THE REVIVAL WE NEED

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” - Psalm 138:7

Things are a mess here in America. Politically, there is turmoil and corruption in our land. Socially, we are a selfish nation, filled with self-seeking, self-serving citizens. Morally, our nation has embraced and promoted sinful lifestyles and practices. Financially, our country has serious debts that will never be repaid in my lifetime. Worst of all, we are spiritually bankrupt with no shortage of religion, but severely lacking in righteousness.

The American church is not much better. Rather than impacting our society with the truth, the Church is being impacted by sinful society. The American church is apathetic toward sin, lacking in holiness, and anemic in its evangelistic zeal. These days, churches seek to be “cool” and “relevant” --- which are really goals that lead to compromise. Many pastors refuse to preach the whole counsel of God, seeking instead to bring messages that impress and please a crowd. Instead of pleasing God, most churches are working hard to please the world. In many cases, church attendance is dwindling and the influence of the Church is either dying or dead.

To their credit, there are churches, denominations and pastors that realize that everything is out of alignment. Many are trying to bring fresh life into their churches with new programs. While new programs may be good, they are not the main answer to the problem.

We need a turnaround. We need a spiritual breakthrough. We need a mighty move of God. We need revival in our churches. We need the kind of revival that honors God, changes lives and impacts the culture.

I am not an expert, but I feel that there are some basic things we need to do.

1. RETURN TO THE BIBLE

First of all, let's return to the Bible. I am not putting down all Christian books, but the Book we need most is God's Word. Our problem isn't a lack of information, but a lack of application. God has given us all we need to life and godliness --- and it is found in the pages of God's Word. We need to get back to reading the Word, believing the Word and obeying the Word.

2. RETURN TO PRAYER

The American Church needs to emphasize prayer meetings again. As individual Christians, we need to get back in the prayer closet. For some foolish reason, we think American will be improved at the voting booth. No!!! America can be changed when God's people return to the prayer closet and get serious about the Lord and His will.

3. RETURN TO SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING

Rather than living by the flesh, we need to live and walk in the Spirit. We need to be Spirit-filled, Spirit-led believers. It is hard to minister to others out of the overflow of your life if the well is empty. We need to obey the Bible's command to be filled with the Spirit. The Christians in the book of Acts didn't wait on the political climate to improve before they obeyed the Lord. They were filled with the Spirit and were used of God to impact the world.

4. RETURN TO EVANGELISM

The devil and the world has deceived believers into believing that evangelism is wrong and evil. We should share the Gospel because God COMMANDS it, not because it is popular. Jesus has never been popular with the world. The world has always resisted and hated the evangelistic effort of believers. Yet souls are dying without Christ daily. In the book of Ezekiel, God compared his servants to watchmen of a city. A watchman was responsible to stand guard and watch for an approaching enemy. If the watchman refused to warn the residents of impending danger, their blood was on his hands. I can't help but think that the American church has blood on its hands. We've been playing church while souls are perishing. God have mercy on us.

Jesus is coming soon. When He returns, will He find us faithfully doing His will or foolishly living out our own goals and dreams?

SUPERFICIAL SAINTS

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.” - Hebrews 5:11

We are living in a superficial age. The mental, emotional and spiritual depth of most Christians is very alarming. We are busy being busy, but few are actually maturing in the faith. Even at church, members can be kept active without experiencing much growth.

When the epistle to the Hebrews was written, the writer had a great concern about the lack of spiritual depth among his readers. As I see American Christianity today, I feel a similar concern.

These days, people want a light and fluffy message at church. Rather than being edified, they prefer to be entertained. Instead of being fed from the Word, they'd rather be given a quick motivational speech. Even worse, they'd rather be given small doses of Scripture rather than digging deep into the Word. Jesus is no longer the heart-felt desire of the church-goer. Instead, they want someone to pat them on the head and tell them that everything is going to be alright. That is superficial spirituality. Many churches have a large percentage of their congregation who fall into that category. They are superficial saints.

God is not satisfied with such immaturity and we shouldn't be either. I find that many pastors are eager to engage people on such a low level with the intent of keeping them in attendance and contributing to the budget. Those in leadership can be very superficial when they spend their time studying the numerical data of their church and neglecting the actual spiritual growth of the people.

How can we tell if we are becoming spiritual mature … or remaining spiritually superficial? I think here are a few signs:

1. SPIRITUALLY MATURE PEOPLE DESIRE GOD

The superficial tend to be very self-centered. Spiritually mature people seek the face of God. Are you more impressed by the technology and programs of your church more than you are overwhelmed by the greatness and glory of God? If so, you need to grown up … now.

2. SPIRITUALITY MATURE PEOPLE VALUE DOCTRINE

Superficial saints will actually brag about a church that “doesn't preach much doctrine.” A spiritually mature person desires sound doctrine, because it teaches him more about his Lord. A spiritually mature person seeks truth, not just a humorous motivational talk.

