Revival….every night this week except Tuesday! All welcome!
Today’s lesson is just going to be a very short one, and oddly enough I have not included a scripture, as these are really just my idle thoughts on this matter.
Reading the above, as it was seen on a church sign a couple of years ago just made the question arise in my mind: “So…what happens Tuesday? Does everybody have to get re revived come Wednesday?” And is re revived a real word? Okay, I am sure readers get the point.
As I said in the introduction to our study here, I had a commenter make the remark that for years he considered revival simply something he attended. That is still true, in that for many churches revival is simply something they do once a year to punch the revival ticket. So, just some random thoughts here:
Revival is not something a church does, it is something the Holy Spirit causes to happen to a church.
I don’t go to revival, I become revived.
Next week we are going to take a look at some more revival related issues and I want to leave readers with some things to ponder. Feel free to leave a comment in advance if you have something you want to say. I have had a couple of readers raise some very valid points about the entire validity of the very concept of revival. I think the point was more or less that as true New Testament churches, why do we need revival? Is it even Biblical? If we are conducting our work as we should, shouldn’t we be alive and vibrant all of the time?
Think on it and leave me a comment if you have something to say.
I
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Truth in Palmyra 
June 26, 2015 at 06:18
Hey Wally. Love the bit at the beginning. Takes me back to when I was first saved in the 1970s. Thought nothing about going to church five times on a Sunday, wearing my wide-bottomed flares, huge cross and Jesus sandals!! They were the days! Bible full of markings, and Jesus stickers all over the place! Anyway – re revival. The Holy Spirit was given primarily as a Witness. That we would be witnesses to the world. I have a sense that the more we share the gospel, preach the good news – the more we get revived! That doesn’t mean to say that’s the only reason. I also think unforgiveness in churches can be a stumbling block to the Holy Spirit. When we as the Body of Christ take seriously forgiveness -we will see great revival in our lands. More to ponder. Bless your heart for sharing – Reuben
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June 26, 2015 at 06:27
Ha would like to have seen you in sandals and bell bottoms! Great point about forgiveness and I suspect that topic will be looked at later as it surely does hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. Thanks again for your thoughts
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June 26, 2015 at 06:36
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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June 26, 2015 at 06:42
Thank you as always brother and I pray that through your efforts here that together we might through the power of the Holy Spirit reach some lost soul or wandering brother or sister
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June 26, 2015 at 08:28
You’re welcome and Amen Brother Wally!
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June 26, 2015 at 06:42
For real though, what did happen to Tuesday? XD It’s not half bad. Better than Thursday anyway. (I’m outlawing Thursday once I take over the world.
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June 26, 2015 at 06:44
Lol when are you taking control? And what’s wrong with Thursdays?
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June 27, 2015 at 11:19
When the moment is right… I shall STRIKE.
Actually, it’ll probably happen more by accident than anything. But when it does…
IDK, they’re just cumbersome. In the way of Fridays. I stand with Arthur Dent in the disapproval of them.
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June 27, 2015 at 11:23
Ok just keep me posted and do you need an assistant?
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June 27, 2015 at 12:04
Haha, sure. But be warned, there’s an inside joke in choir that my reign will last about three days before being overthrown by one of our quieter altos.
Still, when I’m forced to change my name and flee to a small, respectable city somewhere in Norway, we can be neighbors.
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June 27, 2015 at 12:33
What do you sing? What part I mean.
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June 29, 2015 at 19:00
I sing Bass. Bass I to be specific. *nods* How about you?
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June 29, 2015 at 19:09
That’s pretty specific LOL. Ok..here is the deal. I am no musician, but I do loooove to sing. The only reason I got asked to sing is because I would. Music director, after I started coming to church, saw me just belting it out and asked me if I wanted to come join. I said…”I can’t sing.” She said, “we can teach you to at least carry a tune.”. I said, “ok” so there I was! And they did oddly enough. I was kind of duty bound, as my wife is the pianist, you know.
