Revival - Part 3

On Wednesday (Revival - Part 2), I began to question the lasting impact of last weekends revival. Personally, it is going strong. I sincerely asked that God would "Let it Start With Me" many times in the weeks leading to revival and He certainly got my attention during it, and He has continued to show Himself to me in some amazing ways throughout the week.

Yet, is this happening back home. I am removed from normalcy this week as I am teaching a college class about discipleship to a group of undergraduate students. They are challenging me in my faith as I challenge them to grow in theirs. But the reality is, being in this environment has helped keep the revival fires burning in me all week.

Is that true for those back in Fairfax? Many people were "touched" by the messages and/or the music last weekend. Many people were "moved" to do something because of what they had seen or heard. But the problem with Christianity today is that people are often "moved" but never actually move. They hear something good. They even have a good idea. But they don't act. James 1.22 says we are to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." True faith, true belief leads to action. In other words, we are to be "More Than Moved", which just happens to be another song sung by No Other Name.

We need to be more than moved. We need to determine what needs to be done and then choose not to simply wait for others, but to begin to do it because we are willing to "Let it Start With Me". To me, these two songs have a lot of overlap in the intent of their message. While the style of music and the lyrics may be different, the general message is the same - "We must live out our faith."

So, how's your revival going? If it is not "going" (a term for movement), maybe it is time to say, "OK, God, I am ready to do more than simply listen to you, I am ready to be moved into action. God, let it start with me!"

Revival - Part 2

In Revival - Part 1, it was noted that this past weekend's revival was for the church, not the lost. Many people did comment that the Spirit of the Lord was present. But now we find out if revival has begun.

At first glance, that may sound wrong. The "revival" was last weekend. Technically, the revival services were last weekend, but whether or not revival happens is up to each person. And in a very real sense, revival began the Sunday before as God showed up in a way which was quite unexpected, and completely altered the service.

So a revival started, but will it last? Again, that is up to each individual. No Other Name wrote a song a couple of years ago entitled, "Let It Start With Me". That is what we must do. I cannot worry if others sensed God moving in their lives (again, the comments suggest He did). Rather I need to focus on how God moved in my life. As a pastor, of course, I am interested in how God moved in the lives of others in the congregation, but it does start with me. And what I know without a doubt is that I was convicted. I was challenged. I was exhorted. And now I must choose to respond. If I don't respond, then the revival really had no effect on me at all.

It is as James said, we are to be hearers, and not just doers of the Word. Being moved by a message is good. But obedience is better. And our obedience is a testimony of our love for Jesus (John 14.15). More on this on Friday in Part 3 (and final post) of this short series on the revival.

Revival - Part 1

This week, my plans are to post three entries - today, Wednesday, and Friday - all related to this past weekends revival.

When we first started talking about a revival I didn't realize how long it had been since our church had held one. Given the way some talked it had been several years, but I found out later that the last one was 1998. Of course, revivals are not a necessary practice for any church. Yet, some churches could seriously use a revival!

But what is a revival? A lot of church's have revivals to "share the gospel", "win the lost", etc. And that is fine, we NEED to be sharing the gospel with as many as possible. But the idea of revival means some form of restoration. This could be in the form of rest as in the regaining of strength or energy after a period of work. Most churches I know don't hold revivals because they have been working so hard for the gospel - although that would be a good reason for revival. Another outlook on revival is to restore to life. Now, honestly, this one hurts because that means the revival is needed because something is dead, and we don't want to admit that the church is dead.

Well, I won't suggest Fairfax Baptist Church is dead. No, maybe sluggish would be accurate. It isn't because many of the people who make up the church don't love God. They do. But sometimes a change of pace, a change of expectancy, a change of style, a change of times, etc can provide the necessary components to revive a sluggish, or even a dead, church. But, many (most?) churches are against change - and I just used it 4 times in one sentence! Uh oh!

So this revival was not for the lost. No, it was to revive the church. It was to allow God to speak to our hearts in order that we might be revived, and challenged, and strengthen, and renewed to share God's love with others even as we have learned to share in fellowship with one another. I can't speak for most, but I heard several - SEVERAL - comments from people who said the message was well received. I know God spoke directly to my heart this weekend - both convicting and challenging me in the way I serve Him. I am grateful for those that came to lead in music and in message, and for the snacks and meal that provided opportunities for extended fellowship.

But, now that the services are over, it is time to see if revival happened. My prayer is that it continues. And my prayer is that God will Let It Start With Me (see Part 2 on Wed, 3/19).