MINISTERS MATTER

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 10/10 - The Local Church

The local church. This is the one topic that affects millions of followers of Jesus around the world.  They once were members of a local church but not anymore. They love Jesus but are disillusioned, disappointed and have become needless dropouts from God's way of building His church.

Jesus said, "I will build My church..."  He is using us to build an amazing body of believers who showcase what it means to be redeemed and conformed to the image of Jesus.

The local church is a functioning body not just a single member. There is an amazing depth to the enduring quality of the church that lies beneath the surface. It has endured everything thrown at it from without and within. It is God's idea!

The will of God could not be clearer as you read through the New Testament. The first of millions of local churches started at Jerusalem and can now be seen all over the world.

It is a staple for believers who live in developed and especially undeveloped nations. It is God's way of making the invisible kingdom visible to the community it serves.

I've ministered in over 50 nations of the world and in all kinds of settings. The one common denominator is the local church. It is everywhere and those who are involved, through thick and thin, are the ones who are growing in their faith and maturity in Jesus.

In all the 'revivals' I've experienced, it is a sad reality that the same disillusioned, disappointed dropouts can be found pressing in to God. They worship, enjoy the Word and get prayed for when it is offered. But when they leave they have no local church - they are the spiritual homeless among us. Often they become critics of the local church.

OBSERVATION: Of all the people I've had the most difficult time with as a pastor, it was those who dropped out of the local church. The old saying applies to them - hurting people hurt people.

In the blogging world, these same Christians need an audience for their pain and positions. They lash out at everyone and everything that they don't agree with. They take the position of being God's heresy hunters. It fills their emotional tank to lash out at others. When there is a scandal, they go on a blogging frenzy. They believe they are the only ones living the truth and in their loneliness, take great joy in being persecuted because they alone stand for truth. How sad? The internet has given them, unfortunately, a bully pulpit.

Well we've come to the last of some thoughts on 'lessons I'm learning from revivals'. There is alot more to learn and I know the days and years ahead will prove as interesting as the last 30 have been.

Loving Jesus means loving His church!

 

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 9/10 - The Fruit of the Spirit

When the bible talks about the 'fruit of the Spirit' it is talking about the evidence of God's Spirit at work in the life of a follower of Jesus.

You can call a tree whatever you like but the fruit is the evidence of what it really is. Apple trees give us apples. Christians give us Christ-likeness.

I listen and watch what leaders and followers of Jesus say and do and it helps me identify the measure of fruit at work in their lives. The list I measure by is found in Galatians 5: 22 starting with "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law."

1 Corinthians 13 reinforces fruit by saying, "So now faith, hope and love abide, these three, but the greatest is love." Love is what I look for in followers of Jesus because in God's mind, it is the evidence He has given us to prove we are His disciples.

In 'revivals' it is important to be a fruit inspector. Is there expressive love for God in worship, love for His church in all it's diversity, and love for those who come with needs. True fruit is seen in meeting the needs of those who attend and not manipulating them for personal gain.

Jesus served others and said, "If you have seen me, you have seen my Father."

What fruit of the Spirit do people see in your life?

TOMORROW: LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 10/10 - The Local Church

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 8/10 - Accountability

Wikipedia has a definition of accountability being used synonymously with such concepts as answer-ability, enforcement, responsibility, blameworthiness, liability and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving.

As an aspect of governance, it has been central to discussions related to problems in both the public ( which includes churches and ministries ) and private, business, or government sectors.

Accountability is respecting the obligation you have to answer for an action.

In Christian circles, this is driven home clearly in local churches that must account for staffing, doctrine, finances, practices etc. Local church constitutions are documents that spell out how we will act when things go wrong. Same rules govern all.

Local congregations are not free to just do their thing without giving an account of their activities. In Canada, we are accountable to our members, to the community we serve and the government that has established laws governing charitable organizations. These are all good things for everyone involved.

In 'revivals' the story usually revolves around a single leader who makes it clear he/she has heard from God and acts independent of scrutiny from others. The ministry is theirs and it is up to them to conduct it as they see fit. Being accountable for doctrine, practices, finances etc., has often been overlooked and it has caused more than one 'revival' to off the rails.

It is amazing to me that so many ministries operate outside of accepted practices that everyone else has to abide by in daily business life. We just don't want to answer for our actions because we think we are a) above accountability or else b) we have an inflated view of our importance or c) we think we are entitled to do whatever we want. I think all these reasons falls under the heading of lawlessness.

