Do you yearn for revival?

[SteveR2021]

the revival i'm looking for is the unification of all churches! God bless!

That would be wonderful - the only trouble is that many are trying to unify the church under the 'umbrella' of compromise and tolerance. I would love to see the church unified for the sake of Christ...but it would be a tragedy if in uniting we let 'anything' go...

MEMBER: Of the body of Christ, the first three are given by Christ Himself and all are set in the church by GOD, each person has one or more.
OFFICE: The ability, the way the Spirit works through us (The work to be done). Each member can hold one, or more or all offices, but not likely.
MANIFESTATION: The way the Spirit works in us. The Spirit works in each member in one or more ways.

MbiaJc - I agree!

 

[Jason Dollar]

Revival is my passion...I am passionate about revival because I want God to get the glory that He is due, and I believe that can only happen when the church is functioning as it should (of course some may disagree with me when I say that the church is not functioning as it should...so I am open to hearing from you).

How about you? Is revival a passion of yours? If not...why not. If so...what do you think it will take to bring it about (I'm speaking now about nation wide revival)? And perhaps more important: if you do want it how badly do you want it?

Love to hear from you...

Your brother in Christ,

Stephen

May the Lord grant your passion to be reality around the globe. Let salvation's waves come crashing on these shores!

King of Glory, have your glory! Let the nations be glad in Christ...

 

[MrJim]

Thanks for the feedback Uncle Bud...could you explain what you mean by reformation?

I'm not speaking for UB obviously.

He's right, though. Revival implies that they system is ok-the people are spiritually dry. It's like a furnace-it's running but the fire has gone out-lots of noise and the appearance of normal operation but no heat.

Reformation implies that the system is broken. It doesn't take much to examine what Christ had for his Bride, and then to look around and see that we are doing it wrong.

 

[SteveR2021]

Reformation implies that the system is broken. It doesn't take much to examine what Christ had for his Bride, and then to look around and see that we are doing it wrong.

Please explain. I personally think we are talking about the same thing...but help me out. I don't think I understand. What would this reformation look like? How would it be different than revival?

Thanks.

 

[MrJim]

Please explain. I personally think we are talking about the same thing...but help me out. I don't think I understand. What would this reformation look like? How would it be different than revival?

Thanks.

Reform implies that there is a shape change. Those of us looking for a "Modern Reformation" (apologies to Dr. Horton) can't really agree upon what it's to look like. The goal could be something along these lines: What would the primitive church look like if it began today instead of 2000 years ago?

One of the things agreed upon is the drift from scripture. However, it depends upon those you talk to as to the nature of the drift. Some will say it is away from the pure doctrine of [grace/election/free will/fill in the blank]. Others will says that it is how the church is behaving--the works of the church in the world. Others will point at evangelism--how that was the primary command of Christ ("Great Commission"). All of these can be considered as drifts from the commands of GOD. A reformation doesn't so much "revive" a lost doctrine/work as it gives it a new way to be done as a "revived" doctrine/work. I can hear the howls now-I'm not saying that the old way is wrong, just as when the reformers (Luther/Calvin/Zwingli/Simons) looked to the scriptures and how the RC church should be reformed they came up with different ways that still are alive (to some degree) today. Guess who howled then? RC church burned lutherans/calvinists and in turn the lutherans/calvinists (and the RC) burned the anabaptists. A reformation today will cause an uproar amongst the "established church" (and the established church is bigger than mainline denominations).

In the end I would expect a reformation to look something like a rebellion of the "established church"-yet include people from most all denominations uniting together in unity of truth and a return to the basics of the faith.

(Sorry for the rambling-it's actually a huge subject-Where is Uncle Bud? )

 

[SteveR2021]

You have peaked my interest...I would love to hear more.

