Crazy Revolution: Living Outrageously in Faith for the One Who Gave Everything

Copyright © 2012 by Hugh Barber.

Cover design by Steve McAnally

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4797-5126-6

                Ebook           978-1-4797-5127-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise stated all scripture references are from New International Version 1984, New Living Translation, Amplified Version or New King James Version. Words in capitals, italics, underlined or bold are the emphasis of the author. The words ‘his’, him’, ‘he’ or ‘man’ are sometimes used generically to describe people of both genders. Includes bibliographical references and index.

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Rev. date: 11/17/2020

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

CHAPTER 1— Your Compliance is Vital

CHAPTER 2— What Is CRAZY?

CHAPTER 3— Taking Up Your Cross

CHAPTER 4— Planted In The House

CHAPTER 5— Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

CHAPTER 6— Overcoming Adversity

CHAPTER 7— Holiness and Humility

CHAPTER 8— The Father Heart

CHAPTER 9— The Power of Your Legacy

Conclusion

References

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

About the Author

Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV

Acknowledgements

I dedicate this book to two great friends who first encouraged me to write. Carene Kerishnan, for your gentle spirit of love, grace and understanding which have made a huge impact on my life. Your faith is the purest I have ever known and I am honoured to be called your friend. And Amber Winstead, for your words of wisdom and faithful support through the fires of life. Your overcoming spirit and determination against the odds is an inspiration to many. I can’t thank you both enough. Never underestimate the power of encouragement.

Introduction

We are living in very exciting times. Never before have we been able to achieve so much with so many possibilities at our fingertips. Every person has a desire to do something great with their life and achieve greatness. As Christians, I have an overwhelming sense in my heart that we were born for such a time as this. That there is no greater time in history to be alive.

However, too many believers today are lukewarm and spiritually apathetic to the things of God. They have no power, influence or fruitfulness of any significant amount. They are either too passive, hypocritical, self-righteous or unconcerned about the world around them. Instead of embracing the power of God and being transformed to change the environment they have been placed in, sadly they live nominal lives of no significance.

After completing the book The Greatness of our God, I felt the urge of the Holy Spirit to write a follow up book on our response to His greatness. I came to the conclusion that our correct reply is to live outrageously in faith for the One who gave everything. To follow the Jesus way of denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Him wherever He leads us (Luke 9:23). This is the true response of those who genuinely seek Him and are willing to lay down their lives for His purposes. To imitate Him in purpose, holiness, humility and sacrifice until the very end. Only the CRAZY would act in such as way.

In the midst of passive and superficial faith the time has come for a CRAZY Revolution. To go against popular opinion and to fight for the truth in a world of lies. To make a stand in our faith no matter the cost. To turn over tables in the face of hypocrisy and to take back what the enemy has stolen. This is the Jesus way. He left us His personal example to follow and commands us to do the same. Make no mistake, where there is much grace there is much expectation for faithfulness and obedience.

In an age of unprecedented crime, divorce, suicide and depression now is the time for believers to rise up and shine brightly. To declare the message of the gospel in its fullness of hope, forgiveness and freedom. To live sold out lives without compromise. To fulfil our calling and be found faithful. And to put our hand to the plow and not look back. There is just too much at stake.

In all truth, you need to be CRAZY for God. To be a follower of Christ requires an incredible spirit of determination and resilience that will withstand against the odds. Sadly, many start strongly but few finish faithfully. The temptations and distractions of this world take many out of the Kingdom. Jesus warned that the greatest mistake we can make is to gain the world at the expense of our soul for all eternity (Matthew 16:24-27). Anything that leads you away from Him and faith in God is in fact an enemy to your soul. The solution against this is to have our hearts abandoned to Christ every day. The measure that you are CRAZY for Christ is the degree that you are in the Kingdom. He asked us for everything and expected nothing less.

This book will cover the essential qualities of what it means to be a CRAZY follower of Christ, worthy to be chosen for His assignments. It will explore the key elements of what are to be our priorities and how to finish your race strong. Jesus said ‘Many are called but few are chosen’ (Matthew 22:14). God is raising up an army of followers who have taken up their cross and refuse to put it down or turn back. Again, only the CRAZY would do such a thing.

