What is Revival?
(Part 1)
“your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10 NIV
Embrace our culture and unleash His kingdom
In view of our changing America many people have asked me, “Dale, what now?” I have also heard Christians say that what we need is revival. Actually, I agree! But when we think of revival most people subscribe to “visitation revival,” which is waiting for God to surprise us with a special visitation of His presence. I believe, however, that God intends for revival to be normal for all Christ-followers at all times. It sounds so un-sensational, doesn’t it? Could “normal” revival really have an impact? Actually, I believe it will have a HUGE impact!
What is revival? The dictionary defines it as, “the re-awaking of religious fervor.” A more apt biblical description is found in Acts 1:8:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” (ESV)
Revival – the re-awaking of intense spiritual passion – is the reality of the presence and the release of the Holy Spirit in us, potentially everyday!
Throughout history it seems that revival is both an event AND a process! In both instances it is nothing more, or less, than consistent repentance and intentional demonstrative obedience. Personal revival occurs whenever the Holy Spirit is allowed to expand His supervision in our lives and we boldly act in accordance to His will. This ought to be taking place everyday. Right?
“Revival means He gets more of us, and we get more of Him pouring through us in obedience.”
Each demonstration of the Holy Spirit producing power out of us brings about predictable results:
➢ Fresh obedience in talking to not-yet-Christians resulting in people becoming followers of Christ (Acts 4:4; 17:17).
- Did you know that that Noah Webster (famous for his Merriam Webster dictionary) visited his alma mater, Yale, in 1809 when there was a campus revival taking place? During that time he put his faith in Christ!
➢ Continual power and release of God’s grace (His favor extended through us) over personal sin (1 Thessalonians 4:4).
➢ Incarnational infiltration of the Kingdom of Christ through us in the places that we can influence like our schools, government, businesses, neighborhoods, and recreational activities (Acts 4:16; Philippians 4:22).
Revival means Christ-followers are being salt and light in their culture (Mathew 5:13-14)! We know revival is a reality when the Christ in us gets out! If we say we are experiencing revival and we do not impact our culture, our friends, family, or associates for righteousness, then we are NOT experiencing revival. If we only sit back and “wait” for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in some supernatural manifestation there is a good chance we will never sow the seeds of revival, nor experience the release of the Holy Spirit in our behaviors.
In a few days I will discuss the implications of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:13-14 and what He intended to teach us about revival taking place in the here and now!
In Christ,
Dale
dale@daleebel.org