INTRO:

 

            A. Popular "buzz word" today (church & secular)

 

            B. In demand, doing seminars, writing books

 

            C. Seek popular trends, please senses of men

 

            D. Bob Mcray (

Bering Dr., Houston

) as example of such agents

 

            E. Find "change agents" in scriptures too....look at few

 

 

I.          OLD TESTAMENT FULL OF SUCH AGENTS

 

            A. Builders of the Tower of Babel       (Gen.11)

 

            B. Nadab and Abihu      (Lev. 10)

 

            C. Abraham and Sara with handmaid...Ishmael     (Gen. 16)

 

            D. Rebekah and Jacob      (Gen. 27)

 

            E. Laban      (Gen.29)

 

            F. Saul      (I Sam. 15)

 

            G. Balaam      (Num. 22)

 

 

II.        OLD TESTAMENT ALSO HAD CHANGE AGENTS FOR GOD (PSA. 50:16-21)

 

            A. Samuel      (I Sam. 15)   w/Saul

 

            B. Nathan      (II Sam. 12)   w/David

 

            C. Isaiah     (5:18-23)  pointing out inconsistency, wrong values

 

            D. Jeremiah    (5:30-31, 6:13-16)    pointing out self-serving ways

 

            E. Amos (4:1-3)     showing when women take over & give orders

 

            F. Hosea    (4:7, 6:4-6,7:4, 8:4, 14, 13:16-14:2)     (what happens when men dethrone God & enthrone self)

 

 

III.       NEW TESTAMENT ALSO REVEALS CHANGE AGENTS (ACTS 17:30-31)

 

 

            A. JOHN THE BAPTIST (MTT. 3:1-11, 14)

 

                        1. Nonconformist; had the mind of god

 

                        2. Unconcerned with popularity

 

                        3. Demanded adhereance to god's truth to point of death

 

                        4. His message in a word:  repent!! (change)

 

 

            B. APOSTLES PETER AND JOHN

 

                        1. Were changed into fishers of men      (Mtt. 4:17ff)

 

                        2. John, a "son of thunder" became apostle of love      (Mk.3:17)

 

                        3. Taught repentance (change)          (Acts 2:38,       II Jhn,       IIIJhn)

 

 

            C. APOSTLE PAUL

 

                        1. Changed everything in his life (Phil.3:4-11)

 

                        2. Said "be not conformed to this world" (Rom.12:1-2)  (II Cor. 6:14-7:1)                                                             3. Taught repentance

 

 

            D. JESUS, HIMSELF, THE SON OF GOD (JHN. 2, MTT. 23)

 

                        1. Also did not conform: broke the mold

 

                        2. Spoke with authority      (Mtt. 7:28-29)

 

                        3. Broke traditions      (Mtt. 23)

 

                        4. Flew in the face of contemporary religious leaders

 

                        5. His message: repent!!     (Lk. 13:3)