Q&A with Tim Ross
Author of "Upset The World"
Q: What motivated you to write your new book "Upset the World"?
A: The book is based on a sermon series I did several years ago about Acts 17:6 where the scripture says “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world...” In the Greek, the word “trouble” literally means “to upset.” The accurate and appropriate definition of the word “upset” is to “disturb or derange completely.” Anyone who has come into a relationship with Jesus Christ has done so because they have had their world upset by Him. He has come into our lives to turn them right side up, therefore, we are to be upsetters as we lead others to Jesus.
Q: You make the statement that we should get used to upsetting people. Talk about that.
A: A lot of churches have reduced relational evangelism to a weekend or monthly event. As believers in Jesus Christ and as people mandated to make disciples of all nations, we need to be evangelizing people on a daily basis for the rest of our lives. Hug people. Have conversations with people. Build relationships with them. We need to become fearless in our faith. If you cannot love people right where they are, you probably have a hard time receiving love from God yourself. The truth is hurt people hurt people, but free people free people and upset people upset people. You can’t help but upset people when you’ve had your own life completely overturned.
Q: Our world is very upset right now, but not in a good way. What can we do, as Christians, to help our society heal?
A: Christians have to remember where our allegiance lies. We are in this world, but not of this world. We have a dual citizenship. I am a citizen of America, but I am also a citizen of heaven and I identify myself primarily as a citizen of heaven first and foremost. In order to break down more barriers with those around us, the Church needs to be doing good works and we need to be praying for boldness to do so. Love was Jesus’ motivation to upset the world and it should be ours as well. Several years ago, a LGBTQ group called our church and said they were coming to picket and protest. Our security team met with the leadership team and everyone was on high alert. As the Sunday service was about to begin, I asked one of the security team members where they would be protesting. He pointed outside to an area of the campus and I said, “Can we get some pastries and coffee set up for them there?” He seemed genuinely shocked. I said, “The best way to break down this wall of hostility is to show them how much we love them.” Only love can burst the mindset of hate.
A: The book is based on a sermon series I did several years ago about Acts 17:6 where the scripture says “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world...” In the Greek, the word “trouble” literally means “to upset.” The accurate and appropriate definition of the word “upset” is to “disturb or derange completely.” Anyone who has come into a relationship with Jesus Christ has done so because they have had their world upset by Him. He has come into our lives to turn them right side up, therefore, we are to be upsetters as we lead others to Jesus.
Q: You make the statement that we should get used to upsetting people. Talk about that.
A: A lot of churches have reduced relational evangelism to a weekend or monthly event. As believers in Jesus Christ and as people mandated to make disciples of all nations, we need to be evangelizing people on a daily basis for the rest of our lives. Hug people. Have conversations with people. Build relationships with them. We need to become fearless in our faith. If you cannot love people right where they are, you probably have a hard time receiving love from God yourself. The truth is hurt people hurt people, but free people free people and upset people upset people. You can’t help but upset people when you’ve had your own life completely overturned.
Q: Our world is very upset right now, but not in a good way. What can we do, as Christians, to help our society heal?
A: Christians have to remember where our allegiance lies. We are in this world, but not of this world. We have a dual citizenship. I am a citizen of America, but I am also a citizen of heaven and I identify myself primarily as a citizen of heaven first and foremost. In order to break down more barriers with those around us, the Church needs to be doing good works and we need to be praying for boldness to do so. Love was Jesus’ motivation to upset the world and it should be ours as well. Several years ago, a LGBTQ group called our church and said they were coming to picket and protest. Our security team met with the leadership team and everyone was on high alert. As the Sunday service was about to begin, I asked one of the security team members where they would be protesting. He pointed outside to an area of the campus and I said, “Can we get some pastries and coffee set up for them there?” He seemed genuinely shocked. I said, “The best way to break down this wall of hostility is to show them how much we love them.” Only love can burst the mindset of hate.
Q: You say upsetters are not religious. Explain.
A: We need to be people who have a desire to please God as opposed to being forced to please God. Jesus wants to free us of the trappings of a to-do list. We need to seek relationship rather than religion.
Q: One of your chapters talks about disturbing the "piece" not "peace." What is that about?
A: People may have a “piece” or many “pieces” in their lives that hinder them from having a relationship with God. I share several stories from the Bible where Jesus purposely and strategically addressed specific situations in people’s lives in order to set them free from sin and bondage. And ultimately, on the cross, Jesus disturbed that one piece that separated all of us from a relationship with God. It is the most upsetting thing that has ever happened in human history.
Q: If readers take away one idea from this book, what would it be?
A: As believers, we have all been called to upset the world. We don’t have to ask the Lord if it’s something He’s called us to do, and we don’t need to pray or fast about it. Sometimes we think if we are not casting out demons or doing something sensationalistic that we’re not being mightily used by God. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. He uses us all in different ways. What is important is that we hear and obey what He says. Expressing your faith can literally change the world.
A: We need to be people who have a desire to please God as opposed to being forced to please God. Jesus wants to free us of the trappings of a to-do list. We need to seek relationship rather than religion.
Q: One of your chapters talks about disturbing the "piece" not "peace." What is that about?
A: People may have a “piece” or many “pieces” in their lives that hinder them from having a relationship with God. I share several stories from the Bible where Jesus purposely and strategically addressed specific situations in people’s lives in order to set them free from sin and bondage. And ultimately, on the cross, Jesus disturbed that one piece that separated all of us from a relationship with God. It is the most upsetting thing that has ever happened in human history.
Q: If readers take away one idea from this book, what would it be?
