The body of Christ is like a campfire. We blaze with the flames of God’s glory when we come together in heart-to-heart ONEness around the risen Jesus. History calls those times of spiritual fire freely burning in God’s people, “revival.”
That kind of revival is not a religious meeting with a special preacher, held in a church building. True revival cannot be contained in one building or one location or even in one denomination. And it can’t be created by a program, an agenda, or a course of study.
Genuine revival (spiritual awakening) breaks out and spreads in and through human hearts. However, when people’s hearts are separated from one another, they begin to lose their fire for God and eventually get cold, just like campfire coals do when you spread them apart.
No amount of preaching, singing, plays, concerts, sermons, studies, techniques, rituals, gimmicks, special lighting, fog machines, etc. will ignite God’s fire in people until their hearts are open to God and to one another.
So what can open human hearts?
The answer is simple and it is spread throughout the New Testament. It is “a One Anothering environment” – an atmosphere where people are free to be real and honest with one another. The Bible calls this walking “in the light” and “speaking the truth in love.” More than 50 times, the New Testament instructs Christ-followers to minister to “one another” in various ways.
When people are allowed to be vulnerable and honest with one another, the Holy Spirit begins to work in their hearts and in their midst. The book ONE: Unfolding God’s Eternal Purpose From House To House puts it this way: “People’s hearts are opened when they speak freely.”
Allowing Christians to open up to one another opens their hearts. I’ve seen it hundreds of times. Someone begins to humbly share from the heart and the place is filled with a sense of awe, humility, and love; as Christ’s presence saturates the gathering. That is the spark of revival. However, like any spark, it won’t start an ongoing fire unless it is given the right environment of kindling and oxygen.
Revival’s kindling is open in humble hearts. We must not “harden” (shut down and protect) our hearts. Revival’s oxygen is the Holy Spirit. We must not turn off the flow of the Spirit. (“Quench not the Spirit.”) By keeping the kindling and oxygen going, open sharing and “One Anothering” creates an environment where revival can break out, grow, and eventually spread far and wide.
Genuine revival unites believers as sisters and brothers in Christ. It sets “the solitary in families” and overrides the walls that separate Christians.
Are you ready for revival? If so, find a few brothers and sisters, gather regularly with them, listen to Jesus together, and then let everyone present say and/or do what the living Jesus tells them to. One Anothering will break out, hearts will open, and the Spirit will move mightily. That’s revival!
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My favorite “old paths” are in the Gospels and the Book of Acts!
Take me back to the old Paths, when Moms were at home.
Dads were at work.
Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!
Crime did not pay; Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.
Moms could cook; Dads would work;
Children would behave…
Husbands were loving; Wives were supportive; and children were polite.
Women wore the dresses; and Men wore the trousers.
Women looked like ladies;Men looked like gentlemen; and children looked decent.
People loved the truth, and hated a lie;
They came to church to get IN, Not to get OUT!
Hymns sounded Godly; Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal; and crying sounded sincere.
Cursing was wicked; Drinking was evil; and divorce was unthinkable.
We read the Bible in public; Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.
To be called a Christian was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!
Sex was a personal word. Homosexual was an unheard of word, And abortion was an illegal word.
Preachers preached because they had a message; and
Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY!
Preachers preached from the Bible;
Singers sang from the heart;
Sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!
A new birth meant a new life; Salvation meant a changed life;
Following Christ led to eternal life.
Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;
And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!
Laws were based on the Bible;
Homes read the Bible;
And churches taught the Bible.
Preachers were more interested in new converts than new clothes and new cars.
Church was where you found Christians on the Lord’s day, rather than being entertained someway.
Give me that old time religion!
‘Tis good enough for me!
I still like the “Old Paths” best! Jeremiah 6:16.
Well said, Yvonne!
For sure!!!
Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. – ML 47.6
It’s time for a spiritual revival.
Thank you.
For some videos about how to experience revival and spiritual awakening in your own heart and life, google: Crazy Bible Stuff Steve and Jay.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
It’s not that Jesus isn’t awesome. It’s not that his grace isn’t amazing. It’s not that the cross isn’t marvelous. But we won’t have eyes to see it until we’ve been displaced, until we’ve been knocked off the throne of our tiny self-kingdoms.
Indeed. Brilliant post. I felt it.
Amen! Excellent message Steve.
Simply Brilliant