Word of the Week - Revival
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14
What is Revival? By definition it is an act of bringing someone or something back to life from a state of death. It is also defined as renewed attention to or interest in something. Christian revival is defined as increased spiritual interest and renewal in the life of the church or society, with a local, national, or global effect. It is seen as restoration of the church to a vital and fervent relationship with God after a period of moral decline.
What does Revival look like – There has been many documented periods of revival around the world and in the U.S. over the centuries with the most recent U.S. revival being the Jesus Revolution of the late 1960s and early 70s across America. Since this was over 50 years ago, many Christians today have never personally experienced a great revival and may not know what it looks like. The first revival in the bible was documented in the book of Acts in the early church with the beginning of the spread of the “way” amongst Jews and Gentiles. It clearly illustrates what happens when people experience a fresh wave of God’s grace that results in spiritual enthusiasm among the faithful and its transmission to unbelievers. This has happened over and over since the First Century, where Christians have experienced times of God’s renewing grace at an elevated level. This results in energized Christians and churches that lead to new seasons of growth in the body of believers. These revivals include personal quickenings, when individual believers experience spiritual renewal with newfound focus on Christ; revivals of local churches that may begin in a particular church and then spread to others; and social awakenings like the Jesus Movement and Charismatic Renewal, in which Christians receive new enthusiasm and power, millions of unbelievers are saved, and national and even global culture is affected for decades.
How do we know if we are in Revival – The bible in Acts 2:36-47 illustrates signs of revival that have characterized spiritual renewal over the course of our church history.
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.—Acts 2:36-47 (NIV)
What are the signs of Revival – The following are clear signs that Revival is happening.
Jesus (Acts 2:36) – In Acts 2, Peter preached the clear gospel of Jesus Christ crucified, dead, buried and resurrected from the dead as Lord and savior. In Revival, the gospel of Jesus is the top priority. We simply need Jesus as our Lord and savior.
Repentance (Acts 2:37-38) – In revival, people experience conviction for their sins and repent and change. They turn their attention away from the petty things of this world and spend more of their time and energy focused on things of God and eternity. Things that really matter.
Passion for Prayer (Acts 2:42) – Revival gives people a new desire to pray, worship and meditate on things of God. God takes away distractions and we hear from Him more clearly as we seek Him with fervor.
Hunger for God’s Word (Acts 2:42) – When we are in a season of Revival, people pursue God’s Word to seek out truth and find the answers to the questions of life.
Burden for the lost (Acts 2:40) – Through conviction of sin and renewed life in Christ, believers realize that others are lost and desperately need Jesus. We can no longer be content to let people live without being confronted and offered the love of Christ that we are experiencing.
Increased Salvation (Acts 2:41-47) – A fruit of Revival and a burden for the lost is an increase in salvations and new believers. Praise God!!
Increase in callings to ministry and missions (Acts 2:20) – During revival, God’s people sense a calling to serving Jesus, whether in vocational ministry or in consecrating their daily work life to Jesus and using their vocation as a platform for the gospel of Jesus.
God’s Presence (Acts 2:40, 43) – God is always present, but in Revival, God’s presence becomes obvious among us – whether in conviction of sin, healings, signs and wonders, or in manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Generosity/Giving (Acts 2:45) – Church offerings and giving to God’s work greatly increases during Revival.
Greater frequency of gatherings for worship, prayer and God’s Word (Acts 2:46) – Not only do the number of church activities increase, but believers begin to meet together more frequently outside of church to share how God is working in their lives.
Increased fellowship among believers (Acts 2:46) – In Revival, God’s people experience greater love for one another that draws them together frequently and attracts unbelievers to the body of believers.
Favor and persecution (Acts 2:47) – God’s favor will be with His people as they abide in Him and spread the good news of Jesus. Both favor and opposition arise in Revival. Mockers and opposition from people in power will increase but we know in the end the Love of Christ will prevail. This makes us dependent upon Jesus and thus we rely on the Lord’s favor to fight for us as we overcome persecution and opposition. “the Joy of the Lord is our strength” Nehemiah 8:10
Revival is here!!!!! - Based on these signs and what I have seen and experienced recently, I would suggest that we are on the front end of a full blown Revival in America. Beginning with the Asbury Revival back in February, to the to what we are seeing and experiencing in our local Church, Church of the Highlands, here in Birmingham, I am pretty sure we are in a season of Revival. Our church is in a season of 21 days of prayer that we do every year in January and August, and we are seeing record attendance. Since the beginning of this year, we have been experiencing record attendance, salvations and giving like never before. Last week we had four days of “Revival Services” across our 24 campuses and saw an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We had tens of thousands of people showing up with standing room only with people in overflow and foyers hungry for and seeking God. I am experiencing this first-hand and it is remarkable and very encouraging. I am also seeing signs of revival around the world. I recently met with one of the leaders of Global Media Outreach Global Media Outreach (GMO), a ministry I have invested in for nearly a decade, that is using technology to fulfill the Great Commission. Since 2004, they have touched billions around the world with the gospel message of Jesus using the internet and technology, and have prompted hundreds of millions of people in their decision to follow Jesus. This year, they are seeing extraordinary growth and receptivity to the gospel message around the globe. Finally, I have the great privilege to attend a million-salvation celebration next week with John Maxwell who’s ministry will surpass a million documented salvations this month. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
This is so very exciting!!!! For a time such as this God is bringing Revival. What a blessing that we get to participate in a move of God through Revival in our city, nation, and world. That being said, let us never forget that Revival starts inside each believer (you and me) and grows from there. Gipsy Smith one of the most impactful British evangelist of modern times, who played a meaningful role in several revivals of the late 1800s and early1900s, was once asked how to start revival. He answered: “Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of the floor. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside the chalk mark. When He answers your prayer, the revival will be on”. We are each revived by the spirit of the living God through Jesus when we are saved and born of His spirit. The best thing we can do to fan the flame of revival is simply fan the flame of revival in our personal walk with Jesus. It is from the overflow of our personal relationship that God does His amazing work through each of us to influence and change the world. Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the branches, if you abide in me then I will abide in you and your will bare much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5
Be encouraged and have a great week!!!!
-Duane