A: As believers, we have all been called to upset the world. We don’t have to ask the Lord if it’s something He’s called us to do, and we don’t need to pray or fast about it. Sometimes we think if we are not casting out demons or doing something sensationalistic that we’re not being mightily used by God. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. He uses us all in different ways. What is important is that we hear and obey what He says. Expressing your faith can literally change the world.
Press Release
Author says it is time for Christians to upset the world
For Immediate Release (Dallas, TX) — According to a Barna research study, a majority of Christian Millennials struggle with the idea of evangelism because they feel as if people might be offended if they share their faith or they will be considered judgmental by their peers. Tim Ross, author of the new book “Upset the World” (Gateway Press), says that despite what people’s reactions may be, sharing the Christian faith is crucial, especially in an increasingly secular society.
“A lot of churches have reduced relational evangelism to a weekend or monthly event,” says Ross. “As believers, we are mandated by Scripture to make disciples of all nations, and we need to be evangelizing people on a daily basis for the rest of our lives. Hug people. Have conversations with people. Build relationships with them. We need to become fearless in our faith. If you cannot love people right where they are, you probably have a hard time receiving love from God yourself.”
Ross says the title of his book is not meant to evoke or condone the present-day unrest in our world but is derived specifically from Scripture.
“The book is based on a sermon series I did several years ago about Acts 17:6. This verse says, ‘Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world.’ In the Greek, the word ‘trouble’ literally means ‘to upset.’ You may think if you have made someone upset, you have made them angry. However, the more accurate and appropriate definition of the word ‘upset’ is to ‘disturb or derange completely.’ Anyone who has come into a relationship with Jesus Christ has done so because they have had their world upset by Him.”
Ross believes the only way to upset the world is to be like Jesus, and that means showing love to everyone.
“Several years ago, a LGBTQ group called our church and said they were coming to picket and protest,” says Ross. “Everyone was on high alert that weekend. As the Sunday service was about to begin, I asked one of the security guards where protestors would be gathering. Then I asked, ‘Can we get some Danishes and coffee for them?’ The security guard seemed genuinely shocked. I explained, ‘The best way to break down this wall of hostility is to show them how much we love them.’ Love was Jesus’ motivation to upset the world, and it should be ours as well. Only love can burst the mindset of hate.”
“A lot of churches have reduced relational evangelism to a weekend or monthly event,” says Ross. “As believers, we are mandated by Scripture to make disciples of all nations, and we need to be evangelizing people on a daily basis for the rest of our lives. Hug people. Have conversations with people. Build relationships with them. We need to become fearless in our faith. If you cannot love people right where they are, you probably have a hard time receiving love from God yourself.”
Ross says the title of his book is not meant to evoke or condone the present-day unrest in our world but is derived specifically from Scripture.
“The book is based on a sermon series I did several years ago about Acts 17:6. This verse says, ‘Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world.’ In the Greek, the word ‘trouble’ literally means ‘to upset.’ You may think if you have made someone upset, you have made them angry. However, the more accurate and appropriate definition of the word ‘upset’ is to ‘disturb or derange completely.’ Anyone who has come into a relationship with Jesus Christ has done so because they have had their world upset by Him.”
Ross believes the only way to upset the world is to be like Jesus, and that means showing love to everyone.
“Several years ago, a LGBTQ group called our church and said they were coming to picket and protest,” says Ross. “Everyone was on high alert that weekend. As the Sunday service was about to begin, I asked one of the security guards where protestors would be gathering. Then I asked, ‘Can we get some Danishes and coffee for them?’ The security guard seemed genuinely shocked. I explained, ‘The best way to break down this wall of hostility is to show them how much we love them.’ Love was Jesus’ motivation to upset the world, and it should be ours as well. Only love can burst the mindset of hate.”
About Tim Ross:
Tim Ross is the lead pastor of the multi-ethnic, multi-generational Embassy City Church in Irving, Texas. He has served in ministry for more than 24 years and is a sought-after speaker both nationally and internationally. Tim and his wife, Juliette, have been married more than 20 years and they have two sons, Nathan and Noah.
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Tim Ross is the lead pastor of the multi-ethnic, multi-generational Embassy City Church in Irving, Texas. He has served in ministry for more than 24 years and is a sought-after speaker both nationally and internationally. Tim and his wife, Juliette, have been married more than 20 years and they have two sons, Nathan and Noah.
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Endorsements:
“Tim awakens every reader to the reality that God has positioned our generation to turn the world upside down, and the revolution begins within our hearts.”
— Rich Wilkerson, Jr., Lead Pastor of Vous Church
“This book will inspire you to stop blending and start standing.”
— Charlotte Gambill, Best-selling author, lead pastor of LIFE Church
“Tim Ross is one of the greatest communicators of Christian truth I have ever met.”
-- Mike Pilavachi, Founder of Soul Survivor Watford/UK
“Upset the World is not your ordinary evangelism manual. Tim Ross brings fresh revelation and much-needed encouragement to anyone in the body of Christ who wants to share their faith.”
— Jimmy Evans, Senior Pastor of Gateway Church
“This book will give you practical ways to be a light to all those around you in your everyday life.”
— Chris Durso, Lead Pastor of Saints Church
— Rich Wilkerson, Jr., Lead Pastor of Vous Church
“This book will inspire you to stop blending and start standing.”
— Charlotte Gambill, Best-selling author, lead pastor of LIFE Church
“Tim Ross is one of the greatest communicators of Christian truth I have ever met.”
-- Mike Pilavachi, Founder of Soul Survivor Watford/UK
“Upset the World is not your ordinary evangelism manual. Tim Ross brings fresh revelation and much-needed encouragement to anyone in the body of Christ who wants to share their faith.”
— Jimmy Evans, Senior Pastor of Gateway Church
“This book will give you practical ways to be a light to all those around you in your everyday life.”
— Chris Durso, Lead Pastor of Saints Church