Christian blogging is also one of those areas where accountability is missing. We just say whatever we think without consideration of the hurt and damage to reputations it may cause. Often, it is not even about a dialogue of ideas any more. I can't count how many times replies came back to me without even a hello. They simply wanted to straighten me out with articles and web sites that supported their position. Dialogue has given way to armchair quarterbacks who are critical of everything and everyone.

If you are not part of a local church community, in relationship with others that you are accountable to for your practices, doctrine, lifestyle etc., then you will simply live in judgment of others and it will show in your attitudes and actions.

No one is exempt from genuine body life that has all the checks and balances built in to protect us from hurting ourselves and one another.

TOMORROW: LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 8/10 -Fruit of the Spirit

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 7/10 - Gifts of the Spirit

The one area of contention that keeps coming up whenever we talk about what goes on in most 'revivals' is the use of spiritual gifts. They come in different shapes and sizes and work in all kinds of people.

Seems like we are content, in Western Christianity, to live out of our intellect with very little interest or motivation towards things supernatural.

Most leaders need to go on the mission fields of the world to see how weak and ineffective our brand of Christianity really is. We are good with words and lesson outlines, but, we are not very good with the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit.

I think we are offended by the simplicity of faith shown by those who press for the activation of the gifts. We might not say it aloud but we believe we are more cultured and educated. We say to ourselves that we really don't need those gifts that our experience says are not for today. How sad.

We like control. I think losing control scares us. We prefer a God we can control like the religions of the world we reject. Sorry folks, that is not the God of the Bible. He is in control and has provided gifts to identify when and how He is at work in the midst of the people.

I think the supernatural is simply God adding His super to our natural and changing what we couldn't change on our own.

He is still the great I AM, the ever-present One and I am convinced that He can do whatever He wants to do, whenever He wants to do it and with whomever He chooses. The challenge is to know whether we are dealing with the hand of God or the hand of man.

Scripture is clear that the gifts of God are just that, gifts. We don't earn them, they come through grace and He distributes them as He wills. The blog will not go into a description of them just the fact that they are in use today all over the world in service to the King and often seen in active 'revivals'.

Romans 12:1 - 8

These gifts are available, and differ according to the grace God has given each of us, to serve one another in and outside the Body of Christ so we can fulfill God's purposes in revealing a living Christ to a dying world.

Paul taught the Romans to exercise these seven gifts in their midst.

Prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, mercy.

1 Corinthians 12: 1 - 11

The moving of the Holy Spirit can be seen in varieties of gifts, service, activities. The goal is the common good and the nine gifts in this portion of scripture are...

Wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, distinguish between spirits, various kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues.

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. The church at Corinth, with all its problems, still functioned supernaturally as God showed them these nine gifts to be activated among them.

Ephesians 4:11-12

In this portion of scripture we come face to face with gifts that either make us comfortable like evangelist, pastor, teacher, or uncomfortable like, apostle and prophet.

Let it be stated clearly here and now that all of these are gifts of the Holy Spirit for use by the church to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

The challenge before us is to look at our congregations, home groups, meetings etc., and ask ourselves if we are exercising faith for Him to work supernaturally amongst us? Do we even know what gifts are at work in our own lives? Have we seen God do things through us that we knew we couldn't do on our own? His gifts are given to be used in service to others.

He wants to work through us - do we want Him to?

TOMORROW: LESSONS I AM LEARNING FROM REVIVALS - 7/10 - Accountability

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 6/10 - Holy Spirit

John 3:8 describes the words of Jesus concerning the Holy Spirit. He says, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

'Revivals' are often referred to as acts of the Holy Spirit. They start where He wants, when He want, how He wants, and with whomever He wants.

On the Day of Pentecost, He visited a room filled with 120 men and women and created quite a scene - rushing wind, divided tongues of fire appearing to each of them and everyone speaking in tongues. Very different from the organized rituals of the past most were accustomed to.

Then at Cornelius' house, who wasn't even a believer, the Holy Spirit showed up again. The bible says of Cornelius that he was devout, feared God, gave generously to the people and prayed continually to God. Does God really hear the prayers of the lost? Absolutely!

