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.