What is Revival?

What is Revival?
The word "revive" is from the Latin, meaning "to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished."

Who needs revival?

Those who once were alive but now are...

-spiritually lethargic.
-spiritually desirous of temptations more than being with Jesus.
-okay with their sin and even enjoying their sin.
-not very remorseful over their sin. They think, “God has my back.”
-bugged by different worship styles they do not like.
-critical of God's Word read and shared in a different style.
-careless about those outside of God's family. “It's no big deal if some go to hell, they probably deserve it any way.”
-more concerned about getting their needs met than building the Kingdom and saving the lost.
-not excited about what interests The King of Kings.
-not reading the Bible much.
-not praying much.
-frustrated with people who passionately pray for the lost.
-not that concerned about their families’ closeness to Christ.
-are not bothered that Jesus has not given them a new idea to serve someone in a practical way.

What does it reveal about a church if it constantly needs revival?
What does it reveal about a christian if they constantly need revival?
Once a person or a church is alive in Christ and then there is a constant focus and desire to stay alive in Christ, is revival needed?

What do those who do not need revival look like?
How do we prevent from becoming legalistic or religious or judgemental?
How do we stay alive in Christ with all of our different personalities, passions, gifts and styles?
How do we seek to love the Scriptures?
How do we continually engage in rich, meaningful dialogue with Jesus?
How do we have the Holy Spirit at the center of our lives and not push Him to our left pinky toe?
How do we let the heart of Christ and the mind of Christ be so alive in us, that we have the eyes of Christ to see who to love, serve, encourage each and every day?
How do we sense the encouraging words of Jesus for others?
How do we sense it is time to share the Good News of Jesus with someone?
How do we know when we should risk for Jesus instead of just do our every day same old thing?
Are all of these daily and moment by moment experiences for those who are alive in Christ?

May Southtowners and Southtown family never need a revival. May we always be alive in Christ. May we always be passionate about worshipping God, focusing on His Word, praying for each other and the lost, radically committed to serving the lost, and desiring and willing to do whatever Jesus asks us to do. May the people in our lives describe us like the religious leaders described Peter and John.

Acts 4:13 "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
 
My Prayer for us,
Pastor Chris