Nurturing the seeds of revival

It is time to position ourselves ready to serve what God is doing.

It is clear that God is moving in our nation, especially among the under 25s. This is a move that has been prophesied of for decades – that the young would be at the forefront for a move of God. It is a move that we have prayed for and longed to see and now it is here.

God is moving sometimes through us, but often in this season I observe that it is almost in spite of us. Many churches that are preaching the Gospel are seeing young people walk off the streets to find God.

As I travel around, I am hearing story after story of God supernaturally intervening in the lives of young people to bring them to Him. Be it through visions or dreams in their bedroom or a new boldness among their peers in school.

So, my one question is – what does God require from us in this time?

It is clear that God is doing something great and I don’t want to miss my part in it.

I believe the answer is simple (although the outworking of the answer will require much from us). We are to go and make disciples.

Therefore – Jesus has just stated that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. In the light of this our response is to be stirred to action. 

Go – this requires us to actively reposition ourselves ready to receive those who God is bringing to Him. Where does God need you to be – how is He calling you to serve the movement that He is doing at this time? This is the first instruction (imperative) that Jesus gives.

There is a second imperative – a second order we must obey, not just to go but also to make disciples.

Make disciples – this is our divine instruction, this is our destination. All who come in, we have the privilege of loving them and we have a part to play in shaping them to be more like Christ through teaching them what we know. This teaching is not simply an academic knowledge of truth, it is truth that we have embraced and are living out as an example for others to follow as we do life together.

So how did Jesus do it? How did Jesus take a bunch of people from different backgrounds (some who knew each other already, others who were strangers) and turn them into disciples who were able to ‘turn the world upside down.’

This is a question that has been discussed by many, but in the business of life we would do well to rethink and reshape all we do around this final command.

• Jesus loved his disciples unconditionally.

• He modelled a vibrant relationship with Father God.

• He was not afraid to rebuke them when required.

• He asked questions to get them thinking and told stories to illustrate his teaching.

• He lived with them – ate with them, prayed with them, wept with them and ultimately was willing to die for them.

• Jesus prayed for his disciples.

This requires all in sacrificial zeal for community. Let's embrace this season willingly for the sake of the next generation. It will require more time on our knees in prayer and rearranging of our priorities fully around the kingdom mandate. We were born for such a time as this.