well off and politically connected to the government in Rome.
B. He dedicated his life to the study of the Old Testament Scriptures and by the time he was a young man he had entered the school of Tyrannus (best seminary in the world in that day and time).
D. He was zealous for the Jews Religion. (Killing off Christians) A Sanhedrin??
E. He met and accepted Jesus as his Messiah on the Road to Damascus.
F. He goes out in the desert for 3 years for a BD Degree.
G. He returns to Jerusalem and is rejected by the church.
H. Goes back home to Tarsus and figures he is a failure and 40. (Now God can use him)
I. Barnabas goes and gets him and takes him to the church at Antioch.
J. God separates him for a missionary journey and the rest is history.
WHILE WE CAN NEVER BE AN APOSTLE PAUL I CAN BE WHAT GOD WANT ME TO BE.
T/S. I believe there are 4 reasons that Paul was the a man that turned the world upside down.
PAUL’S CONVERSION: Acts 9:1-6 (2 SLIDES OF SCRIPTURE)
I. HIS RECOGNITION OF JESUS CHRIST.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting: it is hard for you to keep kicking against the goads." Acts 9
A. Paul said, "Who are you Lord?" and was never the same after that. Paul had a personal encounter with the Lord. He had an encounter of the best kind. Whatever Paul did - wherever he went - however he witnessed - He kept going back to the Damascus road. He had his time and place.
B. Where was your personal encounter with Christ? If you have never had that TIME and PLACE. You need to check your salvation. Tell of Bro. Andree but most can go back.
C. Examples: Woman at the Well - Nicodemus - Woman Taken in adultery - Philippians Jailor
D. Who is Jesus today as far as you are concerned???
It is far more than saying, "Oh Yea, I know who Jesus is". He must be recognized as:
1. As God 2. As Savior 3. As Lord
Not only the Recognition of but
II. THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
Gal 1:11-16 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
For ye have heard of my [manner of life] in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: . . . . 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
A. It is the Revelation of J.C. that will change you life.
B. Paul received the most transforming, revolutionary, message ever given to a human. We have it today in his Blessed Word. Paul summed it up in his great introduction to the book of Romans 1:16:
A. Concerning Election: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Nations.
He knew me and he loved me. When He was on the cross – I was on his mind.
B. Concerning the Gospel:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
C. Concerning righteousness: Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
D. Concerning the kingdom: Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Not only the Recognition and the Revelation of but
III. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Recognition, Revelation, relationship,
IV. THE TENACITY FOR JESUS CHRIST.
Def. of Tenacity Holding firmly 2. Clinging to; adhesive."
Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phil 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own which righteousness, which is of the law, but that is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
CONCLUSION TO PAUL LIFE:
(2 Tim 4:7 KJV) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
