A Church That Turns the World Upside Down

A Church That Turns the World Upside Down

Text: Acts 17:1–9 (ESV) By: Rev. Scott Davis, BTh

Introduction

When I look at the faithful remnant here at Montgomery Methodist, I’m reminded of the very first gathering of believers in Thessalonica—the small group that met in Jason’s home. They weren’t a large congregation, they didn’t have a big building, and they didn’t have all the resources we sometimes think are necessary for ministry. What they did have was a burning desire to see their world turned upside down for Jesus. Their goal wasn’t crowds—it was conversion. It wasn’t popularity—it was power. It wasn’t filling a sanctuary—it was filling hearts with the gospel. And from that little house-church, God lit a fire that spread through an entire region. I believe with all my heart that God can do the same with a small, faithful remnant right here. God has always done His greatest work through people who simply trust Him, love Him, and let Him use them. Montgomery Methodist may be small in number, but you stand in the legacy of believers who changed the world—not by size, but by surrender to Christ.

In Acts 17, Paul and Silas come to Thessalonica. They don’t arrive with fanfare, a big budget, or a polished program—they arrive with the message of Jesus Christ. And that message was so powerful, the city accused them of turning the world upside down.

That’s the kind of church I want to be a part of—a church that doesn’t blend in with the world but changes the world. A church that makes waves for the glory of God. A church that still believes the gospel changes lives.

Let’s read it together—Acts 17:1–9

Acts 17:1–9 ESV

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Contextual Bridge: The Church at Thessalonica

Before we dive into the points of this passage, it helps to understand the background of Thessalonica—because it gives incredible weight to what God did here.

Thessalonica was one of the most important cities in the Roman world—a bustling port city located on the Via Egnatia, a major trade route that connected Rome with the eastern provinces. It was a strategic city, full of merchants, travelers, soldiers, and idol worshipers. The city was dedicated to the worship of many gods, but especially the imperial cult, meaning Caesar himself was honored as a god.

Now imagine Paul walking into that environment—just two men, Paul and Silas—no building, no budget, no Facebook page, just a message: “This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.” That was dangerous preaching in Thessalonica. Declaring Jesus as King was seen as treason against Caesar. That’s why in verse 7 they shout, “They are acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus!”

Yet, in that environment of hostility, a church was born—a small group of believers who clung to the gospel so tightly that within months their reputation spread across the entire region. Paul later wrote to them in

1 Thessalonians 1:6–8, saying:

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you... but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere.”

Think about that. In a city hostile to the gospel, in a culture dominated by false gods and political power, this little group of believers stood firm—so firm that their faith echoed across Greece.

That’s why the accusation “These men have turned the world upside down” was both true and prophetic. They turned their world upside down because they belonged to another King—King Jesus.

“So what made this little group of believers so powerful? What gave their message such weight that the city was shaken? Let’s look first at the message that turns the world upside down.”

I. The Message That Turns the World Upside Down

Verse 2 says, “Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” Paul didn’t use gimmicks. He didn’t rely on emotion. He opened the Word of God and proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ.

Notice the three verbs Luke uses: reasoned, explained, and proved. Paul used his mind, heart, and voice to show that Jesus was not just a teacher or prophet, but the promised Messiah who suffered, died, and rose again.

That’s the message that still changes the world—Jesus Christ crucified and risen.

You can’t turn the world upside down with motivational speeches. You can’t turn the world upside down with political movements.

But when you preach Jesus, dead and risen, forgiveness offered, life eternal—that’s when heaven touches earth.

When a church holds fast to the gospel, unapologetically, lovingly, boldly—that church becomes a movement, not just a meeting.

II. The People Who Turn the World Upside Down

Verse 4 says, “Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas.” They weren’t famous. They weren’t wealthy. They were ordinary men and women who believed extraordinary truth.

Isn’t that encouraging? God doesn’t need celebrity Christians—He needs faithful believers.

The church in Thessalonica was made up of new converts—people who had just believed—and yet in 1 Thessalonians 1:8 Paul says, “The word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia.” They became missionaries almost overnight.

