Real Revival

 “Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.” - 2 Chronicles 34:8

Last week, I wrote about the early years of Josiah's reign. God used Josiah to bring about a real revival in the land of Judah. Previous kings had been evil and reckless. Josiah was a godly leader who sought to bring Judah back to God.

Last week, we learned that Josiah began with the removal of idols. Idolatry has always been a problem with mankind. While it is true that Americans may not be kneeling before statues or handcrafted idols, we must admit that our land is consumed with the worship of money, power, prestige, sports, politics and materialism. We need a good cleansing of such idols today. It begins on a personal level as we repent by removing such idols.

Our text today describes the second phase of Josiah's work. After personal repentance comes the work of restoring the house of God. During times of spiritual apathy and apostasy, the house of God always deteriorates. In our day, church buildings may seem to be impressive from the outside, but spiritual neglect is currently going on. Most Americans are like the people of Judah prior to Josiah. They think that the house of God is unimportant.

The current pandemic is giving many an excuse to dismiss church from their lives. Far too many people consider consider church to be an unnecessary institution. While using Covid-19 as an excuse to stay away from church, many of these same people have no problem shopping for long periods of time at Wal-Mart or sitting for a while in a doctor's office waiting room. Other aspects of life continue to go on, like work, recreation and travel. The neglect of God's house is not a sign of a pandemic, but a result of a greater disease … spiritual apathy.

It is time for God's house to be the highlight of each week. Church is necessary for our lives. If you claim to be a Christian, you owe much to the local church. Perhaps you were converted at a church. You were probably baptized at a local church. You may have been married at a church. You probably witnessed the conversion of family members at a church. The church has played a pivotal role in your spiritual growth and maturity. To treat the church with neglect at this time is a form of spiritual abandonment.

Let me recommend that every believer renew his or her commitment to the local church. Here are a few suggestions.

1.  PHYSICAL SUPPORT

First of all give your physical support by attending every service. Don't be an unreliable church member. Show up every time the doors are open. Don't just declare your support for the church with your lips, demonstrate your support with your presence.

2.  SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

Secondly, show spiritual support for your church. You may do this, first of all, by praying for your church, its pastor, leaders and ministries. Secondly, come to church with a spiritual hunger for the Word. Desire the spiritual fellowship. Don't be emotionally detached. Instead, be spiritually involved in your church. If you are born again believer, but you aren't a church member, find a good Bible-believing church and become a faithful member.

3.  FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Also, give financial support to your church. Put your money where your mouth is. I believe the local church should be supported by the generous giving of its members. If you are a member of a local church, you have an obligation to support your church. Don't be stingy. Let your love and appreciation be demonstrated through generous support.

4.  PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Finally, give promotional support to your church. Talk about your church with others. Invite neighbors and family members to church. Offer to bring people with you as you attend. Make the Gospel known to those around you. Be an ambassador for Christ throughout the week. It may be that the Lord will use you to bring people to saving faith in Christ. Maybe before 2021 is over, you may have friends, family members and neighbors sitting beside you each week at church.

You need the local church and the local church needs you. In 2021, make it a priority to be in church at each service. Be a faithful, generous, active member of your church. God will bless you and your church in the process.

Revival is needed at nearly every church in America. It is time for God's people to stand up and be counted.  That would be real revival.

You may be the key to revival right where you are!