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How do we turn a broken world right side up? Against a backdrop of school shootings, political division, and cultural darkness, this question burns in the hearts of believers everywhere. The answer isn't found in political revolution but in spiritual revival.

Looking at Acts 17, we discover four ordinary men—Paul, Luke, Timothy, and Silas—who were accused of "turning the world upside down" as they traveled through Macedonia. Despite facing a corrupt religious system and the oppressive Roman Empire, they transformed communities through the message of Jesus Christ. Their example offers us a powerful three-part framework for meaningful change.

First, transformation must begin personally. Before his Damascus Road encounter, Paul tried changing the world through religious tradition and moralism. But outward conformity to rules never addresses the heart. Only when Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit did he become an agent of true change.

Second, personal transformation must lead to Gospel proclamation. Paul didn't shake his fist at Roman authorities or start a political movement. Instead, he preached Christ as King from city to city, facing rejection but persevering because some would always receive the message. America isn't broken because of any political party but because too many Christians have outsourced kingdom work to politicians while neglecting the Gospel.

Finally, turning the world right side up requires discipleship. Jesus didn't call us to make converts but disciples. Throughout Acts, Paul strategically left trusted people behind to nurture new believers, teaching them to continue Christ's work.

Rather than passively "waiting on the world to change," as the John Mayer song laments, let's become agents of revival. When we focus on transformation, proclamation, and education, we participate in the only change that truly matters—the change that turns our world right side up.

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See the Study Guide Here: https://myrealchurch.org/teaching/acts/acts-part-30-praising-god-in-the-midnight-hour/

Nothing good happens after midnight—or so the saying goes. It's when our defenses crumble, our resolve weakens, and our problems loom largest. But what if midnight isn't just a time of vulnerability, but an opportunity for extraordinary spiritual breakthrough?

This look into Acts 16 follows Paul and Silas in surely a very dark hour—beaten, stripped, and imprisoned with their feet fastened in stocks for simply doing God's work.

Their response? Midnight praise and prayer that shook the foundations of their prison.

Listen to see why our response to opposition matters. When we're persecuted for our faith—whether through social media attacks, workplace discrimination, or cultural pressure—how we react reveals our spiritual maturity. The story of Paul and Silas demonstrates that praise rooted in Jesus rather than circumstances creates a joy that can never be taken away.

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We read the story of Lydia, a successful businesswoman in Philippi, and connect that to how our everyday work can become a powerful piece in God's kingdom purposes. Her conversion story reveals the beautiful integration of faith and vocation that should characterize every Christian's life.

• When Paul shared the gospel, "the Lord opened her heart" to receive the message
• After her conversion, Lydia didn't change careers but changed her purpose
• Her entire household was baptized
• Lydia used her home and resources to support the early church's mission
• Every job is a divine calling, not just religious vocations
• Christians should be exemplary employees, working "heartily for the Lord"
• Our workplaces are mission fields where we can demonstrate Christ's character
• Martin Luther: "The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on shoes, but by making good shoes"
• No one should ever be surprised to discover you're a Christian based on your work ethic

We want to see revival come to our city. For that to happen, we need to move outside the four walls of our church and see our workplaces as mission fields where we can glorify God even in the most mundane parts of our lives.

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