World Changers

The Book of Acts shows us the mighty deeds the Spirit of God brings about to witness to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. It shows the true mission of the church but also shows the acts of men in trying to stop the spread of the gospel. So the gospel, as we see in the reaction in Thessalonica, is good news to some but not to others. Paul shows us how Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the Jewish hope. We are challenged to ask ourselves as Christians whether we still feel He is good news or whether we have wearied of sovereign grace and shown evidence of spiritual decline. For others the gospel is bad news as again becomes clear from the reaction of many people in Thessalonica.

In the accusation levelled at Paul and his companions that they were the people who had turned the world upside down, there is much truth to be admitted. The message of the gospel is turning many communities upside down across the world. It is turning lives upside down. We need to play our part in this by preaching and witnessing as well as seeking to make a difference by our very presence in the world. We have to ensure that the Lord Jesus continues to turn our personal worlds upside down so that we keep our separation from the world and our cutting edge.