What is "Revival?" (Full Version)

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bluestone -> What is "Revival?" (6/6/2008 2:24:29 PM)

Is it a series of meetings at the church house with a special speaker?

An event with supernatural occurances?

People praying through about sin in their lives?

Spiritual Water on the dehydrated?

Discuss what revival is, if we need it, and how to recognize it.



lw9 -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/6/2008 7:18:05 PM)

Excellent topic, bluestone. It will be interesting to see how folks reply. It seems there are many definitions floating around out there about this issue.

Here's a few I've seen:

1. The Church is somehow revived and 'made alive again'.

My problem with that definition is that the Church is not dead. They are saved, spirit-filled believers, and they have life in Christ. If they mean a Christian receives a strengthening or renewing of their faith or something like that, I can understand that.

2. Masses of people turn to Christ because of an 'outpouring' or an event.

Great thought, but the Bible doesn't preach this. It preaches a falling away that will only grow worse the closer we get to the Second Coming. The way we come to faith is through the hearing of the gospel... but since the true gospel is widely rejected and often not even preached at many 'revivals', that puts a bit of a damper on masses of people suddenly turning to Christ.

3. The gospel is preached to unbelievers. They repent, turn to Christ, and receive faith.

I would simply call this being born again, but I think some call it revival. Just different terms for the same process.

I'd love to hear other thoughts.



bluestone -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/6/2008 8:16:34 PM)

Perhaps revival is best thought of as "refreshing". A time of spiritual refreshing that is experienced corporately.
A time when we reflect and perhaps see through the weeds we have allowed to grow up spiritually, and allow God to take the weedeater to us.



colliefan -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/6/2008 10:37:51 PM)

I lead a weekly bible study at Central Prison. NC's main maximum security prison. The charter of the prison when it was built in 1848 was to transform offenders into the image of Jesus Christ.

I always repeat that charge telling the guys to pray that others in their cell block and in their daily work meet Jesus, simply because of the change they witness in them.

I tell them to imagine the change in their families when they are released. And to imagine the change in their communities. All because they met Jesus in a radical way. And, of course, the change is impossible w/o God's Word and the HS.

The regulars are on fire for Jesus. Most certainly not because of me or my teaching but the HS.



Ms.Jonz -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/6/2008 11:30:33 PM)

I posted in another topic, what I beleive to be true revival. I'm sure there's more to revival but here's what I think.


quote:


I don't think we really understand what revival is. I really don't. If there is to be revival anywhere, there should be some kind of change. In the community, in people's personal lives etc. I have seen a video of a country where there was revival happening the whole town was saved - not just healed. Crops began to grow, the government began to turn around etc. This country, if it is in revival, had better start turning around, and that by the power of God. Really. A revival isn't just some stupid shout till you fall out freak show!! You'd better get some REAL power and take it home to the your communities and start using it to turn people's hearts back to God. For crying out loud, I believe the first ever revival would have been after God filled his people with power in that upper room. You might call Peter the "minister" of that revival. But what did he do when those who didn't understand mocked what was going on. He clearly stated what was going on and why. - He gave'm the Gospel. And after this many more where added to the church. The "revival" began to spread. Along with signs and wonders came the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I'm really not understanding how anyone can label this thing a revival, or rather how anyone can claim TB as minister of the revival if most of the people there are already belivers. It is my whole hearted belief that if there is revival there will be a move of God throughout the land that just doesn't affect the physical but the spiritual also. In personal lives, in relationships, in leadership and government, in lifestyle etc. This country definately needs revival, and if God has anything to do with it, he isn't going to settle for people's bodies being healed. He's more concerned about souls.

And I'm really really against a revival that doesn't offer you any real power. Does anyone realize we are in the last days and things are going to get worse for the Christian and for the unbeliever. But who will be able to stand in these last days? The person who fell out on the floor in a laughing fit for a week in Florida? Or the person who's heart is seeking and perfect toward's God and has experienced who he truly is, knowing Him and has, through expereincing his faithfulness, known Him to be a Strong Tower! Not just a healer, not just a provider, but a VERY PRESENT help in times of trouble.

