Are We Released from the Law?

Some Christians totally disregard the law, saying we have been released from it, and it is not even to be obeyed in the spirit. Where do people get that idea from?

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)

If we examine that a little more closely, it actually does not throw the law out, but rather gives it a new application, in spirit. In fact, Paul wrote in a letter to the Romans praising the law.

The Law is Holy

Romans 7:14 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.

So then, the problem is not with the law, but with us. The law is so perfect, so far above us, that we find it impossible to keep. So how then can we simply toss aside such a perfect law?

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

By freedom, does Paul mean that the law is totally gone, or does it serve some ongoing purpose for the Christian?

Romans 8:4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

What does this mean, that by walking according to the Spirit, we fulfill the law? Fulfilling is a little different than tossing the law aside completely.

2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

So, Christians then keep the law in a different manner, and circumcision is our guide. We no longer need to be circumcised in the flesh, but in our hearts. What does that mean for other aspects of the law, like the Ten Commandments?

Galatians 3:2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

The gift of the Holy Spirit then comes not from doing works of the law, but by faith.

Galatians 3:5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Faith is the key.

Galatians 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

Not waiting in faith for the promise of a son, the impatient flesh took over and another son, Ishmael was born by another woman. The promised son of faith, Isaac came along later. This reminds us all to be patient and wait on the Lord, rather than take matters into our own hands, the flesh.

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

If the law is written on our hearts, there is no longer any need for an outward constraint, because we have a heart that wants to live justly and honestly. The law was made for those who do not have the Spirit, but when we are led by the Spirit, we no longer need to be shackled by a fleshly code.

Next time, let's examine if the idea that only some parts of the law are still required, is supported in the Bible.

The Law in Our Hearts

Let's begin a study on the spirit of the law.

A 2,000 year long discussion still continues among Christians. The discussion centers around the question, how much of the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures, applies in the New Testament, and how much is discontinued? The argument between continuity and discontinuity is a conversation this study hopes to encourage, in learning about the Spirit of the law.

Instead of all or part of the law being discontinued as some Christians argue, I'll contend that none of it is discontinued, but it is all transformed in a new manner, in the Spirit not the letter, of the heart not the flesh.

The Law in our Hearts

This transformation begins when the law is metaphorically written on our hearts.

"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (Jeremiah 31:33)

What does having the law within us and on our hearts mean? Some people believe that we must return to the observance of the law in the letter, but with a more heartfelt devotion. A cursory view of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount could give someone the impression that the law is more binding by being in the letter and also in our hearts. However, that interpretation of Jesus is contradicted by other passages as we will soon discover.

Paul used the famous phrase “spirit of the law.” Let’s examine that concept.

Circumcision of the Heart

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. (Romans 2:29)

Circumcision of the heart is not a new concept to the Jewish author of the letter to the Romans. It’s mentioned within the Hebrew scriptures in several places.

So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. (Deuteronomy 10:16)

“Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:6)

“Circumcise yourselves to the Lord And remove the foreskins of your heart, Men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Or else My wrath will go forth like fire And burn with none to quench it, Because of the evil of your deeds.” (Jeremiah 4:4)

So, we see some brief explanations of what circumcision of the heart means. It means “stiffen your neck no longer,” “to love the Lord” and to cease “the evil of your deeds.”

Next time we'll look deeper at the age old question of continuity of the law versus discontinuity. Does any of it continue or is it all discontinued at the cross?

The Greatest Revival, the Second Coming

Let’s take a brief look at the greatest revival of all human history, when Jesus returns.

The return of Christ will be a time of joy for believers, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40 NIV) Great will also be having a place of our own, “Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3 NLT)

Revival then will be eternal glory, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4 ESV) Of His soon return, we all have hope, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up [Latin rapiemur, raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB)

History will totally change for the better, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8 KJV) Will this hope fill us too, “We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 CEV)? Happen to think this great start to eternity, and the joy that we will all experience? When He comes, such glory will be overwhelming, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4 ESV) Jesus is preparing now. Is He coming soon, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12 NIV)? Coming at a time we don’t expect, He wants us to always be ready,

Rejoice, lovers of God, that Jesus will return and revive this mortal body with eternal glory.

That finishes this series of Bible Studies on revival. Revival is moving from death in sin and trespasses to life in trusting God. Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses each made a choice in their generations to worship God rather than go along with the crowd. Joshua, Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Jotham, Tolah, Jephthah, Samson, and Ruth each chose in their generations to embrace Israel’s God. Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, a Shunamite woman, the prophets, Naaman, and a prophet who lost an axe each chose God as the solution to their problems instead of the world. Jehu, Joash, Solomon, Asa, Amaziah, and Uzziah started out with revival but each failed in his own way. Hezekiah, Josiah, David, and Jehoshaphat each had a revival of heart and chose to remain faithful until death. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel chose to faithfully prophesy against corruption in this world and of a better government coming. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi each prophesied faithfully. Although Jonah was reluctant and cryptic, Nineveh repented and revived. John the Baptist prepared for that great revival the incarnation.

Whether it be personal, community wide, or national revival, it is our choice to turn to God. His invitation is always open. Revival can come in the form of a sacrifice which is from the heart not just an outward religious show, relocation to leave slavery to bad influences behind, divine provision of physical needs, a decision to put God first in family and corporate life, a decision to destroy the idols of materialism and turn to God, and most importantly of all, repentance from dead works and new life in Christ.

Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and soon return all prepare for the greatest revival the world has ever known. The apostles each spread news of that revival far and wide. As we wait for the return of our Lord and Savior, we prepare for the greatest revival in history, the resurrection of the dead in Christ. Let’s always be ready.

Marriage

Prelude

How important is marriage to God? Purpose: Let’s discover God’s desire for marital faithfulness? Plan: Let’s look at Jesus’ teachings on marriage and divorce in Mark 10:2-16.

Divorce Question (vs. 2)

Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”

Like hostile reporters, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a loaded question about divorce relating to Deuteronomy 24:1. There in Perea the Pharisees and Herod maintained a political relationship and John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod over a similar question.

