Turn The World Upside Down
Think about the last few church services you've attended. Did you prepare for them with joy in your heart or did you have to talk yourself into going? Were you looking forward to worshipping the Lord, or were you going through the motions? It's so easy to get stuck in a rut and routine when it comes to our attendance, our prayer life and our fellowship. It's even easier to come up with excuses, and that's all they are, as to why we aren't focused on serving God.
When we get saved, we aren't immediately raptured. We're left on earth for one simple purpose - to lead unbelievers to salvation. If God meant for us to struggle through life living for ourselves, there would be little to look forward to each morning. The reality is that we are required to stay in our mortal shell simply to share our testimony. So...what have you done today?
Simple question, right? You got up, hopefully did some Bible study, took a shower, had breakfast, went to work, did the house cleaning, raised your children, kissed your husband, ate dinner, watched television and went to bed. Pretty typical day, but what did you do for the Lord? Could anyone - family member, friend, acquaintance, person you met at the store - honestly say that they knew you were on fire for God? Was it obvious in your dress, your speech and your manner that you are a child of the King?
And when they had found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. Acts 17:6
In this chapter of Acts, Paul is preaching the Word of the Lord, that Jesus is the Christ, having suffered and died, only to rise from the dead. Jews, Greeks and women were all being convicted and converted. They didn't just pass through town with their heads down, hiding their faith so no one could identify it. They were openly on fire with the need to share the Gospel. Can you name one time in the past week when you've been observed in that condition, let alone felt that way?
These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!
"These people," believers in the true and living God, were clearly present. Once just stories of what was happening outside their own city walls, the reality was now in their midst. Think about the early days of your salvation. Do you remember the fire, the passion, the need to tell others of the saving grace that had moved into your life?
Talk about upside down! Our world today cringes at the thought of changing their way of life when it's not their own idea. Tell them that Jesus is the Way, and they explain that they've gotten by this long without Him. Try to show them that Christ is the Door, and they tune you out. They are living the life they've been told is perfect - live for yourself, enjoy the day and die happy. The Christian life doesn't even enter into this picture because it is the exact opposite of the world's concept.
Those that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!
There was no mistaking the attitude adjustments of those early Christians began to put God first, then others, then themselves - an upside down view from the world's perspective. The "Me Generation" is now raising little "Me" girls, who learn about spending money and wearing skimpy clothes instead of how to share the miraculous grace of God.
Today is our opportunity to take the world by storm and turn it upside down! We are in the middle of a lost and dying world every day - shopping, working, enjoying fellowship. How many of the people you interact with today will not be Christians? What are their concepts of a Christian life? Is this your opportunity to share the Gospel? And more importantly, are they seeing Christ through your words, actions and attitudes?
Those that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!
When we get saved, we aren't immediately raptured. We're left on earth for one simple purpose - to lead unbelievers to salvation. If God meant for us to struggle through life living for ourselves, there would be little to look forward to each morning. The reality is that we are required to stay in our mortal shell simply to share our testimony. So...what have you done today?
Simple question, right? You got up, hopefully did some Bible study, took a shower, had breakfast, went to work, did the house cleaning, raised your children, kissed your husband, ate dinner, watched television and went to bed. Pretty typical day, but what did you do for the Lord? Could anyone - family member, friend, acquaintance, person you met at the store - honestly say that they knew you were on fire for God? Was it obvious in your dress, your speech and your manner that you are a child of the King?
And when they had found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. Acts 17:6
In this chapter of Acts, Paul is preaching the Word of the Lord, that Jesus is the Christ, having suffered and died, only to rise from the dead. Jews, Greeks and women were all being convicted and converted. They didn't just pass through town with their heads down, hiding their faith so no one could identify it. They were openly on fire with the need to share the Gospel. Can you name one time in the past week when you've been observed in that condition, let alone felt that way?
These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!
"These people," believers in the true and living God, were clearly present. Once just stories of what was happening outside their own city walls, the reality was now in their midst. Think about the early days of your salvation. Do you remember the fire, the passion, the need to tell others of the saving grace that had moved into your life?
Talk about upside down! Our world today cringes at the thought of changing their way of life when it's not their own idea. Tell them that Jesus is the Way, and they explain that they've gotten by this long without Him. Try to show them that Christ is the Door, and they tune you out. They are living the life they've been told is perfect - live for yourself, enjoy the day and die happy. The Christian life doesn't even enter into this picture because it is the exact opposite of the world's concept.
Those that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!
There was no mistaking the attitude adjustments of those early Christians began to put God first, then others, then themselves - an upside down view from the world's perspective. The "Me Generation" is now raising little "Me" girls, who learn about spending money and wearing skimpy clothes instead of how to share the miraculous grace of God.
Today is our opportunity to take the world by storm and turn it upside down! We are in the middle of a lost and dying world every day - shopping, working, enjoying fellowship. How many of the people you interact with today will not be Christians? What are their concepts of a Christian life? Is this your opportunity to share the Gospel? And more importantly, are they seeing Christ through your words, actions and attitudes?
Those that have turned the world upside down are come hither also!
Comments
Post a Comment