How can anyone be able to stand in these last days when everytime they feel down they have to run to some meeting or move of God to get a Spiritual boost?? It makes no sense and it really hurts my heart. I can't stand that people are being drawn to something that isn't going to help them in the long run. So, you fell out under the anointing. But when you go home is that all you're going to offer the people who don't care for your God - whether he heals or not. There are people out in this world who could care less if God heals, or not. If you're going to have an anointing it better carry something more than goosebumps and babblings!! It better!! I'm serious people! People aren't stupid. And they aren't gonna settle for the okie doke anymore as far as Christans and Chrisitanty (as currently represented) is concerened.

Young people are hungry. And they're desperate. And they are searching for truth....TRUTH!!!! Not hype. Not hysteria. They've got enough of that garbage from the media, from their so called friends, form their families. They get their "spiritual high" from drugs. They don't need our Jesus. - They don't. Especially if he's being made to look like a Ring Leader of the biggest circus show ever!

If a person posesses real anointing, when you are out there in the real world where the mega leaders are not - the job you hate, the home you hate, with the people you hate, you possess something that cannot be taught, cannot be "transfered", that cannot be bought. You possess the power of the Holy Spirit to touch lives!! You may feel like you don't have the ability to touch people's lives in these last days but people- let me tell you something. The God of the impossible, will give you a word in it's season! People that you never though you would be ministering to, will be touched by the words that only God can anoint, quicken and bring to life.

I'm not saying this just to say it. I KNOW IT! I've ministered to people by the power of God and didn't even know it. A simple word, a simple scripture, and it's like a lightning bolt to the hearer's soul! That's anointing! To be able to be kind to the people who don't deserve it. That's annointing! To be able to walk in your job day in and day out with the joy of the Lord while everyone else wonders why you're so happy when they and you know that you should be running in the other direction. - That's annointing! When people ask you for the hope that you have and you are able to answer with humility and fear and offer the person the same hope that you have! - That my friend is annointing!

A person doesn't carry annointing just so they can lay hands on the memebers of the church and have them fall out! A person doesn't possess anointing so that they can quote bible verses on the topic of anointing. The anointing is to break the yoke of bondadge on people's lives. - Real life bondages. And for real people. The outcast, the nobody, the one no one wants to deal with....except (by the Spirit of Christ) you. How do you think Jesus minsitered to the "sinners" of his day?? He used the anointing right? DId he use it in the synagoge? No!

Really, get a clue people....get a clue...WAKE UP!!!





ChristopherJ -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/7/2008 12:45:12 AM)

Revival is one of my passions, and I desire to see the church revived.

lw9 made the comment that the church is not dead, but I would daresay there are many churches that ARE dead. Dead preachers (dead as in not spiritually alive - born again), dead people in the pews (having a form of godliness, but have never truly given their life to Jesus Christ), no fire and passion for Jesus or lost souls, no evangelism taking place. There are many churches that need a revival - a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit touching them. Some people don't like the term revival - but whether you want to call it a reformation, refreshing, whatever- the church needs something!

Is revival a Biblical concept? Of course. There are many Scriptures that describe it.

“Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6).
“O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!” (Habakkuk 3:2).

But what is revival? The definition of this Hebrew word, Chayah, means: to sustain life, be restored to life or health; to cause to grow; restore. Something that’s alive will be growing and bear fruit! When Christians are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit, or the fruit of holiness in their lives, we need a revival. When the church looks and acts and talks just like the world, we need a revival. When there is no spiritual fruit - no harvest of lost souls - people coming to Jesus - its time for a revival.

What does revival look like? I believe its a church that returns to the priority of prayer - spending time in the secret place, abiding in Jesus, abiding in the Word... its a church that emphasizes and walks in repentance, turning from sins and turning to God wholeheartedly and passionately... and its a church that is focused on reaching the lost in their community. THAT is revival to me!