Ideally, a man and woman will be one (Genesis 2:24). Moses permitted divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1). Ezra encouraged divorcing pagan wives (Ezra 10:2-3, 44). Joseph contemplated divorcing Mary, suspecting unfaithfulness (Matthew 1:19). Paul permitted limited divorce but encouraged people not to divorce an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:12-15). Yet, Jesus discouraged divorce (Mark 10:2-16). Today the exception has become the rule.

Hard Hearts (vs. 3-5)

Mark 10:3-5 Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?” 4 “Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.” 5 But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts.

Divorce was a concession to hard hearts? Sound familiar? This is an example of where Jesus is more conservative on an issue than our world. Jesus holds marriage in much higher regard than we do. Mark’s emphasis left out the exceptions given in Matthew 5:32; 19:9.

From the Beginning (vs. 6-8)

Mark 10:6-8 But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. 7 ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, 8 and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one,

The creation narrative teaches us the importance of marriage as intended from the beginning. Two become one flesh. Gender bias becomes irrelevant when two grow together as one. Jesus reminds us all, that the exception is the exception, but the rule is a decisive no to divorce and a confirmation of marital fidelity.

Do Not Split (vs. 9)

Mark 10:9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

Are divorced and remarried couples in our midst worse sinners than others? No, we are all sinners saved by grace. Adultery is a sin against the other marriage partner. Jesus brought a deeper understanding (Matthew 5:27-30), that a lustful look or inappropriate touch are adultery in the heart. By that high standard, we have all committed adultery too many times to count.

Remarriage & Adultery (vs. 10-12)

Mark 10:10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. 11 He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

The law gave an example of divorce, but what was the original intent at creation? Jesus makes a call to fidelity and condemns adultery. Adultery is an act that a husband like Herod could also commit against his wife.

Deuteronomy 24:1 “Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes a document of divorce...”

Jesus explains that a woman could divorce a man just as a man could divorce a woman. But, he states that divorce was never intended from the beginning. The basic cause of divorce is our hard heartedness.

Like a Child (vs. 13-16)

Mark 10:13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Jesus teaches us that the kingdom of God also belongs to children. They are important church members. Jesus said not to forbid them. We ought to take children up in the church’s arms and bless them, copying Jesus. Children picture the kingdom of heaven. They gleefully accept the gift of God. We ought to receive God’s kingdom in the same way as a child.

Postlude

God’s intent was that a man and woman remain in love, not hating each other, but becoming lifelong best friends and potentially with children. We learn from our children to receive the kingdom with glee and humility.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

Revival from Death to Life

What does the spread of the Gospel have to do with revival?

From Pentecost until today, the Gospel has brought revival from death to life. Life-giving renewal spread to Antioch, Athens, Babylon, Berea, Caesarea, Cenchrea, Colossae, Corinth, Crete, Cyrene, Damascus, Derbe, Ephesus, Hierapolis, Iconium, Jerusalem, Joppa, Laodicea, Lydda, Lystra, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Philippi, Rome, Sardis, Sharon, Smyrna, Tarsus, Thessalonica, Thyatira, Troas, and many more places in regions like Phoenicia, Samaria, Judea, Galatia, Asia and Macedonia. To the ends of the earth, the Gospel has spread ever since. Life in the Spirit is ours, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1 NKJV), and life eternal for those who overcome (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7).

From the beginning, people have had a choice between true life and a death-like existence. God challenged ancient Israel, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV). Comes our eternity and the die will have been cast by the choices we make today, because we are choosing even this minute, to either distance ourselves from God or get close to Him. Life with God in eternal bliss or separation from God in a place of spiritual death, it’s always been our choice.

Revival comes about by the pursuit of righteousness, “Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.” (Proverbs 11:19 NIV) Literally, revival means to bring back to life, and the choice is ours, “You shall also say to this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Behold, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.” (Jeremiah 21:8 NASB) Means to hell are many, but there is only one way to eternal life, as Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24 NLT)

To come to life, means to die to sin, “When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father.” (Romans 6:4 CEV) Bring this worthless existence to God, and receive His free gift, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV) Back from the dead, God gives us a new way of thinking, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 KJV) To witness this new life, we can examine the fruits because, “If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.” (1 John 3:14 NLT) Life in Christ is revival from the dead.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that in Jesus we can be revived, from death to life evermore.

Paul’s Revival

What about the life of Paul teaches us about revival?

Paul was a murderous persecutor of the church but along the road to Damascus Jesus confronted him (Acts 9:1–19). Revived because he met the risen Christ, he recalled how Jesus told him, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 22:6–16 NKJV) Journeying now on a mission from Jesus to the world, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:12–23 NKJV) To witness the risen Christ Paul’s dead existence was revived as he later wrote to the Ephesians, “God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6 CEV) Damascus was the beginning for Paul of a life spreading revival far and wide.

God can use even a persecuting murderer. Can He use you and me? Bring our dead past to God and leave it behind, because we can all be given new life. Revival begins the moment we turn to God. To live a life that pleases God is more important than to be a people pleaser. Anyone can be revived from death to life in Christ and, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” (1 John 3:14 NIV)

Rejoice, lovers of God, because even the vilest offender can be given new life in Christ.

Pentecost Revival

What happened on that first New Testament Pentecost and how did the giving of the Holy Spirit make it a different kind of revival to Pentecost in the Old Testament?

The Feast of Weeks was so named for its counting of seven weeks from the Sunday of Passover week, the Days of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:15). Day of Pentecost was an alternative name (Pentecost meaning count 50), because it was more exactly seven weeks and a day, or 50 days from that Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Is there symbolism in a day where the firstfruits of the wheat harvest were offered? Symbolic of the Church being the firstfruits of the Spirit (Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:13-14) Pentecost has deep meaning. Also 50 days is symbolic of 50 years, the Jubilee, when all those in debt slavery had their debts released, and families that had lost their farms to debt or other hardship, received them back. Of good news to the poor and liberty to captives (Luke 4:18-19), Pentecost is deeply symbolic. Freedom from debt and oppression is deeply ingrained in this festival.

