WHO IS CHARGED WITH THE GREAT COMMISSION?

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

The mission of God has always been in the hands of ‘ordinary’ people, rather than in the hands of the professionals.

When Peter and John were brought before the religious rulers, there were several things that were noted about them.

Firstly, they took note of their courage. This is worthy of our extra attention. After all, it was only several weeks since Peter, out of fear, had denied even knowing Jesus (Luke 23:54–60), and since all the disciples hid in the upper room behind locked doors “because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders” (John 20:19).

Secondly, they noted that they were unschooled and ordinary men. These were not professional priests, nor were they formally educated. These men had been fishermen.

Thirdly, they could tell that they had been with Jesus. Their fear and unschooled ordinariness had been transformed by their being with Jesus.

It appears to me that the average Australian Christian has an internal narrative that is defeatist when it comes to being able to help another person put their faith in Jesus. For many, they associate trying to share their faith with failure and even trauma. Hence, they aspire to simply being willing to invite a friend to an environment where someone else can do it.

It was not so with the first disciples. Their courage came from time in Jesus’ presence, which resulted in them “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 4:2). May it also be so for us today.

The issue is not whether we are trained or somehow ‘special’. The mission of God is in the hands of ordinary people just like us.

GEN Z – THE REVIVAL GENERATION

Several people involved with a new documentary about the revival among Generation Z told The Christian Post why they believe the unique challenges young people are facing have left them especially open to the Gospel.

The Revival Generation,” which was produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)’s Abigail Robertson, premiered last Wednesday at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts amid the Trump administration’s push to promote more faith-friendly content at the prestigious venue.

Detailing some of the large revivals on college campuses in recent years, the film portrays thousands of Gen Z students filling stadiums as they pursue healing and faith through Christ, which attendees at the red-carpet premiere said hurting young people are desperately seeking.

‘Toughest time to be a young person’

Those attending the premiere included members of the White House Faith Office and other prominent Christian figures, including former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson. He was among the voices who offered insight in the film about the spiritual searching among Gen Z or “Zoomers,” who were born roughly between 1997 and 2012 and suffer from unprecedented depression, identity issues and mental illness.

Tim Robertson, son of the late CBN founder and evangelist Pat Robertson, told CP he believes many young people have come to reject the bitter fruit and spiritual failure of the prevailing secular worldview they inherited.

“Young people are looking at some of the values they’ve been given from a very permissive generation that’s older, and they want to find some stability in their lives,” he said. “And obviously Christianity gives them that stability, and it gives them a rock and an anchor.”

“I think a lot of the ideology of the Left is being exposed as being empty, and they want something that’s real, and that’s what they’re finding in Jesus,” he added.

Much of the documentary centers on Tonya Prewett, a mother who founded the UniteUS movement. Her own daughter’s struggles with addiction and suicidal ideation led her to establish the nonprofit that organizes prayer and worship gatherings among college students.

As recounted in the film, she was involved with the revival at Auburn University in September 2023, when thousands gathered in the school’s auditorium for worship, and hundreds were baptized impromptu in an on-campus pond, despite the freezing weather.

Similar student-led revivals took place that year at colleges such as Asbury University in Kentucky, Lee University in Tennessee, Samford University in Alabama, as well as Texas A&M University and Baylor University in Texas. These students are discovering that their creator, God loves them and of course it changes their lives forever.

LIVING IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD

To be “in the world but not of the world” is one of those sayings that make sense, but it remains undeniably easier said than done. As Christians, we understand that we are in the world, passing through, on our way to eternity. We also understand that we are not to be of the world in the sense that we submit our lives to Christ, putting off the desires of the flesh, avoiding temptations, and resisting evil. We understand these things, but how can we ensure we’re living them out?

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world,” Jesus prayed. “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” John 17:14-16

How do we juggle the balance of loving unbelievers while not condoning their worldliness? How can we navigate discourse between those we disagree with? For many of us, it may be safe to say that we have a sense of needing to find unity where we can with those around us. And yet, in that pursuit, we must not neglect the command to speak the truth boldly and in love. To help us with this endeavour, there are a few goals worth prioritizing.

