Responding to Reports of Revival

Text: Acts 4:23-24a, 29-31

I feel the Lord wants to preach from Psalm 16 — not this morning — but eventually.

He keeps telling me to wait just before I get ready to prepare a message.

I want to talk about the importance of spending time in the Presence of the Lord.

… and the joy that awaits us there.

Last year Cecelia’s daughter, Rev. Tina Glosson was with us and she talked about the benefits of joy in our life.

Where can wee find that joy?

Well, for sure, it is in God’s presence.

As Psalm 16:11 says: In Your presence is fullness of joy;

But as I talked about last week, God has this way of interrupting.

I feel He will allow me to preach about the joy of being in His presence in the near future.

But, this morning God wants me to talk more about His Presence in times of, what we call, revival.

There is a lot of speculation about what is happening in Wilmore, KY.

I think a historical perspective and some guidance will help us.

Revival in the Bible

First of all, there is no direct reference to what we call revival.

All throughout the Bible there were plenty of times when God moved in a sovereign way amongst a group of people.

Israel didn’t call it “revival.”

David didn’t call it “revival.”

Neither did Josiah or Jehoshaphat

It is interesting that Asbury has changed its nomenclature: they call what has been happening an “outpouring” — the Asbury Outpouring.

Whatever you call it: revival, outpouring, awakening, there is plenty of precedent in the Bible.

Think about just the Book of Acts:

Recall to mind all the sovereign moves of God amongst groups of people after the Ascension of Jesus to the Father’s right hand.

The Day of Pentecost

The healing of the man born lame

The move of the Spirit on the grouped gathered to hear the report of Peter and John after they were released from jail and from being grilled by the Sanhedren

The Samaritan revival

The Joppa revival after Tabitha was raised from the dead

The revival in Cornelius’ house in Caesarea

The revival in Antioch, Syria.

The revival in Antioch, Pisidia

The revival in Ephesus

The healing revival in Malta

Just to name a few

Since the Holy Spirit had these revivals recorded for us to read and study, we must be able to learn some things that can be applied to our day.

To Asbury University, to Lee University, Samford University and wherever else there is an outbreak of revival.

And by the way, if you were thinking of traveling to Wilmore, Asbury has decided to end public services after the Wednesday 2 pm service.

Revivals in the Recent Past

As we think about these recent outpourings, I think about things I’ve seen in my almost 35 years of pastoring.

Wednesday night I was discussing some of those things with the Wilcoxes and the Wagners who also have witnessed things in the not so distant past.

We have seen mighty moves of God with people’s lives not just temporarily touched but permanently transformed.

We have seen miraculous healings, staggering deliverances, emotional healings.

At the same time we have seen the crazy, the absurd, and the awful.

Now all magnified a thousand times due to social media.

I mean think about it, the Chinese spyware TikTok is being used to spread news of the outpouring.

It must be driving the spymasters crazy!

Pray that God will deliver them from atheism and that they will be saved.

This past Tuesday I asked the other ministers what they thought of the Asbury Outpouring.

So that you don’t think ill of him, one of the pastors said:

“We don’t do revival. That’s your tradition. It’s nothing short of miraculous to have somebody raise their hand or say “Amen” during the sermon.”

Wow!

Talk about “frozen chosen!”

To not even desire a special move of God or a special sense of His Presence is pretty unthinkable to me.

And then you’ve got the Southern Baptists who schedule revivals every spring and fall.

Well, they schedule meetings — not the same thing.

And you’ve got us Pentecostals and Charismatics who are looking for a supernatural sign from God in every life event, in every object.

But at least we’re looking.

At least we know the truth of what Jesus said in:

Matthew 5:6 (LSB) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 7:7–11 (AMP) Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? 11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!

We also know that we live in a supernatural world.

The devil has counterfeits.

For that reason we obey: 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 (LSB) Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophecies, 21 but examine all things; hold fast to that which is good;

Revival Standards

As we hear about and see things that are happening around us let’s think about a few things:

Rather than focus on specific revivals, let me share with you what a couple of learned people had to say about revival.