God gives him a vision of an angel coming to him and speaks about the need to call for a specific man named Peter. At the same time in another location, God gives Peter a vision of the exact situation with clear directions to go to Cornelius' home. Try explaining that to family and friends.

When Peter finally arrives, after his own vision of a blanket of clean and unclean animals, he stands up to preach and the Holy Spirit suddenly interrupts him before he finishes his sermon. The Holy Spirit touches the Gentiles who were present and they begin to speak in other tongues like the Jews on Pentecost.

Both instances show us the work of the Holy Spirit when we least expect it. He comes in ways that offend our mind but reveal our heart. Imagine what happened in the minds of Jews of that day hearing that their God had visited the Gentiles. Almost impossible to believe.

For Jews of Jesus' day, it would also be difficult to believe that God would simply visit ordinary people without all the elaborate sacrifices, priesthood and temple worship. Yet He did. What had been useful in times past, was no longer valid. An important lesson to learn.

For the Gentiles of Peter's day, it would have been difficult for them to believe that God would want to visit them like He did the Jews. He did and we were grafted in to the family of God.

In both cases, those involved underestimated God's desire to be with those who love Him and are seeking Him every day. So too with 'revivals' of the past and present. God shows up in whatever way He chooses. He does what He wants, when He wants, how He wants and with whomever He chooses. Often, because it is not our usual religious practice, we reject it or look for flaws in order to justify our rejecting it.

Because God works with flawed human beings, it is not hard to find fault. Sadly, this is where 'revivals' usually go off the rails with sinful leaders, gossip among the people, doubts, fears, established patterns not willing to change, religious prejudice and pride, doctrine that is extra-biblical, supernatural happenings, etc. God simply wants us to believe that His plans are better than ours and His ways are better than ours.

Sometimes we don't like His choice of leader so we build up a wall of excuses not to believe He is involved. Other times we just can't get our head around what has been going on especially if we are not present. How would you like to hear a report that fire appeared like a tongue over the top of each one present at the revival meeting? Or, on a boat cruise, one of your friends walked on water.

An important lesson is to let the Holy Spirit do what He wants and be willing to cooperate rather than resist Him. Things happen in 'revivals' that do not happen in our weekly services. Is that reason enough to reject them as not being of God. 'Revivals' are not the norm so we are called to exercise caution, discernment and patience as we process what we both see and hear.

Two questions in Acts 2 sum up how we respond to the moving of the Holy Spirit. 1) Verse 12, what does this mean? and 2) Verse 37, what shall we do? Knowing what to do is our faith response.

If God can oversee the shoes and clothes of the Israelites so they don't wear out for 40 years, I think He is capable of overseeing a 'revival' on His terms.

If God can make water come from a rock, He can make a 'revival' come from wherever He wants.

If God can raise up a brazen serpent on a pole and whoever just looks at it is healed, He can make 'revivals' places of healing.

If God can feed thousands from a few loaves and fish, imagine what He can do in a 'revival' to feed the spiritually thirsty and hungry.

When the wind blows, or the Holy Spirit moves in 'revival', it is about Him in the midst of His people. Our job is to bless and walk softly with Him as He guides us through what He wants to accomplish. Not an easy task.

'Revivals' are complicated events in Christianity needing mature leadership to give guidance and direction. Maybe, with the Lakeland Outpouring going off the rails so quickly, we have finally learned an important lesson - Look up Hebrews 13:17 and remember those God has given to watch over your soul.

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW: LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' - 6/10 -Gifts of the Holy Spirit

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 5/10 - Ephesians 4:11

Ephesians 4:11 is one of those passages we like to dismiss as not needed today. We even have theologies that say some of these gifts passed away with the last of Christ's apostles. Sadly, we are cutting ourselves off from what God has set in the church to grow and mature it.

"And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-12.

The best way for me to describe this passage is to see a hand with each finger extended and representing one of the gifts. Together, in obedience to this scripture, these gifts give evidence of the hand of God at work in our midst.

I would like to thank Dr. Mark Virkler for his insights on five-fold ministry as outlined in The Virkler Grid.

When we talk about 'revivals', we are often talking about it's leadership and we usually mean an evangelist. The characteristics of an evangelist can be seen in their tending to build the church by focusing exclusively on winning the lost. Their focus is outward and needed but they also minimize discipleship, leaving that for the pastors and teachers.

