Dr. John W. Stanko Celebration Church Johannesburg “The Life of a Reformer” December 10, 2006

I. Define Terms A. To put or change into an improved form or condition. B. To amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses. C. To put an end to [an evil] by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action. D. To induce or cause to abandon evil ways.

II. Historical Models? A. Martin Luther B. John Calvin C. Florence Nightingale D. John Wesley E. Martin Luther King F. My friend Julio G. The apostles, including Paul

III. What does the Bible have to say about the life of a reformer?

A. It requires leadership 2 Kings 23:1-3: Then the king [Josiah] called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the LORD with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets — all the people from the least to the greatest.

A. It requires leadership 2 Kings 23:1-3: He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the LORD. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD-to

A. It requires leadership 2 Kings 23:1-3: follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.

B. It comes with a cost. Matthew 10:32-39: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.

B. It comes with a cost. Matthew 10:32-39: I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “’a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.’”

B. It comes with a cost. Matthew 10:32-39: "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

B. It comes with a cost. Mark 10:29-31: "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age

B. It comes with a cost. (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions ) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

IV. What does a reformer do? A. Issues a call to holiness and change. B. Reconnects with history or creates new history. C. Challenges the status quo, which threatens those who have made money from the current situation.

V. What are the marks of a reformer? A.A reformer is never perfect—that is why we use Jesus as our model.

V. What are the marks of a reformer? B. A reformer stirs up controversy. C. A reformer must answer a lot of questions. D. A reformer goes through a time of severe testing.

V. What are the marks of a reformer? E. A reformer is always the focus of much criticism. F. Most reformers have left a written history of their work. G. A reformer is sensitive to the importance of values, words and beliefs.

VI.Reformers Assessment (3 usually, 2 sometimes, 1 seldom 1.How ready are you to face the criticism of family? 2. Are you willing to be separated from your family and dominant culture in order to bring reform? 3.Are you willing to create a culture that is often against the prevailing culture of the day?

VI. Reformers Assessment (3 usually, 2 sometimes, 1 seldom 4. Are you willing to endure criticism without being defensive? 5. Can you learn from your critics? 6. Will you work to understand and explain why you believe what you believe?

VI. Reformers Assessment (3 usually, 2 sometimes, 1 seldom 7. Are you ready to surrender your reputation in the short-run to improve society or the church in the long-run? 8. Are you ready to spend money to see reform take place in the area of your passion? 9. Do you think of what could be rather than what is?

VI. Reformers Assessment (3 usually, 2 sometimes, 1 seldom 10. Are you willing to be wrong for the right cause? – You have what it takes to be a reformer – You will make a good support person in a reform movement You may need to think more about what price you are willing to pay to see change take place. 12 or below – You would be content to watch reform rather than bring it about.