Day 21: Turning the World Upside Down
Intention
To awaken the Church to share the gospel and turn the world upside down.
Scripture
“As usual, Paul went into the synagogue… 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.
“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.
“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, and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king — Jesus.’”
– Acts 17:2, 4–7
Reflection
The screeching of a fire alarm jolted us from a deep sleep. My father-in-law, Bob, was dopey and disoriented. He stumbled toward the round white device on the ceiling and began pounding on it, hoping to silence the terrible noise. Once awake, we threw on warm clothes and headed into the snowy night.
At the entrance of the hotel, a grumpy crowd of sleepy guests gathered in the cold. Some looked bashful in their hastily assembled clothing. The fire department eventually gave us the all-clear. Angry voices accused teenagers of pulling the alarm as a prank. I remember that night clearly, even though it was more than forty years ago.
We were all happy to crawl back into our warm beds. By morning, the experience seemed like a bad dream.
Awakening is not always welcome.
Our world is slumbering in spiritual darkness. When people hear the gospel, some are persuaded, but not everyone. Some reject the message, offended by the exclusive claims of Christ. We should not be surprised by resistance or opposition. If our presentation of the gospel never challenges anyone, we may need to ask whether we are faithfully proclaiming Jesus.
In Thessalonica, some were persuaded, others opposed, but nobody could ignore what God was doing. Like Jason, we may face ridicule, accusations, and opposition, even from the Caesars of our world.
Their enemies accused them of turning the world upside down. What looked like disruption to the world was actually the transforming work of God.
Those persuaded and born anew experience something extraordinary. Their world is turned upside down! They seek forgiveness through confession rather than excuses for sin. They serve rather than demand to be served. They love not only friends and family but even enemies. They have passed from death to life.
Last week, I was in an airport when a fire alarm sounded. Its piercing shriek echoed through the terminal. Yet everywhere I looked, people continued their business as though nothing were happening. Eventually, the alarm fell silent.
I fear this describes much of the Church today. The spiritual emergency around us is real, but we have grown accustomed to the alarm. We continue our routines, largely unconcerned.
The greatest tragedy is not that the world is sleeping. It is that the Church has learned to sleep through the alarm.
It is time to awaken. It is time to turn the world upside down!
Video
Prayer
Based on Acts 17:6, set an alarm for 17:06 (5:06 tonight) and ask God to help you turn the world upside down.
Dear Father,
There are people around me who are asleep to your Word, your presence, and your love. Give me boldness to share your Son with them, faithfulness to persevere when some are not persuaded, and courage to face resistance. Give me the joy of seeing those who are persuaded transformed by your grace.
Help me live an upside-down life — more like Jason than the mob, more like Jesus than Caesar, more like heaven than earth.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Author Bio
Kyle Henderson serves as Global Coordinator with Finishing the Task. As Director of the Acts 2 Movement for the Baptist World Alliance, he helps mobilise its six regions, 283 Baptist organisations, and 53 million members toward the 2033 goals.
He also co-founded the Evangelism Roundtable, which seeks to mobilise every believer to share the gospel with every person by 2033 — emphasising nationwide evangelism roundtables, the catalytic Easter-to-Pentecost season, and evangelism training.
Prayer Points for October 2026
We are praying for the Church to:
- Awaken to her first love for Jesus (Ephesians 5:14; Revelation 2:4).
- Awaken to evangelism so that millions will trust in Christ (John 3:16; Proverbs 11:30).
- Awaken to her prophetic voice to the nation (Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 14:4).
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“We continue our routines, largely unconcerned.”
“As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
MATTHEW 24: 37 – 42
What’s significant is that most Hillsong members would translate ‘taken’ to mean ‘raptured’
Whereas I’m convinced it means being drowned by the incoming tide – as opposed to ENDURING it:
“he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
MATTHEW 24:13