I recently preached a sermon on revival at our church, and if you're interested, you can download the notes HERE. I'd love your feedback on it...



lw9 -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/7/2008 1:17:49 AM)

quote:

Christopher3: lw9 made the comment that the church is not dead, but I would daresay there are many churches that ARE dead.


Just to be clear, the Church as I've used it - capital 'C' - is the body of Christ. Everyone in the body of Christ has received the Holy Spirit and is therefore alive in Christ and cannot be spiritually dead. What you are referring to are local churches, which can contain a mix of believers and unbelievers, and that is a completely different issue.



ChristopherJ -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/7/2008 1:42:09 AM)

quote:

Just to be clear, the Church as I've used it - capital 'C' - is the body of Christ. Everyone in the body of Christ has received the Holy Spirit and is therefore alive in Christ and cannot be spiritually dead. What you are referring to are local churches, which can contain a mix of believers and unbelievers, and that is a completely different issue.


I totally understand what you're saying. But I believe there is both corporate and individual reviving that is sometimes necessary (although based on your thoughts above, I understand your reasons for not liking the term revival to apply to Christians because we are all already spiritually alive). But I do believe that personal revival is also sometimes necessary. Take for example the story of the prodigal son. He was a son of the father (representing a believer), and yet wandered away from the Father's house and wasted his life in sinful, prodigal living. But when he came home, the Father said concerning him, "This my son was dead, but is alive, he was lost, but has been found." (the story is in Luke 15). So, when I speak of a personal revival, I am talking about a restoration from a state of backsliding, or a returning to the first love. This Sunday morning, I'm going to be continuing my series on revival and preaching from Revelation 2-3 on returning to your first love...



rcjames -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/7/2008 10:38:23 AM)

I have always looked at Acts 4:13-33 as an example of revival.

Peter and John were scolded and told not to speak of Christ by the High Priest and the council. I percieve this saddened them, caused them caution or alarm, or at least dampened their spirits becase they;

(Act 4:23) And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

So they gathered with other like believers sought God, listened to one another speak the oracles of God, and they they prayed;

(Act 4:31) 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.

And this being filled with the Holy Ghost brought about;

(Act 4:32) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

(Act 4:33) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Now to me that is the essence of a Revival; gathering together, hearing the oracles of God, praying, being filled with the Holy Ghost and then taking the truth of the Gospel to the world with all boldness and sincerity.

Pray for revival.

Thanks
RC



Soxfan -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/8/2008 10:10:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ChristopherJ

But I believe there is both corporate and individual reviving that is sometimes necessary


Corporate revival cannot happen until there is individual revival first



colliefan -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/8/2008 5:22:58 PM)

Below is my teaching tomorrow night at Womens Prison


Revival

My fear is not that our great movement, known as the Methodists, will eventually cease to exist or one day die from the earth. My fear is that our people will become content to live without the fire, the power, the excitement, the supernatural element that makes us great. \John Wesley

Psa 69:32 - 33 (NASB) 32 The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive. 33 For the LORD hears the needy And does not despise His who are prisoners.

Psa 71:20 - 21 (NASB) 20 You who have shown £me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 21 May You increase my greatness And turn to comfort me

Psa 80:17 - 19 (NASB) 17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. 18 Then we shall not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. 19 O LORD God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved
.
Psa 85:4 - 7 (NASB) 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your indignation toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your lovingkindness, O LORD, And grant us Your salvation.

Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one's will to God in deep humility. Charles G. Finney

Psa 119:25 (NASB) 25 My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

Psa 119:37 (NASB) 37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

Psa 119:40 (NASB) 40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness.

Psa 119:88 (NASB) 88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth

Psa 119:107 (NASB) 107 I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

The history of religious revival proves that all real, spiritual awakenings of the national mind have been those in which God and not man has been the prime mover.” Octavius Winslow

Psa 119:149 (NASB) 149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances

Psa 119:154 (NASB) 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.