  1. Put God and His Word first.

No matter what you’re doing, who you’re talking to, where you’re going, or what you’re hoping for, putting God and His word first is the most important task for the believer. Proverbs 3:6 states, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The two greatest commandments are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbours as ourselves. These are all in God’s word, and these are all rooted in putting God first. It’s glorifying to God to share His truth. It glorifies Him for us to love others and to be people who bear the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

When He is the one our gaze is fixed upon, we see the world differently. We’re quicker to see others (especially those of the world) not merely as obstacles or irritants but as people made in the image of God. We see sinners not so much as stumbling blocks but as people needing saving — just as we all are.

If you want to be a light to everyone around you, then make sure the Source of light is deeply and firmly planted within you. Be engaged in His word. Seek Him daily in prayer. Earnestly seek to glorify Him in all that you do, and you just may find yourself walking in a posture ready to communicate with anyone about anything in a way that is dignified, loving, truthful, and fruitful.

  1. Understand the biblical definition of love.

Jesus said in John 13:35 that His disciples will be known for their love. Of course, what is loving in biblical terms does not align with what the world defines love to be. And so, if we’re to be in the world but not of it, we must come to terms with the fact that we will have conversations with people we don’t agree with that won’t go particularly well. We can do everything in our power to be cool, calm, and collected, but it doesn’t change the fact that the truth is inherently offensive to those of the world. But as Christians, we know there is nothing more loving than to share this truth. A precise definition of biblical love can be found in 1 John 5:3: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” The truth can hurt, and it can hurt badly. But to experience hurt is not the same as to experience harm. The truth is love and freedom, and remembering this will help us hold our ground in conversations with people who are not like-minded. And at the end of the day, their responses are not in our control.

  1. Make sure you know what you believe and why.

This may actually be one of the most crucial steps to finding the balance of seeking unity while holding your ground. 1 Peter 3:15 states, “In your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Ephesians 4:15 talks about being equipped for ministry “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” The point is that we should have conviction about what we believe. We should be able to clearly define and defend it.

  1. Stay humble.

Humility is not only biblical, but it’s necessary for healthy dialogue. Humility helps us approach conversations with the right attitude. It helps us respond better to those who do not behave well. It helps us be more compassionate when we’re dealing with difficult people or having dicey conversations. We are all sinful, imperfect, messy humans. Humility reminds us of that.

Summary: Between the goals of putting God first, understanding what true love is, knowing what you believe, and staying humble, you will be walking a path to success. A great anonymous quote “Jesus sat with sinners; He didn’t sin with them. Know the difference.” And remember the words found in Luke 12: 11b-12: “Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” He is always with us. And praise be that He gives us the strength, wisdom, and discernment needed to live in and not of this world.

This an abbreviated version of an article in The Washington Stand entitled Living in the World, Not of It: The Balance of Finding Unity While Standing Firm in Truth by Sarah Holliday

A GOOD NEWS STORY: REVIVAL AT U.S.A. UNIVERSITES

In the fourth major collegiate revival in less than a month, thousands of students gathered at the University of Arkansas on Thursday night to seek Jesus Christ and find salvation in His name.

Unite US reports that 10,000 students from 67 different universities gathered in Bud Walton Arena (click on the link below)

“Jesus met us there,” the ministry said in an Instagram post. “We were blown away by His presence in the room and how it carried over to baptisms. It was a night we’ll never forget.”

Tonya Prewitt, founder of UniteUS, explained, “We started at Auburn University. We had 5,000 students show up, and over 200 got baptized. We next went to FSU – Florida State, the second biggest party school in the nation. We had 4,500 students come, and about 350 students got baptized at that event.”

The movement then swept through the universities of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, with numbers growing along the way. Tonya calls the mission a simple one: Bring hope to a generation.

College student Haden Smith shared his experience. “Just getting to be with your neighbors and friends as they pray with you for your struggles and being open with those you normally wouldn’t be open with – it was just overall powerful,” he said.

Tonya added, “We’ve had students come in and say, ‘Hey, I came in thinking I was going to take my life. I left with the most joy I have ever had. I came in not being part of any community, and now I am serving in a local church.'”

UniteUS events operate by connecting with Christian student leaders and feature speakers, testimonies, prayer, and baptisms.

Zac White, a Christian student leader at the University of Arkansas, expressed his expectations: “We’re just expecting to see people really get lit on fire for what they’ve said they’ve believed for so long, or people that have never believed in Christ, Christianity, or the Bible and what it says their whole life – and we are going to see their whole life turn around.”

https://cbn.com/news/us/revival-sweeping-through-college-campuses-impacting-tens-thousands-its-movement

PASTOR BAUCHAM PREACHING END TIMES TRUTH

Pastor Voddie T. Baucham warned that the pervasive sexual sins of the prevailing culture are signs of divine judgment, but that the Gospel still offers hope and that American Christians should plead with God for revival while preparing for persecution.