Yet, symbolic of the new covenant is the Gospel miraculously proclaimed in foreign languages (Acts 2:4, 11). It produced some mocking (Acts 2:13). Is mocking to be expected? The traditional idea that the old covenant in Ten Commandments was given on Mount Sinai on Pentecost, seems to be born out in an ancient prophecy of a new covenant, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33 ESV; Hebrews 10:16)

Birth from above came as, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6 NIV) Of Pentecost came about a great spiritual fellowship as, “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47 NLT) The spirit-filled Church fulfilled another ancient prophecy, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:27 NKJV) Church growth has never since reached the numbers experienced during those early centuries.

Rejoice, lovers of God, because “It is the Spirit who gives life” (Ephesians 2:6 NASB)

A Political Zealot and a Failed Revival

Let's take a look at the revival experienced by a zealot for this world's political solutions who found the real solution to world problems, and the tragic end of a man who seemed to start out on the road to revival, but instead chose the world.

1) Simon the Zealot’s Revival

Can a zealot for human political solutions to the problems of this world, come to understand that the true answers lie in Jesus?

Called Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13) and Simon the Canaanite (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18). Perhaps Jesus chose Simon, a tax-hating, Roman-despising former violent zealot to balance Matthew the tax collector. To history, that remains a mystery. Balance must be maintained in examining the history of the Apostles from sources outside the Bible, but such history indicates that he possibly spread the Gospel in Egypt and Persia. Matthew and Simon both learned about true revival in Jesus rather than involvement in worldly politics, as Jesus taught, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36 KJV)

Zealots still exist even in the church today. Insisting on this or that political solution, even Christians can forget Jesus’ admonition, “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting” (John 18:36 ESV). On trusting the politics of this world more than God, many are led astray. Worldly solutions cannot change human hearts, which are the real cause of spiritual problems like greed and corruption. Solutions cannot be found in China’s one party system, America’s two party system, or Europe’s multi-party systems. Eventually, we must realize that the only solutions that work are not found in any human political systems, but a heaven-led change in human hearts. Learn that secret and we come a long way down the road to placing our hope in the kingdom of heaven.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that revival beginning now in individual hearts will eventually culminate in the return of the King of kings, who will bring real answers to the problems of our world.

2) Judas Iscariot’s Failed Revival

What caused a man who spent three years learning from the best teacher the world has ever known, to end up betraying him?

Judas started out right as an apostle (Luke 6:12-16), healing the sick, and preaching the gospel (Mark 6:7). Turned out, he also had a weakness with money (John 12:4-6). Against what the others thought, his secret was hidden until the end (John 13:27-30). Jesus knew, but it was Judas who turned an evil thought into action (John 13:2). Double crossing Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16), was a massive mistake, forever labeling Judas as the “betrayer” (Matthew 26:46, 48; 27:3). Jesus would have forgiven him as He did the others, but alas Judas chose suicide (Matthew 27:5). For Judas Iscariot, suicide instead of true repentance, was his answer. Dirty also were all those who ran away or denied Jesus, but they found forgiveness as Jesus blessed them with “Peace” after His resurrection. (John 20:19, 26) Money is always a temptation and modern day pastors are wise to entrust it to others and church treasurers are wise to always have witnesses.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that this warns us it is not how we start, “But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13 NASB)

One man started out zealous for this world and experienced a revival from heaven. The other started on the road to heaven's revival, but reversed direction and headed back into the world. One ended up in glory, the other had a tragic end. Which direction do we choose?

Revival Comes to James and Thaddaeus

Is there a place for a relatively unknown or must a revival always be popular? Let's learn about letting go and letting God direct.

1) James the Son of Alphaeus

Is there a place for a relatively unknown, younger or smaller person in church revivals?

James the son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13) was also called James the Less (Mark 15:40), James the younger (CEB, ESV, NIV, NLT) or in slang terms, little James, which could refer to either his age or stature. Was he possibly the brother of Matthew (Mark 2:14)? Mysterious, he is sometimes called the obscure apostle, because not much is known about him for sure. And his ministry is also little known outside the Bible, except for his possible death in Egypt or Jerusalem. Unknown is whether stories of a ministry in Spain, Britain and Ireland are accurate.

Whether or not a person is well known is not as important as which side of eternity they land on. Famous people by the thousands are heading to an eternity in hell. Or what is important in the long run? Not fame; it fades almost overnight like a flower. Is what really lasts for all eternity uppermost in our hearts? Irrelevant is all the fame and fortune of this world, because it’s a delusion.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that even obscure as we are in the annals of history, it’s more important that our name is written in the book of life.

2) Thaddaeus Judas’ Revival

What can we learn from a zealous man who wanted to create a popular revival, but found peace in letting go and letting hearts come to Jesus in true sincerity?

Thaddaeus is also called Lebbaeus (Matthew 10:3), Jude of James (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13), and Judas not Iscariot (John 14:22-23), and is mentioned among the twelve disciples (Mark 3:18). The epistle of Jude was written by someone identifying himself as the brother of James (Jude 1:1) and may or may not be the same person. Apostle to Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya according to some ancient histories, Jude is honored as a founder of Christianity in Armenia and may have died there.

Thaddaeus’ zeal for a popular faith is revealed in his question, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” (John 14:22 NLT) Zeal in large crowds creates a lynch mob effect, which is the opposite of any true revival, as Jesus taught him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” (John 14:23-24 NKJV) Is Jesus after an unthinking mass hysteria, or revival in individual hearts? Not the coercion and bullying that became a sad part of Christian history, contradicting Paul in Romans 14, but the revival that takes place quietly in individual hearts; that is the revival that Jesus wants. Faith is not gained by popular hysteria.

