Revival

As I write this, I'm sitting under a tent in Windsor, Mo., at a community revival. I just preached a message from Genesis as a "genesis" or start to the revival meetings. 

As we see sin impact the lives of people we love and our society, the desire to see genuine revival grows in our hearts. As much as we need revival and desire to see a genuine movement of God, revival doesn't start in a park, or in a tent or even the message that is preached though we may see God bring revival in all those things. Biblical revival starts with God as he quickens his people according to his word. We see the word "revive" mentioned eight times in seven verses of the Old Testament. In each case the word revive is associated with God's ability to bring someone or something back to life.

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

Revival starts with God, but is conditioned upon our contrite response to God's Spirit and his word. In the Philadelphian church age (1500-1900 A.D.), history records God brought revival or awakenings to large regions of the United States, England, China and other locations by his grace with such significant and tangible evidence that it could not be denied. Revival has not been exclusive to the time of the Philadelphian age, as we have witnessed what would be called legitimate revival in places like Central America, Afghanistan, Nepal and other locations around the world in the 20th and even the 21st century, and by God’s grace we have been a part of supporting and experiencing some of these genuine movements of God. Revival begins in the heart of believers who are already quickened by God’s spirit through God’s saving grace, but it spreads as an answer to prayer as we understand God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. God’s will and great love is to see people turn from the darkness to light, from death to life, from sin to salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In reading about the great revival that swept across China before the Boxer rebellion around 1900 A.D., you find that prayer was an integral part of God’s movement among the church. When I was as student in our Bible Institute at KCBT, I read an autobiography by a missionary named Jonathan Goforth about the genuine and powerful revival of that era. He was part of the movement and documented the experience of heartfelt and sincere prayer and confession of sin that first occurred among the believers and then spread through powerful preaching to the peoples of China. As I read Jonathan’s book, I was almost put off by the seemingly charismatic description of God’s Spirit moving until I got to the end and read his conclusion. Jonathan was careful to point out that apart from all that was experienced during this great period of revival, the primary impetus was not just the contrite and sincere prayer of God’s people coupled with confession and sincere repentance, but the preeminence of the word of God.

Reflections on Bible Conference

As I continue this article, I am no longer sitting under the tent in Windsor, Mo., but in my home. We have just completed a wonderful Bible Conference, one in which many would have to admit was uniquely special as it was marked with a spirit of unity and fervency we have not experienced heretofore. You might even call it a “Philadelphian” atmosphere as many of our sister churches and friends in the community came together to accomplish the mission of getting God’s word to the world.

During the conference, I challenged us to distribute God’s word with the same fervency that we are trusting others to distribute God’s word. We know the Bibles we assembled for Africa and Jamaica will be distributed with zeal and have eternal impact in the lives of those “over there”. May it be in our heart to share the gospel, make disciples and distribute God’s word with equal fervency right where we live. While the name of our Bible Publishing Ministry is “Word First,” the word will not be prioritized to others if it is not a priority in our lives.

God has used the “Invest” Bible Conference as one more opportunity to accomplish God’s will with God’s word while we have time. Please join me in praying for the upcoming Burnt District Festival (Oct. 6-7), Changed Lives Block Party (Oct. 14) and Fall Harvest Party (Oct. 28) as we have an opportunity to reach out to our community and love people right where they are.

As we rest up from the wonderful week of Bible Conference, may we use this opportunity to seek God’s face for the souls of Cass County. May we pray for a successful first Sunday of our newest church plant in Clinton, Mo., (New Life Baptist Church). May we prepare our hearts to share the love of Christ through the gospel at the Burnt District Festival next Friday and Saturday.

Power of Prayer

It is easy in a busy season of “investing” to forget or forsake the priority of prayer. In a season of getting out the word, it is possible to allow carnality to make us crusty and not sensitive to the Spirit of God. May we sincerely and earnestly spend time daily praying seeing the manifestation of our quickening in Christ in tangible ways as we witness to our family members, co-workers and the lost who surround us at every turn. If we are not already zealous for God’s word and the souls of men and women to be saved, may this article serve as a genesis to jump start a simple and contrite request before God almighty to use you to accomplish his will beyond what you ask or think for God’s glory. With all humility and readiness of mind, employ yourself in the opportunities in front of you and HBF and God will not only revive you but those he uses you to minister to.