Sunday, January 24, 2010

Revival 2010

By now I suspect the concept of "Revival" is well rehearsed in your minds and hopefully your hearts. There has been an effort to launch and maintain a full out spiritual assault designed to bring us closer to God.

These days there are so many things working against us as sons and daughters of the Almighty. We are constantly inundated with sounds and images from a media arrayed against Christian living. Whether it is music, particularly satellite radio, television, particularly cable, books, magazines or the Internet, we are surrounded with messages that are contrary to our way of life and the corresponding will of God. Revival, among other things, means finding our way back to God, our first love Rev 2:4.

Setting the theme as Revival this year is all about getting back to God. Thus far we have talked about
  • "Renewing of Our Minds" (Rom 12:2)
  • "Wake Up Church" (Rev 3:2)
  • "Dry Bones" (Eze 47:11-14)
  • "Revival In the Midst" (Ezra 9:8,9)

All of these messages have been designed to teach us broad concepts about what revival means. They have gone from the personal to the congregational in scope and have even dealt with the pressures put on believers by society as well as ourselves.

Revival however, is a very personal thing. It is about the new life that God gives to them that renew their commitment to Him. It is about the transformation that takes place when one gives up the things in life that are outside His will and His commands. But how do you achieve revival? To be sure, there are specific things to do and specific areas where revival can be experienced.

In the coming weeks, we'll discuss:

  • Revival of Prayer
  • Revival of Study
  • Revival of Love
  • Revival of Fellowship
  • Revival of Evangelism

I hope, trust and pray that our studies thus far have been edifying to your souls. And though revival starts with the individual, when we experience it collectively, we will be what God has called us to be: the called out, the eklesia, the church!

Revival!