I see a revolution rising on the horizon of a strong and faithful army, living outrageously in faith. Because at the end of the day, as you will soon find, you will be crazy not to be CRAZY . . .

Hugh Barber

—CHAPTER 1—

Your Compliance is Vital

I n the movie Eagle Eye there is an interesting scene that takes place. Jerry Shaw is a man is on the run from authorities and teams up with a complete stranger, Rachel Holloman. Together they are given orders from a woman’s voice on a phone and if they disobey or fail to comply they will be punished. It later turns out that the voice is in fact a top secret government super-computer called Autonomous Reconnaissance Intelligence Integration Analyst (ARIIA). ¹

ARIIA: Jerry Shaw, you have been activated. Your compliance is vital.

Threatening their lives and family, ARIIA pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations for an important assignment. Using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move, ARIIA helps the pair to avoid the FBI, and remotely controls virtually any networked device to fulfil their assignment. These include traffic lights, mobiles, automated cranes, even ejecting a pilot mid-air on an F-16!

The scene I am referring to takes place when a third man enters the scene to assist Jerry and Rachel’s mission. When he meets them he refuses to help any further and attempts to run away. He is warned repeatedly to comply but in a fit of rage disobeys orders. Live electricity cables above him fall to the ground and he is instantly killed. Soon afterwards ARIIA sternly warns Jerry and Rachel, ‘Defection is not an option’.

Later on in the movie Jerry also tries to run away and get his normal, yet boring and insignificant, life back. ARIIA reveals itself so he can fully understand the purpose of his assignment better. He comes to his senses and continues to follow instructions with greater willingness and commitment.

Now, what first caught my attention was the inspiration of seeing random strangers coming together by someone greater to achieve a common purpose. The theme of the government being able to see your every move and tap into your life at any time is always a great debate over drinks with friends. However, I couldn’t help but ponder on those words and its implications to the Christian faith for us today—‘Defection is not an option’.

The illustration is clear: God needs all Christians to be willing and obedient to the assignments He has for us. God desires willing people who will do His will on earth to completion. Whose aim is to simply obey and please Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 says, So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Much is at stake and God expects us to be faithful and diligent all the days of our lives. We have been supernaturally set free, forgiven of our past and are now children of heaven. Just as He has miraculously chosen you, He will likewise provide and guide you into an amazing destiny. Now, thankfully we serve a God who is very forgiving of our mistakes and has grace and mercy when we fail. He will not strike us down in anger when our heart might turn away from Him. But what we must understand is where there is much grace and mercy, there is much expectation for faithfulness and obedience.

At times God will ask you to step out of your comfort zone and get your hands dirty just to see if you are listening. At times He will tell you to do strange and insignificant tasks that you won’t understand until later. And then there will be moments where He will ask you to do what feels like jumping out of a plane without a parachute at 40,000 feet! 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. Everything we do is significant, even though we may not see the final purposes of all that God leads us to do until heaven.

I firmly believe God is seeking willing and obedient hearts that will fulfil His purposes on earth. Why He uses fallen people who are on the journey of Christlikeness to achieve His purposes is a mystery. But God always seems to know where we are at and our measure of capacity, character and faith. Throughout our journey He will use people and circumstances to grow and strengthen us so we will measure up to the full stature of Christ to fulfil our assignments (Ephesians 4:13). This process can be painful, challenging and unpopular. However, what is certain is that when you make God look good, He will make you look good! You can never go wrong with obedience, no matter what others may say or think.

Just like the ARIIA analogy, God sees every area and aspect of our life. He knows when we are willing and ready vessels that He can trust with greater things. He knows when we are obeying out of selfish motives and for personal gain, or to bring Him honour and for His name to be glorified. God has a way of bringing unruly people into complete restoration. So He brings challenges to keep us sharp and to make sure our heart is in the right place. Ultimately, our confidence shouldn’t be in our ability to follow; it should be in His ability to lead us in the paths chosen for us to take.