The primary gift of an evangelist is persuasion. As individuals, they are highly motivated, and usually intense. Their goal is to persuade others to see Jesus and live for Him all the days of their lives.

They can be prone to stretching things because of their fear of failure and a lack of results. They need results. They will do whatever they can to generate excitement and persuade others to follow the Lord.

'Revivals' tend to be one-gift wonders with a man at the center ( a personality driven meeting ) and a lot of excitement, motivation, and hype that can stretch the truth about the size of the crowds and the numbers who came to the altar. It can also exaggerate the signs and wonders, healings, and forget the need that people have for results to be authentic and verifiable.

Local churches cannot afford to be one-gift wonders or personality driven centers. They must honour God's Word and especially Ephesians 4:11-12 if they are to build according to the pattern.

"If we do not offer balanced five-fold ministry, the church will gravitate toward one or another extreme." Dr. Mark Virkler

POTENTIAL EXTREMES

If we leave the building of the church just to apostles, they tend to build a super-organized church.

If we leave the building of the church just to prophets, they tend to build a legalistic church.

If we leave the building of the church just to evangelists, they tend to focus on the lost and neglect discipleship. Their cry, "Jesus has left the building."

If we leave the building of the church just to pastors, they tend to build a social church.

If we leave the building of the church just to teachers, they tend to build a theological church.

If we leave the building of the church to the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, all working together under the leadership of Jesus, then the church is built His way.

The North American church is looking for a 'revival' to sweep in the final harvest. It is looking beyond itself while the Lord of the Church is reminding us to look within. Jesus is present in His people and His gifts simply need to be identified and encouraged in their development.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN THE LOCAL CHURCH COMMUNITY

Apostles have a passion for the big picture and how it works together. They are gifted to lead, organize, build and expand the church. Who are the spiritual leaders with vision and capacity to build?

Prophets are wired with inspirational creativity. They have a sense of timing and have creative ability. Who are those with the spiritual binoculars looking at where we need to go and point us in that direction?

Evangelists can only see the harvest. They strive to be persuasive with those they meet. Who are those whose hearts are for the lost?

Pastors are people people. They love people and want to see their hurts healed. Who are those whose with gifts of mercy, kindness and compassion. The ones always being directed to the broken and hurting?

Teachers love truth. They are the book worms who love research and the clear presentation of truth. Who are those in our midst with a love for scripture, truth and it's application?

The Lord of the Church is looking for obedient and active followers who will allow themselves to be equipped so that verse 16 can be our testimony..."from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

TOMORROW: LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS ' 6/10 -The Holy Spirit

 

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 4/10 - Relationship

Relationships. Think of all your family members both immediate and extended - what is your impression? If your family is like mine, it is far from ideal. It is about real people, with real problems, whose final chapter hasn't been written yet.

If I took a snapshot of my younger brother in prison for two counts of murder in a drug deal that went sour and just focused on that season of his life, you'd be left with the impression that my brother was still a murderer. But that was just one horrible chapter in his life. Turn the page and read about what happened to him when he met Jesus in jail through a pastor willing to fast, pray and meet with him in his darkest moment.

Read on and see Craig as a follower of Jesus, grateful for the mercy, grace and forgiveness of Christ. A man who drives a transport tanker for a living, who goes into prison and speaks to young men about his life and what Jesus can do to forgive and turn a life around. The story just keeps getting better.

These changes came about through healthy Christian relationships.

Thousands of people come to faith in Christ without 'revival' meetings. They come through the honesty, integrity, and willingness of Christians to get their hands and lives dirty on behalf of others.

A recent study of the effects of fallen Christian leaders showed that people in culture were not affected by their fall as much as by those who were close to them, family, friends, co-workers etc., who call themselves Christians and fail to act like one. That was the biggest hindrance to them being open to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reminds me of all the Christian bloggers who are not willing to get their little typing fingers dirty but sure love to throw dirt when other Christians fail. Non-Christians who read those types of blogs, and they do, are turned off. If this is how Christians treat each other, why would I want to become one of them?

'Revivals' fail to stress the importance of ongoing relationships in the growth and development of a true disciple of Jesus. Christianity is more than 'revival' meetings, services, seminars, conferences. It is a life we live that demonstrates to others that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He got involved in the nitty-gritty, day to day life that people were living. How involved are you?