Psa 119:159 (NASB) 159 Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness

Psa 138:7 - 8 (NASB) 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;

Psa 143:10 - 11 (NASB) 10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble

Isa 57:14 - 15 (NASB) 14 And it will be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people.” 15 For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.

Hos 6:1 - 3 (NASB) 1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. 2 “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. 3 “So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

Hab 3:2 (NASB) 2 LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy


The sight of Christ's beauty- God's greatest gift!
Jonathan Edwards

"How excellent is that inner goodness and true religion that comes from this sight of the beauty of Christ! Here you have the most wonderful experiences of saints and angels in heaven. Here you have the best experience of Jesus Christ Himself. Even though we are mere creatures, it is a sort of participation in God's own beauty. "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature." (2 Pet 1:4) "God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." (Heb 12:10) Because of the power of this divine working, there is a mutual indwelling of God and His people. "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16) This special relationship has to make the person involved as happy and as blessed as any creature in existence.

This is a special gift of God, which he gives only to his special favorites. Gold, silver, diamonds, and earthly kingdoms are given by God to people who the Bible calls dogs and pigs. But this great gift of beholding Christ's beauty is the special blessing of God to His dearest children. Flesh and blood cannot give this gift: only God can bestow it. This was the special gift which Christ died to obtain for his elect. It is the highest token of his everlasting love, the best fruit of his labours and the most precious purchase of his blood.

By this gift, more than anything else, the saints shine as lights in the world. This gift, more than anything else, is their comfort. It is impossible that the soul who possesses this gift should ever perish. This is the gift of eternal life. It is eternal life begun: those who have it can never die. It is the dawning of the light of glory. It comes from heaven, it has a heavenly quality, and it will take its bearer to heaven. Those who have this gift may wander in the wilderness or be tossed by waves on the ocean, but they will arrive in heaven at last. There the heavenly spark will be made perfect and increased. In heaven the souls of the saints will be transformed into a bright and pure flame, and they will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Amen." –

"If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel, insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness." -C.H. SPURGEON


Seven Truths to Living Faithfully:

1. Apply the gospel to yourself daily by denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Him; counting the loss of things rubbish in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus the Lord
(Matt. 16:24-26; Phil. 3:7-11).

2. Have a continual life of confession of and repentance from sin
(Psalm 66:18; Psalm 32:1-5; Psalm 51; 1 John 2:28-3:9).

3. Read and study your Bible every day
(Psalm 119; John 17:17; Jude 3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Psalm 19:7-11; Eph. 4:11-16).

4. Developing an effective, fervent daily prayer life in the Holy Spirit
(Eph. 6:18-21; James 5:16f; Luke 18:1; Col. 1:9-14).

5. Proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and make disciples of all the nations
(1 Peter 3:15f; Roms. 1:16f; 1 Cor. 9:1-18; Matt. 28:19f; Luke 24:44-49).

6. Live sacrificially by serving others as a committed member under the accountability of the local church (Eph. 5:21; Phil. 2:1-4; 1 Tim. 6:1-6; John 13; Phil. 4:10ff; Acts 2:40ff).

7. Do all things to the glory of God - living "out loud" the two great commandments
(1 Cor. 10:31; Matt. 5-7; Luke 10:27).



Kat_D -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/9/2008 11:18:17 AM)

Here is my post from your other thread, Bluestone...I realized it might be more appropriate here:

The only scripture I can find in the Bible that even speaks of "Revival" is here:

"19 Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord..." -Acts 3

Guess that pretty much answers the question of what true revival is.



lw9 -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/9/2008 12:24:07 PM)

quote:

Kat_D: Here is my post from your other thread, Bluestone...I realized it might be more appropriate here:

The only scripture I can find in the Bible that even speaks of "Revival" is here:

"19 Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord..." -Acts 3

Guess that pretty much answers the question of what true revival is.