3. SPIRITUALLY MATURE PEOPLE DESIRE INNER CHANGE

The superficial seek success, worldly achievement and the obtainment of personal desires & goals. Spiritually mature people seek to be more like Jesus. A spiritually mature person is serious about personal repentance, spiritual obedience and daily gratitude. The superficial seek outward improvements while the spiritually mature seek inner growth.

4. SPIRITUALLY MATURE PEOPLE FIND THEIR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Superficial saints have a need to be recognized and praised. Their identity is often wrapped up in their job title, position or acceptance among peers. Spiritually mature people find their identity in Christ. They feel no need to impress others. Their desire is to please the Lord.

5. SPIRITUALLY MATURE PEOPLE SEEK CONTINUAL GROWTH

Superficial saints seek to fulfill their own goals. Spiritually mature people seek continual growth. Spiritually mature people will never reach perfection in this life, but they seek to be holy. They seek to know more about God, which keeps them in the Bible.

6. SPIRITUALLY MATURE PEOPLE PRAY MATURE PRAYERS

Superficial people pray superficial prayers. Their prayers are typically self-centered prayers. Spiritually mature saints do pray about themselves, but with a different goal --- the goal of pleasing God. Furthermore, spiritually mature saints tend to pray for others. Their prayer for others goes beyond the typical, “bless them, Lord,” prayers and focuses on specific needs and spiritual issues.

7. SPIRITUALLY MATURE PEOPLE HAVE AN ETERNAL FOCUS

Superficial saints are focused on the here-and-now. They tend to only focus on their daily lives. Spiritually mature people see today's events with an eternal focus. Spiritually mature people live with eternity in mind, investing in eternal matters.

Are you a superficial saint? If so, today is a great day to seek spiritual maturity. Maturity involves some growing pains. Maturity doesn't come easy. Just as a parent desires to see the maturity of his children, our heavenly Father wants to see spiritual maturity in the lives of His children.

It is time for Christians and churches to quit wading around in the shallow waters and launch out into the deep. While the basics of Christianity should always be remembered, let us seek a deep, satisfying walk with God.

PRAYER REQUESTS

“Brethren, pray for us.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:25

It is not uncommon to see people make prayer requests on social media. Our church, like many others, make prayer requests public to the congregation at each service. Prayer requests are often fueled by desperate need. We should treat them seriously.

When I was a young Christian, I rarely asked for prayer. As I have grown older, I am not ashamed to ask other Christians to pray for me. I think there are several reasons for this. First, I value prayer more than I did when I was younger. Secondly, I see my need for prayer in a great dimension than I did in my younger years. Finally, I appreciate the prayers of my brothers and sisters more than ever. James D. Vaughan, a pioneer in Southern Gospel Music, put it best in a song title: “I Need The Prayers Of Those I Love.”

Prayer requests can be abused. For instance, some may ask for prayer requests simply to get attention. Others may ask for prayer requests so others will perceive them as being “spiritual.” I once heard of a woman who asked for prayer for a soap opera character that was nearing death.

I believe that most prayer requests come from those with great concern about a genuine need. Sometimes the need is dire.

We cannot always know the degree of problems behind a prayer request. We must simply take the request to God who knows the need better than anyone. We do not pray in order to inform God. Instead, we pray to invite God to intervene in the situation, whether we understand it or not.

Speaking of prayer requests, have you ever offered to pray for someone … then forgot about it? I must shamefully confess that I have been guilty. I have found that the best solution to this problem is to pray immediately for the request. If possible, offer a brief prayer verbally before departing from the person.

These days, so many people claim to be Christians but never go to church. It is amazing how many people use lame excuses for their absence from church. While there is much that could be said about this, I wish to simply point out that when you need people to pray for you or a family member, you'll want a church family who will gather and pray in unity for the need.

I find it refreshing that Paul asked for prayer. He wrote, “Brethren, pray for us.” Paul was unashamed to ask for prayer --- and we shouldn't be either.

It really does help to have prayer warriors mentioning your name to the Father in prayer. Think about all the people who've prayed for you in the past. Now it is your turn to pray for others.

Let me close with a simple appeal. If you can't think of anyone to pray for, please pray for me.

THE GOD OF THE VALLEYS

“And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”

- 1 Kings 20:28

Life is filled with mountain-top experiences and low valleys. We are tempted to think that we are close to God on the mountains but far from Him in the valleys. Furthermore, we tend to think we are in the will of God when we celebrate on the mountains but we must be out of God's will if we roam the valleys. Such thinking rivals the thoughts of the Syrians. They believed that the God of Israel was only God of the hills, but not God of the valleys.