Whatever happened to the example Jesus gave us for making disciples? Are we just looking for the next 'revival' to sweep in the harvest or are we seeking models of biblical relationships that nurture true discipleship?

I've watched men and women fail in their Christian life because nobody walked with them. They had no one to talk to and process their journey with. How sad!

I served on the Billy Graham Mission to Ottawa and the statistics were overwhelming. 9000 decisions for Christ and yet no appreciable gain in the local churches who participated. A good 'revival' - yes. The meetings were excellent. But without ongoing relationship building, those who walked to the altar also just walked away.

Jesus gave us a relational model. The 12 were together every day. They ate together, travelled together, ministered together, discussed the days activities together, even slept in the same location together. These men understood healthy relationships and even in that close proximity to Jesus, Judas betrayed, Peter denied and Thomas doubted. If that could happen to them, then surely we need meaningful relationships to safeguard our life.

I am not sure we understand the importance of relational Christianity today? 'Revivals' are not the answer. It is what follows after the 'revival' that counts.

How are your relationships? Do you have someone who can listen to the failures of your life and still love you back to health? Have you someone in your life you can share your darkest secrets with? Even Jesus understood the need to send out His disciples two by two. What is He telling us?

It is time to get involved. The greatest honour is to serve the purposes of God with your life through a local church. To be in relationship. To be accountable. To live in community. If not, then you are missing the life-changing model and message of the New Testament.

TOMORROW: LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM REVIVALS 5/10 -Ephesians 4 is for today!

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 3/10 - Jesus

Ah, the Jesus factor in 'revival'. This lesson is important because we must measure all that we see, hear, and do, by the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the scriptures.

Paul said to the Galatians, "If we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." Strong words when most go to 'revivals' attracted by the supernatural. One of the last outpourings I attended spoke a lot about angels and angelic visitations much to the delight of some and dismay of others.

In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul warned that some would come proclaiming another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel." 'Revivals' can bring us another Jesus, not the one proclaimed in scripture and just because we are hearing the Name of Jesus mentioned, it doesn't mean all is well. Mormons talk about Jesus as do Jehovah Witnesses, yet when pressed for clarity on His saving work, it is another Jesus.

Years ago I heard a message on building codes and standards. It spoke about consistency and agreed upon measurements. This standardized the industry and enabled numerous trades to be able to work together.

When some workers said a wall was straight just by looking at it, others took a carpenter's level and verified it. Not all eyes see the same thing but the level never lies.

When workers violate these standards, rather than correct the defects of a crooked wall, they try to bend the level. 'Revivals' that cannot pass the Jesus of the bible test, often have leaders who are bending truth to suit their purposes.

The person of Jesus as revealed in scripture is our level.

Questions that I ask myself while attending 'revivals' may seem simplistic but are necessary and include, "Is this 'revival' biblical? Is the person of Jesus, the One I read about in scripture, is He being proclaimed and if He is, in what context? What am I hearing and seeing in and from the pulpit? What is the fruit in the lives of those in the pews?"

During my days in the charismatic renewal I heard Jesus being honoured and it created a genuine hunger in me for the Word of God. I wanted more of Him. The overflow of those meetings focused me on Jesus and how to live a life in union with Him. It wasn't about me, it was about Him.

I enjoyed The Toronto Blessing and it's emphasis on the Father's Love, sonship, dealing with the orphan spirit, learning to rest in the love of God, but most of all, I enjoyed the messages on Jesus and His relationship to the Father which spilled over into how He trained His disciples.

During this 'revival' God taught me to work with Him not for Him. He identified some core issues of my heart that needed healing and helped me move away from ministerial striving to a place of resting in Him.

While I enjoyed the meetings, the messages and the ministry times, I was often distracted by the manifestations of some people. I had never seen anything like that in all my years of ministry. What was that all about? Where was that in scripture?  Is this bringing glory to Christ?

In 'revivals' it is important to be discerning and to exercise caution as you process the content of what you are being exposed to. We are not to be gullible nor overly critical. We can do in the spirit what we do in the natural, eat the meat and spit out the bones.

It is essential that we measure everything by the level of God's Written Word that reveals the Living Word - Jesus Christ.

TOMORROW: LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 4/10 - Relationship

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 2/10 - Scripture

It is important to me that 'revivals' put the emphasis on scripture. The preaching of God's Word is essential for faith to arise in the human heart for change to take place.

