Past believers made unprecedented contributions to society.
The western nations were strongly founded upon Judeo-Christian foundations and with God’s blessing immensely prospered. You see all manner of unprecedented break throughs in human endeavour, through people’s faith in God and due to their own diligence.
For example, Sir Isaac Newton revolutionized science and is seen as a greatest scientific mind of all time, William Wilberforce abolished child slavery as a politician, Johann Sebastian Bach is still called greatest composer of all time, to name but a few. It is fascinating and inspiring to see how their faith influence their life mission and journey!
Believers had unprecedented foundations
We also see that believers of all ages had this grace to rise to their fullest potential and take charge (See Genesis chapter 1, verse 26 - 28). There was a godly foundation, with God, church and community central, and the family unit was firmly intact and became a powerhouse to nurture the next generation strong.
Interestingly, in the early 1900’s it was not uncommon that kids as young as five that could readily comprehend weighty literature, such as the old American constitution. This is a task that even an MBa student would struggle with today!
Why are we seeing a general absence of the unprecedented move of God, which hinders the Christian witness and influence in society today?
We see a massive curve in this trend in today’s secularised world. We must revisit the word foundations for the unprecedented things. Only the word of God is a plumb line for what is right (See Amos chapter 7 verses 7-8). We must return to the words of our covenant and to our father in heaven.
Jesus told us plainly he wants us to do unprecedented things. We are commanded to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew chapter 5 verse 16). In other words the unprecedented things God enables us to do in Christ are so extraordinary, people will attribute to them a divine favour and will look to God and praise Him.
God has destined to equip us to do unprecedented things in Christ.
Jesus spoke of unprecedented life and energy that would be made available, during the ceremony of the Feast of Tabernacles, recalling the desert wanderings of his people. He made an impassioned plea, crying out to all believers in a loud voice saying, “Whoever thirsts let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John Chapter 7 Verses 37 - 38).
Friends, Jesus is that rock. He is the source of the living water and all that we need to be fully equipped for service! (See 1 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 3). Moses struck the rock as they journeyed through the wilderness and water came forth, so too Jesus was smited at the cross for our sake, so the spirit could be poured forth!
Are you weary and tired of mere ceremonies and religion alone, without seeing the power of God to make a difference in the world around you? As we drink of Jesus’ spirit he will enable us to be awakened to our sonship and God’s unique purpose for us all. We will sense God’s great love for us and have self-belief to get moving and set life goals to make a difference, and with unprecedented release of our potential.
God wants to give you testimonies of unprecedented break-through!
By the grace of God, we can all be overcomers in our sphere of our calling and do unprecedented things for God’s glory. Last year around February I felt the Lord say “Concentrate on your art for my glory.” As I was praying I saw a vision of the van Gogh like iris petal curl and become like a hand summoning me to come and I heard the voice say “come” and he gave me Isaiah chapter 48 verses 18- 19.
So, I stepped out and started painting in oils for the first time, experimented, had a few lessons from a tutor, and painted some really gory and horrible images at first! Last week, about a year on, I got accepted into one of the leading and biggest art shows in my country, with several gorgeous pieces of my art! The advertisement for the art show states that the “cream of the nation’s leading and emerging artists will all be there.”
I am also using poetry with all my paintings and in an effort to communicate hope, meaning and purpose, not just a pretty picture. I sense so strongly the river of God is flowing in me to do what is unprecedented to be a light to the lost. The holy spirit wants to flow in your life mission too.
Unprecedented things are released by taking to heart word of kingdom of God.
Every day in the life of Jesus he modelled the release of unprecedented things by the power of God’s word, being himself, the word made flesh. We too have been entrusted the word of the kingdom as believers (Luke chapter 8 verses 4-15) and Jesus promised as we steward it faithfully we would become a lamp lit which cannot be hid (Luke chapter 8 verses 15-16)!
As we apply our artistic ability according to God’s word or whatever gift we have, we too release the kingdom of God on earth. Then, we are lit up by God’s spirit like a lamp, to be put on display to the world as we are enabled to the unprecedented!
Will you dare to step out and live out the unprecedented life mission and miracles he wants to work through you?
To conclude, will we take up the challenge to shine as ambassadors for his kingdom? To do so Jesus insisted on doing one thing: “Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” (Luke chapter 8 verse 18). May God prosper you!
Mark Rusic was born in Melbourne and studied engineering. He became a missionary to Asia for about six years. He has worked as a pastor over the past 16 years with Hope International Ministries. Mark is also an artist and author and has also written two books which are a collection of his own paintings, photography and poetry. These include Iconic Melbourne of Australia and Iconic Animals of Australia with a voice to release your giant potential within. His passion is to help people find and release what they are born for. He has been counted among some of Australia’s best-selling authors since 2014 and is a frequent public speaker in various community groups. Mark is happily married with his life-long partner Susan and has a six year old daughter and twins born in 2017.
Mark Rusic was born in Melbourne and has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He became a missionary to many, suffering hardship and poverty on Madura Island in Indonesia, in 1990 for about four years. He worked as a pastor-life coach with Hope International Ministries from 2002 to May 2023, playing a key role in raising up leaders and elders for the local Melbourne Hope church, which lead today. Mark has also been active in conducting yearly trips to remote Indigenous communities, bringing teams for training and outreach, which he initiated from 2015. He also established a salt and light ministry to empower saints of influence in the marketplace from 2017.
Mark is also an artist and an author and has written two books which are both a collection of his own paintings, photography, and poetry. These include ‘Iconic Melbourne of Australia’ and ‘Iconic Animals of Australia- With a voice to release your giant potential within,’ which are available now on booktopia.com.au and at leading book retailers. He has been counted among some of Australia’s best authors on several occasions through Dymocks since 2014 and continues to be a motivational speaker in various community groups, organisations, and churches.
He is currently pioneering his itinerant ministry to bless Indigenous people and empower the body of Christ, while working as an artist, author and speaker.
