Revival

Well, you had better study your New Testament a little closer because Jesus never promised revival. The Apostles and early Christians never expected or prayed for a revival. What Jesus commanded was for believers to go into all the world and preach the gospel. He lived in a society that had many of the same problems that we do today. His solution to the world’s problems has not changed.

As you read the book of Acts, you will see that Jesus’ disciples understood clearly what He commanded. Too many Christians today do not understand His commands, but are focusing, instead, on issues such as homosexuality, abortion, new-age, government, public school, pornography, or a number of other topics. Others take up their cross and go on a Caribbean cruise while they pray to God to fix things and bring a revival. They refuse to do what Jesus told them to do to fix things - go into all the world and preach the gospel. The following verses from Acts are examples of the obedience of the early Christians:

Acts 5:40-43 - And they took his advice; and after calling the Apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them to speak no more in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple, and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 8:4 & 5 - Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. And Phillip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.

Acts 9:28-29 - And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.

Acts 14:22 - ...strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God.”

Acts 17:6 - And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;...”

Acts 17:16-17 - Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was beholding the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.

Acts 19:26 - “And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. ...”

Act 20:18-20 - “...You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,...”

Acts 28:22-24 - “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”

Until Christians decide to obey their Savior, nothing will get better - it will only get worse. Are you praying for a revival? Until you get off your knees and onto your feet, grab your Bible and a handful of tracts, confess your cowardice and fear, set your forehead like flint and determine you are going to talk to someone about their soul...and until you give them the message of the gospel of the free gift of eternal life to save them from the hell they deserve...until you are ready to obey, nothing will change. It is the preaching of the gospel that will change the world, nothing less.

Acts 1:8 - “...but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Do you have the Holy Spirit? Well, where is the power? Where are those who witness in the “marketplace” today? Read the book of Acts! Read FOXES BOOK OF MARTYRS! The early Christians had power and did obey at the cost of their lives. They were not lazy, entertainment-prone, closet Christians quivering in their boots like we Americans are. They did not “witness with their lives”. They witnessed with their mouth. We have nothing to fear. We are protected by our Constitution (so far), yet we make the Laodicean Christians in Revelation 3:12-16 look good.

If you are a Christian who wants to obey your Savior, you may need to be trained. The pastors and evangelists in the “church”, (not para-church institutions or denominational religions) are the teachers God has provided to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11-14). The pastor and deacons of your church should be taking you out door-to-door, on the streets, in the marketplace, in the malls, at the airport or the beach, or wherever there are people. They should be teaching you by example how to witness and share a CLEAR gospel and other sound doctrines. If they are not, encourage them to do so. If they refuse, then they are like those in Isaiah 56:10-11.

If you are really serious about reaching people for our Savior and changing the problems of our world the way Jesus commanded, then we would welcome hearing from you. God is looking for warriors, not worriers (Luke14:26-27; Ephesians 6:11-18). If this seems a little scary for you, just think of what the early Christians went through so that the whole world might hear the gospel. Our Creator died and went to hell for us before He entered heaven. He did this to save us from the hell that we deserve and give us the free gift of eternal life that we don’t deserve. His resurrection proved this. We can’t say we love Him and then not obey Him.