Peace in our hearts is part of the revival that Jesus brings, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV) In Jesus alone do we find true peace. Revival is not found in mass hypnosis and crowd psychology. Is it an emotional process of mass hysteria or one where deep personal thought takes place? True revival takes place in moments of quiet personal meditation about the deeper things of God. Revival begins deep within our hearts and minds and brings true peace from Jesus.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that a man of God found true revival, not in human coercion and mass hysteria, but in letting hearts come to Jesus of their own volition.

Revival is true life coming to the spiritually dead. It's not about popularity, but what God is doing in individual hearts.

Revival Comes to Thomas and Matthew

Can skepticism and doubt be brought alive to faith? Can a wealthy man who cheated his neighbors be revived and become a man of faith? Let's look at Thomas and Matthew.

1) Thomas’s Revival

Can skepticism turn into faith? Let’s look at the Apostle Thomas and how his pessimism and doubt turned to faith.

Did Thomas begin with pessimism, “Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him’ ” (John 11:16 NIV)? Thomas is like many of us. Struggle as we may, we too sometimes lose a battle against negativity and skepticism. With Thomas his idle threat to die with Jesus is betrayed by his actions around Jesus’ death, leaving Him to die alone (Matthew 26:56). Pessimism tinged perhaps with fatalistic sarcasm is what many commentators see in Thomas’ comment.

Thomas was like many of our children who ask, “Are we there yet?” Did Thomas ask a similar question? Not knowing where we are going is part of the Christian journey of faith. Know one thing! The Lord answered as Thomas asked, “ ‘We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’ ” (John 14:5-6 NLT) Way can also mean road or path, teaching us that we don’t always need to know where we are going, we only need to trust our Lord.

Thomas was a doubter as we read, “A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ ” (John 20:26-27 NIV) Can a doubter also confess Jesus as God? Also can the doubter be called Thomas the confessor with this remarkable statement, “And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ” (John 20:28 NKJV) Be a confessor, not a doubter. Called to confess Jesus, we who have not seen yet believe are especially blessed, “Jesus said, ‘Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!’ ” (John 20:29 CEV) The words indicate that Thomas saw and confessed Christ without touching as he was invited to do. Confessor to Him (Jesus) as God is the intent of the language.

Thomas is said to have evangelized parts of Persia, China and India. The St Thomas Christians in the southwest Indian state of Kerala claim him as their founder. Apostle to India, Thomas died in Mylapore as a martyr.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that revival can take place anywhere, even changing a pessimistic skeptic into a fruitful man of faith.

2) Matthew’s Revival

Can a wealthy man, who had made money his god and probably cheated many throughout his life, give it all up to become a follower of Jesus?

Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector and was probably also considered to be a cheat and traitor to the Jewish people, because he collected taxes for the Romans and probably overcharged the people in order to become wealthy. Was he able to give up his ill gotten gains to follow Jesus? Called, he quickly left everything to follow Jesus, “Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. (Luke 5:27-29 NLT)

Matthew set the same example as other disciples; he immediately followed Jesus, “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9 NIV) Invited to a banquet at Matthew’s house, Jesus dined with sinners, “As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.” (Mark 2:14-15 NKJV) Jesus was often in the company of people rejected by society. And sinners were attracted to Jesus’ message. Sinners was a euphemism, which Jesus clearly labeled, when He countered His critics, “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.” (Matthew 21:31 NLT)

Early church writers attribute Matthew’s gospel to him, and they carry the authority of being closest to the events, unlike modern deconstructionists, who seek to cast doubt rather than build faith. Church fathers Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria record Matthew as preaching to the Jews before going elsewhere, possibly establishing the earliest churches in Ethiopia. Fathers give conflicting accounts of his death and so we don’t really know whether he was stoned, burned, beheaded or died of old age.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that a corrupt official can have his spirit revived, become a faithful follower of Jesus and go on to bring revival to many others.

A skeptical doubter can come alive in faith. A wealthy man who cheated his neighbors can be revived and become a man of faith. Revival can come to all who are willing.

Revivals for Philip and Bartholomew

How did Philip instantly recognize Jesus and what kind of revival did blunt Bartholomew experience?

1) Philip the Apostle’s Revival

Can someone who knows the Bible well instantly recognize Jesus?

Called with similar words to other disciples, “Follow Me” (John 1:43 NASB), Philip instantly recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah and answered Nathanael’s skepticism, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46 NKJV) And Philip was named among the twelve disciples (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Acts 1:13). Challenged by Jesus, Philip was tested regarding feeding the multitude, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” (John 6:5 NLT) Jesus replied to another comment from Philip, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us” by telling him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:8 ESV) Included in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox sources is a logical answer to a mystery not answered in the Bible. Philip the Apostle and Philip the Deacon are two different people.

Philip was attacked by the chief priest, but they were struck blind, and he preached the gospel in Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey, according to traditional history. In Hierapolis, through prayer he was saved from a giant snake which was worshipped by local pagans; it died. Martyrdom was his fate for this affront to a local deity, but while he was being crucified the earth opened up, swallowing a large number of people, and Bartholemew who survived his crucifixion baptized many.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that some instantly recognize our Savior, and that revival can spread far and wide through them.

2) Revival for Bartholomew (Nathanael)

What can we learn from Bartholomew, one of the twelve (Mark 3:14-19; Luke 6:13-16; Acts 1:13) and an acquaintance of Philip (John 1:45-46)?

Bartholomew is a nickname or surname, meaning the son of Talmay or Tholomaios. Is it common for someone to have various names even today? A person may often use a family name at home and a more formal name elsewhere. Name: Bar (son of) Tholomaios, is most likely Nathanael. For us, it is also not strange that a person can be known by several names. Nathanael set an example of faith in his outburst, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49 NKJV).

