New Year's Revolution

New Year’s Revolution

Resolution = “the act of determining”

Revolution = “A Revolution is where passion takes on purpose to effect a radical change in one’s surroundings.”

Revolution Cry…by Steve Fee

When passion takes on a purpose and searching one embrace the light

When skeptics find themselves down on their knees, you’ll know it’s here

When you hear a sound as loud as thunder

And you hear a cry that shakes the ground beneath you

When you hear a shout that shatters the darkness you’ll know it’s here

And when the lost find a Name worth believing in,

And the fallen get back onto their feet

When the broken start to dream again

And the sound of peace fills these streets, you’ll know it’s here

How long do we have to wait (We wait for You)?

And how long will we stay silent?

When will this weeping generation dance again?

And, O God, when will your truth be restored?

Tonight we’re not just talking about a simple “act of determination”…

We’re not talking about “turning over a new leaf”…

We’re not talking about a new year’s resolution…

A resolution deals with a change in only us – a revolution is bigger than just us!

We’re talking about a REVOLUTION…a passion burning deep within us that we can’t contain…passion to see the world around us change…this is our mission!

Tonight is the night we begin a Revolution that will make demons tremble…

Tonight we’re starting a Revolution that will bridge generational gaps…a Revolution that will restore broken homes and broken relationships…a Revolution that will change the way we worship…a Revolution that will impact this generation with a prophetic message of repentance…a Revolution that will take back the moral ground that has been stolen from under our feet…a Revolution that will cause Christians of every denomination to live out the gospel with all it’s radical claims.

The question isn’t whether or not this Revolution is beginning. The question is WILL YOU BE A PART OF THIS REVOLUTION?

With this in mind, I want to share with you again what our Purposes are as a student ministry and how that ties into the purpose of our Church and this “year of building”.

This past Sunday morning, Pastor Tim preached a Word from the Lord concerning our church’s vision for 2004. I want you to realize the importance of having a vision.

The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 “where is there is no vision, the people are unrestrained” (NAS).

Illustration: Having vision is like being “restrained” in a roller coaster…we follow the “track” and are “held captive” by the seat belt. Without that “restraint” we wouldn’t be able to stay on “track”…

Pastor’s vision for our church isn’t just some nice sounding cliché that we can repeat and feel good about ourselves. It is divine guidance from God so that we can stay “on track” with focused determination to accomplish what God has called us to do.

The vision of this student ministry is the same as that for the whole church…

“Building the House of God one person at a time”. We accomplish this just as Pastor preached it on Sunday – Building our lives – Building other people – Building the work at Caring First.

This Student Ministry will help build this house by wholeheartedly fulfilling our purpose statement…

Reach Out in loving fellowship to every student in the greater St. Joseph area…

Provide students with an opportunity to Respond to God’s love and glory through heartfelt worship…

Refashion this generation to a lifestyle of moral Godly living through Biblical discipleship…

Reestablish the ministry effectiveness and destiny of teenagers within the local body…

Retake our homes, schools, and communities with the message of Jesus Christ.

1. Reach Out in loving fellowship to every student in the St. Joseph area

We need to Revolutionize the way we “love” and reach out to the world.

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and it’s unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemies.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working our of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives His best – the sun to warm the rain to nourish – to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I am saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you” (Matthew 5:43-48 The Message).