Revival is not just a meeting. It's so much more than that! It's a culture that drives the church. It's an atmosphere that is conducive to the working of the Holy Spirit. Revival is where the people come to church expecting phenomenal acts of God. A church experiencing revival is seeing salvations, restored relationships, discipleship relationships forming and strengthening. Revival changes everything. But maybe you're that person who doesn't like change. You want to always do what you've always done....I mean, it got you this far right? Here are a few ways to keep your church from experiencing revival. After all, one dedicated bad apple can, in fact spoil the whole bunch.
1. Don't Pray.
Prayer fuels revival. Every revival, every move of God has begun because someone stopped to pray. Extravagant prayers to an Almighty God will always yield results. Period. That's dangerous to the typical church. One preacher quoted, "prayer moves the heart that moves the hand that moves the world." Revival happens when a people called by God's name, humble themselves and pray, fervently seeking the face of God. If you don't want to see the heart of God stirred on behalf of his people, whatever you do, don't pray.
2. Don't Praise.
Have you ever stopped to think about how good God has been? Psalm 100 commands praise, and then presents the catalyst for praise when it says, "for the Lord, HE IS GOOD. His mercy is everlasting. His truth endureth to all generations." Doesn't that make you want to SHOUT?! Exactly. If you want to hinder revival, don't praise God. You may find as you reflect on God's goodness that the Spirit will begin to stir your soul. It may progress so rapidly that you experience a personal, contagious revival. If you don't want that to happen, don't praise.
3. Don't Plan.
As you examine the accounts of victory presented in the pages of the Word, each victory came as a result of choice. Daniel purposed in his heart. Before the opportunities would arise, he planned ahead. As the Old Testament people of God would approach his presence it took advance preparation and planning. Your life, and the life of your church has stagnated slowly over an extended period of time. Abandoning that lifestyle won't just "happen." Revival takes purposeful preparation. As long as you can keep from preparing for revival, trust me, it won't happen.
4. Don't Pay.
The level of revival you experience is directly proportional to the amount you are willing to invest. Let's break this up into a few pieces, as this cycle is forever tied. The only thing Scripture requires of your pastor for his paycheck is an accurate study and presentation of the Word. When you "muzzle the ox" so to speak, in essence you require him to budget his time in multiple areas, dividing his focus from where God intended it. When you don't give, he cannot give to you. When you don't give, the corporate body is unable to effectively bless and reach the community it is commissioned to invade. Your pastor has no time, and your church has no money, all because you chose not to give. Introducing a new element to this cycle, the evangelist, is the way to break your pastor and people away from this cycle. But he cannot afford to LIVE off the "tip" you might give, should you decide to show up. So the evangelist never comes. You will invest in what you see as a necessity. If revival is not important to you, no worries, your giving record will make that statement clear.
5. Don't Participate.
If you are going to see revival, it's going to take some work. If your church should see revival, they need your help. Yes, you! From the youngest child to the oldest adult, revival is both an individual and corporate matter. If you don't want to see your church take that next step, it's as easy as you remaining seated. Don't raise your hand. Don't sing. Don't enjoy fellowship with believers. Don't get involved in the ministries of the church. Better yet, don't show up but every so often. That way you can keep the pastor "in line" while anchoring the church to the status quo. When people get involved, revival happens. So don't make a move.
No comments:
Post a Comment