The Impact of God’s Word on the World Acts 17:1-15

Acts 17:1-15 17:1 – “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was synagogue of the Jews.” 17:2 – “And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,” 17:3 – “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.”

Acts 17:1-15 17:4 – “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.” 17:5 – “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.” 17:6 – “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.”

Acts 17:1-15 17:7 – “and Jason received them, and they are still acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 17:8 – “And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.” 17:9 – “And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.”

Acts 17:1-15 17:10 – “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went to the Jewish synagogue.” 17:11 – “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” 17:12 – “Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.”

Acts 17:1-15 17:13 – “But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Pail at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.” 17:14 – “Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.” 17:15 – “Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.”

God’s Word Impacts the World When Believers Take the Word to the Lost and Dying World Verses 1-3 Paul shared God’s Word with the Thessalonians Paul’s method of sharing God’s Word Reasoned – use the mind and logic Explained – cause to understand; open what is closed Proved – prove as true; set forth in teaching Proclaim – to announce or tell publically

God’s Word Impacts the World When Believers Take the Word to the Lost and Dying World Paul’s message in sharing God’s Word Verse 3 Showed Scriptures predicted the sufferings and resurrection of Jesus Christ Showed that Jesus Christ fulfilled these predictive prophecies Paul’s message? – JESUS CHRIST How do you share the gospel? What message do you leave unbelievers with?

God’s Word Impacts the World When God’s Word is Studied and Examined Verses 10-11 4 phases Bereans used in relation to God’s Word Received God’s Word Eager for God’s Word Examined/ studied God’s Word Studied God’s Word daily

God’s Word Impacts the World When God’s Word is Studied and Examined Are you a Berean? Need a Bible And use your Bible daily

God’s Word Impacts the World Because of the Reaction it Causes Some people react with rejection and resistance to God’s Word Verses 5-9, 13-15 They were jealous Some will reject Some will oppose and fight Don’t be surprised when opposition comes when you share God’s Word

God’s Word Impacts the World Because of the Reaction it Causes Some people react by receiving God’s Word Verse 4 and verse 12 We keep proclaiming God’s Word – knowing some will accept it and believe Motivates us What is your reaction to God’s Word? Rejection? Opposition? Acceptance? Motivated to share it with others?

Conclusion God’s Word impacts the world: When believers share God’s Word with the lost When God’s Word is studied By people’s reaction to God’s Word Turn the world upside down – verse 6 That’s the impact God’s Word can have

Why are we (as believers today) not turning the world upside down? Not sharing the gospel - not being obedient Apathy towards the lost Don’t love and care for the lost Too comfortable in our Holy Huddles Forgot our lost condition Forgot the impact and change Christ made in our lives

Turn your world upside down Turn your family upside down Turn your circle of friends upside down Turn your school/workmates upside down Turn GICF upside down Turn Guangzhou upside down It begins with us individually