Baucham, who is on leave in the U.S. from his position as Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia, preached from Romans 1 during an event last Saturday at Lamar Baptist Church outside Dallas.

Reiterating some of the points in his new book, It’s Not Like Being Black: How Sexual Activists Hijacked the Civil Rights Movement, which was released Tuesday, Baucham noted the irony that he was making his remarks on the first day of pride month, which he referred to as “pride goes before destruction month.”

Noting that the Apostle Paul ultimately spends much of the first chapter of Romans explaining how the wrath of God manifests in the world by giving mankind over to sexual depravity and “a debased mind,” Baucham also observed that Paul lays the foundation of his difficult arguments on the hope and reality of the Gospel.

Starting at Romans 1:16, Baucham read: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.'”

“That’s the foundation for all of this,” Baucham said. “That’s our foundation for thinking about all of these issues. We start there. We start with the reality of the Gospel and our need for the Gospel. We start with the reality that the righteous shall live by faith.”

“We are living in a time, in an era when there are people who are desperately wicked, and in desperate need of repentance and faith, in desperate need of the Gospel. And we’re being told that the wickedness is, in fact, the Gospel,” Baucham said.

Baucham noted that such a worldview is destructive because it not only calls good evil and evil good but also “alienates people from the only hope they have.”

Despite the culture’s clarion call for people to embrace the supposed freedom of sexual liberation, he said the evidence suggests that such behavior is enslaving even children at this point.

Lifting up his phone, Baucham added, “We’re giving them to 9- and 10-year-olds. Number one use of the internet is still pornography, and we’re giving unlimited, unfettered access to it to 9- and 10-year-olds in the palm of their hands.”

“So we’ve got a generation of people who’ve been raised with sexual material, who have been raised with libertine views towards sex, who are engaging in sex younger and younger, and we’ve got young people entering into marriage who can’t even enjoy sex anymore, because their ability to enjoy it has nearly been destroyed.”

Baucham further explained that a deeper layer of the destruction includes “willing Christians” who attempt to accommodate the idea of sexual sin as an identity by claiming the Bible failed to understand the complexity of sexual orientation and that dishonorable passions are not actually dishonorable.

Baucham said rampant transgenderism is another consequence of such depravity and went on to warn that the push for pedophilia “is just a matter of time.” He also urged Christians to steel themselves for the last stage of a culture under judgment, which involves the wicked attempting to suppress the truth of God by approving of those who are evil while condemning and trying to silence those who resist.

Baucham concluded his remarks by urging his listeners to pray for revival, but conceded that he cannot personally see any way out of the spiritual darkness into which the culture has plunged itself.

“We’re going to have to pray that God would send revival, because He’s already sent judgment,” Baucham concluded. The wrath of God is here; the judgment of God is here. Plead with Him for His mercy. Plead with Him that all would not be lost.”

Baucham failed to say that God has told us in advance that what is playing out in the world precedes Jesus’ return to restore righteousness. Incredible detail is given by the Old Testament prophets, Jesus in the Olivet Discourse, and Revelation of the events that precede Jesus’ return. The good news is our redemption is close so we need to make sure we like Jesus are saying to God not my will but yours be done each day. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, He has work for you to do if you are in prayer and attentive.

ARE YOU DEAD IN YOUR TRESPASSES AND SINS?

If you could control the moment you died, what would your last words be? As Jesus hung on the cross, He spoke seven times. The first of His final words was a prayer. But not for Himself. 

Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Really? They didn’t know what they were doing? 
1. The Jewish leaders plotted Jesus’ death for months. They paid Judas to betray Him. They held a mock trial in the middle of the night.
2. The crowd cried out for His crucifixion. They even chose a murderer to be set free rather than Jesus, the One who had healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed thousands.
3. Governor Pilate knew Jesus was only guilty of making the Jewish leaders mad. He tried to set Jesus free, but in the end, he knowingly gave the order for Jesus’ death.
4. The Roman soldiers spit on Jesus, beat Him, jammed a crown of thorns onto His head, and mocked Him. As they led Him to Calvary, they watched Him stumble, battered and bleeding. When they drove the nails through His hands and feet, the soldiers knew exactly what they were doing. Christ’s agony was real.
5. Jesus’ executioners didn’t know what they were doing because sin and “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Yet, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23-34

If they had truly understood who Jesus was and what they were doing to Him—God’s Son, their promised Messiah—do you think they would have never done such evil? The horror of such actions would have overwhelmed them. Instead, they would have fallen down before Jesus and worshiped Him. 

