The Jesus Connection

The Jesus Connection gives us the Power to Turn the World Upside Down

When we examine the New Testament we find a world very much like our own. There was a mixture of cultures, values, religions and beliefs. The demonic spirits which had lied to each culture were at war to gain dominance as the peoples of the world mixed with each other.

Demonic principalities and powers did all they could to stop the spread of the Good News. The demonic powers used fear, magic, politics and racial hatred to stop the Gospel and all who were apart of the Way. (John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

When we study the NT we also find the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit’s power allowed the believers in the Early Church to transform their world despite all of these elements which were aligned against them and the Good News they carried. It is obvious that the Gospel or Good News which Jesus brought engaged every level of society, culture and spirituality. Many see the message of Jesus as a weak and useless outdated philosophy; others see it as a threat to their chosen path, beliefs or culture. It is however God’s Good News to all people groups and has the power to transform lives, families, and nations!

Word Study Note: When you look up the word power in a concordance you will find that it occurs 250 times in NT

UNDERSTANDING THE SETTING
We can see the priority Jesus gave the receiving of the Holy Spirits power which would be necessary if the believers were to continue ‘to do and teach all that Jesus began to do and teach, Acts 1:1-8.’ To gain a good comprehension of the world into which the Gospel (Good News) came after the death and resurrection of Jesus we can read Romans 1:1-32. We also see that for the Jew who rejected Jesus as the Messiah, Christians or the people of the Way, were seen as turning their world upside down, Acts 17:1-10. The Gospel was Good news for all who would believe, but for those who made their living from the demonically inspired religions of the day it caused a great disturbance, Acts 19:1-20:1!
It is important that you read the entire Biblical text referenced so I have provided links to online Bible sites. http://www.biblegateway.com

You Shall Receive Power
Acts 1:1-8 There are two related and key truths in this passage.
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." NIV
Mankind takes a rebellious path from which the Gospel alone has the power to deliver.

Power for Those Who Believe
Rom 1:1-32
16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." NIV

Power to Turn the World Upside Down
Acts 17:1-10
6: These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; KJV
The Gospel (the Way of Christ) causes a great disturbance to the world’s way of thinking and doing things!

Power to Cause a Great Disturbance
Acts 19:1-20:1
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. NIV

No where in the NT is this battle more clear than in area known as Asia Minor
It was a land bridge between Asia and Europe which was often the battle ground for those seeking to impose their way. politically, spiritually or morally on others.

"A peninsula, also called Anatolia, situated in the extreme western part of the continent of Asia. Asia Minor was bounded on the north by the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles; the Aegean Sea on the west; and Syria and the Mediterranean Sea on the south.
Roughly identical with the modern nation of Turkey, Asia Minor was a high plateau crossed by mountains, especially the Taurus Mountains near the southern coast. In the New Testament, the term Asia is ambiguous, sometimes referring to the peninsula of Asia Minor as a whole (Acts 19:26-27), but more often referring to proconsular Asia, situated in the western part of the peninsula (Acts 2:9; 6:9). The writer of Acts appears to use the term Asia to describe the region of the province of Asia around Ephesus. He refers to other regions of the province as Phrygia and Mysia (Acts 2:9-10; 16:6-7). "(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Truths with Power
In this study we will learn the powerful truths that are provided in Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians to help us win our battles against evil and turn or world upside down. We will also learn what magic is, who the powers are, and why is it important for us to know about them? What is Spiritual Warfare, is it important in scripture, do we all need to fight spiritual battles, what are our weapons, and from whom do we have authority to win any spiritual battle?

Check back each week for the next article in this study. Or if your in the Denver area, hear it in person on Sunday Mornings 9:15 a.m. at Calvary Temple on University Blvd in the
' Connections Class'. Ministry Center room 1.

Artwork by Manifold Majesty by William hallmark at http://www.majesticartworks.com/GB%20228.htm