Why We Aren't Seeing Revival

 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15-16

We are living in the best of times. We have ample copies of God's Word available to us here in America. Additionally, most of us have access to the internet, which places many free Bible study tools at our disposal. Also, there are TV, radio and internet ministries to aid us in our spiritual journey. There is a church on nearly every corner where we can publicly worship. We have CDs and DVDs of Christian ministry and music available to bless and help us. These are the best of times.

Yet these are also the worst of times. In spite of all the spiritual resources available to us, the American Church seems to be in decline. Spiritual apathy abounds. While many are quick to be identified as Christians, few are actually living Christian lives. Our pagan society is impacting the faith community at an alarming rate. People no longer look to the Church for spiritual answers. Oprah and CNN are more likely to be sought than churches during times of calamity.

Because of the spiritual apathy of our times, many believers are praying fervently for revival. Knowing that a spiritual awakening is America's only hope, many Christians are seeking the Lord at this critical hour. Despite all of the prayers and programs designed to bring Christians together in prayer for revival, revival is noticeably absent in our society. To be clear, there are pockets of revival here and there, but by and large our culture is not being impacted by a mighty awakening.

All of this raises an important question. Why aren't we seeing revival today? Let me give you a few reasons why America is not seeing revival.

1. PRAYERLESS PEOPLE

Despite the large numbers of believers who are seeking God for revival, most believers have an anemic prayer-life. Many prayers are very selfish in nature.  In spite of our desperate times, we are not desperate people. Most churches do not have prayer meetings. If you study revival in the Bible and church history, you will find that nearly every revival and awakening began with a remnant of believers praying.

2. PROBLEMATIC PREACHING

Let's be honest about it. Some of the most popular “preachers” in America are televangelists who preach false doctrine. The only exposure many Americans have to Christianity is found in watching these individuals. God will not bless false teachers. Neither will He bless heresy. It is time for the pulpit to be cleansed in America. Rather than trying to be popular or entertaining, it is time for preachers to simply and boldly preach the Word of God without compromise.

3. PASSIONLESS PRAISE

Another issue that is hindering revival is the superficial worship that occurs on Sundays. Rather than passionately worshiping and praising God, many church members simply go through the motions. They lack the zeal and love they once had for Jesus. Too many people are just playing church.

4. PITIFUL PRIORITIES

The priorities that people live by are completely out of order. Church is no longer essential to so-called believers. Many are more passionate about politics and sports that they are about spiritual matters. The distractions of this world are luring many away from the vital matters of prayer, the Word and evangelism. Rather than seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness, most are seeking an easy, comfortable life. No wonder we aren't seeing revival!

5. PERSONAL PRIDE

Finally, our pride is keeping us from admitting our guilt and seeking God's grace. We want to protect our image at all costs. The Bible says that God resists the proud. Our pride is not helping anyone, including ourselves. Rather than repenting ourselves, we proudly sit back and expect others to repent. What hypocrisy!

Revival is a sovereign move of God. He can bring revival any time He wishes. He doesn't require your input or mine. However, there are certain things He will not bless. He will not bless sin, regardless of whether it is at the White House, the church house or your house. It is not the sins of the unbelieving world that are hindering revival, it is the sins of the Church.

May the Lord have mercy on us!

When Revival Comes

 

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” - Acts 4:31

Many of us are praying for a genuine spiritual awakening in America. We long for a wide-scale move of God, transforming lives. We are seeking revival among God's people and churches throughout the land. We long for a time of spiritual renewal and refreshing.

This brings up a significant question. How do we know when revival comes? How can we detect such an event?

To be rather honest, there is a major difference between a superficial religious fad and a genuine spiritual awakening. Revival in churches is more than extra meetings or a tent crusade. The outcome of real revival is deep, rich and amazing.

At first glance, the turmoil in America seems to be the wrong atmosphere for revival. Yet as we study the Scriptures, we find that revival often comes during times of persecution and upheaval. In Acts chapter 4, authorities had commanded believers to quit preaching about Jesus. Despite the threats against them, Acts 4:31 states, “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” In spite of the threats, the believers prayed for greater boldness in sharing the Good News and God responded in a powerful way.

I believe that we learn several things about revival from this event. When revival comes, five things will be apparent:

1. SUPPLICATION-LED CONSECRATION

First of all, revival will come when God's people unify in prayer. Our text states, “And when they had prayed...” Every revival and spiritual awakening in Biblical and Church history has begun with believers on their knees seeking God.

2. SOVEREIGN-MARKED CHANGE

Secondly, revival will be marked by a mighty move of God. Our text states that when believers prayed, “... the place was shaken where they were assembled together.” There is an unmistakable sense of God's intervention when revival comes. God shook up things when His people prayed. When revival comes, He tends to shake up people!

3. SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTIANS

Next, Christians are filled with the Spirit. The Bible says that when the place was shaken, “... they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Believers are baptized by the Spirit at conversion, but there should be multiple fillings of the Spirit. Paul wrote, “Be ye filled with the Spirit.” In the Greek, this is actually translated, “Be continually filled with the Spirit.” We need the Spirit's power to fulfill the work of God. When we work in the power of the flesh, we get superficial and unsatisfactory results. When the Spirit fills us, leads us and uses us, amazing things will happen.

4. SCRIPTURE-FILLED CONTENT

Next our text states, “... they spake the word of God with boldness.” Despite the official commands and threats, God's people prayed for boldness … and they received it! Notice that they “... spake the word of God.” They didn't invite people to revival meetings, a church potluck or a religious movie. Instead, Christians boldly proclaimed the Word of God. Such boldness is sorely lacking in our day. When revival comes, God's people will be filled with the Spirit and will boldly share the message of the Gospel everywhere, including the streets, businesses and homes. The Gospel will not be diluted. Instead, it will be declared.