Apart from Christ, we are all spiritually blind—and spiritually deaf. In the rebellion of our sin, we are no different than the people in the days of Ezekiel, Jesus, and Paul, who have ears but do not hear (Ezek. 12:2Matt. 13:13Acts 28:27). In our sinful state, we don’t hear, see, or respond to the truth. 

Unless God opens our eyes to see Jesus and our sin, we will stay as blind and deaf as the dead, because that’s exactly what we are—dead in our trespasses and sins.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.Ephesians 2:1-3 

MANY YOUNG PEOPLE SEEK GOD

RING IN 2024 WITH REVIVAL: Well over 100,000 young people gathered to seek God over the New Year and to ring in 2024 with revival.

55,000 at Passion in Atlanta 10,000 at Cross Con in Kentucky 7,000 at Cru National Gathering 5,000 at Salt Conference in Iowa 13,500 at Strength to Stand in Tennessee (multiple) 12,000 at Hearts on Fire in Tennessee (Nov) 7,000 at Xtreme in Missouri.

Of course, there is no way to even begin to calculate the millions of people who gathered at local churches to seek God across the nation and worldwide. Also, countless churches are now calling their congregants to fast and pray at the beginning of the new year.


@madisonyoung3493

I was personally there. I’ve never felt the Holy Spirit so strong in a place. 55,000 people came to one place to worship the ONE TRUE LIVING GOD! I will never forget the feeling and connection we all had. This moment I will always remember there is hope in this world.

It is always good to learn of young people who are seeking after God.

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
Psalms 14:2

PROOF GOD EXISTS – THE BEATITUDES

In the natural, when we read who Jesus says will be blessed in The Beatitudes we think “crazy” but in our hearts, we know it is right because it is righteousness.

Shortly after Jesus started His ministry he gathered crowds because he healed all who came to Him.

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all of Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.Matthew 4:23

The first time Jesus preached to the “multitudes” He preached the Beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:3-12

Surely, those who are open-minded can see that Jesus truly is who He said He was. Before Jesus went to die on the Cross on our behalf, the disciples were perplexed. Take to heart what Jesus said to Thomas.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:5-7

I am sure we can bold;y assert that no man of all the myriads that have ever lived – let him be as wise as Solomon, the absolute best as Job could ever have invented from his own “thoughts”, the GOSPEL. It was impossible for such a plan of salvation ever to be devised by man’s thoughts.

I believe Andy McIntosh (Professor of Thermodynamics and Combustion Theory at the University of Leeds, UK) provides a good answer as to why humans continue to deny God and His son, Jesus.

As a scientist, I see nothing to discount straightforward belief in Scripture, when considering the mechanisms in nature… man’s prejudice against design in creation can only really be answered by a radical change of heart and by personally meeting the Author of all… I believe that it is because humans do not want to be accountable to a Creator God that they persist with a theory (evolution) that has little evidence to support it.”

They cannot countenance a Creator to whom they are responsible for their actions. Where do you stand? What do you believe?

DEMONIC ACTIVITY ON THE INCREASE AND WHY

Jonathan Cahn has been given great insight into what God is doing and allowing in our day and how it relates to end-times Biblical prophecy.

Spiritual warfare is already intense and Biblical prophecy informs us that it will increase as we approach the time of Jesus’ return. The information Jonathan discloses in this video is mind-blowing. The detail he gives concerning the transgender person that killed six people at a Christian school in Nashville U.S.A. shows how demonic spirits are manifesting as the nation turns away from God.

Jonathan’s book The Return of the Gods is a book for our time. I encourage you to buy it and put it into the hands of your pastor.

Is it possible that behind what is taking place in America and the world lies a mystery that goes back to the gods of the ancient world…and that they now have returned? This is an urgent prophetic word for the coming years from Rabbi Jonathan Cahn.

