For the past two weeks we have learned that a revolution is the action by a celestial body of going around in an orbit. It also has the connotation of a sudden, radical and complete change. Thus, we established it is time for a revolution in our lives because we have orbited too far away from God and because we need a complete change.
Today, we continue our study of the word revolution and we concentrate on its final meaning: “The overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed.” Throughout history, we’ve seen many situations in which nations have decided to revolt against its current ruler and adopt a new one. Such is the case of Cuba who was under the rule of Fulgencio Batista until January 1, 1959 when Fidel Castro, a young lawyer, decided to oppose his rule and replaced him by popular demand. It is important to mention that such a revolution was quite bloody, especially when considering that about 550 of Batista’s associates were executed once Fidel Castro took possession of power.
It is in this same manner that the apostle Paul called the Roman church to become “formed after the up newing of the mind” of God. In other words, he called the church and us to a revolution. We are no longer called to follow the world and become like it, but we are to overthrow the current ruler of our lives and substitute him with the liberty that Jesus gives. Knowing the definition then, why is it time for a revolution?
I. BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ENSLAVED TO SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR TOO LONG
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1).
A. God wants us to become free of any and all things that enslave us
1. A revolution will set us free from the power of sin
“It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: Repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.” (Galatians 5:19-21 – The Message)
a. Elephants are usually chained to a stake buried in the ground
i. It’s odd to note that no matter how large they are, they do not break off their chains
ii. The reason for this is that they have been trained since young to live with chains
iii. Once they grow up, they continue believing they are powerless
b. In the same way, sin has enslaved many of us
i. We continue to live believing a cigarette, or a bottle of liquor, or an illicit sexual relationship are too powerful to break off
ii. We erroneously believe these things are simple pleasures when in reality they are mastering our lives
2. It will set us free from the consequences of sin
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
3. It will set us free from the power of the devil
“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” (James 4:7-10 – The Message)
3. It will set us free from the power of illness and affliction
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1, 2)
B. The revolution cannot start until…
1. We get tired of the enemy robbing us of what is ours
“Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help.” (Judges 6:3-6)
2. We get tired of the enemy’s threats and abuses
“As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered -a mere youngster, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed. The Philistine ridiculed David. ‘Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?’ And he cursed him by his gods. ‘Come on,’ said the Philistine. ‘I’ll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I’ll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice.’" (1 Samuel 17:41-44 – The Message)
3. We get tired of being surrounded by the enemy
“‘Go, find out where he is,’ the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: ‘He is in Dothan.’ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh, my lord, what shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:13-17)
C. The revolution will result in…
1. The breaking of the yoke that we carry upon our backs
“It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.” (Isaiah 10:27 – NKJV)
2. True freedom
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed” (Luke 4:18)
D. The time for a revolution is here and God is more than willing and ready to accomplish the overthrow of our current ruler and thus become our Master!
