A World Turned Upside Down.

Those Paul visited in various cities received him and the message he had to bring in different ways. Some received the word skeptically, others readily. It’s the same today isn't it? Not all people receive the word of truth in the same way.

As Paul continued on, city after city, acceptance by some while others sought his harm intent on stopping him from continuing to 'turn the world upside down' -

Act 17:6  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

- Turning the world upside- down.   People like things to remain familiar, when introducing change there is often a belief that the world as we know it is turned upside down and inside out. After thousands of years with rituals given by God to Moses, those rituals were now being tossed aside, why? Because the reason for the rituals had transpired, the GREATEST, the ULTIMTE sacrifice had been made and any ritual sacrifice for sins after that were meaningless. It was time to comprehend that the prophecies had been fulfilled and as a result a change in behavior was expected.  You could do something for years knowing it's all in preparation for something else to take place, and then lose sight that a change is supposed to come. You get set in your ways, in your routine, in your way of thinking. When change comes and you're reminded that it was always supposed to be that way, you may not want to hear that truth, you may just want things to go back the way they were.  When our worlds are turned upside down it's not always a welcomed, pleasant thing to experience. Yet, if we only want to follow truth then we have to recognize change is often necessary.  For all of us waiting and longing for our Savior to return to take us to heaven with Him, we have to realize right now that it will call for a very drastic change to all we know.  There will be nothing in our possessions that will come with us to heaven, we won't have time to pack for this trip, we won't have time to say good bye to anyone. When we are called by our Savior we won't even want to pack or say good bye to everyone- because those going to heaven with our Savior will have been longing for that day of the greatest change ever. Our treasures are in heaven and we will be going to our treasures- the greatest treasure - Christ Himself! 

Having their world turned upside down by the truth is a great thing, yet so many fought against the truth and the change it meant to bring to their lives.  How many today fight against truth that calls for change in their lives? Way too many.

Paul went to the next city and there were 'more noble' people in this city than another. Whey were there 'more noble' people in this city? Because they RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND AND SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY MAKING SURE ALL THEY WERE TOLD WAS THE TRUTH.

They wanted truth! Their desire for truth led them to search for it!  Because of their search for the truth MANY believed!

The truth is there, right there in the word of God and we shouldn't be afraid to take any truth a person would have us believe and weigh it against the evidence in the scriptures.   May we ever seek truth!

All through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior now and forever!!!!!!! God's will be done!

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

Act 17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 

Act 17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.