“Turning the World Upside Down” – May 12, 2024

Pastor Jeremy Mayol

Acts 17:1-9 (CSB)

1 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 

2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 

3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 

4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women. 

5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. 

6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, 

7 and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king — Jesus.” 

8 The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. 9 After taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them

Three Marks of Those Who Turn the World Upside Down 

1. Extreme Consistency in Everyday Life

Acts 17:1-2a (CSB)

1 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 

2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue…

1 Corinthians 15:58 (CSB)

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

2. Hyper Focus on the Main Thing

Acts 17:2b-4 (CSB)

2 …and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 

3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 

4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.

Romans 12:2 (MSG)

2 Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

3. Noticeable Difference to the World Around Them

Acts 17:5-7 (CSB)

5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. 

6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, 

7 and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king — Jesus.”

 Romans 12:1 (MSG) 

1 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4

2 We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.

3 We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,

If you said YES to Jesus, click HERE.