Putting first things first should be about putting God's Word first, middle and last, in any revival. The example in the Old Testament is the building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. God gave exact instructions to Moses that it must be built according to the pattern shown him on the mountain.

God gave him a blueprint with the size, shape, colours, fabrics, metals, furniture, sacrifices, etc. He was to build it that way and that way  alone.

The Tabernacle is a shadow of what we enjoy in fulfillment. The way into the Presence of God has been made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ.

The steps and stages of entry into the Holy of Holies were exacting and could cost the life of a priest who violated the pattern and thought he could do ministry his way. The Ark of the Covenant, in the holy of holies, is a constant reminder of the need for blood and mercy. A pattern that must be available in any 'revival' preacher's messages.

What makes us think the New Testament patterns are optional? The way many 'revivals' have been conducted, the first violation of the pattern is either the lack of scripture, or the distortion and misuse of it.

Rather than holding it up as it is, God's Word, 'revivals' have held up special speakers, anointing, revelation, gifts, power, manifestations, glory, worship leaders, all good things in their place but often used to simply draw a crowd. We then wonder why 'revivals' fail and fade away.

I once heard of a preacher who was disappointed that his name was missed on the conference advertising. He was complaining to the Lord when God whispered quietly, my name is not on it either.

We must build our 'revivals' around the scriptures, rightly divided, and in accordance with the pattern of preaching the good news in the power of the Holy Spirit, along with the call to discipleship.

Every single book of the bible has something to say that reveals the wonder of God and the need of man. As I have attended many 'revivals', the ones that have had a lasting effect have been centered in scripture, not in men, ministries and methods.

Here are just a few of things the bible can be to those who attend 'revivals'.

The Word of God is our companion - Psalm 119:24; our cleanser - Psalm 119:9-11; a fire to warm us and burn off the dross - Jeremiah 23:29; it is gold, a treasure - Psalm 19:9-10; a hammer to break what needs to be broken - Jeremiah 23:29; it is health to strengthen us - Proverbs 4:22; honey to delight and sweeten us - Psalm 19:9-10: a lamp to guide our path - Psalm 119:105; a book of laws enabling us to legislate for the good of all - Psalm 119:1; it is milk for the young - 1 Peter 2:2; a mirror that shows us what we are really like - James 1:23-25; it is rain to produce good fruit - Isaiah 55:10-11; a scalpel to cut to the quick when necessary - Hebrews 4:12; seed to grow up in Christ - Matthew 13:23; solid food to sustain us - Hebrews 5:12-14; a song in our hearts and on our lips - Psalm 119:54; a sword to fight error and misuse - Ephesian 6:17; water to cleanse and satisfy our thirst - Ephesians 5:26; and last but not least it is THE WORD OF GOD TO REVEAL THE MIND, THOUGHTS AND WAYS OF OUR GOD - Hebrews 4:12.

'Revivals' that fail the scripture test, fail.

'Revivals' that offer a man, ministry or method-centered pattern, fail.

'Revivals' that preach the Word with the accompanying presence and power of the Holy Spirit, that glorify no one else but Jesus, that exhibit the fruit and gifts of the Spirit, these are the ones that meet the standards of the New Testament and pass the pattern test.

TOMORROW: LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 3/10 -Jesus

Seven years ago, on September 11, 2001, the world changed forever! Let us remember the surviving families as they face another tough day of pain and memories. Let us pray for them today!

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 1/10 - Contend

LESSON 1. "CONTEND FOR THE FAITH THAT WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS"

This is an interesting statement in the book of Jude. He was the younger brother of James, the leader of the church at Jerusalem, and a half-brother to Jesus.

Impressive credentials for sure.

His letter is to combat the precursors to the creeping gnosticism of his day, as well as address false teachers who use Christian liberty and the grace of God as a license for immorality, while denying the Lordship of Jesus.

Today we combat obnoxious individualism and a divided church.

Contend means to fight, dispute, struggle for and strive. In this context, it means not only for the faith but against the immorality of godless men who pervert truth in all aspects of culture.

Jude is serious about the need for Christians to mature in their knowledge of the truth; to share their faith with others; and to reclaim those who are wavering.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 shows basic beliefs we must contend for today as well.

I've observed that it is not wise to live vicariously through a famous Christian leader or 'revival' and fail to become a true disciple, that is making disciples. 'Revivals' come and go, the gospel is here to stay and so is the local church.

