"Upside Down" | April 27, 2025 | Ps Joel Lowery

In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, there's a call for believers to live differently - to be empowered witnesses who turn the world upside down. This isn't about political power or earthly kingdoms, but about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit working through ordinary people.

The early Christian church, as depicted in the book of Acts, provides a powerful model for how an empowered church can impact the world. These first believers weren't just good people with kind hearts; they were described as those who "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). This is the kind of life Jesus died for - a life so full and vibrant that it disrupts the status quo and offers hope in seemingly hopeless situations.

But what does it mean to be an empowered witness in today's world? Let's explore four key aspects:

1. Experiential Knowledge of God

A true witness doesn't just have book knowledge about God; they have personal, transformative experiences with Him. Think of the blind man healed by Jesus who declared, "I was blind, but now I see!" or the Samaritan woman at the well who invited her whole town to "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did." These weren't secondhand stories or abstract theories, but real, life-changing encounters with the living God.

As believers, we're called to share our own stories of transformation. How has God healed your marriage? Freed you from addiction? Given you hope in despair? These personal testimonies are powerful witnesses to God's ongoing work in the world.

2. Denying Self to Make Room for God

The empowered life isn't about self-promotion or personal comfort. It's about saying "no" to our own desires and "yes" to God's priorities. Throughout the book of Acts, we see that whenever believers made God's priorities higher than their own, regardless of the personal cost, they saw God move in mighty ways.

This self-denial isn't about self-hatred or asceticism. It's about recognizing that "it's not about me." The empowered church exists to redeem humanity through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we fast, pray, and intentionally put God's will above our own, we create space for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through us.

3. Facing Persecution with Courage

Being a witness for Christ isn't always comfortable or safe. The book of Acts is filled with stories of believers facing opposition, imprisonment, and even death for their faith. While we may not face such extreme persecution, standing up for God's truth and ways will often bring some level of discomfort or conflict.

It's tempting to hide our faith to avoid confrontation, but an empowered witness doesn't shy away from difficult conversations or situations. Interestingly, history shows that the church often thrives under persecution. It's when the church gains worldly power that it tends to lose its way. Persecution, while painful, can refine and strengthen our faith, making us more like Christ.

4. Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom

When believers in Acts witnessed about the power of the gospel, lives were changed. People were saved, healed, and set free. The church grew exponentially, with thousands coming to faith in a single day.

This should encourage us today. When we step out in faith as empowered witnesses, God moves. People matter to God, and He wants to use us to reach them. Every salvation, every healing, every life transformed is a testimony to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit through His church.

Living as an Empowered Witness

So how do we practically live this out? Here are a few key steps:

1. Seek personal encounters with God. Don't settle for secondhand faith. Pray for God to reveal Himself to you in powerful, transformative ways.

2. Practice self-denial. Regularly fast, pray, and intentionally put God's priorities above your own comfort or desires.

3. Be bold in your faith. Don't hide who you are or what you believe. Be willing to have difficult conversations and stand firm in the face of opposition.

4. Share your story. Look for opportunities to tell others about what God has done in your life. Your personal testimony is powerful.

5. Expect God to move. When you step out in faith, anticipate that God will work through you to bring salvation, healing, and transformation to others.

6. Stay connected to the church. The book of Acts shows us the power of believers gathering together, supporting one another, and moving as a unified body.

The call to be an empowered witness isn't just for a select few "super Christians." It's for every believer who is willing to be filled with the Holy Spirit and used by God. This isn't about our own strength or abilities, but about allowing God to work through us in supernatural ways.

Imagine what could happen if every believer took this call seriously. What if we truly lived as though we believed Jesus' words that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and that we would be His witnesses to the ends of the earth? (Acts 1:8)

The world is hungry for something real, something transformative. As empowered witnesses, we have the incredible privilege of offering hope, healing, and new life through Jesus Christ. It won't always be easy, but it will always be worth it.

So let's embrace this call. Let's deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus with everything we have. Let's be the kind of believers who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, turn the world upside down with the love and power of God. The world is waiting for an empowered church to rise up. Will you be part of it?