Revival! (3)

So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. Acts 28.23

Ministers of Scotland: Lectures on Revival III
The Rev. Alexander Moody Stuart, A. M., Minister of St. Luke’s Parish, Edinburgh
“Yet the Holy Ghost is intrusted (sic) with the things of Christ, not for the purpose of concealing them from us, but of making them clearly manifest, enabling us to know and persuading us to embrace them. Without the Spirit, the blessings of redemption are at once sealed from the view of man, and man closes his eyes to them and shuts his heart against them.”

Paul’s ministry of the Word included “explaining”, “solemnly testifying”, and “persuading”, as well as “reasoning”, “conversing”, and “proclaiming” (Acts 17.17, 18), “explaining and demonstrating” (Acts 17.3), and seeking to “persuade” (Acts 17.4). These verbs describe a variegated effort to fit his preaching and teaching to the hearing and needs of his audience, as well as to the various ways the Spirit works to enable hearing. This is Paul being all things to all people, so that by all means he might save some (1 Cor. 9.22). Our goal in the ministry of God’s Word must be that people hear the truth so that they can know it – understand it and all its implications and requirements. We also want them to be persuaded of its truth, that is, that they can see no other course or choice, and are led to embrace the truth. We must make every effort, first, to bring the truth of God in convicting and persuasive manner to those who know Him, then, to do the same for those who don’t know Him. If we will be faithful in our part, bolstering and doing everything in a blanket of prayer, we can be certain the Holy Spirit will do His.

Know, be persuaded, embrace: How would you evaluate your own preaching and teaching as engaging in all these different activities and ends? What about your church’s outreach to its community?

Preparing for Revival
We’re looking for men who will commit to seeking the Lord for revival together. Our prayer groups meet online, and we’re open to more men joining us, or to starting new groups if existing times don’t work for you. 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.

The ministry of the Word is one of the areas we assess in our Pastoral Hope Initiative. This 14-week protocol gives you an opportunity for a comprehensive look at your walk with and work for the Lord. It’s free (the fee is permanently waived), so if you’re interested, watch this brief video, then drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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.