The Marks of a New Testament Revolutionary
Intro- I believe that the Christian (God) life should be the most exciting life imaginable…
Just think- if you believe the bible, you can’t help but see the power that is promised to us from
the creator of the universe…
Psalm 1:1-3
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or
sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his
law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers”
Eph 3:14-21….
“
For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its
name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in
your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how
wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.20 Now to him who is able
to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen”
Wow…. Think on this….We have as our source the maker of all things, the source of all life &
power, the one who knows no limits…
II Cor 4:6… “For God who said, let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts
to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ”
That’s exciting to me!!!
I) As we look at history, we can see so many changes that have happened…. Think about it.
There was a day when…
*all thought the earth was flat *transportation was limited *food storage was risky
*medical procedures were barbaric *information transmission was slow & tedious
But in each of these areas, something happened!!!
There came a “moment” when someone believed there was a better way to do what they were
doing….
(Don’t ever underestimate the power of a moment)
***In every one of these situations, a person or a group of people were doubted, discouraged,
mocked, ridiculed, or even persecuted for this new and radical idea of new potential and
change….
Yet they were willing to press on!!!!
Thus a term was coined…. “Revolutionary”… an agent responsible for constituting or bringing
about major or fundamental change…
*Besides just secular history, do we realize that the bible is full of Revolutionaries?
*Abraham who said, “I believe”
*Moses who said, “I’ll obey”
*Daniel who said, “I won’t bow”
*The disciples who said, “We’ll follow”
*The Apostle Paul who said, “I’ll proclaim”
All were by their life & actions, living definitions of a “Revolutionary”
*That’s just one reason why I love the book of Acts…. It is a book, or blueprint about men &
women who started a revolution…
After they had been impacted by Jesus, and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they stood
up and declared… There’s a better way!
This is a powerful challenge or mandate for us today….. “We have not been called to fit in or
conform…. we have not been called to submit to a pre-ordered or prescribed pattern of
thinking….
Rather, we have been called, as men & women of God to be bold regarding the adverse
workings of our society and be unashamed to declare the answers we have to see change and
transformation….”
To boldly declare…. “Hey, there’s a better way”
II) There are distinct “marks” of revolutionaries as we look at the early church…. These marks
can still find application for us today….
1) They possessed a deep conviction that things could be different…
The task before the early believers was unthinkable…. But no matter how impossible the odds,
they knew w/ God, all things are possible… Something had captured the passions of their
hearts…
Phrases such as , “why try” “it could never change” “it’s to late” are words that we have not the
luxury of giving attention to…..
2) They possessed a daily dependence on a “power” greater than themselves
Act 1:8… “you will receive power”
(Bottom line, enough said, end of conversation)
The outpouring of the baptism of the Holy Spirit released a new dimension of supernatural
power, dynamic transformation, healings, freedom from oppression….
Look at the difference in Peter…. Acts 3:1-8
“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the
afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called
Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When
he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him,
as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to
get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I
give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he
helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet
and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and
praising God”.
3) They were constantly involved in “faith based” conversations
*The evangelistic efforts of the first believers included low key/high impact encounters w/
others about truth, purpose, prayer & the promise of joy…
*at times, seemingly insignificant encounters opened up a door to plant a seed or water an
already existing one… Hear me tonight…..don’t just make the interior of the church walls the
place where you engage in “God Dialogue”
Peter declared…“be ready to give defense for the hope that is in you”
Let me tell you a powerful learning formula…. “Expression deepens Impression”
*the more you share, the deeper it becomes embedded in you….
4) They involved themselves in “intentional spiritual growth”
*they knew they needed more…. They weren’t satisfied w/ where they were
They endeavored to daily learn more about this Christian life, faith, and how to be more
effective w/ others….
This can’t be left to random chance…. It must be thought out and applied with intentiality!
5) They lived the principles of “resource investment”
*nothing they possessed was their own *the material was merely a tool of blessing to advance
a new Kingdom *they had caught the revelation of “heavenly rewards vs earthly rewards”
*What I plant in God’s kingdom is the only thing that will truly last
6) They realized the power of “spiritual relationships”
When the press was on, they knew they had others that would stand w/ them….
*I’m amazed at the power of God’s family (with all the imperfections & issues)
*it’s still the model God has established for us to connect with others and form this mysterious
spiritual body called the church.
We need one another!!
Close…. I believe there is still a call for New Testament Revolutionaries
My desire…. Acts 19:11
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul”
The marks of a revolutionary!!!!
Oh God…. I want to be one….