God loves to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

A praying mother can turn her household upside down. A faithful deacon can turn a community upside down. A unified church can turn a whole town upside down.

It’s not about our ability—it’s about our availability. God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.

But as powerful as it is to see ordinary people used by an extraordinary God, we have to remember something essential: every movement of God will always face resistance.

The same gospel that opens hearts will also stir up hostility. The same truth that transforms lives will threaten the world around it. In Thessalonica, the moment God began building His church, the enemy began building a mob. And that leads us straight into the next part of this passage—because when God raises up faithful messengers, He also prepares them to stand firm in the face of opposition.

III. The Opposition That Comes When You Do

When you start turning the world upside down, the world doesn’t applaud—it resists.

Verse 5 says, “The Jews were jealous and formed a mob.” The moment the gospel begins to advance, the enemy stirs up confusion.

But listen—opposition is not a sign of failure; it’s a sign of impact. If you never face resistance, it may be because you’re not advancing far enough to draw the enemy’s attention.

Paul and Silas were accused of causing trouble, but what they were really doing was bringing truth to a world comfortable with lies.

Friend, revival doesn’t come without resistance. Spiritual awakening doesn’t happen without shaking. But if the early church could stand boldly in the face of persecution, surely we can stand boldly in the face of cultural pressure.

IV. The Legacy That Lasts

When they said, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,” they meant it as an insult—but what a compliment that is!

Wouldn’t it be something if that’s what people said about this church? Not “they have the best programs,” or “they have a nice building,” but:

“That’s the church that changed our city.” “That’s the church where lives are transformed.” “That’s the church where you can feel the presence of God.”

That’s the kind of church the world needs today—a church that turns hearts to Jesus, marriages toward healing, and communities toward hope.

Conclusion

I wonder today—what would it take for us to be that kind of church again? A church that reasons from Scripture… That stands on truth… That walks in love… That refuses to be silent when the world is desperate for hope.

The same gospel that turned Thessalonica upside down is still powerful enough to turn our world right-side up.

The same Spirit that filled Paul and Silas still fills God’s people today. And the same Jesus who changed lives then is still changing lives now.

When the gospel is preached… When the Spirit moves… When God’s people unite… The world will take notice.

Conclusion (with Mission Statement)

As I step into the role of your interim pastor, I want you to know my heart and my mission while I’m here. I have not come simply to fill a pulpit—I have come to love you, to help you, to walk beside you, to pray for you, and to serve you. But even more than that, I am here to faithfully communicate the mission of God and His ways. I am here to encourage you to grow deeper in your relationship with Christ, to strengthen you in your faith, to teach you who God is and what He has revealed in His Word, and to help you apply His truth to every part of your life.

Sometimes when a church endures struggle, it can leave people frustrated, confused, or tired. But I want you to hear me clearly: revival is still possible. Renewal is still possible. A fresh move of God is still possible right here at Montgomery Methodist. But it will depend on four things.

First, it will depend on your prayers—because no move of God has ever begun without the people of God seeking His face. Second, it will depend on your voices—you must speak, engage with people, and have gospel conversations outside these walls. Third, it will depend on your faithfulness—faithfulness in worship, in obedience, in unity, and in everyday discipleship. And fourth—and most important of all—it will depend on the power of the Holy Spirit, because only the Spirit of God can revive a heart, renew a church, and turn a community upside down for Jesus.

My prayer is that during our time together, God will rekindle something here—something that begins small, like that little gathering in Jason’s home, but grows into a powerful testimony of His grace. May this remnant rise up, filled with the Spirit, grounded in the Word, united in love, and ready to see what God can do when His people give themselves fully to Him.

Closing Prayer

“Lord, ignite in us the same fire that burned in Paul and Silas. Give us courage to proclaim Your Word without fear, faith to believe You can still move mountains, and love that reaches beyond these walls. Make us a church that doesn’t blend in, but stands out— a church that turns the world upside down for Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.”