Nathanael was also not one who spoke in politically correct hypocrisy or polite pretense. A comment that would today be criticized as impolite or bigotry, Nathanael asked in blunt personal honesty, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46 ESV) Man has different values than God, because Jesus said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!” (John 1:47 NASB) Without the flattering words that sometimes pass as tact or condescending dishonesty, we might be better able to handle the truth. Deceit is a hallmark of our world in politics, advertising, education, nationalism, science and even in church where people “tell the seers, ‘Stop seeing visions!’ They tell the prophets, ‘Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.’ ” (Isaiah 30:10 NLT).

So, we see Bartholomew (Nathanael) as a man of blunt honesty instead of tactful but dishonest double-speak, a man who already knew what to look for in the coming Messiah, and recognized Him straight away. What about us, do we know the scriptures well enough to recognize where Jesus is today? About knowing the Bible, how many of us even study it today? Our Bibles are often on a shelf gathering dust. Faith “comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NIV).

Rejoice, lovers of God, that some people love truth so much that they will cut through the pretense of our hypocritical world and bluntly state what is needed for revival.

Like Philip do we know our Bibles well enough to instantly recognize where Jesus is and is truth more important to us like Bartholomew than political correctness?

Revival for the Sons of Thunder

The two sons of thunder, sons of Zebedee, were interesting apostles. How did revival change both of them?

1) James the Son of Zebedee’s Revival

Can someone with impetuous and unwise passion be useful in God’s work?

Notice what Matthew records, “And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matthew 4:21-22 ESV) James’ reaction to his calling was immediate, and his commitment was serious, leaving his father. Attitude is everything, and James set the same example of zeal seen in Peter and Andrew. Is there something on earth more important than our commitment to Jesus? Everything else will fall into line if we put Jesus first.

His zeal was sometimes misplaced, so “James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He [Jesus] gave the name Boanerges, which means, ‘Sons of Thunder’)” (Mark 3:17 NASB). Zeal must not become revenge, like James and John’s reaction at Jesus being rejected, “When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" (Luke 9:54 NLT) Was their thunderous zeal obvious to Jesus ahead of time? Not blind to our weaknesses, Jesus welcomes us to His ministry too. Always, God gets the glory and none of us. Appropriate enough to witness the transfiguration, James was part of Christ’s inner circle (Matthew 17:1-9) and he was murdered by Herod (Acts 12:1-2).

Rejoice, lovers of God, don’t judge people with misguided zeal too harshly, because God sometimes uses such people mightily in revival.

2) John the Son of Zebedee’s Revival

Can a man with unreasonable fervor be transformed into the Apostle of love?

Like his brother James, John answered the call to follow Jesus immediately (Matthew 4:21-22). His example is also seen in a Philippian jailer, who was not required to take long catechism classes, but after Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him, “immediately he and all his family were baptized.” (Acts 16:25-34 NKJV) Brother to James, they both ask Jesus for high positions in the kingdom, so Jesus admonishes all the disciples about true leadership, “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.” (Mark 10:33-34 NLT)

John became Jesus’ closest companion, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23 NIV), not deserting him as did the others, or denying him as did Peter the night He was betrayed, “Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest” (John 18:15 NASB). Answered perhaps, are questions like, why Mary was put into John’s care and he responded “from that hour” (John 19:26-27 ESV) or why Jesus said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” (John 21:22 NLT)

The path that God has mapped out for each of us is different, and comparing ourselves among ourselves is “not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV). Call to service in the kingdom can be in a great diversity of vocations, from simply following Christ to caring for an elderly widow. Immediately responding to Christ’s call to follow Him or to care for Mary, is a hallmark of John’s life.

John is known by various names, the beloved disciple, John the Evangelist and John the Elder. Was he the author of the Gospel of John, three letters and Revelation as ancient fathers taught, or are skeptical modern scholars to be believed? The modern skeptical scholar is more often the one to be taken with distrust, than those closest to the source. Beloved of our Lord is repeated six times in John’s gospel, and John spoke of love more than any other apostle (39 times in the Gospel of John, and 27 times in his first letter). Disciple means student, and one of the most important aspects of any Christian service is to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn.

John is known as the only apostle not to be murdered for his faith. Called John of Patmos, because he was banished to that Greek island, he died of old age. Beloved of Christ, he became part of the inner circle, along with Peter and James (Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33; Luke 8:51; 9:28). Was his status as a pillar of the church at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:7–9) indicative of strong apostolic leadership among the early Christians? The son of thunder became the Apostle of love. Apostle of Christ, he was the only one to die of old age. Of an attempt to boil him in oil before a crowd in a coliseum, Tertullian writes, and because it failed, the whole audience converted to Christianity. Love is the greatest lesson that we learn from John.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that even a thunderbolt can become a lover when the Holy Spirit revives the heart.

Two sons of thunder, filled with unwise and explosive passion, became apostles of love and rational zeal for God. So too can our passions be tamed and harnessed for good.

Peter and Andrew's Revivals

Eleven of the twelve apostles were revived in spirit. Let's begin a series examining first of all the revival experienced by Peter and Andrew.

1) Simon Peter’s Revival

Can a run-of-the-mill laborer experience revival and become a prominent church leader?

Peter, an ordinary man, answered God’s call, and knew who Jesus was. An average fisherman was called, “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.” (Matthew 4:18 NIV) Ordinary people are usually the ones called and we understand that “few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28). Man looks on things like wealth, power, and education, but “the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV) and what was Peter’s heart? Answered by how he responded, “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:19-20 NASB)

The two brothers left their nets when? Call is not always something that requires a lot of thought, but always requires faith to act. And both brothers acted immediately. Believed that Jesus called them, they followed Him, not knowing where it would lead. Who He is, is more important than knowing where He will lead, because like a child trusts his teacher, we trust ours. Jesus has told us the final destination, and that He is the way. Is that enough for a people of faith?

History records that Peter died in Rome after having brought revival to many lives. Is the tradition true that Peter died by crucifixion? That is testified to by several early church fathers. Peter of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origin and Jerome all write about it. Died in the gardens of Nero, Peter may have been the last of all to be crucified in Rome. In several sources, it is said he was crucified upside down. Rome was eventually ruled by Constantine. Having seen a vision, he converted. Brought to faith, Constantine legalized Christianity.

