They Turned The World Upside Down

Acts 17:1-9

Acts 17:6 “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”

How did they do it?

I. By the power they possessed.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
A. The person of the power “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Ordinary men and women filled with the Spirit of God will do it.
B. The purpose of the power “And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” God gave us the power for witnessing. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

II. By the prayer they practiced.

A. They prayed in times of trouble. Acts 12:4-5 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
B. They prayed in times of thanksgiving. Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

III. Because of the person they proclaimed.

Acts 2:22-24 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

IV. By their participation in the preaching.

Acts 8:3-4 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

V. By the price they paid.

Every one of the apostles, except John, were killed in the service of Christ.
The measure of a man’s dedication to the service of Christ was measured by the blood he shed.