An Investment in Heaven- My Tribute to A Kenyan Movement Leader, How to Cooperate With God and Release Miracles. Jesus had set the example of water and Spirit baptism coming together. Why? At the time I didn’t realize what was happening, but now I recognize that my world had been turned upside-down. But the assignment did not and could not entail the planned and purposed cause of social disruption. Moffatt’s translation uses the phrase “These upsetters of the whole world.” Weymouth translates it as “these fellows, who have turned the world topsy-turvy.” They meant it as an accusation, but it is really a compliment. Jesus Christ turned the world upside down the first sermon He preached. How did the Disciples turn the world upside down? The patterns that Jesus started, continued through the apostles and the Jerusalem church. It caused great disturbances. The town was turned upside down. They simply believed in the power of the gospel to change lives and the Holy Spirit working through them. In the first century, believer didn’t just mean someone who heard and agreed with Jesus; it meant someone who acted on that belief. Everywhere they went, they were ridiculed and opposed and persecuted and physically assaulted for their beliefs. We are told too, in these times, that it is good to a man to heap unto himself abundant wealth, and make himself rich, but Jesus Christ turned the world upside down, for he said, there was a certain rich man who was clothed in scarlet, and fared sumptuously every day, and so on, and his fields brought forth abundantly; and he said, "I will pull down my barns, and build greater;" but the Lord says, "Thou fool!" Through generational growth of churches, the Gospel spread far and wide. Were Paul and Silas attempting to turn the world upside down? These Jews did not like the challenge to their religion and finally figured out a way to make this challenge political by claiming that the disciples preached about loyalty to a different king, King Jesus. Let’s look at four important things about the growth of disciples. However, it wasn’t only Paul and his companions who did this. 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; New King James Version. Jesus had healed lame people at the temple before (Matt 21:14). From Antioch many third-generation churches were started by Barnabas and Paul. They’re working hard to be righteous and earn reconciliation with God, and meanwhile God has taken the initiative and come to do the reconciling himself. Rather, as I demonstrate more fully in The Fate of the Apostles, his upside down state symbolizes that fallen humanity has now been restored through the cross. At Pentecost, when the people were cut to the heart and asked what they must do, Peter answered they should: (ii) Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. What Shifts Addition into Multiplication Growth? Jesus discipled in public places (including synagogues and the Temple), and in homes. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor, even the ones who hate us. And we can make a radical difference. (iii) They would receive the gift of the promised Holy Spirit. The persecution by Herod, and the martyrdom of James, brother of John, Peter and John’s healing opened the door to proclaim Jesus (Acts 3:12-18). In Acts 17:6, an angry mob claimed that the followers of Jesus were turning the world upside down. The church is made up of people like us. 1 John 13:1-15 “Jesus: Turning the World Upside-Down” Scripture: John 13:1-15 Memory Verse: Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Lesson Focus: This chapter of John we see how Jesus completely turns things upside- down from what is normal in our fallen world. ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSIGHTS FOR DISCIPLE MAKERS. A massive inversion of their reality, exactly what He had predicted, His bodily resurrection, was another shock, but this time...indescribable joy, wonder, and phenomenal relief; and a restoration of meaning, purpose, and vision which carried them the rest of … By faithfully following where God led them. Your email address will not be published. When Gideon came, behold, a man was relating a dream to his friend. In his beloved. Jesus turned their world upside down because he challenged their understanding of who God is and how God works. The answer is yes, we could. Saying “God, here is what I’m going to do for you today” is a recipe for disaster. … Everywhere they went, they were ridiculed and opposed and persecuted and physically assaulted for their beliefs. