Thanks to social media and the Information Age, we might be seeing a viral assist with the Lord's work.
With the recent spiritual awakening going on in Wilmore, Kentucky at Asbury University, and the responses which followed nationally, America could be on the edge of another significant spiritual shift.
Could what we are seeing today nationwide be what many of us have been praying for, for the last 40 years?
We have to be careful to criticize the thing we have been praying for, especially, when it happens differently than we thought it might.
I mean, read the book of Acts and the rest of scripture. When God moves, the response is pretty radical, and, often very different.
The Theology of Revival
Allow this writer to provide you with theology behind the concept of Revival:
As an example, Acts 3:17-26 may be the most thorough text in Scripture, regarding revival.
In Acts, Luke gives us a prescription for a theology as well the "practice" of revival.
It’s compelling that this text on repentance and forgiveness of sins would be linked together with revival.
Luke says that times of refreshing would come from repentance and the presence of God.
What's even more interesting is that a supernatural miracle took place at Solomon’s colonnade just before this.
This writer believes there are many precursors of both revivals and awakenings.
But this text certainly suggests that repentance and the supernatural are instrumental to revival. There are many other elements leading to revival and awakenings.
Much of our youth have never seen this in their lifetimes.
So, allow this writer to provide some principles of revival:
- Revival begins with repentance Repentance is found in the scriptures and in the history of revival (See: Psalm 51).
- Revival is sustained by obedience. Obedience to the movement of the Holy Spirit becomes a lifestyle, not an event. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead, is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead, will also give life to you, via the Spirit in you. (See: Romans 8)
- Revival is more about people and not merely places. People are the most important "buildings" God occupies. What a lesson society needs to learn. That we do not go to church. We are the church. We do not go to revivals. We are a revival. (See: Acts 7).
- Revival as a destination can become a monument/museum As quickly as we can, we must move from ground zero and ask God for as many national and regional movements as we can from this moment (See: Luke 7/The Acts).
- Revival is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s role since Jesus sent Him 2,000 years ago is to bring power and life to God’s people. (See: John 14-16).
- Revival is the message of Jesus. The message of Jesus is the centerpiece of revival. It is the Gospel. Admit that you have sinned, believe in your heart that He is the Son of God; that he truly takes away the sin of the world. Confess that He is risen from the dead. (See: Romans 3, 6, and 10; Acts 3)
- Revival is the will of the father God; the Father’s will has always been to bring His creation to abundant life. And John Ch. 3 is clear. God‘s plan was reviving His creation through the work of the Holy Spirit and the message of Christ. (See: John Ch. 3).
- Revival is born in the church The Church becomes the foundational work of the Holy Spirit to move believers in an apologetic mission. God has always had a plan for the church in Mission! (See: II Chronicles 7)
- Revival will ultimately become an awakening in culture and society The culture becomes the frontier work of the Holy Spirit as the Church moves in mission. What a missiology of the church in Mark 16 that details a description of what happens when a revival comes to a region. (See: Mark Ch. 16)
- Revival is spiritual formation and discipleship Ultimately, spiritual formation and discipleship should be the outcomes of every revival. (See: Matthew Ch. 28)
Finally The history of spiritual awakenings in America goes all the way back to the First Great Awakening of the mid-1700s. It was followed by the Second Great Awakening of the mid-1800s.
The Azusa Street Outpouring occurred in Los Angeles, the Jesus Movement in central California. Other smaller outpourings have taken place.
Could it be that this revival we are in today is the next great awakening in America?
Consider what the president of Asbury university said recently. He called on America to host a movement of the Holy Spirit in their own community. Asbury University President Kevin Brown said, "We look to other schools, churches or ministry communities as co-commissioners in this movement that’s taking shape for us."
It’s happening - nationally. Come, Holy Spirit come.
After four decades of Youth Leadership, Jeff Grenell founded ythology to inspire, educate and resource youth leaders to prepare the NextGen to lead in the Church and the world. Some of the services yhthology offers include events, leadership development, resources, anti sex-trafficking and humanitarian efforts. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffgrenell. Read Jeff Grenell's Reports — More Here.