Calvary Chapel Santa Rosa

WHO turned the world upside-down? Paul & Silas & those who, like Paul & Silas, were hearers & doers of God’s Word!                                                                                                                             WHAT turned the world upside-down, and set it right?  God’s Word delivered with God’s Love                                                                                                                                                           WHEN did this happen? While passing through town! We are also pilgrims & strangers just passing through the world! We speak when it’s convenient & when it’s inconvenient!                                       WHERE did this happen? In the synagogue & in the streets! Among the religious folks & the gentiles–a great multitude!                                                                                                                                                           WHY did this happen? Because God’s Word is contrary to the way of Sin, Self, & the System! The messengers lived it!                                                                                                                        HOW did they turn the world upside-down? By reasoning, not arguing with people, reading from the Word of God! Proclaiming God’s Love toward mankind through the Life, Death & Resurrection of God’s Only Son, Jesus Christ!

One huge battle every Christian faces, is the temptation to compromise Bible doctrine (teaching). In the Book of Revelation Chapters 2 & 3 Jesus rebukes the churches because they had compromised and left their first love. They had compromised and allowed the doctrines of the Nicolaitans to infiltrate the church. They had embraced the doctrine of Balaam. They allowed that woman Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, to influence the church. It is because of these kinds of compromises that the influence of Christians in the world has been weakened (Acts 16).                                                The Bible asks; “what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Cor.6:14) But the enemy always attempts to combine them. Today, there is a movement toward ecumenism (unity). Its supporters say we need to put aside the differences in our doctrine so that we can all be united. Christians cannot do that. Christians must maintain doctrinal purity and refuse to compromise in order to have victory in the Spiritual battles.

AFTER SPIRITUAL BATTLES AND VICTORIES, God’s people often would write songs to remind them of what God had done! Moses wrote after God delivered Israel from slavery; “I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!” (Ex.15:1) Deborah wrote a song of God’s delivering power (Judges 5). David constantly wrote songs to and about God. “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name  together!”(Ps.34:3)  Singing to the Lord and singing about the Lord will lift your spirits & keep your focus on Jesus.  As we focus on the Lord in song, it is amazing how our problems diminish and fade. Paul and Silas sang in the prison, in the midst of a Spiritual battle, looking forward to the victory! The other prisoners listened, probably wondering why these Christians are singing in this situation? – until after the earthquake shook the prison and all the doors were opened. (Acts 16)

PETER DECLARED THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD WHEN HE SAID: “God knows the hearts of men” (Acts 15:8). David said the same thing in Psalm 139 “Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off.” This doesn’t mean God is far away in heaven and I’m away down here on earth; and from that distance, God knows my thoughts. The idea is GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING; “You know my thoughts in their origins.” It’s interesting how God knows my thoughts from their origin. He knows my thoughts before I even think them.          A little later in this same discussion James would say; “Known to God from eternity are all His works”(Acts 15:18). It is amazing how God’s omniscience is woven right in here with their common discussion. God knows everything. GOD KNOWS HEARTS!