The fact is that God is the God of the mountains AND the God of the valleys. He is just as much God when we struggle through the valleys as when we shout from the mountain tops. We may not like it, but we need the valleys. If we only stayed on the mountains, we'd get soon take it for granted and get further from God. Our fleshly nature tends to be independent and self-serving. As we dwell in sinful flesh, too much time on the mountain can be bad for us.

Here are three reasons why we need to walk with God through the valleys:

1. VALLEYS EMPOWER OUR FAITH

First of all, valleys tend to strengthen our faith. It has been said that a faith that has not be tested cannot be trusted. Just as a muscle grows when it is stretched, our faith must be stretched before it can grow. Do you know a person of faith that you look up to? More than likely you'll find that their faith is strong because they have been in valleys. Valleys keep us close to God. We pray more effectively in the valleys. We draw strength from God's Word while we are in the valleys. The valleys keep us depending on the promises of God. Yes, valleys strengthen our faith.

2. VALLEYS ENCOURAGE OUR FELLOWSHIP

Secondly, when we walk in the valleys, we find out who our real friends are. When we walk through valleys, we depend upon our Christian friends for support, help, encouragement and prayer. We find that God uses people around us to minister to us. Fellowship with God's people becomes a powerful resource when we need it most.

3. VALLEYS ENABLE OUR FRUITFULNESS

God wants us to be fruitful Christians. Fruit tends to grow more in the valleys than on the mountains. Mountains tend to be more rocky and barren. When it rains, the water tends to flow from the hills into the valleys. Water is needed if fruit is to grow. We'd like to see sunshine every day, but rain is needed if we wish to see precious fruit. Valleys tend to be fruitful areas. More than likely, your spiritual fruit has come because of your valley experiences, not the time on the mountains.

Valleys are special because our God is the God of the valleys. We need to learn two facts about valleys. The first fact we learn is that valleys are temporary. God does not simply take us to a valley. Neither does He bring us into a valley. Instead, He leads us THROUGH the valley. The second lesson we learn is that we never go through valleys alone. God is always there with us. The final valley we will cross will be the valley of death. David wrote about this valley: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” Notice we will walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. We may walk through this valley with confidence, “... for thou art with me.” God walks with us through the valleys. He leads us through the valleys to the other side.

The God of the mountains is also God of the valleys. When we cross the final valley, we will reach our home in heaven. Here's the best news of all: in heaven, there will be no valleys.

PAYING THE PRICE FOR REVIVAL: REPENTANCE

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” - Revelation 3:19

There is a price to pray for revival. Last week, we saw that we must pay the price on our knees in prayer. In this message, we are looking at the fact that we must pay the price for revival by repenting.

Repentance is a subject that we think is about “someone else.” We think that we aren't the ones who need to repent, but “others” certainly do. Some people think that repentance is a subject that needs to be preached to sinners. Certainly that is so. However, God's people need to regularly practice repentance. Conversion is just the beginning of a life of repentance.

If you read the New Testament, you'll find that John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul were among those who preached about repentance.  Repentance is very much a New Testament word.

If we yearn to see revival in this generation, we must face the reality that repentance is needed. Let's not fool ourselves. There is much to repent about these days, especially in the church. Many professing Christians are merely lukewarm at best. While we have nearly perfected the art of conducting church, we have done so with the noticeable absence of the Holy Spirit. Many are playing church while the world goes to hell. It is wrong, and even hypocritical of us, to expect sinners to repent if we refuse to repent ourselves.

When it comes to the subject of repentance, it is easy to pick on sinners and even the lukewarm church members, but the real issue is about the person you see in the mirror. Do you need to repent?

The psalmist prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” That is a dangerous prayer to pray … unless you mean business with God. Have you ever asked God to search you and reveal the results?

I offer you the same challenge that the missionary Bertha Smith used to give. Get on your knees and ask God to reveal the sins in your life. Write them down, confess them and repent of them fully. You'll find that the experience is like taking a warm shower.

Repentance is the key to personal revival. You may experience revival yourself this very day by repenting of your sins and getting close to God. James wrote, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” We like to quote the first part of that verse, but we neglect the last half. The Lord only allows clean people to enter His presence.

Repentance will require humility and honesty --- two virtues that are rare these days, even in the church. There is a price to pray for revival. We must repent and come clean with God. Those who practice repentance enjoy the sweetest fellowship with Jesus.

Repentance is a price worth paying.

PAYING THE PRICE FOR REVIVAL: PRAYER

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” - Jeremiah 33:3

There is a price to pay for every worthwhile thing in life. Of course, salvation is an exception to this, but it is among the few exceptions. While I believe that revival is a sovereign work of God in the lives of His people, I think a proper study would reveal that nearly every revival began with a small remnant of believers seeking God in prayer.

In a previous blog message, I wrote that most Christians want the benefits and blessings of revival without paying the price required for revival. Certainly this is true when it comes to prayer.

