Political Manifesto

Click to download as a PDF

This short session is a look at our political manifesto. A political manifesto is a statement of promises about what people are going to do if they get into government. In an ideal world they stick to their promises but we don’t live in an ideal world!

Acts 10.36-40 – The Bible

You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. ‘We are witnesses of everything he did

Paul wrote a bit about Jesus and this is a pretty good summary of the life of a Christian and maybe a few things we could put in a manifesto. Of course all these things will look different for each of us because God gives us all kinds of gifts, desires and things we feel strongly about. So don’t’ be a clone, just roll with what Jesus has called you to do and how he’s made you but keep God first!

Summary of Acts 10.36-40

  1. Announcing the good news of peace through Jesus, the Lord of all
  2. Teaching people about Jesus
  3. Getting filled up with the Holy Spirit and power
  4. Go around doing good (God’s kind of ‘good’)
  5. Healing everyone (in every way) trapped by the devil’s power
  6. Believe that whatever God calls you do, he gives you the power to do
  7. Be a witness for everything that Jesus did

Your Manifesto – write one – some clues to help…

If you had to write a manifesto, what would your priorities be?

What kinds of things do you feel passionate about?

What did Jesus say was important?

What kinds of issues should Christians be concerned about today?

Drag this image off or click to download a PDF version

John Wesley

So here’s an example from John Wesley’s ‘manifesto. John Wesley was an amazing man who helped transform the whole of the UK through speaking, teaching the Word of God and going around being filled with the Holy Spirit. He had opposition but he stayed true and faithful to God. The end result was a nation that turned back to God. John Wesley was used by God to literally change history. Sound like something you’d like to do? Just say yes to God right now….

And just check out John Wesley’s Manifesto – he was way ahead of his time. Why? Because he believed God and believed the Bible which is always on time, ahead of time and relevant today and tomorrow!

This image taken from a Facebook post – the list is accurate
(https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/10392/john-wesleys-manifesto-newdocx.pdf)

Have a think right now about what the world would look like if every Christian made this manifesto the number one thing in their life. Will you commit to be this kind of person for God?

What would happen? We’d see the world changed for good!