Revival under Peter’s ministry included his sermon on Pentecost. To many he was the chief apostle, though perhaps not to the extent insisted upon by Rome. Many might point out James’ leadership in Jerusalem and Paul’s disagreement with Peter as examples which contradict any idea of Peter being a pope. Churches like those in Samaria (Acts 8), the Sharon Plain (Acts 9), Joppa (Acts 9), Caesarea (Acts 10), including Gentiles (Acts 10) all experienced revival through Peter’s ministry.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that there are people who answer God’s call without wavering and bring revival to many.

2) Andrew’s Revival

Can a loyal disciple of an unconventional preacher become a follower of Christ?

Andrew had an encounter with Jesus prior to his call, “The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, ‘Look! There is the Lamb of God!’ When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following. ‘What do you want?’ he asked them. They replied, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’ ‘Come and see,’ he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means ‘Christ’).” (John 1:35-41 NLT)

Responding like Peter, at once, is remarkable, “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18-20 NIV) Immediately responding to the Master’s call is an act of faith. Setting the example, this leaves us to answer a question. The call comes in our lives at many different times and from many different walks of life, but it is basically the same question: Will we follow Jesus? Example is important, and Andrew’s example begs the question, what will we do?

Andrew is a Greek name, indicating a family connection to Greek culture and language. Spread far and wide, Greek was a language of commerce, and even fishermen would have spoken it in the marketplace. The one-time disciple of John the Baptist, became an Apostle of Christ. Gospel messengers travelled far and wide, and Andrew is reputed to have preached along the Black Sea to Kiev and Novgorod, and Georgia. And he established the Church among East Slavic peoples. Died supposedly on an “X” shaped cross, he left a legacy of revival far and wide. In death, Andrew also became the patron saint of Scotland, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Greece, Romania, and many other places. Martyrdom is sometimes a part of the journey of revival.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that many faithful preachers like John the Baptist still point disciples like Andrew to Christ, and this key to revival has spread far and wide.

Eleven of the twelve apostles were revived in spirit. Those who answered God’s call eventually learned to live without wavering and brought revival to many.

Jesus' Revival

What does the earthly ministry of our Savior tell us about revival?

If revival means life then surely eternal life is the ultimate revival. Revival in Jesus means, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 KJV) Means to an end are important, and Jesus claimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV) Life eternal is not available anywhere else, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (John 14:6 NLT) Then as now this hope is for the whole world, not just a select few, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17 ESV) Surely there can be no greater message!

Eternal salvation means that, “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26 NKJV) Life revived, “you were dead in your offenses and sins,” (Ephesians 2:1 NASB) but no longer, if we are in Christ. Is there a better message anywhere, among advertisers and gurus and philosophers and psychologists and politicians and scientists? The gospel or “good news” is about a kingdom (Matthew 4:23), of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1), to the poor (Luke 4:18), of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), of God (Romans 1:1), of peace (Romans 10:15), of the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4), and of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13). Ultimate good news, the best news on planet Earth, even overcomes all the heartache and suffering of life here below. Revival that lasts for all eternity is only in the One who was born to be “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Rejoice, lovers of God, a Savior is born.

True Greatness

Prelude

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised! You may know some of them personally. Purpose: Let’s learn the basic ingredient of true greatness. Plan: Let’s look at what Jesus taught in Mark 9:30-37.

Jesus

Mark 9:30-31 “Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, ‘The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.’ ”

Into the hands of men (ἄνθρωπος, anthrópos), which is also a generic term for mankind. In other words, perhaps more completely understood, Jesus was betrayed into the hands of the whole human race. What prophecy did this fulfill?

“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. … 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:6, 12)

Isaiah’s prophecy teaches us who the true Messiah is.

True Greatness

Mark 9:32-35 “32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. 33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, ‘What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?’ 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’ “

How often do we compete to be seen as the greatest? How often do we turn conversations around to be about us? They did, but Jesus talked about giving himself.

Mark 9:36 “Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,”

Many people stifle children at church, or send them out during the main sermon so they will not disturb it. Jesus never did that. He welcomed children, noise and all and taught us to receive children, not banish them.

Mark 9:37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

Here Jesus uses receiving four times. Children teach us humility. Worldly so-called “greats” can be demanding and arrogant. Yet, those who serve are true greats. Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant.” (Philippians 2:5-8 NASB) The disciples thought about personal glory, missing the point of the cross. In Aramaic, child and servant are the same word. True greatness is giving, self-sacrifice, service.

Our Neighborhood

A truly great person is a missionary who leaves family and country to serve a people and language not his own. He puts his life on the line in a culture hostile to Christianity. He brings many children to glory because He willingly gave up his life at home.

A truly great person is a father who may work at a job he hates because he loves those at home, who gives himself in self-sacrifice to one woman and avoids anything that might ruin that marriage, who spends time with his family as his most important people on earth.

A truly great person is a mother who gives life to a child that many may not want, spends 20 years putting on diapers, feeding, clothing and educating that child in life’s important basics, then spends the rest of her life praying for and thinking about her child every day.

A truly great person is a single, who because they have the freedom and time may dedicate themselves to military, civil or other service to humanity. This truly great person is loyal to God and country and is ready at a moment’s notice to defend us against all enemies.

A truly great person is a police officer who takes no bribe and shows no bigotry or favoritism. A great person is a nurse who cleans up after grumpy patients with a smile. A great person is a teacher who instructs our children faithfully even when they are too tired.

Most of history is written by bullies, not the brave soldiers who defended us against them. Yet, those mostly anonymous soldiers have a legacy of pure self-sacrifice and a great reward in heaven. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Postlude

Many of you are among the truly great and I count it a privilege to have journeyed with you for a time. True greatness comes in all shapes and sizes but always contains one essential ingredient: selfless service to others.