Chapters: Introduction/Jonathan’s testimony. What does the book “Return of the Gods” (The Dark Trinity) reveal? The same three spirits that attacked Israel have now attacked America and other nations. When nations turn against God, they open themselves up to these spirits 1. The god Baal, the Possessor – 2. The god Ashtoreth, the Enchantress, the wife of Baal. 3. The god Molech, the Destroyer-Transformer. Their agenda is not tolerance, it is dominion.

These spirits are warring against the Gospel, against Jesus, against Christians. This is our hour. We have the greatest power, the power of God. The power that overcomes the world. We need to be the light in a dark place, shining bright. God will empower you but you need to make sure that you have cast all idols out of your life. Whatever it might be, technology is a major one, and for men, pornography, sport, cars, etc. Repent and get the help you need to address these issues now so that we can be the warriors we are meant to be.

Jonathan’s video needs to be distributed widely to your Christian friends.

GOD IS RAISING UP HIS WARRIORS

One of those warriors in Australia is Martyn Isles of the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL). This recent email from him reports on his recent tour around Australia entitled The Truth of It.

Dear Ronald,

Looking back, I’m so thankful for how God directed The Truth of It LIVE tour so friends like you could attend – narrowly missing lockdowns, border closures, and other problems. More than that, I’m thankful for how many people said it was timely for them personally.

There’s a hunger for truth right now that is very significant.

It has been many years since large venues were filled night after night with people who wanted to hear biblical truth. 

But that’s what happened in Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia this year, with more than 18,000 people attending meetings to lift up the name of Jesus!

The church is being stirred to action through events like The Truth of It LIVE that you’ve helped provide.

You’re helping to inspire Christians to be bolder in their public witness for Christ, to study their Bibles, pray for our nation, think deeply about the issues of our day, and speak up about the lies harming our nation.

And not just small numbers of Christians – thousands of them are finding their voices and bringing their influence to the public squares in Australia.

What is also worth noting is that you’re helping people become Christians through our efforts together to make the truth public. 

People write to me saying they’re emboldened to talk about God’s truth and, as they do, they’re leading people to Christ. Here’s an internal note that one of our staff members shared with our team…

“I was just on the phone with one of our supporters. She is a busy mum of five and lives in Victoria.

“Being a mum, she hasn’t had much chance to tune in to what is happening in the political sphere. She wanted to extend her gratitude because she said without ACL, she probably wouldn’t know what is happening.

“She said the content that comes from ACL affects her and her family greatly, causing them not only to be aware of what is happening in Australia, but it also stirs them up to be part of cultural change.

“She saw Martyn’s talk on Q&A and it affected her greatly. After watching this episode, one of her friends who is gay reached out to her in hope that she could shed some light and peace.

“He was in a place of confusion, brokenness, and said he was more lonely than ever before. He had given up on God, but after seeking some guidance from her, he started to question his whole life.

“She said it was because of watching Martyn on Q&A and The Truth of It videos that she knew how to approach the situation when he came to her. He has given his life back to God and come to a place of repentance!”

Amazing! I’ve had numerous people approach me at The Truth of It LIVE saying they watched my videos to hear the imagined ‘lies and hatred’ I was spreading – and then one thing led to another, and they became Christians.

Not only that, but a ministry that has a call-in line for people who have questions about God also told me that many callers say their first exposure to the Gospel was through The Truth of It videos.

Who would have thought that people would be started on their journey towards Christ through the hard truths discussed in those videos?

Testimonies like these reveal the true power of the Word of God. 

Even when people are hostile to Christianity and they hear confronting, uncomfortable, unpopular truth – the Lord can use it to transform their lives.

That’s why you and I should never be ashamed to talk publicly about what the Bible says.  

The fruit from The Truth of It LIVE tour this year has been remarkable, and now there are more communities that are hungry for truth – people we can reach together. 

Your support of this recent tour has also sent a powerful message to MPs, Senators, and Premiers, as they’ve now seen venues like Brisbane City Hall, Perth’s RAC Arena, Hobart’s Federation Concert Hall, and the Adelaide Convention Centre filled with Christians who want to engage in the public squares.

So today I’m asking for your help to take The Truth of It LIVE to more towns and cities next year.

Get behind and support the warriors like Martyn Isles that God is raising up in your nation, your town, your suburb. Use Martyn’s videos The Truth of it Live on YouTube to inspire and encourage others. If you would like to donate go to http://www.acl.org.au