The gospel is about reaching the lost and making disciples. We've done the first part in 'revivals' but ignored making disciples throughout western Christianity.

All of the 'revivals' I've attended since becoming a follower of Jesus in the late 70's have been a mix of Holy Spirit and finite men/women. Some have been better than others but most have fallen short due to human failure, doctrinal error or sin that has taken out the leader.

I have always reserved judgment before speaking out. I've made it a point to try to get to know those who gave leadership to the 'revival' I was attending. This afforded me the opportunity for questions and concerns to be addressed in light of scripture, accepted practice, church history and prophetic possibilities, as on the day of Pentecost when Peter said, "this is that" by looking at the outpouring and pointing people to the prophecy of Joel. A very healthy model of scripture confirming scripture.

I have noted unhealthy fruit when 'revivals' do not contend for essential and established truth and practice. Somewhere in the 'revival' it goes sideways and so do many of the followers. I've encountered those who eventually sit in judgment of everything and everyone. These critical people become useless to their local church, if they even attend one. Often, they have the 'revelation' that their knowledge is now beyond the local church and they walk away from loving relationships, go from one group to another but no group is good enough, and eventually, years later, they are without real fruit and fail in the basics of being a Christian disciple who makes disciples in the same way Jesus did.

My number one lesson is contending for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints by reminding us that the early believers gathered corporately in local church communities of a given city, town or region, as well as from house to house. This allowed for sound doctrine to be taught, disciples to be made, discipline to be administered, gifts and callings to be identified and people reached for Christ locally. The outflow was seen in representative missionary travels by those appointed by and accountable to the church.The Book of Acts is a wonderful model of this pattern.

Individualism is highlighted in most western world 'revivals' at the expense of the local church. This type of biblical teaching does immense harm to churches called to reach their communities as a community.

Contending is about understanding the faith life of the local church in the Book of Acts in the same way we understand the call of God upon Moses to build the Tabernacle according to the pattern. It is about co-operating with Jesus as He builds His church, His way.

God's plan for your community is better than your plan for your community. And His plan for His church is better than the plans I've heard at most 'revival' meetings.

Healthy 'revivals' that gather large crowds of people preach Christ crucified, dead, buried, risen, ascended to heaven, seated at the right hand of God and coming again in great glory to execute judgment and convict the ungodly. This is contending, or grappling with the full message of Christ to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, social and discipleship needs of people.

Contending is challenging because we must face the Saving Jesus, the Healing Jesus, the Baptizing Jesus and the returning King Jesus as revealed in scripture.

Contending is about words but it is more than words, it is being a living example to others of the validity, power and beauty of the gospel in the lives of faithful followers of Jesus.

Contending is about the honour of the local church as disciples gather together, as the Body of Christ, to worship, pray, study the Word, minister to one another and be a visible witness of an invisible kingdom.

Here is how Jude describes contending.

1) Build yourself up in your most holy faith. Keep growing in the community of the faithful.

2) Pray in the Holy Spirit. Speaking to God in known and unknown tongues. Honouring His gifts.

3) Keep yourself in the love of God. Love never fails!

4.) Waiting for the mercy of God that leads to eternal life by exercising mercy towards others.

5) Seek the salvation of those at hell's doorstep. Have an evangelistic heart for the lost.

'Revivals' especially in pentecostal and charismatic circles have had the most difficulty contending. They have flourished for a short season, attracted the crowds, then been unable to sustain forward momentum, they have failed often in the three G's.

Glory - it belongs to God.

It is never for personal gain. We are called to preach Jesus. He is the famous One. His Name is above every other name. Some just don't get it and they touch the glory and the glory departs along with the 'revival'.

Girls/Guys - they are your sisters/brothers in the Lord.

Leaders have violated the 'family' of God through immorality. They have sinned against the Body of Christ by committing incest with a family member. Purity is not an option in 'revivals'.

Gold - the money is His not yours.

Revival leaders have felt entitlement and thereby failed in their stewardship of the money entrusted to them by those who attend the 'revival'. Often, manipulation and greed, along with ministry schemes to raise more money spell the end of the 'revival'.

TOMORROW

LESSONS I'M LEARNING FROM 'REVIVALS' 2/10 - Scripture: Rightly dividing the Word of Truth.