Our neighbors need to see Christ as well as hear of Him.
Revival! (1)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to givea defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear… 1 Peter 3.15
Ministers of Scotland: Lectures on Revival
The Rev. John Bonar, Minister of Larbert and Dunipace
“Arguments will often fail to convince: No form of reason is so conclusive that a form of reason may not be found to oppose it: But let the proud reasoner who would deny the soul, and dispute God out of his world – come into the midst of those who are dealing directly with this God; let him mingle with that deep, solemn, and impressed company who now feel that the favour of this God is life, and his wrath worse than death; let him mingle with those who joy in God through Jesus Christ, and he will know better than by a thousand arguments that verily there is a God, yea, and that it is no vain thing to draw near to him…”
“Words, words, words! I’m so sick of words!” a flustered Eliza Doolittle blurted out at Freddy. Today’s churches are not at a loss for words, but the world is looking to see if there’s any there there, behind all those words. “Don’t talk of love,” our unbelieving neighbors seem to be saying. “Show me now!” When the Spirit of God clothes us with revival, and the fruit of His presence, the tokens of love, the gifts He brings for ministry, and the power He flexes for witness – when these begin to be in evidence throughout our congregations, then none will be able to deny the reality of the risen Christ or His Kingdom. This is why it’s so important that we train, equip, and encourage the people of God take seriously their daily Kingdom-and-glory calling in the Personal Mission Field God has assigned them. Here, in our daily relationships, roles, and responsibilities, is where our unbelieving neighbors “come into the midst of those who are dealing directly with this God.” Here is where prayer for revival begins, and where revival, renewal, and awakening flourish.
Preparing for Revival
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.,” says the Lord (Jer. 29.13). Prayer is the place to begin in seeking revival. Join with other men to pray online monthly, using the Word of God to guide our prayers. We’re looking for men who will commit to seeking the Lord for revival together. If you’re interested, write to me at [email protected], and I’ll give you a list of available times. Or we can discuss beginning a new group to pray for revival at a more suitable time.
Our Mission Partners Training can equip you to equip your church members for bringing revival into their Personal Mission Fields. Watch this brief video, then contact me at [email protected] if you’re interested.
To help you in preparing for revival, we have two brief books that won’t take you more than an hour to read. Preparing Your Church for Revival tells you what to expect as the Lord begins to move, and shows you how to get ready even now (click here). Restore Us! provides the rationale and means for praying together for revival. It includes 12 psalms to guide your times of praying together (click here).
All quotations in this series are taken from Ministers of Scotland,Lectures on Revival, Richard Owen Roberts, ed. (Wheaton: Richard Owen Roberts, Publishers, 1980). Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
