UPSIDE DOWN!

UPSIDE DOWN!

Acts 17:1-6

17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

6 And when they 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;

          The Greek word that forms the basis of the words “upside down,” is anastatoo and literally means “to stand up; to drive out of home.” The implication is that comfort and complacency is disturbed. This was the accusation regarding Jason’s house guests, Paul and Silas. They had come into Thessalonica because there was a Jewish Temple where Paul, a Jew, might open a debate regarding Jesus the Messiah.

The word “alleging” in verse three means “to place alongside.” By placing Jesus alongside the Old Testament Scriptures one could clearly see that He fit every requirement. Jesus was Christ! Many believed and the calm of complacency was disturbed.

Today many newer churches, filled with young and enthusiastic fans, are striving for relevance. Worship houses resemble concert stages replete with mood lighting and smoke machines. Doctrine is often replaced by motivational and psychological messages. Snack bars and coffee shops welcome the revelers and offer a refreshing break for those who can’t abide a full hour of uninterrupted worship. Denominational names and distinctions have been removed so that all are welcomed into a swirling blend of truths and counter-truths. Smiles are everywhere as one’s own brand of religion is affirmed and welcomed. Sin is not challenged because that would make one uncomfortable. The world feels welcome here and attends regularly.

In John chapter 6, a huge crowd followed Jesus. He fed them with fish and bread and they followed him around the lake expecting more. In John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” Jesus slowly began to teach them doctrine and the crowds began to melt away. As the teaching grew more intense and deep still more walked away. I think the shrinking of the crowd was both incidental and intentional. It was incidental because of the nature of the teaching. It was intentional because Jesus didn’t want to be followed by fish nibblers but by serious students of truth.

When technology replaces truth we have abandoned faith for form. When our appetites lean more toward the physical we are left with an emptiness that cannot be filled with a coffee and Danish. Didn’t Jesus promise to fill those who had a spiritual hunger? Matt 5:6 says: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Truth must not be abandoned but applied!

Dear Lord, as our world gasps for a few last breaths, let us peel away the veneer of worldliness from our worship and feast upon the sincere milk and meat of the word. AMEN