First let start with the Great Awakening in the 1700s.

Jonathan Edwards was used mightily by God in that sovereign move of God that had such and impact of this nation.

He said: [There are…] five marks whereby a work of the Spirit of God may be distinguished.

1. It should convince men of Christ and lead them to Him in the assurance that He is the Son of God, sent to save sinners.

2. It should operate against the interests of Satan’s kingdom, causing men to forsake sin and to set their affections on the things that are above.

3. It should lead men to a greater regard for the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God.

4. It should awaken the ability to discern spiritually between truth and error, light and darkness.

5. It should manifest a spirit of love, both to God and to one’s fellow men.

Although there had been some excesses in the course of the revival in New England, these five distinguishing marks of the work of the Spirit of God were clearly present, so that Edwards was able to conclude that what had taken place was “undoubtedly, in general, from the Spirit of God.”

At the same time Edwards confesses: “some … of the gatherings at this time were marked by confusion and irregularity.”

Even in the midst of confusion and irregularities God did a great work.

The necessity for humility is indicated by the fact that “God in this work has begun at the lower end, and he has made use of the weak and foolish things of the world to carry it on.” Some of the ministers chiefly employed were “mere babes in age and standing” and of little repute among their fellow ministers. Their weakness served to magnify the power and grace of God. Cold criticism of the human instruments used in this work and of the undesirable excesses which may be shown by those whose frail frames are visited by overwhelming and transforming experiences at such a time of revival springs from injured pride and from a failure to take the Holy Scriptures as the “sufficient and whole rule whereby to judge of this work.” Edwards observes significantly that “censuring others is the worst disease with which this affair has been attended.”

… Edwards describes how there was at the time of which he is speaking “a very uncommon influence upon the minds of a very great part of the inhabitants of New England, attended with the best effects.”

Problems of juvenile delinquency and unruliness … were largely solved:

Before the Awakening, “In vain did ministers preach against those things before, in vain were laws made to restrain them, and in vain was all the vigilance of magistrates and civil officers; but now they have almost everywhere dropt them, as it were of themselves.”

It was also noticeable that in the greatest part of New England, the Bible was “in much greater esteem and use than before”; that the Lord’s day was “more religiously and strictly observed”; and that in a couple of years more was done in “making up differences, confessing faults one to another, and making restitution … than was done in thirty years before.” Large numbers were brought to “a deep sense of their own sinfulness and vileness,” and to a realization of “how unworthy in God’s regard were their prayers, praises, and all that they did in religion.”

So, what can we glean from Edwards’ experiences?

And then about 15 years ago, our General Superintendent at the time, Dr. George Wood, wrote a guide to revival that is still relevant today. He encouraged us by saying”

The Assemblies of God is irrevocably committed to the inspiration of Scripture, that the Bible provides the assessment tools needed for evaluating doctrine and experience, and is deeply hungry for the continued filling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Our former general superintendent, Thomas F. Zimmerman, once compared the Holy Spirit to a mighty river, and the Scriptures to the banks of that river. Brother Zimmerman said that great harm occurs when the river overruns the banks, but that the river does great good when it stays within the banks.

Thus, it is well for us to look at the safeguards the Bible provides in helping us “test everything.” Here are the questions we should always ask.

1. Is Jesus Christ exalted? The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to testify about Christ, and to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come (John 15:26; 16:8). To the Corinthian church that had become overly enamored with charismatic manifestations, the apostle Paul wrote “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Thus, the focus for any lasting revival always must be on Jesus. The Holy Spirit has not come to glorify himself, or any human or angelic personality.

2. Is the Word of God proclaimed? Every revival with lasting effect has always been rooted in the preaching of God’s Word. This is in keeping with the spread of the gospel in the early Church as recorded in Acts.

