These

Acts 17:6

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

The church that turned the world upside down was not the most popular church. You will find that when they described these people who turned the world upside down, they called them “these.” This word was not a commendation; rather, it was an accusation. This word was not a glowing report, but rather a critical report about these people. However, these people would never have turned the world upside down had they been unwilling to embrace the word “these”.

Many often say they want to turn their world upside down, but they are unwilling to do what it takes to turn it upside down. When you look at the actions of this church, you see several things they did that allowed them to be the group of people God used to turn the world upside down for Christ. Let me share five characteristics of this church that allowed them to turn the world upside down for Christ.

First, they had an identity and were not afraid of it. You will never turn the world upside down for Christ if you're afraid to be identified with Christ. If you are looking to be like all the popular churches in the world, you cannot turn the world upside down for Christ. Too many are afraid of the identity it takes to turn the world upside down for Christ, but that identity, though it be unpopular, is a must in order to turn the world upside down for Jesus Christ. Embrace the identity of being different, for that is what makes you available to turn your world upside down for Christ.

Second, they had a work ethic and never forsook it. You cannot be lazy and turn the world upside down for Christ; it takes hard work. Too many want to turn the world upside down on a couple of hours of work a week, but that will never happen. God's people must work hard and work many hours for Christ if they will turn their world upside down for Christ.

Third, they were willing to be controversial and did not run from it. There are times when what you believe will be controversial with the popular crowd, but we don't change what we believe just to avoid offending someone. You cannot run from controversy if you will successfully stand for truth.

Fourth, they were willing to stand alone and did not avoid it. One of the great reasons this church was able to turn their world upside down was because they were willing to stand alone. If you must always be in the popular crowd, you will never turn a world upside down for Christ. It is those who have stood alone, even when their friends were on the other side, that God used to turn the world upside down.

Fifth, they were willing to be people of the Scriptures and did not question them. The Word of God is what changes the heart of mankind, and if we are not people of the Word, we cannot be used to turn a world upside down for Christ. Maybe one of the biggest reasons we do not turn our world upside down for Christ is because we are not people of the Word. It is the power of God's Word that changes lives, and you will never change your world for right if you don't spend much time in the Word of God so it can change your life first. If you want God to use you to turn the world upside down for Christ, you must spend much time in the Scriptures and use them to help people get saved and to turn their lives from the bondage of sin.