Revival (2)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become. 2 Corinthians 5.17

Ministers of Scotland: Lectures on Revival II
The Rev. Jonathan R. Anderson, Minister of Kirkfield Parish, Glasgow
“A revival took place on Pentecost; and the Jewish rulers took knowledge of the apostles that they had been with Jesus. The work of the Lord prospered in Antioch, and there disciples were first called Christians, that is, persons like to Christ…The conformity to Christ of which we speak must be universal; that is, extending to our whole condition in time and eternity, and to all the relations in which we stand to God and our fellow-men, and to all the principles and faculties of our nature. We must be conformed to him in life…”

Many believers are quite content with the state of their faith. They really like their church, enjoy the fellowship of their Christian friends, and sincerely wish the world was more interested in the things of the Lord. But if they are not being transformed into the image of Christ, and if the worldview of Christ is not affecting every aspect of their lives – all their relationships, roles, and responsibilities – then they are in need of revival. As our Mission Partners Outreach program teaches, Christ intends to fill the world with Himself, beginning in each believer and his or her Personal Mission Field. We cannot turn the world upside down for Jesus Christ by being content, complacent, and conformed to this world. We must be made new, and making all things new is the business which the Lord accomplishes in us through seasons of revival. Isn’t it worth praying that Jesus would flesh Himself out in “our whole condition in time and eternity”?

Would you say that, among the members of your congregation, conformity to the image of Jesus Christ is “universal”? Why or why not?

Preparing for Revival
Perhaps most pastors fall into the category of those who do not expect to see a great revival and worldwide awakening in our lifetime. But just in case God chooses to do what He has done many times throughout the history of the Christian movement, we do well to prepare for it. Join us online once a month to pray for revival. Surely you can spare 30 minutes, once a month, to join with other pastors and church leaders to seek the Lord for revival, according to His Word? We’re looking for men who will commit to seeking the Lord for revival together. If you’re interested, write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 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.

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.