Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRO:

INTRO:

AG: In Charles Schultz’s cartoon, “Peanuts,” Lucy is seen saying that if she was in charge of the world, she’d change everything.

Charlie says, “That wouldn’t be easy.

Where would you start?” Lucy looks directly at him, and without hesitation, points her finger at him and says, “I’d start with you!”

TS: When Christianity came on the scene, it turned the world upside down:

Christianity was strong

It conquered every idea and every culture that it contacted

Cities and nations were turned upside down

People were willing to give all they had, even their lives

By the 300’s, it had grown so much that Emperor Constatine named Christianity as the official state religion of the Empire.

In our text this morning, we find Paul and company arrive and begin to plant a church in Thessalonica.

Thessalonica

Thessalonica was one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in Macedonia, with a population of over 200,000.

The most important Roman highway (the Egnatian Way)—extending from Rome all the way to the Orient—went through Thessalonica.

This highway, along with the city’s bustling seaport, made Thessalonica one of the wealthiest trade centers in the Roman Empire.

With its international flow of goods and people, came many pagan religions and cultural influences that challenged the faith of the young Christians there.(Barton

533).

While in Thessalonica, Paul and co.

receive a backhanded compliment

They were accused of being the ones who had, “Turned the world upside down.”

RS: Today unfortunately that isn’t the case

More nones than anything

90-95% of churches are plateaued or declining.

The American culture has become “post-Christian”

Teaching of truth from God’s Word is not tolerated (in fact it is about the ONLY thing not tolerated)

Instead of turning the world upside down, I fear many Christians have allowed the world to turn them upside down.

We MUST get back to turning the world upside down.

IL: To accomplish anything of importance in this life it is going to take preparation.

A. Musician

C. Engineer

D. Doctor

E. Lawyer

This is especially true in our spiritual lives if we want to turn the world upside down.

.

I. Have a Plan

EX: Paul followed his plan.

Same pattern over and over

Synaguge (or Jewish gathering if none), and then turn to the genitles.

IL: Have you ever heard the old pearl of wisdom, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

Paul had a plan and consistently followed it.

Even more than where to begin, he followed a consistent pattern as he witnessed.

He proclaimed the Scriptures

He started with OT Law and Prophets and demonstrated how they pointed to Jesus as Messiah.

He reasoned with them and made the case for all of the message:

Death, burial, and resurrection

A common theme for Paul was that he was still a good Pharisee because he proclaimed the hope of the resurrection

Therefore, "this Jesus" truly is "the Christ," the Messiah, God's anointed Prophet, Priest, and King (Horton, 291).

It took preparation to do that!

Paul’s training at the feet of Gamiel was still being used by God!

AP: We must have a plan!

Prepare to be and effective witness through

There is no substitute for Bible Training

Be ready to open His word and share it!

Illustration: George Muller, who established many orphanages throughout England in the 1800’s, once said... "I believe that the one chief reason that I have been kept in happy useful service is that I have been a lover of Holy Scripture.

It has been my habit to read the Bible through four times a year; in a prayerful spirit, to apply it to my heart, and practice what I find there.

I have been for sixty-nine years a happy man; happy, happy, happy."

God’s word must first be a part of us if we are to apply it to others

IL: teacher who doesn’t know their subject- You can clearly tell when they get out of their lane!

We should never say, “I don’t know what to say!” as an excuse to not witness

We should never say, “I don’t know what to say!” as an excuse to not witness

Study the word and like Paul, you will know!

Transition: Another important thing is...

II.

Prepare For Opposition (5-9).

Whenever you are successful someone is going to be jealous.

Nowhere is that truer that when it comes to bringing someone to Christ.

v. 5

The main motivation for their opposition wasn’t doctrinal, but rather it was jealousy

They Jews rejected what God was doing and even forbade Paul from talking to Gentiles about their salvation..

In order to regain the limelight, the started a riot.

They got professional agitators “rounded up bad characters”

Stirred up the crowd.

This through the city into panic mode

"In search of Paul and Silas," they then "rushed to [Gk.

epistantes, "assaulted"] Jason's house."

Unable to find Paul, “they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council.

The trouble makers who were burning the world had come to town!

Since Jason had welcomed them into his home, he was guilty too.

They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”

It is probable, also, that the believers who were "prominent women" (v.

4) included wives of some of these city officials (Horton, 293).

Apparently the city officials did not take the charges seriously enough to punish Jason and the others.

However, to satisfy the crowd, they "made Jason and the others post bond" (Gk.

hikanon, "security").

AP: WE need to expect opposition

Illustration: Young William Wilberforce was discouraged one night in the early 1790s after another defeat in his 10 year battle against the slave trade in England.

Tired and frustrated, he opened his Bible and began to leaf through it.

A small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor.

It was a letter written by John Wesley shortly before his death.

Wilberforce read it again:

"Unless the divine power has raised you up...

I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that (abominable practice of slavery), which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature.

Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils.

But if God be for you, who can be against you?

Are all of them together stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing.

Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might."

1. Remember that Jesus promised us opposition.

2.

He promised that He would be with us.

Be prepared for it, but know that God will get you through it.

Conclusion

1.

To accomplish anything of importance in this life it is going to take preparation.