WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also…”
Acts 17:6b (ESV)
WHY EASTER? MY WORLD NEEDS CHANGING
Dr. George Sweeting tells of an incident, in the early 1920s, when Communist leader Nikolai Bukharin was sent from Moscow to Kiev to address an anti-God rally. For an hour, he abused and ridiculed the Christian faith until it seemed as if the whole structure of belief was in ruins. Then questions were invited. An Orthodox church priest rose and asked to speak. He turned, faced the people, and gave the Easter greeting, “He is risen!” Instantly the assembly rose to its feet and the reply came back loud and clear, “He is risen indeed!” (Today in the Word).
When Christianity penetrated the old Roman Empire it was a revolution. It had a tremendous effect. The Jewish leaders complained that Paul and the disciples “have turned the world upside down.” William Barclay commented, “That is one of the greatest compliments which has ever been paid to Christianity….When Christianity really goes into action it must cause a revolution both in the life of the individual and in the life of society.”
Reflection
Mike reminded us in the sermon that our world needs changing and that’s why Easter matters. What are some of the ways you believe the gospel could help change our world?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for some of the ways God is impacting the world through our church family. Ask God to clearly show us how and where He wants to use us to impact the world for Him next.