5. SOUL-STIRRING CONVERSIONS

Finally, lives will be changed by the simple, yet powerful message of the Gospel. Throughout the book of Acts, we find courageous believers making the Gospel known. Sure, it brought division, persecution and strife. But the same message changed lives for the glory of God.

Is this the kind of revival you long for? Do you yearn for God to use you in making the Gospel known everywhere you go? Do you long to see revival in your church? Are you passionate to see a mighty spiritual awakening in our land? If so, let's get back to prayer and the Word. Let God stir a fire in your soul.

It may be that the revival we long to see may begin in our own lives today!

Revival Begins With Me

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” - Isaiah 57:15

We need revival in America. I don't think that many Christians would object to that statement. Events of the past weeks certainly reflect this need. Yet I am convinced that, overall, Christians really don't want revival. Yes, they want to see positive results, but they don't want to be involved in the process of revival.

Although revival is a sovereign move of God among His people, there is usually a cost involved. Most Christians are fine with this --- as long as someone else is paying that cost. You see, we don't want to get our hands dirty. We don't want our lives massively rearranged. We want a revival that changes others but not ourselves. We want revival that brings about the repentance of others, but we want to remain unscathed.

The problem is that revival begins on a personal level. Revival begins with me. It begins with you. While we are waiting on others to change, God is looking for us to change.

Look at what God said in Isaiah 57:15: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Notice that His promise to revive is for “him that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” This promise is on an individual basis. Then this broadens out to others: “... to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Revival begins on an individual level. I believe three things are required in the beginning work of revival.

1. HONESTY

First of all, there needs to be an honest appraisal of the situation. Most individuals fail at this point. They don't think they need revival. While they see a need for others to be revived, they don't see their own need. They will openly admit the nation needs revival, but not themselves. Without brutal honesty, revival is just a dream that will never materialize.

2. HUMILITY

Secondly, there must be humility. That is what the Lord specifies over and over again in our text. Again, this is a point of failure for most people. For the most part, Americans are rather bold, arrogant and proud. We'd rather start a riot than see a revival. We'd rather see politicians humbled than get humble ourselves. Without humility, we are just playing games at the foot of the cross. Without humility, we are just playing church.

3. HUNGER

Finally, we need to have a hunger for God Himself. There must be an inner dissatisfaction with the status quo and our spiritual situation. While many want to see positive changes, few have a hunger for the Lord Himself. We may have a hunger for His blessings, but it is another thing to have a hunger for the One who provides the blessings.

The real question is this: are you a genuine candidate for revival yourself? Are you willing to get honest with yourself and the Lord? Are you willing to humble yourself and do whatever God leads you to do? Do you have a hunger for the Lord? If so, pursue the Lord with intensity today. If not, it is time for you to get alone with God and have a time of introspection.

It is time we quit looking around revival to erupt and start looking up --- and looking within. Revival begins with me. Revival begins with you. 

Identity Theft

 “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” - Matthew 7:16

What a way to start the day! This morning I was made aware that someone was using my name and profile as their own on Facebook. I first learned of this when some Facebook friends notified me that they had received a friend request from “me.” When I researched the situation, I found another account with my name, profile and picture. However, the person's pictures and content were certainly not mine.

Sadly, it isn't uncommon to learn that someone is trying to steal your identity. I once had someone make fraudulent charges to my credit card. Sometimes a scammer will call making bogus claims, with the intent of getting money or personal data. In fact, this week at work I received a scam email, demanding money.

It is tragic that so many pretend to be someone they're not. It is even worse when this infiltrates the church. Jesus warned us about fake people in Matthew chapter 7. He warned us that there would be religious frauds. Here are three areas of identity theft that we should be aware of today.

1. FALSE PROPHETS

Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Jesus warned us that there would be “false prophets.” We are seeing this occur in front of our eyes right now. Some have claimed to be prophets, predicting future events. When these events failed to materialize, it reveals to us that such “prophets” are false. God made it clear in His Word that a true prophet of God is correct 100% of the time. Anything less is fraudulent.

I don't like it when people misquote me. Even worse, I don't like it when someone claims I said something when I did not. What about God? Do you think He likes it when someone claims to have a direct word from Him, but it is false? Beware of false prophets.

2. FALSE PREACHERS

Furthermore, beware of false preachers. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” There are many naïve Christians who believe that everyone who preaches is called or sent from God. That is simply not true. There are false preachers. Similar to false prophets, these fake preachers provide a wrong message. Some twist Scripture to promote themselves or extract money from their followers. False prophets and false preachers fail when we test their heretical message and lavish lifestyle with the Word of God. Avoid them.

3. FALSE PROFESSORS

Finally, there are some who make a profession of faith who are not genuine believers. There is an abundance of fake church members. We typically label them as hypocrites. At church or in front of a crowd, they pretend to be super-spiritual Christians. After you are around them a while, you realize everything is just a façade. They are fake people. They talk the talk of Zion but walk the way of Beelzebub. They pretend to love Jesus but they obviously love themselves and the world instead. They act like they are holy, but their words and actions tell us otherwise. They are fakes. They are frauds. They bring shame and reproach to the Church and all who genuinely love Christ.

I have a simple word to the fakes and frauds. Repent. It is time for you to get honest with God and yourself. It doesn't matter how many followers you have on Twitter. It isn't important how many “likes” you get to your Facebook posts. God knows you thoroughly. You aren't fooling Him. It is time that you repent of your superficial, fraudulent lifestyle. Quit trying to be someone that you're not. Become the person God wants you to be.

When counterfeit money is discovered, the government destroys it. When counterfeit people face a holy God, they face the terrifying severity of His judgment.

In this superficial world of identify theft, it is time for Christians to be genuine through and through. Anything less doesn't really fool anyone.