Revival God’s Way

What is the purpose of the church? Is the purpose of the church to blend in with the landscape of the world? Is the church to blend in so well that there is no visible difference in the church or any other religion? Someone stated that the world has become so churchy and the church has become so worldly that you cannot tell them apart. One more question that needs to be addressed is, who is influencing whom?

Like many of you, I believe that we are in the last days. And like many of you, I am crying out to God for revival in these last days. But what does “revival” look like? What is the true definition of revival? Most people tend to think of revival as a large gathering of Christians experiencing God together. The churches have become one “big country club”. It has become a place of “business contacts” and meeting the” who’s who” of the community. It is sad but most church planting in America is done with the aid of “wall street” ideas. Research of the area is done to see if the right people are in the vicinity of where the church will be located. However, I believe that true revival extends beyond that.

True revival is when we become God’s representatives in the earth and we move in His power to touch the hurting people of the world. I heard a young preacher ask this question, ” Do you remember the Temple mentioned in the Scripture where the sick and dying were brought to Jesus every day for Him to Minister to them?” Of course you don’t, because it didn’t exist! Jesus set the example for how we ought to minister- He went out to where the sick and hurting people were.

Jesus spent 40 days with the disciples after He was resurrected and gave them explicit instructions concerning their role as the Church. There are several things He told them to do.

1. He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem until the Promise of the Father came unto them. “ For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5
2. Don’t worry about the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority. Acts1: 6-7
3. Receive the power of the Holy Spirit and be witnesses of Him. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Jesus commanded them to go into the entire world and preach the Gospel to every person, making disciples of all the nations. Matthew 28:19

Jesus set the example of how we ought to minister. He went out to the people! We see this model of ministry replicated in Acts 6:8 “Now Stephen, a man full of the Holy Spirit did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.”

The Christians in the Book of Acts went everywhere and proclaimed Christ as Lord. It was said of them, “These have turned the world upside down.” Acts 17:6

Revival is not just telling people to come to a service or building. Revival is taking the Power of God with you wherever you go. Go to where the sick and hurting are and see them saved, healed, and delivered. Then help them to get into a local church where they can be taught Bible truths and become a disciple.

Remember the keys to revival are really very simple: be filled with God’s power and take the power with you wherever you go.

It is interesting to note that the Book of Acts is the only book with no end. That is because the church is still here on Planet Earth and is alive. The Book of Acts is still being written today with chapters full of signs and wonders and miracles!

So, the final question is this. Does the Church ignore what is happening in the earth? I believe the answer to that question is NO! The church must rise up and be what God intended to be–that is to express the very image of Jesus Christ to a world that is sinking quickly into total darkness!

It doesn’t take a fancy lighting system, coffee bar, or slick video presentation to be the church. It takes hearts that are sold out to the message of the cross and the ability to demonstrate the true love of God to the lost. When we do this, we will see revival in our land.

Clarence’s new book, Redigging the Wells of Revival is available on amazon.com.