Anyway, I really don’t understand it all, but I sing down with the sopranos in the lead section. Only because I am loud and have plenty of breath for high notes and can harmonize as long as the fellow next to me finds the actual melody. Our sopranos aren’t very loud, so we have to help them. Or something like that. Told you I’m not a musician! But I loooooooooove to sing!
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July 3, 2015 at 14:54
Yeah, with your wife as the pianist, I bet you would have to be in choir. 😀 I love to sing too. Who was it said “he who sings prays twice”…
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July 3, 2015 at 15:02
That is awesome I had never heard it!
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July 3, 2015 at 14:55
… Saint Augustine (thanks, Google)
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June 26, 2015 at 07:33
A true revival is to be looked for in the church of God. Only in the river of gracious life can the pearl of revival be found. It has been said that a revival must begin with God’s people; this is very true, but it is not all the truth, for the revival itself must end as well as begin there. The results of the revival will extend to the outside world, but the revival, strictly speaking, must be within the circle of life, and must therefore essentially be enjoyed by the possessors of vital godliness, and by them only. Is not this quite a different view of revival from that; which is common in society; but is it not manifestly the correct one?
It is a sorrowful fact that many who are spiritually alive greatly need reviving. It is sorrowful because it is a proof of the existence of much spiritual evil. A man in sound health with every part of his body in a vigorous condition does not need reviving. He requires daily sustenance, but reviving would be quite out of place. If he has not yet attained maturity growth will be most desirable, but a hale hearty young man wants no reviving, it would be thrown away upon him. Who thinks of reviving the noonday sun, the ocean at its flood, or the year at its prime?
The tree planted by the rivers of water loaded with fruit needs not excite our anxiety for its revival, for its fruitfulness and beauty charm every one. Such should be the constant condition of the sons of God. Feeding and lying down in green pastures and led by the still waters they ought not always to be crying, “my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me.” Sustained by gracious promises and enriched out of the fullness which God has treasured up in his dear Son, their souls should prosper and be in health, and their piety ought to need no reviving. They should aspire to a higher blessing, a richer mercy, than a mere revival. They have the nether springs already; they should earnestly cover the upper springs. They should be asking for growth in grace, for increase of strength, for greater success; they should have out-climbed and out-soared the period in which they need to be constantly crying, “Wilt thou not revive us again?”
For a church to be constantly needing revival is the indication of much sin, for if it were sound before the Lord it would remain in the condition into which a revival would uplift its members. A church should be a camp of soldiers, not an hospital of invalids. But there is exceedingly much difference between what ought be and what is, and consequently many of God’s people are in so sad a state that the very fittest prayer for them is for revival.
Some Christians are, spiritually, but barely alive. When a man has been let down into a vat or into a well full of bad air, yea do not wonder when he is drawn up again that he is half-dead, and urgently requires to be revived. Some Christians—to their shame be it spoken!—descend into such worldly company, not upon such unhallowed principles, and become so carnal, that when they are drawn up by God’s grace from their backsliding position they want reviving, and even need that their spiritual breath should as it were be breathed into their nostrils afresh by God’s Spirit.
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June 26, 2015 at 07:42
That brother was so excellent. Not going to add a word to it because my words would just dilute what you said. But don’t be surprised if you see some of those words again. Thank you so much
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June 26, 2015 at 07:35
Reblogged this on Lamb's Harbinger.
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June 26, 2015 at 07:43
Thank you brother Sam
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June 26, 2015 at 08:39
This reminds me of the scene in Acts 8 with Simon the Sorcerer. “Revival” has become a marketing ploy for churches rather than another name for the gift of the holy spirit, a spiritual “replenishment” if you will. That and “volunteer weekend”, I thought we served the Lord everyday? lol
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June 26, 2015 at 09:00
Oh amen to that Melissa great point
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June 26, 2015 at 15:49
I can ask a question about revival, yes?
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June 26, 2015 at 15:50
of course.