When I speak of revival I am not speaking about reviving doctrine but reviving hearts...this may come about many ways, but I believe it is the hearts that need reviving...that we would come back to our first love; that we would become passionate about our faith instead of lazy etc...

but I do believe our problems stem from one major problem (which could be characterized i suppose as doctrinal so maybe i am contradicting myself)...that is the way in which we present the salvation message and in fact the way we present Christianity as a way of life: it all centers on the self. Salvation is for me not so that I can glorify God...etc. And of course we have self-centered Christianity.

But that's another topic altogether. I do want to hear more about this reformation.

Don't apologize for rambling - I ramble quite often and i'd always rather have more information than less!

Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[newbeliever02072005]

You have peaked my interest...I would love to hear more.

When I speak of revival I am not speaking about reviving doctrine but reviving hearts...this may come about many ways, but I believe it is the hearts that need reviving...that we would come back to our first love; that we would become passionate about our faith instead of lazy etc...

I would love to see a revival also Stefan. I have become a new christian, about 2 months now. I am so excited about the Lord and want to love Him the best way I know how. The joy and peace I get from doing that is awesome. I surely would love for others to experience what I am feeling at the moment. My church I attend is holding a revival on May 22-25. I am praying everyday that the church pews are filled and people are standing all the way out the church doors wanting to hear about the Lord. Maybe that is the key to all of this....prayer! If all churches come together and pray, pray, pray for God to blanket all of the non-believers with his Loving Arms we can get our wish of seeing a revival.

God Bless!
newbeliever

 

[SteveR2021]

Thank you so much for that testimony. It is wonderful to hear how God is working in your life.

Maybe that is the key to all of this....prayer! If all churches come together and pray, pray, pray for God to blanket all of the non-believers with his Loving Arms we can get our wish of seeing a revival.

Amen and amen!!

 

[Terri]

Very good thread Stefan!

The following verse has me worried. It just breaks my heart to think that when the Lord returns He might not find much faith. I have been praying for a good while now that He will find faith--He deserves it so much.


LK 18:6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

I believe that one of the main problems is that we don't teach FAITH ALONE enough. Another reformation would be nice, but if people would just realize the importance of the previous reformation it would be a good start!

 

[Tenorvoice]

the revival i'm looking for is the unification of all churches! God bless!

No offence to anyone but this is only going to happen durring the Great Tribulation. When the Anti-Christ joins all faiths into a one world religion.



But as to the OP.... This country (America) needs to have a great re-awakining/revival/refromation, whatever you choose to call it. But it has to start with God's people before anything is going to happen. We have to rise up and speak out against the evil in this world/country. It starts with God's people getting on there knees and CRYING out to God (this is different than just praying). Once a flame is lit in a few of God's people, and start to let God fan that small flame, it will spread like a wildfire amongst His people!

So lets rise up and go and do His work!!!! Let us start His revival of His church and start getting the sinners saved, and start to disciple them and show them the Love of God, and get their flame started, so they can spread.

 

[SteveR2021]

LK 18:6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

We are a doubting people we don't take God at his word enough. People often say that the world has lost its faith but that is likely because the church has also lost its faith.

Thanks for the post!! God Bless you.

 

[SteveR2021]

No offence to anyone but this is only going to happen durring the Great Tribulation. When the Anti-Christ joins all faiths into a one world religion.

That is if you are pre-millenialist...which I am not. I'm a pan-millenialist - it will all pan out in the end!! I'll let the future work itself out. I just want to be found ready!

It starts with God's people getting on there knees and CRYING out to God (this is different than just praying).

Here we are agreed. I give a hearty AMEN to that.

David Wilkerson spoke on this topic once:

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=3843

It is one of the most powerful sermons I have heard on the subject. I strongly recommmend it. You will be very blessed!

 

[MbiaJc]

For some reason, I hear the word "revival" and it makes me shudder. No offense to anyone. I think when revival happens it is a great thing but there should be no need for a revival because we should never get so complacent in the Lord for the need to arise.

If Christian's would do that, then I am confident that by being the salt and the light, that people will be drawn to it.

Hee the motion has been restored to my smilies, I am making up for lost time. Hehehe