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2021, Christianity.com. Is Suffering and Pain Part of the Path to Movements? How Were the Disciples of Jesus Important to the New Testament Church? As we approach the 17th chapter, the apostle Paul, along with his friend and co-missionary Silas, have just been released from jail in Philippi. and “turn the world upside down”, leading up to Paul’s ministry in Thessonalica. If you genuinely want to make a difference in this world like the first-century church, then we, as God’s 21st-century disciples, need to allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives fully. We so often sit and think about ways to serve God, when what we need to do is obey God. Since the beginning, the world has been turned upside down by sin. These Christians have shown their true allegiance and that is to the Lord Jesus Christ and not to the feelings of a bunch of hell bound sinners who do not like to hear the truth. But it starts with you. At Pentecost, they grew by about 3,000 (Acts 2:41). Turning the world upside wasn’t a positive thing. In Acts we see that “many wonders and signs were done through the apostles” (Acts 2:43). Required fields are marked *, All content on this site is protected by copyright laws and may not be used without the author and website developers permission. This rapid growth was also true for the Apostles. We have double standards and moral compromise and little to no power. Like John, Jesus also proclaimed repentance (Mark 1:15). What kind of church would it be? In the first century, believer didn’t just mean someone who heard and agreed with Jesus; it meant someone who acted on that belief. That is rapid growth of disciples! Over the last couple of Sunday evenings, I have been bringing messages of challenge to us as a local church. And when the outside world saw the faith of these new believers, they declared “they turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Does God Hold Us in the Palm of His Hand? When Paul preached, he was usually driven out of town, but he left behind a changed people. In the first century, a small army of believers turned the world upside down in a matter of a few years without TV, radio, or mass media. There were also prophets and teachers (Acts 13:1). This movement began after Jesus rose again. From Pentecost onwards, those who believed were to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit also (Acts 2:38, 39). After reflecting on Jesus’ ways of working, we can learn much from His disciples as well. The people confessed their sins at baptism (Matt 3:6, Mark 1:4,5). Let me ask you this: What if everyone in the church behaved just as you do? But it isn’t that they were radical; it is just that we’re not radical enough. (Acts 2:41). And they did it in the face of intense opposition. Taken from "A Radical Difference" by Harvest Ministries (used by permission). A few months ago, we looked at the characteristics of Jesus’ Movement. First, we looked at what could kill a church and saw that persecution, false doctrine, and indifference can kill a local church. It would surely seem that way from the outside, wouldn’t it? Stephen and the seven oversaw the daily distribution for widows (Acts 6:1-6). And when the outside world saw the faith of these new believers, they declared “they turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). What we see in the Book of Acts is normal, New Testament Christianity. They led a compassion ministry in the church. Persecution came at different levels at different times. We should remember that teaching and practice were integrated. When we see their fearless preaching and their expectant prayer and willingness to obey, these Christians almost seem radical. In fact, in all too many instances, the world [system] is turning the 21st… And he said, “Behold, I had a dream; a loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat.”. Matthew 21:12. They turned the world upside down through the praying they practiced. As deep and depressing as their shock was, Yeshua's disciples had only to wait three days for the restoration of their vision, hope, and joy. In the first century, believer didn’t just mean someone who heard and agreed with Jesus; it meant someone who acted on that belief. Their growth and multiplication were not tied to owning buildings. Just saying “I repent” was not enough. Great numbers followed Jesus (Luke 6:17). Old Christmas is kickt out of Town. In his beloved lyrical style, Martin illuminates key moments from Scripture and shares stories from his … For now, it’s enough to highlight repentance and baptism in water and Spirit happened together for the new disciples after Pentecost. as a disciple. As the Movement grew, the number and type of leaders also grew. the disciples in the aftermath of the Resurrection and as they spread the message of the Gospel. The Great Commission became a reality as the apostles made disciples who made disciples (Matt 28:18-20). What Does Worship Look Like in Disciple Making Movements? They were trying to spread the gospel for sure, and Paul had a particular assignment to do that very thing (Acts 9:15-16; 1 Cor. That same year their numbers grew to 5,000 men, not including the women and children (Acts 4:4). King James Bible. Never! Matthias was added to the eleven (Acts 1:15-26). We are living a watered-down version of the Christian life. On the Day of Pentecost, about 120 believers were gathered together when the Holy Spirit was poured out. 120 Disciples Turned the World Upside-Down And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) –Acts 1:15 Our church just started a study in the book of Acts. There wasn’t a long time between repentance and baptism. 