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June 26, 2015 at 16:14
What do you think to Elmer Gantry (Sinclar Lewis) regarding revivalism?
Both Gantry and Falconer were fake, yet, many people believed in them. Gantry was a salesman, just turned to selling religion. And using Falconer, selling revivalism.
Given the film was a triple Oscar winner (yeah, before our time), do you think it had any effect on people’s view of religion, and revivalism?
FWIW I’ve seen the film and read the book. I think both are good, in terms of art, rather than message. However I’d be interested in your view from a religious perspective.
And I love gospel music!
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June 26, 2015 at 16:21
Kate
I actually think you make a very perceptive point about fake revivalism. Sadly, it is an all too common occurrence. Even today, the world is full of religious shysters looking to promote their own ends. And that has been sadly common throughout the history of the church. Melissa’s reference to Simon in Acts 8 is a great example. You know, that is where the term, Simony originated, referring more or less to the selling of religion.
Stay tuned as we work through this series, because I will be taking a look at this very subject.
Great question, though, thanks.
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June 26, 2015 at 16:28
Thanks Wally 🙂 I think that’s a fair acknowledgement. And how does one determine a shyster though? …
Plus, as I asked, do you think an Oscar-winning film like that could, would, or did affect people’s beliefs? Because how does one determine ‘real’ or ‘fake’ revivalism.
Yes, I’ll stay tuned. Although preferably more real life and less scripture, but I doubt that 😉
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June 26, 2015 at 16:35
Oh…it sure can influence the way people see it. Just look at Joel Osteen for example. Lots of flash and bang, and little substance and seemingly out for his own benefit.
How does one know a shyster? As one knows any false teacher. If he or she is teaching counter to what The Bible says, they are a shyster. If the focus is on them and what they are doing, and not on God..they are a shyster. Sort of like that.
Oddly enough, you have touched on what is a very critical issue facing the church of today, and one that is near to my heart. We have drifted to nothing more than tickling peoples ears and making prosperous churches in many churches, rather than the mission we were given by Jesus, which is to strive to be like Him and to seek and teach believers.
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June 26, 2015 at 17:07
I had to look him up. Who? ! But America does big style fundamentalism.
But, regarding teachings, everyone seems to regard the bible as their own interpretation. Who is to say who is correct? Catholics? Methodists? Quakers? Baptists? Who knows?
If they are making money out of it, let’s be honest, that’s not really what Jesus was alleged to have said. Even my limited knowledge can work that out.
Do you really think Jesus wanted to change people’s views and beliefs? I’m not sure about that.
I’ll try and check out your revival posts. Shd be interesting. Thanks for your replies 🙂 Must go eat!
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June 27, 2015 at 06:47
Religious shyster? You mean like that bloke Saul of Tarsus, or whoever it was that invented him.
Now there was a first rate con-man if ever there was , right?
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June 27, 2015 at 08:41
Hey Wally, morning.
If you don’t mind, here is a comment to the arkster, and I’m using a one way ticket, as it will be pointless to engage with the recent comment about the con man…………..
@ark (ie, the little stonegod)
I feel sorry for you to have to live with such blindness and bitterness. Casting aspersion on a man who gave his life (literally seconds, minutes, hours, days, years) for the sake of Another is not too smart.
Mentioning Paul’s name in the context of Wally’s admission that there are many who bring another gospel, as if he was somehow suspect, putting Paul in the same train as spiritual charlatans is malfeasance of the highest order. But hey, stone gods can do that I suppose.
Ever heard of ‘grievous wolves?’ ‘Unreasoning animals?’ ‘Clouds without water?’ ‘Raging waves of the sea foaming out their own shame?’ Sure doesn’t sound like the apostle Paul……………
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June 27, 2015 at 09:14
Good morning to you ColorStorm. You feel completely free to reply. Yeah…I wasn’t going to say a word about that con man, mostly a waste of words and breath. But, you have at it if you feel like it. Hope you have a wonderful day. Just another work day here.
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