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In this lesson, we are going to see what it means to be “Radical”. Many times as a disciple we have heard this “do radical things”. But what do you mean by “Radical”. According to the dictionary, Radical means - advocating thorough reform; holding extreme political views, revolutionary.
Our leader and Saviour Jesus was a revolutionary - a radical man. So we can learn from him what it means to be radical or to do radical things. To do radical things, we need to be a ….
1. Prayer Warrior
Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
We have heard this scripture many times or even read it many times as a disciple. We will be hearing it for the rest of our lives also.
Here Jesus got up very early in the morning before it was dawn, to pray. Anyone who loves sleep can’t change the world. Got to be willing to get up early and pray.
How is your prayer life today? Is it life changing and moving God’s heart? When was the last time you did something radical in your prayer? Like getting up 4.00am and praying or praying 2/3 times a day. The Bible is full of examples of radical prayers.
Joshua 10:12-14
12 On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."
13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.
14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
God listened to his prayer. Joshua was not doubting in his heart when he prayed for the sun to stand still and that is a radical prayer.
Are you asking God for impossible things, in order to see God’s power? Many times we are scared to pray such prayers because of our lack of faith. God is the same, he has not become powerless now, and he still can do those things today.
1 Kings 18:36-38
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.
37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
Elijah prayed for fire to come down. He was confident that God would answer him and he could show the people who the real God is. Today are you fighting for God or against God? Are you relying on God on a daily basis? We need to have specific prayers. Today you can decide to do something radical in your prayer.
2. Risk Taker
Mark 1:21-28
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,
24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"
25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"
26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."
28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus was a risk taker and he did many radical things. People were amazed at his teaching and his authority and his life. Because of this news about Jesus spread all over Galilee. We got to decide to be a risk taker otherwise we will not do anything radical. All through the Bible we see so many radical things been done by the prophets and the apostles.
Whenever you decide something you got to do it immediately. When you think and analyse the situation you get paralyzed.
When was the last time, you did something radical? How do you feel when you decide to be radical? Be open about your feelings and get help (When open about fears, encourage them). So make a decision today to do something radical for God.
Jesus was known to be a radical man. We got to keep doing radical things so that our spiritual fire keeps burning. Then we will always be fired up and be on the radical edge.
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