Difficult Times

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV, author’s emphasis)

We are living in exciting but critical times. Many believe, and I too am convinced, that we are living in the last days until the new age of God’s Kingdom comes. In a time of unprecedented international conflicts, broken homes, violence and hopelessness, now is the time for believers to rise up and take their place of authority. To declare the message of the gospel of salvation and freedom in Christ. To live lives worthy of the calling and to put our hands to the plow.

However, too many believers are lukewarm, immature and living in rebellion to the assignments God is calling them to. They have no power, influence or fruitfulness of any significant amount. They are often double minded, hypocritical, self-righteous. Instead of embracing the power of God and transforming the environment they have been placed in, they live mediocre lives of no significance. Too often we want God to do what He wants us to be doing! Is it possible that we are living in a Jonah generation? Running away from God and our responsibilities when He asks too much from us?

When Paul was writing to Timothy in approximately 66AD, he saw a vision of the current state of the 21st century global Church and lives of believers today. I believe he saw incredible advancements in communication, technology and transportation to spread and preach the gospel. He saw amazing mega-churches of 20,000 believers gathering weekly to worship God and hear the Word preached boldly. And he heard amazing world class worship songs and powerful preaching, moving hearts like no other time Church history had seen.

But this is not what he wrote about. He saw an era where Christians would be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, unholy, unthankful, unforgiving and more. Now, these are not unsaved mafia, drug dealers and convicted criminals serving life sentences he is talking about. Paul is talking about those in the church! Why? Because they would have a form of godliness but deny its power to be transformed by the grace of God (2 Timothy 3:5). They are deceived of their true condition and would deceive others. The abundance of wealth and information had made them fat and lazy to the things of God. They were always learning but instead of revelation it would become religion and head knowledge leading to self-righteousness.

This sadly is the current state of many believers today, as you will shortly see. They might go to church, occasionally read the bible, and pray a small prayer when times get tough. But they refuse to participate with the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, in whom we are transformed and changed in heart, mind and spirit. They are self-centered in their motivations and shallow in church commitment. Their hearts still harbour bitterness, anger, unforgiveness and hatred towards others. Behaviour never lies and though they claim loyalty to Jesus their actions and heart condition show otherwise.

Now, yes there is grace and forgiveness. Yes God gives us second chances and is rich in mercy every day. What I am talking about are believers who use grace to excuse their behaviour with no intention of changing their heart condition. Repentance in its true definition is to change one’s thinking which is to turn away from unrighteousness. Repentance is a gift from God which leads people to salvation. A man can never change until he admits he is wrong and needs help. Additionally, repentance is not just a one-off event at salvation, but a lifestyle throughout all seasons of life when we stumble on the journey of faith.

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come, he said. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!

(Mark 1:14-15 NIV, author’s emphasis)

Jesus did not come from heaven to earth so that we stop a few bad habits. It is no surprise that at the start of Jesus’, Peter’s and Paul’s ministries, they all began with preaching repentance. Sin has separated all people from a Holy God and only when we repent from sinning can we have our relationship restored. Repentance comes from our conscience which tells us we have done wrong and failed to meet God’s commandments. Because of our sinful nature, repentance is often the hardest command for any man to perform. Put simply: It is taking sides with God against yourself! This does not come easily. It tests the power of the will more than anything else. But it is possible.

True repentance is the complete 180 degree turn in the opposite direction of one’s sinful ways. It is to change one’s mind, will and heart, to think differently or reconsider one’s ways. Repentance is not a feeling, it is an action. True repentance is saying ‘You are right God and I am wrong. Help me to change and give me a new heart and mind to overcome this area in my life . . . Forever.’ True repentance is that you are never the same again. But will this generation of believers listen and pay the price to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow their Saviour?

An Unfortunate Truth

Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits

of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not

yourselves realise and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you are

[counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?

(2 Corinthians 13:5 AMP version, author’s emphasis)

The reality today is that many believers are living in compromise, lukewarmness or rebellion to the Christian faith. David Kinnaman’s book UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity, is just one of many examples of this unfortunate truth. They are prodigal sons and daughters who refuse to come to their senses, repent and be restored in the Fathers house. They have the understanding that they have been set free from the world and the bondage of sin. But the distractions and temptations of the world as well as the pressures of life speak louder than God’s offer of freedom and salvation.

