Main Idea: The world is turned upside-down through courageous and strategic people who habitually proclaim Christ from all of the Scriptures despite the rejection of many.

 

1. The world is turned upside down through Christians who are courageous, strategic, and ______________________. (vs. 1-2a)

[1] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. [2] And Paul went in, as was his custom,…

2. The world is turned upside down by those who understand and proclaim that the Scriptures are all about ______________! (vs. 2b-4)

…and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” [4] And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

*Luke 24:25–27; Isaiah 53:3–5; Psalm 22:1; Psalm 16:10

3. The good news of Jesus is often ______________________ by the hard soil of the upside-down world. (vs. 5-9)

[5] But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. [6] And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, [7] and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” [8] And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. [9] And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

*Luke 8:4–15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9–2:16

 

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: How has God called us to turn the world upside down? How did Paul exemplify courage in this passage? In what ways could you be more strategic in making new points of contact in your community to share Christ? What habits do you have that help advance the gospel? What can we learn from Paul’s example about expounding the Scriptures? How is the Bible all about Jesus? Take some time to read 1 Thessalonians and discuss how the Thessalonians had a heart for the Word of God. What resonates with you about Paul’s attitude toward the Thessalonians? Why were some of the Jews in this passage jealous? How should we face rejection when we proclaim Christ?