THE REVOLUTION BEGINS
Allan Gerh
Contrary to what many of us think, God did not set out to establish a religion but a government. He wanted to extend His supernatural rule over the heavenly realm onto the physical world that He had created. In order to do so, He formed humans infused with His divine nature. He wired them to rule over His creation and delegated full authority and power to do so.
Through this series, we’ll be examining what it means to rule over the earth. What would the world look like if we were faithful in living out our purpose as fearless influencers? As Mavuno, we believe there are at least 6 areas where God wants to see His government established on earth. Today we speak about the Church.
Why is our generation so jaded with the church today? A huge reason for this negative perception is that just as God’s people have forgotten their individual identity, we have also forgotten our family identity.
Read: 1 Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
The bible teaches us that the church is not a building or an institution. Technically, we don’t go to church; we are the church!
‘Chosen people’ – Jn.15:16 says ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.’ You’re not here by coincidence or qualification.. But by an amazing act of love, God Himself chose you and drew you to Him.
‘Royal priesthood’ – We are chosen to rule! To extend God’s influence across the earth, as ambassadors who rule the earth on His behalf. A priest is a person who connects people with God; these being our family members, friends and workmates – to bring God’s influence into their lives.
‘Holy nation’ – As God’s influence spreads across the earth, His ultimate purpose is to raise up a distinct ‘nation’, made up of people from all the nations of the earth – joined together by an identity that goes deeper than racial, national or ethnic ties. God’s rule is not accomplished by political revolution or military might but by the transformation of lives – one person at a time.
‘A people belonging to God’ – The church is not a human idea but God’s idea. In Matt.16:18, Jesus says ‘I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it’. The church belongs to God and is the only body on earth that is guaranteed of prevailing over the powers of darkness that seek to destroy the earth.
It’s who we are, it’s what we do … we change the world!
If all these amazing things are true about the church, why do so many in our generation find it so unattractive? A look at church history in Kenya would give us some clues.
First (Missionary) Generation Christians: were mostly born before the 1940s. They were the first converts. Being a Christian was not an easy decision and often meant being cut off from your family and tribe. .
Second (In-Between) Generation Christians: were born in the 1940s to early 1960s. Many were educated in mission schools and spoke English. At independence, many migrated to towns for jobs but fully expected to retire back up country (hence ‘in-between’). Their first frame of reference is their ethnic group and they borrowed heavily from the West e.g. taking English names on baptism, and worship being a formal affair with hymns, robes and choirs.
Third (Uhuru) Generation Christians: were born in the 1960s to 1980s. They were the first real Kenyans since the previous generation were citizens of a British protectorate. They have no memory of colonialism and many live in towns have no intention of retiring upcountry. Many grew up with people from other tribes and see themselves as Kenyans. Christianity is no longer as accepted and many have left church because the structures & language just didn’t make sense
Fourth (Internet) Generation: were born in the 1980s to early 2000s. They were the first East African generation; with high global awareness because of media, mobile phones and the web. They speak sheng, they’re extremely artistic, creative, entrepreneurial and technology-savvy. Many come from dysfunctional families and they’re most exposed to social ills like porn, drug abuse, premarital sex and so on.
The 4th generation is most prevalent today with 70% of Africa is under 35. Yet most churches in Africa today are geared to reach the 2nd generation! This is the hugest reason why so many people have found the church irrelevant. The problem is not the message but the methods.
We’re not here for ourselves! We’re here to change the world! Some of you have wondered why we do our music the way we do it or why our services are run the way they are. My brief answer is that we’re not trying to be a religious institution; we’re here to change the world. Everything we do here is geared to help us do this. We must be open to do things that are uncomfortable to us, for the sake of those we are called to influence. I invite you to join this revolution.
It’s who we are, it’s what we do … we change the world!
If you haven’t done Mizizi please sign up online now and come to this new season that kicks off this Tuesday 10th May at the Bellevue dome starting 5.30pm.