by Steve Hale
"But,when they did not, find them, they dragged 'Jason and some brethren to. the rulers of the city, crying out, 'These who. have turned the world upside down have came here too'" ( Acts 17:6" NKJV) .
Thessalanica was one of the great cities of Grecian Macedonia. It became the
chief part of the region, particularly after the harbor at Pella had yielding to silting. Its nearly 200,000 inhabitants included a large Raman population, and a Jewish colony.
The Jews not persuaded by the preaching of Paul, who. reasoned with them in their own Synagogue far three Sabbaths ( Acts 17:1-2), lowered themselves to violence ( Acts 17:5-6). In the midst of their unreasoned indignation, they made a startling admission: "these who. have turned the world upside dawn have came here too."
We need to be known as such an "upside dawn" 'people. As Paul, we need to. challenge the doctrines and belief systems of those who. differ from gospel and the cross of Christ.
The Lord has blessed us to be in just such a position. We want to. be the church to turn Mr. Juliet "upside dawn" in a good, godly way.
To be called such 1m upside dawn people, we need commitment, abounding, to listen, and the loyalty of Royalty. Note this makes the acrostic c-a-l-l.
Commitment -- Gad planned to save us before the foundation of the world: "just as He chase us in Him before the foundation after world..." ( Ephesians 1:4). Gad was so committed to. this, that he gave His awn San for our redemption ( Ephesians 1:5-7). To. be an upside dawn people, we reflect this commitment by taking up our crosses daily.
Abounding -- The Lord did not half-way save us: He made the riches of His grace abound ( Ephesians 1:8-10)! He has lavished us with His forgiveness and grace! The natural response in an outpouring of our lave: "We lave Him because He first laved us" ( I John 4:19). Because of this, our work far Him is not slipshod or dutisome. Rather, it abounds ( 1 Corinthians 15 :58; Gen. 29:20)!
Listening to His counsel -- Far Him to work in our lives, we must trust Him enough to listen to Him ( Ephesians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2). If He is the author and finisher of our faith, and He is, then we must begin our identity by listening to. Him! His wards are profitable (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)!
Loyalty of Royalty -- He guarantees us into the Kingdom by the seal-of the Holy Spirit ( Ephesians 1:13-14). He promises to be with using every effort to glorify His name ( Matthew 28:20). He's even with us in the midst of disagreements ( Matthew 28:20)!
Let's be an "upside dawn" people!