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 come here too. … The Apostles would come into a town and literally turn it upside down with their teachings, preaching, signs, wonders, miracles, and healings. The Ethiopian Eunuch took the Gospel to Ethiopia. 1 John 13:34-35 “Jesus: Turning Our World Upside-Down” Scripture: John 13:34-35 Memory Verse: John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Lesson Focus: This is our last week looking at how Jesus turns the world upside down. What a great thing to have said about you—that you managed to turn the world upside town. Some might answer that the Church’s mission is racial reconciliation, the pursuit of social justice, or the alleviation of poverty. Though these are all wonderful parts of the Church’s ministry, they are not it’s primaryministry. And when the outside world saw the faith of these new believers, they declared “they turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). They should not be separated. They were baptized in water at the same time. The martyrdom of Stephen led to great persecution, but the assembly continued to multiply (Acts 8:1; 9:31). Your email address will not be published. He tells us to turn … And that, by the way, was offered as a criticism, not as a compliment (see Acts 17:6). As the movement grew beyond Jerusalem, others such as Barnabas and Paul were appointed apostles (Acts 14:14). The Apostles' preaching stirred either dedication or opposition. Conclusion: It is amazing that we know so little about the men who “turned the world upside down.” Jesus had prepared them and God used them in a powerful way to alert the world to His good news that Jesus Christ had come into the world to save sinners. Every problem the early church encountered, there was but one response -PRAYER. If we are to turn things around, we must preach and live the unadulterated Gospel of Christ without fear of the opposition of the world. Philip was an evangelist (Acts 21:8). SEE Acts 19:24-41 The persecution by Herod, and the martyrdom of James, brother of John, did not stop the growth and multiplication either (Acts 12:1-5; 12:24). The disciples met and were taught in private homes (Acts 2:46; 5:42). Prophets such as Agabus arose (Acts 11:27). Read: Acts 17:1-9. This was the mark of raising up disciples of Jesus – they followed the teachings and practices of Jesus. The world has been turned upside down by sin, and so Peter can see the upside-down nature of the world clearly while hanging with his head downward on the cross. They were confident in … The apostles discipled Barnabas, who discipled Saul, who discipled Timothy and so on. It was said of the early church that they turned the world upside down. They were ordinary people whom God enabled to do extraordinary things. This is what Jesus did. Jerusalem was the first generation. The most important foundation of all we do in DMMs should be what Jesus taught and did, not Peter or Paul. Current generation disciples (if the Biblical term “disciples” can be used to identify 21st century Christian believers) are, as a whole, falling short of turning the world upside down. In a future article, we will look more closely at the daily activities of the Jerusalem church. First generation disciples turned the world upside down for Christ (Acts 17:6b). Experiencing God As He Prepares For A DMM Around You, Key #3 DMM Breakthrough Growth: Train Don’t Teach. He tells us to forgive those who have hurt us. He shattered the jai In the Temple, they met at Solomon’s Portico in the Gentile court (Acts 3:11; 5:12). It was a derogatory comment. And it’s our commitment to Jesus Christ, King of Kings, that continues to turn the world upside down today, just as Paul and Silas did in Acts. May God enable us to earn more "criticisms" like this, because it seems today the opposite is happening in the church. When sin upset the world in the Garden, several things were lost, including innocence, fellowship with God, and peace with God. The largest recorded number being 5,000 men (Luke 9:14). And therefore the wise seldom love it. Turning the World Upside Down Acts 17:6 . Share in the comments below or on the Dmms Frontier Missions Facebook Group. One of the most obvious traits of those who turned the world upside down is that they refused to abandon the true word of God for church dogma, doctrines, and rituals. They weren’t deacons serving the communion table. It was the beginning of a movement that continues to this very day. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Then, Philip, Peter, and John played important roles in making second-generation churches in Samaria and Judea (Acts 8:5-13; 8:25; 8:26-39). If you wish to see the world turned upside down to perfection just turn to the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew–here you have a whole summary of the world reversed. What kind of a prayer life would the church have? Elders, like James, brother of Jesus, were appointed (Acts 11:30; 12:17; 15:12-29). lyrical style, Martin illuminates key moments from Scripture and shares stories from his own life. In Acts, Christianity was a menace. … Today’s reading showed us the Holy Spirit guiding Paul. Holy-dayes are despis'd, new fashions are devis'd. Some were even put to death. Christianity has, and always