Readings

Mark 9:30-37
Isaiah 53:6, 12
Philippians 2:5-8

Revivals in Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi

Are we rich and unenthusiastic, does the church's work need revival, can tired church leaders be revived in spirit? Let's look at some answers in Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

1) Haggai’s Revival

Can our enthusiasm be revived?

Priorities are important to God who asks, “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4 NLT) In many hearts our homes are more important than the work of God in His Church, so may the Lord spark “the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people.” (Haggai 1:14 NLT) Building the kingdom and Church first, God promises that all our needs will be supplied by Him. God’s work must be done despite opposition from enemies all around. Work on the Temple pictures a higher Temple because, “the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands” (Act 7:48 NLT) and “all of you together are the temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT).

Think of our brothers and sisters who faithfully serve God in North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria and other places where to build God’s spiritual temple means imprisonment, loss of income and even death. Of such heroes who often suffer alone and anonymously, we stand in awe. Those of us living in luxury and religious freedom, fall so far short compared to their enthusiasm for God’s spiritual house. Who are these heroes? Suffer as they do, they count the cost, and their priorities are heavenly. Today, more Christians suffer persecution for their faith than in all Christian history and remarkably, revival in those countries continues to grow.

Rejoice, lovers of God, let Him revive your enthusiasm for His work on earth.

2) Zechariah’s Revival

Can the work of the church be revived after devastation?

Zechariah has a simple message, “ ‘Return to Me,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 1:3 NKJV) Foretold, is a revival in the land, “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy” (Zechariah 1:16 NKJV) and “ ‘Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,’ says the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:10 NKJV) Messiah’s humble first coming is prophesied, “Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9 NKJV)

First, let’s not be discouraged, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT). And don’t be like rebellious churches, that refuse to listen, “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.” (Zechariah 7:10 NKJV) Second coming of the Messiah brings final peace, “And He will speak peace to the nations; And His dominion will be from sea to sea, And from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:10 NASB) Coming of enemies to attack will finally be brought to an end, “And the Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one.” (Zechariah 14:9 NASB)

Rejoice, lovers of God, the church’s work can be revived, but look forward to the greatest revival of all when Jesus returns.

3) Malachi’s Revival

Can tired church leaders be revived in spirit?

Where is God’s honor, where is God’s respect, because the priests repeat the sin of Cain, by offering half-hearted offerings, and God tells them, “You also say, ‘See, how tiresome it is!’ And you view it as trivial” (Malachi 1:13 NASB)? Is God pleased with tears without repentance, “You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure” (Malachi 2:13 NLT)? Justice is the hypocritical cry today, but where is justice when we have, “wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord’s sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’ ” (Malachi 2:17 NLT) And stealing from God is still a sin. Revival will come and a coming Elijah “will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6 NKJV).

Rejoice, lovers of God, who find joy in whole-hearted offerings and generous tithes, not by command, but because your hearts have turned to the Father of all.

Enthusiasm can be revived, the church's work can be revived, and tired church leaders be revived in spirit. Let's pray for that day.

Revivals of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah

Can what our enemies destroyed be restored? Can a discouraged preacher be revived in spirit? Can darkness and gloom turn into rejoicing and singing? Let's look at revivals associated with Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah

1) Nahum’s Revival

Can revival also restore what our enemies have destroyed?

Nineveh is visited generations after Jonah, and is told, “The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.” (Nahum 1:3 NLT) Once repentant, Nineveh has become “the city of murder and lies!” (Nahum 3:1 NLT) Repented once does not mean repented again. But God asks, “Where can anyone be found who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?” (Nahum 3:19 NLT) Not often does God so completely describe His vengeance upon our enemies, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 NKJV) Again though, we see revival in that, “Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the Lord will restore its honor. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendor.” Nahum 2:2 NLT)

Rejoice, lovers of God, He will revive what the enemies of His people have ruined, and though He is slow to anger, they “will be completely destroyed.” (Nahum 1:15 NLT)

2) Habakkuk’s Revival

Can a discouraged preacher be revived in spirit?

Habakkuk complains to God, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? … Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” (Habakkuk 1:2-3 NIV) Calls for justice in a sinful nation are answered by God, “I am raising up the Babylonians” (Habakkuk 1:6 NIV) because it is through them that God will punish a sinful Jewish nation. Again, Habakkuk asks, why use a people worse than the Jews to punish them? And God answers. God warns the Babylonians, “Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame.” (Habakkuk 2:16 NLT) Answers also come in a prophecy of worldwide revival, “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14 NASB)

Rejoice, lovers of God, as a prophet’s questions are clarified, so too does God’s plan of worldwide revival become clearer.

3) Zephaniah’s Revival

Does revival turn darkness and gloom into rejoicing and singing?

Zephaniah is about the “day of the Lord” (Zephaniah 1:7, 14). Is it survivable because, “That day will be a day of wrath—a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness” (Zephaniah 1:15 NIV)? About repentance for Judah and other nations, God is serious. Punishment for corruption is coming. And it will be a time of woe. Worldwide the wrath of God will be felt. Revival will also come because, “The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord,” (Zephaniah 3:12 NIV) and they will be told, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)

Rejoice, lovers of God, because all who are grafted into spiritual Israel through faith in God will have their fortunes revived.

Turn to the Lord and see Him restore what our enemies destroyed, revive discouraged preachers and turn darkness and gloom into rejoicing and singing.

Revivals of Obadiah, Jonah and Micah

Let's look at revival after abuse, revival of our enemies, and rebirth of a nation.

1) Obadiah’s Revival

Is revival also about restoring what was lost?

Obadiah is about those who mistreat a brother, and God’s blessing on His people who dwell faithfully in spiritual Zion. Is the following a warning to any Christian who mistreats a brother, “For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever” (Obadiah 1:10 NKJV)? About the land of Israel lived Edom, descended from Esau, a brother nation of the same race. An indictment of a brother’s sins begins with the words “You should not have ...” (vs. 12, 13, 14) as they rejoiced over Judah’s destruction, distress, affliction and calamity. Abusive behavior is common in the world, within families and sadly sometimes within the Church. Brother may abuse brother, but God will eventually revive the faithful who worship on His holy mountain, “on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance.” (Obadiah 1:17 NKJV)

Rejoice, lovers of God, because though you may be abused even by a brother, God will eventually revive all that you have lost.