Most believers would admit that prayer is important. Most Christians would say that they are praying people. However, prayer is often a minor aspect of life for American Christians. They pray when there's a crisis. They pray when we get bad medical news. They pray when a family member suffers. To be rather blunt, the average Christian has a superficial prayer life.

What ever happened to prayer meetings in our churches? Quite honestly, you can't get most church members to show up for a prayer meeting. These days, church members have taken the role of spectators. They show up at church, take a seat and hope to be entertained for an hour or so. When challenged to participate, most people would rather stay home. Although most Christian leaders would disagree, I tend to think that the best gauge of spiritual vitality in our churches is not the size of the Sunday morning congregation, but the number of people who regularly attend and participate in the prayer meeting.

For many people, prayer does not have much glitter and glamour. Prayer is hard work. Prayer requires faith and discipline.

If we really want to see revival come to our churches and a widespread awakening occur in our nation, believers need to get on their knees and seek God. We need to pay the price on our knees before God.

1. PRAY PASSIONATELY

First of all, we need to pray passionately. Don't be half-hearted in your prayers. Pray as if lives depended on it! Put your heart into your prayer. Pray passionately for a mighty move of God!

2. PRAY SPECIFICALLY

Secondly, be specific in your prayers. Pray for revival in your church. Pray for the prodigals. Pray for the indifferent church members. Pray for the lost. Pray for your community. Pray for those who are slaves to their addictions. Pray for more laborers to enter the harvest field. Pray for your enemies. Pray for your neighbors. Pray for those in leadership. If you want to receive specific answers to prayer, pray specific prayers.

3. PRAY EXPECTANTLY

Next, pray expectantly. Expect God to answer. God may not answer the way you want Him to, but He WILL answer. Pray with faith. Depend upon God to answer your prayers.

4. PRAY DILIGENTLY

Finally, pray diligently. Keep on praying. Even if others quit praying, keep praying yourself. Though your church stops praying, stay faithful in prayer. Though you are tempted to quit, continue praying until the answer comes.

Do I believe revival comes when God's people pray? Yes, I do. Although at times revival may break out at a church or in a community, there are times that the revival falls just on those who were praying. Those who pay the price are often the ones who enjoy the greatest rewards.

If there has ever been a time that revival is needed, it is today. If there has ever been a time in our nation's history that we've needed a spiritual awakening, it is right now. The need has never been greater. The future of our country hangs in the balance. The future of souls is at stake. Someone needs to pay the price for revival.

Will you pray?

DO WE REALLY WANT REVIVAL?

“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” - Acts 5:11

It may seem odd to ask the question, “Do we really want revival?,” but I am convinced that a large portion of church members are not interested in revival. In fact, there are some who aren't even concerned enough to go to church themselves, yet alone experience revival. Some of the church's harshest critics are its own members. Many complain about the laxity of the church, but do very little in the church themselves.

The big question is this: do YOU want to see revival? The main problem with Christians is the core belief that revival is about “others.” It is easy to see sin in the lives of others, but we tend to overlook our own sins.

Here are several reasons why most believers are very apathetic about revival:

1. THE PURPOSE OF REVIVAL

Many aren't excited about revival because they aren't passionate about God's glory. You see, revival is a sovereign work of God, changing lives for His glory. We live in a self-entitlement society. Most Americans are selfish, proud and impatient. Americans tend to pursue pleasure and comfort instead of the things of God. Even in church, members tend to have an inward focus instead of having a passion for God's glory.

2. THE PROCESS OF REVIVAL

Secondly, many aren't excited about revival because of the process of revival. Revival may take time to unfold. Certainly, the day of Pentecost was a mighty move of God, but it was preceded by a long period of praying and waiting. In America, we are used to overnight delivery, speedy drive-thru restaurants and self-service gas pumps. We tend to expect immediate results. Revival may include waiting on God, trusting His promises and enduring persecution. Most people aren't interested in this.

3. THE PRICE OF REVIVAL

I believe that the greatest reason that people aren't interested in revival is because they aren't willing to pay the price for revival. Truly, revival is a work of God; an act of grace. Yet revival tends to fall on those who have prepared themselves for revival. In the coming weeks, I hope to deal with this subject more deeply. To say the least, revival can be messy.

I believe most church members want the product of revival. We want to believers get reignited, unbelievers converted, churches growing and mass baptisms. While most would like to see the product of revival, they aren't necessarily passionate about the true purpose of revival. They aren't inspired by the process of revival. They certainly aren't willing to pay the price of revival.

If revival depended upon your devotion, evangelistic fervor and prayers, would revival ever come? If every church member was exactly like you, what kind of church would you have?

Despite our belief to the contrary, often the biggest hindrance to revival is the person seen daily in the mirror.