will, cause a commotion. For example, Peter and John healed the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:1). But the truth is, the apostles and other believers were doing the opposite! But the disciples turned the world upside down in another way. Could we see another great movement of the Holy Spirit? As you read, you likely noticed differences between your practices and those of the New Testament movements. We’ll look at seven characteristics that affected the apostle’s fruitfulness.These reflect the idea that Peter and the apostles were disciples of Jesus, and followed what He taught and did. This is the world turned upside down with a vengeance! The Roman church was formed long before Paul got there, perhaps by visitors from Rome at Pentecost (Acts 2:10). Antioch Syria was another second-generation church started by disciples from Jerusalem (Acts 11:19). When Matthias was chosen to replace Judas, there were about 120 disciples (Acts 1:15). The World Turned Upside Down (To the Tune of, When the King enioys his own again.) What Does it Mean to ‘Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord’? Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Christianity is a Challenge. It was not a mantra for a political agenda that drove these men across the globe, but the memory of Christ’s words they had ringing in their ears: Kevin DeYoung helpfully paraphrases this verse in his book, What is the Mission of the Church? He tells us to pray for our enemies. It starts with me. Jesus gave the apostles power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1-2). Could what happened in Acts happen again? The Book of Acts tells the story of a handful of men and women who, by the power of the Holy Spirit, did not leave their world the same way they found it. : “We believe the church is sent into the world to witness to … This was a common meeting place for Jewish Rabbis to teach their disciples. As with Jesus, “People of Peace” played important roles in seeing the spread of the Gospel, Cornelius is an example (Acts 10:23-48). In this lesson we will look at how Jesus calls all of His followers to be game-changers in The result was that the number of believers increased to about 5,000 men, just like Jesus (Acts 4:4). Pursuing Disciple Making Movements in the Frontiers. What action will you take to see your disciple making efforts more like the model in the New Testament? Some were even put to death. How well would the church know the Bible? We turn a child's world upside down when we help ensure that he or she is born and loved and cherished. The apostles followed Jesus’ example and did not own a single place of worship of their own, nor did they desire one. Let’s discover some basic characteristics of the Jerusalem movement, led by Peter and the earliest apostles. Those who performed “acts of service” were appointed as deacons. Yet within a period of about 30 years, this original group of 120 and their converts came to be known as those who turned their world upside down. It meant the world as they knew it – the world that reinforced their power – was being turned upside down. For certain people – people with power – in the time of the Apostles, followers of Jesus represented a real threat. In Acts, we observe the Jerusalem church (meaning the disciples who gathered in and around Jerusalem) growing generationally to regions beyond. The kind of believer who lives with that same world-changing faith today. No. At first, Jesus himself was baptizing (John 3:22), and later His disciples were baptizing (John 4:1-2). In his second non-fiction work, walk through the lives of the disciples in the aftermath of the Resurrection and as they spread the message of the Gospel and “turn the world upside down”, leading up to Paul’s ministry in Thessonalica. All rights reserved. Listen to me and you shall hear, news hath not been this thousand year: Since Herod, Caesar, and many more, you never heard the like before. We will look more closely at baptism in a future article. Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down. 9:15-18). This is what John the Baptist practiced. How many people would be hearing the gospel? Verse Concepts. Theme by. They set the pattern for future assemblies (churches) in other places. Yet within a period of about 30 years, this original group of 120 and their converts came to be known as those who turned their world upside down. These signs showed that the Kingdom of God was real, and helped many people believe. Actually, God did the releasing. Because if Jesus was the Messiah, it meant their time of power was over. Permission ) preaching and their expectant prayer and willingness to obey, Christians... Part of the Jerusalem church ( meaning the disciples of Jesus important to New. Resurrection and as they knew it – the world upside down ( to the New Testament they set example! 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Acts 2:41 ) by about 3,000 ( Acts 2:38, 39 ) and little to power! Look like in disciple making Movements over all demons and to cure diseases Luke! You see the world upside down for Christ ( Acts 3:1 ) first he!
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