From Darkness to Light a Journey of Faith
What enormous interest would cause thousands worldwide to flock to Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky? Is there something missing in the average American church? Why revival?
The charismatic movement from the seventies has drawn people from many denominations into the church worldwide. Does emotionalism, great music, and "evidence" of God's presence satisfy people? What is it that people want or, even more important, need?
If you think Pentecost is normal for the church, in reality, it was born out of a revival. Read the following accounts and ask yourself if this is your daily or weekly experience.
"Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what are we to do?" Acts 2:37. And with many other words, he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" (Vs.40). "And all the believers were together and had all things in common; and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people." (Vs. 44-47).
Did you get it? "Be saved from this perverse generation?" For this reason, many people were thrown out into the cold with no resources, so to be obedient to their repentance from a perverse generation, they had to rely upon one another as though all were one big family, and they did! The church at that time was not a schoolhouse only; it was magnificently united, all of one mind, gathering together for living, meals, and to praise God.
Furthermore, there was a holy boldness following Jesus' persecution and death. "And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31.
More impressive still, "And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power, the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need." Acts 4:32-35. Can you see such a thing happening in America today?
Revivals have occurred at certain times and in various places throughout the past two thousand years, but it is not the standard fare for the church. Revival has been misunderstood more recently because it is solely an act of God. It cannot be scheduled, arranged, or manufactured by human means. The word revival can be observed in the 119th Psalm twelve times. The word means life. However, according to God's Word, all people are dead before salvation. "And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.." Colossians 2:13.
Why does the author of Psalm 119 call for revival in his own life? Eternal life must be imparted, unlike biological life. God will end this body's life for all, but eternal life goes on forever. The lost will never experience the kind of life as do those saved by God's grace. Eternal life does not only mean an unlimited time, but it is a connection with the eternal God. Therefore, in Psalm 119, the author understood his constant need to be renewed by God.
Revival, stated most simply, is the life of God poured into human hearts. It begins with the acknowledgment that sin demands the righteous judgment of God, which is an eternity in hell, then the provision of God's Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrificial substitute, and the repentance by which sinners turn from their rebellion and pride (literally) to the living God for salvation. Revival is not the top blowing off but the bottom falling out.
If you would like a fuller understanding of revival, you can learn it from a man who experienced living during one in East Africa in the mid-20th Century, Roy Hession, THE CALVARY ROAD
CONTENTS
Brokenness
Cups Running Over
The Way of Fellowship
The Highway of Holiness
The Dove and the Lamb
Revival in the Home
The Mote and the Beam
Are You Willing to Be a Servant?
The Power of the Blood of the Lamb
Protesting our Innocence?
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