The Church that Turns the World Upside Down 3

Pray, speak, remain faithful, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit

When I look at the congregation gathered here today, I'm reminded of how this incredible movement in Acts 17 began. It didn’t start with a large church. It didn’t start with a great choir, a big building, or a well-funded ministry. It started with two men — Paul and Silas — simply carrying the gospel wherever God sent them.

Then it spread to one home — the home of a man named Jason — who opened his door and his heart to the message of Christ. From there it grew into a small gathering of believers meeting in that house, studying the Scriptures together, growing in faith, and standing firm even in affliction. Then that small gathering caught the attention of the entire city, stirring the crowds and shaking the community. And before long, that little remnant in Jason’s living room helped spark a movement that began to turn the world upside down.

Church, that is how God works. He starts with a few faithful people… then a willing home… then a small gathering of believers committed to His Word… and from that, He builds something that impacts an entire world.

Their goal wasn’t to build a massive building full of people. Their goal was to see lives transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their vision wasn’t about size — it was about substance. It wasn’t about attendance — it was about obedience. It wasn’t about comfort — it was about commitment to the gospel.

And I believe with all my heart that the same God who used two men, one home, a small remnant, and an entire city… can use this congregation in the very same way today.

Let’s look together at how God used an ordinary group of people to bring extraordinary transformation.

READING OF THE WORD —

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.

“Before we walk through this passage point by point, it’s important that we understand the world Paul was stepping into. These events didn’t take place in a vacuum. Thessalonica was a unique city with a unique atmosphere — and knowing that context helps us feel the weight of what God did here.”

CONTEXT: THESSALONICA — A STRATEGIC AND HOSTILE CITY

Thessalonica was:

the capital of Macedonia,

a major port city,

politically loyal to Rome,

devoted to emperor worship,

and filled with idols and pagan philosophy.

At this time to proclaim Jesus as King was not just unpopular — it was dangerous. Yet in that environment, God planted a church in a man’s home.

No cathedral. No choir. No stage lights. Just the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God.

And that small group set in motion a movement that changed their world.

“Understanding the city helps us grasp just how bold and powerful Paul’s ministry really was. And it all began, not with strategy or structure, but with the message itself. That brings us to the first truth we see in this passage: the message that transforms the world.”

THE MESSAGE THAT TRANSFORMS THE WORLD

Acts 17:2–3 ESV

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.”

Transformation begins not with programs, or personalities — but with Scripture.

Martin Luther

“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.”

Paul’s heart was simple: open the Scriptures and reveal Christ.

Paul’s Method Was Expositional

Verse 2: “he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.”

Paul didn’t rely on:

clever words,

emotional manipulation,

or philosophical debates.

He opened the Word and let God speak.

Paul’s Message Was Christ-Centered

Verse 3 says Paul was “explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead.”

Why was it necessary?

Because God is holy.

Because man is sinful.

Because only a perfect Savior can redeem.

Because without the resurrection, there is no life.

This is the gospel — Christ crucified, buried, risen, and reigning.

The Power Was in God, Not Paul

People didn’t come to faith because Paul was persuasive; they came because God opened their hearts.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

God’s Word — illuminated by God’s Spirit — brings transformation.

But whenever God proclaims His message, He also raises up messengers — ordinary men and women who carry that message to others.

THE MESSENGERS GOD USES

Acts 17:4 ESV

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.

Verse 4: “Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas.”

A new church was born — not because of numbers, money, or influence — but because God called ordinary people to extraordinary obedience.

God Uses Ordinary People

These first believers weren’t famous. They weren’t wealthy. They weren’t influential.

They were simply willing.

You think you can’t?

1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

This is how God works — He delights in using ordinary people to display His glory.

Their Faith Became an Example

Paul later wrote:

1 Thessalonians 1:6–8 ESV

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

Their faith echoed across Macedonia because they believed God could use them.

The Glory Goes to God Alone

Their influence arose from God’s power, not human giftedness.

But where God builds His church, the enemy always attacks. That leads us to the third truth in this passage.

THE OPPOSITION GOD ALLOWS

(Acts 17:5–9)

Wherever the gospel moves, resistance rises.

Jealousy Fueled Opposition

Verse 5: “But the Jews were jealous…”

Jealousy is the oldest enemy of revival.

Jason’s House Became a Target

The mob attacked “the house of Jason.”

Why? Because the church met there. Because truth was taught there. Because lives were changing there.

When the enemy can’t stop the message, he attacks the people who carry it.

Persecution Is Proof of Faithfulness

Jesus said:

John 15:20 ESV

20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

Paul wrote:

Philippians 1:29 ESV

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Opposition doesn’t stop God’s work — it strengthens it.

And through this opposition, a legacy was born — one that still encourages the church today.

THE LEGACY GOD ESTABLISHES

Acts 17:6–7 ESV

...“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also...

God was showing His might though these men

The mob shouted:

“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”

They meant it as an insult — but it was a declaration of truth.

The Gospel Turns Lives Right-Side Up

The world thinks the gospel disrupts society.

But the gospel restores society.

It breaks chains.

It heals hearts.

It brings order to chaos.

God Uses Small Remnants to Change Cities

God turned Thessalonica upside down with a handful of believers in a living room.

He doesn't need a crowd — He needs a committed remnant.

Their Mission Is Our Mission

The same Jesus they proclaimed is the Jesus we proclaim. The same Spirit who empowered them empowers us.

WHAT IS YOUR MISSION WHILE YOU ARE HERE?

One of the most important questions any church must answer is this: Why has God placed you here, at this time, in this place, in this community?

What is your mission as a body of believers right now?

The Scriptures give us a clear and unmistakable answer.

1. Your Mission Is to Pray

The church cannot advance without prayer. Revival does not begin in a crowd — it begins in a prayer closet.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) “Pray without ceasing.”

Acts 2:42 (ESV) “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV) “Call to me and I will answer you…”

Prayer is not supplemental — it is foundational.

2. Your Mission Is to Speak — to Share the Gospel

The gospel spreads because people speak.

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Acts 1:8 (ESV) “You will be my witnesses… to the end of the earth.”

Romans 10:14 (ESV) “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

A silent church is a powerless church. A witnessing church is a world-changing church.

3. Your Mission Is to Remain Faithful

Faithfulness is the mark of mature disciples.

1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV) “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

Revelation 2:10 (ESV) “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Galatians 6:9 (ESV) “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap…”

Faithfulness is not glamorous — but it is powerful.

4. Your Mission Is to Depend on the Holy Spirit

The church cannot fulfill its mission by human talent, strategies, or energy.

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV) “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”

John 15:5 (ESV) “…apart from me you can do nothing.”

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) “Be filled with the Spirit.”

The Spirit is not an accessory — He is the power source.

As we close today, I want to remind you of something beautiful: this Sunday marks the second week of Advent — a season when the church all around the world pauses to remember that light stepped into darkness, that hope entered a weary world, and that God moved toward His people in the person of Jesus Christ.

If there were ever a perfect time to put this mission into action — to pray, to speak, to remain faithful, and to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit — it is now, in this season of expectation and hope. Advent reminds us that God has already come near, and He is still coming near to every heart that seeks Him.

So church, as we look toward Christmas, let us also look toward Christ. Let this Advent season be the moment we recommit ourselves to His mission. Let this be the season where we step forward in unity, in obedience, and in joyful anticipation of what God is about to do.

Two men… one house… a small gathering… a stirred city… and a world turned upside down. If God could do that then, He can do it again. And Advent reminds us that He is still the God who comes, still the God who moves, and still the God who uses His people to shine His light in the darkness.