Directive #12-March 31, 2014
SCRIPTURE
Acts 17:6 …crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too….
INTERPRETATION
True conversion should exemplify a transformed life with new values that when filled with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, should result in a world changing revolution that challenges religion, the world and the culture it takes place in.
OTHER SCRIPTURES
Conversion that challenges success
(identifies what you build your life on)
Luke 12:21 – “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” ( a prominent successful man called a fool)
Conversion that challenges religion
(identifies your little gods)
Mark 10:21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Conversion that challenges security
(identifies what you depend upon)
Luke 9:57As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
Conversion that challenges relationships
(identifies any relationship greater than your relationship with Him)
Luke 9:59He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead!* Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
Conversion that challenges your world
(identifies which world you are attached to – Lot’s wife looked back)
Luke 9:61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” + 62But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” +
PRAYER POINTS
1) Pray for our nation, Thessalonica was the wealthiest and most influential city in Macedonia. Let us pray our nation, who fits this description will repent.
2) Pray for wisdom as Paul had when speaking with the religious people in our country, in the church and outside the church. How to start with the known and take to the unknown.
3) Pray for transformations of the lost, not confessions of faith that carry no power of sanctification and change.
4) Pray for the ‘unknowns’ to find the courage to fill their role as Jason did.
5) Pray for ability to stand against the assaults driven by jealousy from the religious that will eventually come. Lord prepare us as a church!
6) Pray for the church to not fall prey to the false teachers the Thessalonians did that resulted in Paul’s two letters that eventually had to be written.
Gary Burd
Mission:M25 National Director