Game Changers for God

Game Changers for God
John R. Petrilli

“Men who have turned the world upside-down”. That’s the way Paul and his Christian friends were described by the nonbelievers of their day (Acts 17:6). But what seems to be an exaggerated statement was actually becoming a reality. The witness of the early church was so effective that the message became a global game-changer in no time at all. Witness the observation of respected missiologist Dr. J. Herbert Kane,

“One thing is certain; the Acts of the Apostles does not tell the whole story. There are hints in Paul’s epistles that the gospel had a much wider proclamation than that described by Luke. He states that the gospel had been ‘preached to every creature which is under heaven’ (Col. 1:23); that the faith of the Roman church was ‘spoken of throughout the whole world’ (Rom. 1:8); that the faith of the Thessalonian believers ‘… has gone forth everywhere…’ (1 Thess. 1:8, RSV)”. Just how did a tiny nucleus of believers rapidly multiply into a force so powerful it penetrated and impacted the entire world?


GAME CHANGERS FOR GOD TAKE THE GREAT COMMISSION SERIOUSLY. Rom. 1:5; 16:25-26

Before Jesus ascended up into glory He left some crystal clear directions to His followers. They were to wait for the Spirit’s empowerment, then progressively advance the gospel until they had reached every people group on earth (Acts 1:8 ; Matt. 28:19-20). Big assignments require big people, and Paul was one such “big” person. His writings to friends in Rome reveal his target to be nothing less than global gospel penetration. From the get go, he understood what Jesus wanted, and went after it with everything he had. Are we taking Jesus seriously? If so, where’s the proof?

GAME CHANGERS FOR GOD SEE NO PERSONAL SACRIFICE AS TOO GREAT. Phil. 3:5b-8

Imagine losing face, status, privileges and the respect of all your colleagues. That’s what happened when Paul renounced all his past religious accomplishments and professional affiliations. They became nothing to him as he chased after the higher goal of becoming like Jesus and proclaiming that same Jesus to all who would listen.
Like an Olympic runner, he sacrificed everything to achieve the greatest prize of all, to hear his Master say “Well done”. Is there anything we might be holding back in our service to the Lord?

GAME CHANGERS FOR GOD SEIZE EVERY FAITH-SHARING OPPORTUNITY AFFORDED TO THEM. Phil. 1:12-14 ; 2 Tim. 2:9

Locked-up in a cold, damp, dark, rat-infested prison for the “crime” of preaching Christ. That’s where Paul found himself on this occasion. Pretty discouraging stuff. But rather than letting it get to him, this sold-out man looked for ways to continue evangelizing lost souls. Amazing! He had a captive audience as he told the old, old story of Jesus and His love to Praetorian Guard after Praetorian Guard. Paul took what was handed to him and turned it into something positive no matter where he went or what circumstances he found himself in.

GAME CHANGERS FOR GOD ARE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS. Rom. 16:4

Gambling has become legalized in many parts of our country. It’s a bad practice that robs families of their income and is often connected to all sorts of illicit and criminal activities. But taking a gamble for God is quite the opposite. When Aquila and his wife Priscilla signed on to help Paul they may not have imagined putting their very lives on the line. But when the time came for them to do so, they bravely rose to the occasion. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” could never be truer than when applied to reaching he world with the gospel. God uses us according to how far we’re willing to extend ourselves for His cause. How far are we willing to go?

GAME CHANGERS FOR GOD ARE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. Acts 20:24

Winners never quit, and quitters never win. Paul launched into ministry, never to look back. His itinerary led him through countries and cultures very different from his, but that never stopped him. Hardships notwithstanding, he pressed onward and forward until he finally reached the finish line. Paul made up his mind to let nothing deter him from reaching the ministry finish line God had laid out for him. He could have given up after the beatings, jailings, and opposition he endured, but he chose to keep going no mater what. That’s why God could use him so greatly in changing the world of the first century. If we want to be real agents of lasting change, we need to emulate his model of dauntless persistence.