## TOTAL REVOLUTION IN ME

Too often in youth ministry we call young people to quick conversion. What we are really doing is offering them a one-way ticket to heaven. What we fail to do is speak to them about the TOTAL REVOLUTION of self that is called for in the Kingdom of God. That is where the phrase ‘born again’ came from. It is the total rebirth of the whole self. It is so impossible that Nicodemus rightly asked: “How can anyone be born again after having grown old?” What is impossible through human means is well within the grasp of God! The TOTAL REVOLUTION of self is a work of the Spirit as we are “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2) by the grace of God. Paul talks about it in these words: “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Over the next four weeks we are going to change the whole way we look at conversion. ‘Getting saved’ is just the first step in a life of TOTAL REVOLUTION in the inner self. We used to use the word ‘sanctification’ to describe this process but because we youth leaders hate big words, we will call it “The TOTAL REVOLUTION In ME”. We will work together to discover the TOTAL REVOLUTION of self-exemplified in the teachings of Jesus. Specific focus will include four movements: from independence to interdependence, from relativism to knowledge of God, from my world to God’s world, from material value to spiritual value. We will help students understand the revolution of worldview called for in the Scriptures.

### Series Intro:

The following introduction can be spoken or revised by the leader to “front-load” the experience for the students.

Sometimes when I watch the ESPYs or the Grammy’s I wonder if anyone understands what it really means to be “converted”. Rap stars thank the Lord Jesus for giving them the strength to make songs containing filthy lyrics and advocating promiscuous sex with anyone old enough to drive. Athletes standing trial for spousal abuse or tax evasion give glory to God after every home run. All would tell you that they have ‘faith in Jesus’, but few of them appear to have been born again. In John chapter 3 Nicodemus came to Jesus to learn about real life. He came at night because he didn’t want anyone to see him talking to this renegade Rabbi. Jesus said to him: ““Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above”. Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus answered “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.”” When you first read that it sounds like Nicodemus was either an idiot or a smart Alec. Jesus tells him to be born again and he says: “What? Like I’m going to climb back inside my mother’s womb! Whatever!” In actual fact, Nicodemus was neither an idiot nor a slacker from Southern California, he was a wise scholar in his own right. What he was actually saying might better be translated as this: “This TOTAL REVOLUTION inside a person is too much to ask! How can a man or woman relearn everything they have been taught since birth! It would be easier to crawl up inside your mother and start over again as an infant!” Jesus says: “That’s right! Its impossible to unlearn all that this world has conditioned you to believe! But what is impossible for humans is child’s play for the Holy Spirit. You have to allow the Holy Spirit to remake your spirit into His own image. You must be born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus went away sad because he lacked faith in the power of the Spirit to teach an old dog new tricks.

The truth is God wants more than the salvation of your soul! If that was all he wanted he could have just raptured your sorry butt one second after you prayed the sinner’s prayer. He left you here for a reason. Part of the reason is to fit you for eternity. The truth is you are not ready. Oh you are forgiven and your salvation is assured if you have been saved through faith in Jesus but there are still some things left to be done. Paul said: “I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ”. (Philippians 1:6) Paul is saying that the salvation that God brought to us is just the beginning of the good work he is doing in us. There is more to go! Over the next four weeks we will look at some of the major movements that God’s Spirit is directing us towards. It is a TOTAL REVOLUTION of the inner self that God is seeking. Sound impossible? Remember, the same guy who said God would complete the work said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) This TOTAL REVOLUTION is a work of the Spirit!

Contact: Please feel free to email the author to clarify, brainstorm ideas or provide feedback: Paul Carter.

### SERIES TOPICS

- From Independence to Interdependence handout
- From Relativism to Knowledge of God handout
- From My World to God’s World handout
- From Physical Value to Spiritual Value handout