The Azusa Street Revival (1906-09) unabashedly proclaimed that the sure plumb line of truth was God's revealed and written Word. Elder William Seymour and others were criticized sharply for their insistence on "checking everything out with the Word." But, they were unashamed. In fact, Seymour responded to these criticisms in the September 1907 issue of The Apostolic Faith.

“We are measuring everything by the Word, every experience must measure up with the Bible. Some say that is going too far, but if we have lived too close to the Word, we will settle that with the Lord when we meet Him in the air.”

Miraculous manifestations are never the test of a true revival. Fidelity to God’s Word is the test.

Jesus himself said there would be many who would do miracles in His name and even cast out demons, but He does not know them (Matthew 7:15-23). Jesus warned that “many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:11). Paul warns, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3). To the Galatians, Paul writes: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned (Galatians 1:8). Paul also warns: “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported an held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow” (Colossians 2:18,19). Peter warns that “there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies. … Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.” (2 Peter 2:1-3).

In summary, the message must always be examined.

If the message and the messenger line up with God’s Word, then the revival is on safe biblical ground and it should and must be embraced. If not, then even though miracles and manifestations occur, it should be avoided.

This raises the question of how can healings and miracles occur if the message and/or messenger are not consistent with Scripture. The attribution for the healings and miracles is the grace of God and His mercy for hurting people.

3. Are persons repenting of sin and being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit? Repentance has been called the first word of the gospel because it is the initial response called for by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), Jesus (Matthew 4:17), the Twelve (Mark 6:12), Jesus after His resurrection (Luke 24:47), Peter (Acts 2:38), and Paul (Acts 26:20). With repentance comes baptism in water and the overwhelming or baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38,39).

Unless these initiatory events of the Christian life occur, along with the sanctifying work of the Spirit that leads to a holy life, then the miracles,crowds, and enthusiasm will quickly wane.

Of course, there are additional questions that can be raised, but my purpose is to give some starter reflections for those who have honest hearts to “test all things” as Paul admonished. If the above three questions cannot be answered with a resounding yes, then perhaps other questions are unnecessary.

It is our responsibility to maintain a deep hunger for God and to keep our focus on the mission He has given us: to bring glory to God, to evangelize the lost, and to make disciples. We cannot do this on our own. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit along with the signs that follow those who believe.

Let us keep the prayer of Habakkuk (3:2) in our hearts and on our lips:

Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, In our time make them known.

Be Ready

As Dr. Wood said, we must maintain a deep hunger for God to pour out on us what we need — a fresh move of the Holy Spirit.

I would hope that EVERY service we come praying for, expecting that.

I was listening to one person describe what she saw and experienced at Asbury — essentially the same atmosphere that she experienced at her home church.

If we at New Life will stay hungry for God, keep praying for His Presence, and give Him space in our services, we will experience a perpetual outpouring of the Spirit.

I’m not trying to be critical, but a mandatory college chapel service has the potential for being dry.

What we experience every Sunday IF WE PARTICIPATE, NOT SPECTATE will seem like the windows of heaven thrown open — because they are!

God is NOT stingy with His Presence.

But He will not force us to open to Him.

The Lord’s Supper

Like right now.

As we focus on Jesus and His sacrifice for us by partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

Don’t let this time be like a mandatory college chapel service.

Let it be alive.

Let us prepare by approaching God in humility.

1 Peter 5:5–6 (LSB) … all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

Before we partake of the Lord’s Supper, let us humble ourselves before God and confess our sins.

Confession of sins is what started the Asbury Outpouring.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 Corinthians 11:27–28 (NLT) … anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.

All invited.

You don’t have to be a member.

Break off a piece of the Bread.

Take a cup.

Hold until we can all partake together.

Join with your family at the front (sit on the front chairs).

Bread (Patty Sills)

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 (NLT) For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

End prayer with prayer from Seder:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Cup (Jay Sills)

1 Corinthians 11:25 (NLT) In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

End prayer with prayer from Seder:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Jesus is Coming

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT) For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

What a Day That Will Be!