This is why I have a problem with all of the various definitions and concepts of revival other than what the Bible itself describes. The term 'revival' in acts is also translated to 'refreshing'. While the NT doesn't describe the types of revival 'services' I've seen today, we do see the word 'revive' used in the OT, but it seemed to be more of an individual process rather than a man-made event.

In the NT, I don't see where masses of people were chasing after self-proclaimed revival leaders ["Come get your revival here!"] to be imparted with bizarre anti-Biblical signs and wonders, manipulated into an emotional state by a band, and hooked into buying the leaders' latest CD's and books. The revivals of today that I've seen seem to be man-made, man-defined events with men at the center rather than God.

If a man preaches the pure gospel to a crowd and it results in conversions, GREAT! I don't know that I would label it a 'revival' so much as just call it new spiritual births resulting from simple preaching, but that's just me.



IMA_CHRISTIAN -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/9/2008 1:13:34 PM)

"if my people who are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal thier land"

THATS WHAT REVIVAL IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Lapidoth -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/9/2008 1:21:07 PM)

quote:

Kat:
The only scripture I can find in the Bible that even speaks of "Revival" is here:

"19 Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord..." -Acts 3

Guess that pretty much answers the question of what true revival is.

quote:

IMA_CHRISTIAN:

"if my people who are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal thier land"

THATS WHAT REVIVAL IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


sounds like a witness to me.



colliefan -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/9/2008 4:23:01 PM)

I think having a series of meetings and calling it a rivival does nothing to bring lasting change. God does revive the soul and does bring lasting change. But, in a corporate sense, genuine moves of the spirit are few and far between. And scripture is always at their core.



colliefan -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/9/2008 11:47:22 PM)

Went through all the verses about being revived and the quotes on revival and then closed with this quote:

quote:

If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel, insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness." -C.H. SPURGEON


Told the ladies it wasn't up to me to judge their walk with the LORD. But asked if they were still serving idols and asked if they were sold out to Jesus. The "Free on the Inside Bible" we distribute has a section on what it means to be a Christian. I told them to read that section and if they made a decision to contact us at the church address stamped in their bibles.

We had about 45 ladies and a number said they are going to contact us. There seemed to be a genuine move of God tonight. He gets the glory. God has a sense of humor as He uses a way over-the-hill single man to lead a ministry to women prisoners.



yustme -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/27/2008 1:58:46 PM)

Years ago Preachers used to follow the calling of the HS to have a revival.They would spend hours on their knees in prayer and in their Bibles.God would always lay someone on their hearts to bring in for the preaching.It would be announced to the people and the saints of God would begin to pray for a revival within themselves and that those who had walked away from God would get saved again and that they would reach the lost and dying world.This would begin months before the revival.This is why we would see so many come to Christ during the revival.Not everyone continued in their new after the meetings,but many did.Every Christian grows cold and indefferent from time to time.We are in need of a Heaven sent,Holy Ghost,life changing revival.



LBolt -> RE: What is "Revival?" (6/30/2008 9:27:52 PM)

ChristopherJ, I just tried to PM you but was unable to...I just wanted to say that your posts are very refreshing and I pray heavens best for you and that you increase in your knowledge of the Word of God and His power. I had other things to say...but did not want to post it publicly, God Bless you brother.



rcjames -> RE: What is "Revival?" (7/1/2008 10:12:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kat_D

Here is my post from your other thread, Bluestone...I realized it might be more appropriate here:

The only scripture I can find in the Bible that even speaks of "Revival" is here:

"19 Repent, therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord..." -Acts 3

Guess that pretty much answers the question of what true revival is.


Absolutely, repentance has to happen or there is no revival.

Thanks
RC



Jet_A_Jockey -> RE: What is "Revival?" (7/1/2008 10:29:27 AM)

we can get plenty of revival of the Spirit if we turn away from the world and repent. Leave your ATM card in your wallet.

No headslap or boot to the dome needed.


God bless



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