Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:17–20
Introduction
A. This record of Paul’s preaching in Macedonia finds its setting in the middle of his second missionary journey.
B. In the first century this world was turned upside down by a few faithful people with but a single tool—the gospel.
Discussion
I. Paul and Silas certainly turned Thessalonica upside down.
A. Because they could not refute their teachings, the Jews wanted to have them killed (vv 5–9).
B. Paul and Silas were sent away by night by the brethren to Berea in the south (v 10).
C. The seed, however, had already been planted, and the brethren of Thessalonica spread out the word of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:8).
II. How did Paul and his contemporaries turn the world upside down?
A. Paul “reasoned with them” (v 2).
B. His reasons came from the Scriptures (v 2).
C. He was “explaining and demonstrating that Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead” (v 3).
III. The “old, old story” can still turn the modern world upside down.
A. Some think that the Bible is too old to have any authority or power in the modern day.
B. When Paul reasoned from the Old Testament Scriptures, some of them were already centuries old!
C. The Scriptures are just as authoritative (Romans 1:16) and powerful (1 Peter 4:11) today as they have ever been!
Conclusion
When we begin to use the tool the apostles used to turn the world upside down, we may be surprised at how effective it still can be!