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.

Medicine For The Soul

 

“Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.” - 2 Kings 22:19

I don't like to take medicine, especially cough medicine. Cough medicine tends to have such an awful taste. Cough medicine that has really helped me always had a really bad taste.

Life is much like that. There are certain things that are good for us that we don't enjoy. Exercise is good for you, but most of us avoid it. Healthy food is valuable, but we gravitate towards more tasty, unhealthy food.

When it comes to our walk with God, we tend to resist the best things because they aren't enjoyable. Like cough medicine, there are certain aspects of Christian living that seems to have a bad taste, yet accomplishes so much good. Probably the best medicine for the soul is repentance.

Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of life. Repentance is turning from wrong things so you may enjoy good things. Repentance is saying “no,” to sin so you may say, “yes” to the Lord. Repentance is the u-turn that you make in life that takes you from going the wrong direction to moving the right direction

Most of us offer resistance at the very mention of the word, “repentance.” The very concept of repentance is repugnant to us. Repentance goes against the grain of our human temperament. But like medicine, the right dose at the right time produces glorious results.

The fact is that most of us want spiritual health but we don't like the repentance required to bring us that health. We'd rather remain weak and sick than to take the medicine of repentance. Yet the few who repent are the people who reach great spiritual heights and experience greater intimacy with God.

In the days of Josiah, the discovery of God's law in the temple led to a time of genuine repentance. In response to the convicting words that he heard, Josiah rent his clothes, wept and prayed. He repented. His repentance led to wide scale repentance in his kingdom. It is no wonder that the days of Josiah were considered the last glory days in Judah.

We want glory days, but not the repentance that must precede them. We want the product of revival without the process of revival.

Repentance is a subject that we often think is for “someone else.” Yet medicine is never administered by proxy. You must take your own medicine if you wish to be healthy.

Realizing that repentance is medicine for the soul, let me give you three good reasons why we need to take this medicine on a daily basis.

1. IT'S PRESCRIBED

This medicine has been prescribed for us personally by the Great Physician. You see, the Lord knows our pain and problems better than we do. His diagnosis is always accurate. His treatment always works. For our apathetic, cold hearts, He has given us a prescription: daily repentance.

2. IT'S POWERFUL

Secondly, this medicine is powerful. It is true that this medicine is not pleasing to take. Yet when it is a properly administered at the proper time, the results can be amazing. Lives are literally changed by taking this medicine. You will never soar very high without a regular dose of this medicine.

3. IT'S PROVEN

Finally, this medicine is proven. Throughout the Scriptures we find men and women who've practiced repentance. Their lives have been a testimony of God's grace. In Church history, great revivals have often begun with the personal repentance of people. For instance, on February 3, 1970, revival broke out on the campus of Asbury College. A simple 1-hour chapel service turned into an unexpected week-long revival. Testimonies of the event reveal that much of what occurred was Spirit-led conviction that led to genuine repentance among the students, staff and visitors. Lives were genuinely changed.

Repentance is the best medicine for an ailing soul. Some souls are not showing much outward signs of trouble, yet the Great Physician probes deeper than the surface. He is the One that is calling believers to a fresh walk with Him, beginning with personal repentance.

The best medicine in the world is useless as long as it stays in the bottle. If repentance is great medicine for the soul, why not take a good dose of it right now?

Back To The Bible

“And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” 

- 2 Kings 22:8

The word, “revival,” is used frequently in some Christian circles. Yet if revival really came, I am not convinced that most people would appreciate it. Real revival brings massive changes that unsettles the status quo. Most people really don't want the flow of life to be radically altered. When Christians say they want to see revival, what they actually mean is that they want to see the church grow. They want to see conversions. They want others to change. But they don't want to change themselves.

When revival came during the reign of Josiah, the whole fabric of society changed. It began with the removal of all idols. It continued with the massive effort to restore God's house. During this restoration process, our text says that something unexpected was discovered: “And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.”

This discovery reached the ears of the king, who had God's Word read to him. Rather than rejoicing at its message, the king rent his clothes. From the message he heard, Josiah knew that his nation had sinned greatly against God and was facing judgment.

The discovery of God's Word had led the king to understand the nature of God's holiness. It became obvious to him that Judah had failed to keep God's law. At this critical moment, the king sought spiritual help.

In our country, the Bible remains the best selling book of all time. Nearly every home has at least one copy of God's Word. Many believers have several copies of the Bible. Additionally, we have Bible software and internet resources available to help us read and study the Bible. Yet few people actually spend time on a regular basis reading the Bible.

We need get back to the Bible. Get it out of your bookshelf. Dig it out of storage. Dust it off. Open it up. Begin to read the Bible like its important --- because it is.

If there has ever been a time we need the Bible, it is right now. There can never be a real revival unless it is a Bible revival. A genuine revival causes a believer to keep a Bible in his hand and a prayer in his heart. The prayer closet and the study are visited daily.

Let me challenge you to get your Bible out and do three things daily:

1. READ

First of all, spend time reading the Bible each day. If you read just one chapter of the New Testament every day, you can read the entire New Testament in less than a year. If you read about 3 chapters of the Bible daily, you can read the entire Bible in about a year. While the New Testament seems more valuable at first, don't neglect the Old Testament. The Bible is God's love letter to you. Read it as such.

2. FEED

Secondly, feed on God's Word. Slowly digest what you are reading. Meditate on the Word. Feast on the Word daily. You feed your body daily, don't you? It makes good sense to feed your soul daily. A good sermon on Sunday can be a wonderful blessing, but it is also a great blessing to meet with God in His Word every day.

3. HEED

Finally, heed God's Word. We need to obey the Word of God. God's Word was not given solely for your information, for your transformation. Slowly over time God's Word molds the life of a believer. Our application of God's Word makes all the difference. God wants you to do more than merely hear His commands, He expects you to heed His commands.

These days so many people argue about the accuracy of news stories, social media posts and TV commentaries. Push all of that aside. Get into the Word. The Bible is 100% true and reliable. It is a message from God to you. What can be bigger or better than that?

If you really want to see revival, if you really want to see your life change, get back to the Bible. Get into God's Word and let God's Word get into you.

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!