The bible is full of warnings against falling away in the faith. A clear example of this is the nation of Israel failing to enter the Promised Land. After living in slavery for 400 years, they saw amazing miracles and deliverance like never before. They saw the Red Sea part and swallow the army of the greatest nation in the world at the time. God miraculously provided food and water for them regularly. And a pillar of cloud protected them under the scorching heat in the Middle Eastern desert in the day, and freezing cold temperatures at night. But their constant complaining, lack of faith and disobedience caused an entire generation to wander and die in the wilderness.

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on

whom the culmination of the ages has come.

(1 Corinthians 10:7-11 NIV, author’s emphasis)

The behaviour of the people of Israel serves as a strong warning and prime example to us today. Twenty-three thousand people being wiped out is a small nation. That’s a bad day! The Israelites were only meant to stay in the wilderness for one season. It wasn’t their destiny. A season is an unspecified time period of preparation to prepare you for the next season you are about to enter. For Israel if they had entered the Promised Land early, their enemies in the land would have easily destroyed them. However, the sad truth for today is this: just as Israel was set free but went back into slavery, so can the believer.

Too often the bible’s expectation of how leaders in church should live and behave is not what is observed. Pastors and ministers of the gospel who have the responsibility of hundreds or thousands of believers are held to a high calling. Their influence is powerful and they can either lead people towards a stronger walk with God or turn them away. Scripture says anyone who teaches will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). Recently, an insightful online reader shared some sobering insights into the state of the Church in some parts of the world today:

I have never been more discouraged with both the church and with the state of man. I am overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness and the feeling that the tidal wave of cultural deception is ready to break over the landscape in a way that we have never seen before. Then I go to church and see how inept the body of Christ has become and leave feeling alone and hopeless about the state of God’s Kingdom on earth.²

When the world sees hypocrisy and lawlessness in the church, they will believe Christianity is just another religion of all hype but no substance. They simply say to others, ‘Don’t buy it, It’s all for show but its all fake’. One of the greatest mistakes a Christian can make is to live in hypocrisy that proves to be the difference of an unbeliever not coming to saving grace in Christ. But the reality is Christianity is not just another religion. It is a gospel of power that brings real change, transformation and redemption into every area of our lives through the grace of God.

One of my highest priorities is to live in a manner beyond reproach (1 Timothy 3:2). That my life would inspire others to seek Christ for themselves. I often ask myself, ‘As a Christian people should see a significant difference in my life’. Think about it: the closer I am to God, the more I should become like Him. There should be a major change on the inside of me, affecting my heart, mind, motivations, desires, beliefs and values all to do good and to lay down my desires for the benefit of others. As a result all of these should be major changes on the outside—my actions, words, deeds.

But is this what the world sees believers living and believing today? If someone cannot discern a believer by their lifestyle and conduct, that believer is in actual fact a spiritual failure. Consider the following: imagine if I were to take a blind test in which my task is to identify the genuine follower of Jesus Christ. My choices are an unbeliever and you. I am given two reports detailing internet activity, manner of dress, iPod playlists, favourite TV shows, leisure time activities, financial transaction history and spoken words. The question is: would I be able to tell you apart? Would I discern a difference between you and your unconverted neighbour, co-worker, classmate, or friend?

Generation Ex-Christian?

To understand the range and differences among believers today, Christianity Today International conducted behavioural research of confessing believers. In September 2006, more than 1,000 self-identified Christians 18 years and older were surveyed on their religious beliefs and practices. The results revealed a number of significant differences, with five distinct groups emerging from the study. They named them Active, Professing, Liturgical, Private, and Cultural Christians.

Source: Christianity Todayarticle, July 2007

Each group represents about one-fifth of those identifying themselves as Christian, with Active Christians most likely to have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that affects their beliefs and inspires an active church life; Cultural Christians are least likely to align