2) Jonah’s Revival

Will revival among our enemies sometimes put us to shame?

Jonah was a reluctant prophet, probably not wanting to preach repentance to an enemy nation that could be later used to punish Israel, so at first he ran away. Warned even by Jonah’s cryptic prophecy, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4 NIV), the Assyrians did something that set a better example than Israel. Nineveh fasted and “turned from their evil ways.” (Jonah 3:10 NIV). And so God relented and did not bring on them His threatened destruction. They repented, but Jonah was angry. Repented and blessed by God, even an enemy can experience revival.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that revival is not a respecter of persons, but is available even to our enemies.

3) Micah’s Revival

Is revival like a rebirth?

Micah’s prediction is the downfall of Israel, “Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble, a place for planting vineyards. I will pour her stones into the valley and lay bare her foundations.” (Micah 1:6 NIV) Prophecy is not popular among those who live in denial because they say, “Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us.” (Micah 2:6 NIV) Is true revival possible? Hope rests in a future kingdom, “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:1-2 NIV) Of a future king, Micah prophesies, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2 NIV) Revival will come because God “pardons sin and forgives the transgression” (Micah 7:18 NIV).

Rejoice, lovers of God, because revival means “you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1 NKJV) Rejoice because there is revival after abuse, revival of our enemies, and even rebirth of a fallen nation.

Revivals of Hosea, Joel and Amos

 Let's look at the revivals prophesied by Hosea, Joel and Amos.

1) Hoseah’s Revival

How is repairing a broken marriage like a spiritual revival?

How can God love an unfaithful nation and Jesus love such a sinful Church? Hosea’s story of adultery, divorce and remarriage is heartwarming. Marriage to “a wife of harlotry” (Hosea 1:2 NASB) is like God’s covenant relationships with both the old covenant church, Israel and the new covenant church, like 5 of the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Is Jesus’ greatest desire to “speak kindly to” an unfaithful church (Hosea 2:14-15 NASB) and to sanctify and cleanse her by the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26-27; 1 John 1:5-9)? To see ourselves as a holy people only because our sins are paid is part of the metaphor (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Understand the cost that Hosea paid to free his wife from slavery; it was his last penny, having to supplement the 30 shekel slave price with produce (Hosea 3:1-2). God’s Son paid all He had for us too, His life. Mercy is pictured in the rocky marriage of Hosea and Gomer, a story picturing God’s love for His covenant people, and how “they shall revive as the corn” (Hosea 14:7 KJV).

Rejoice, lover of God, Jesus paid the price and revival is here for those who are willing.

2) Joel’s Revival

How is a plague like an early sign that revival is going to happen?

Joel prophesies a locust plague which pictures a military invasion, as punishment for the sins of the people. And the whole thing is called the “day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). Repentance is called for (Joel 2:12-13). And a great promise is made. Revival comes in the form of God’s Holy Spirit being poured out on “all flesh” (Joel 2:28) and the last enemies of humanity being destroyed in the “valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)

Rejoice, lovers of God, for after punishment, come repentance and revival.

3) Amos’ Revival

How does true revival include the poor and needy?

Amos emphasizes a different aspect of righteous living, which was there all along, but perhaps forgotten. Focuses in many prophecies have been on faithfulness to God, but cutting ourselves off from the needy to selfishly focus on prayer, is also morally wrong, “They sell honorable people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals. They trample helpless people in the dust and shove the oppressed out of the way.” (Amos 2:6-7 NLT) On that topic the prophet does not mince words, “Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy…” (Amos 4:1-2 NLT) The religious things that people do in worship of false gods cannot make up for hardheartedness towards the poor, so God indicts them, “How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth! You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent.” (Amos 5:10-11 NLT) Oppressed, the poor have a defender in God: “Listen to this, you who rob the poor and trample down the needy! You can’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over and the religious festivals to end so you can get back to cheating the helpless. You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales. And you mix the grain you sell with chaff swept from the floor.” (Amos 8:4-6 NLT) Poor for having oppressed the poor, Israel will eventually be restored, “and they will rebuild their ruined cities and live in them again” (Amos 9:14 NLT), and they will have learned that revival that is not shared with the needy is not revival at all.

Rejoice, lovers of God, because revival includes the poor and needy.

Revival from spiritual death will come to the bride of the Lamb, and will bring punishment to those who need to repent, and joy to the oppressed poor and needy.

Revival in Heaven's Kingdom

 Is the hope of revival in this world's governments or a heavenly kingdom? Let's look at prophecies of revival in Ezekiel and Daniel.

1) Ezekiel’s Revival

Is the hope of spiritual revival prophesied even in the Old Testament?

Ezekiel wrote to a rebellious nation in captivity about a future spirit-filled revival, “I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19 NKJV). Brought to its knees, the house of Israel is urged to turn back to God (Ezekiel 33:11). Hope is falsified by preachers all over the land, who speak nonsense and lies and shout, “Peace!” when there is no peace (Ezekiel 13:8-10) To God, Jerusalem has been like an adulterous wife who is abused by her lovers (Ezekiel 16:35-43), yet He will bring revival and establish an everlasting covenant with her (vs. 60-63) and like a once dry cedar tree that has been revived and set on high, she will flourish (Ezekiel 17:22-24). A righteous man who turns to sin will die, but a wicked man who turns from his sins will live (Ezekiel 18), and revival will come when, “you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed” (Ezekiel 20:43 NKJV) and then “they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely” (Ezekiel 28:26). Captive to the ways of the world, some churches are filled with people who, “hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain” (Ezekiel 33:31 NKJV) but revival will come says the Lord, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27 NKJV) People will return the God, dry bones will live (Ezekiel 37), and a time of revival will come, “they shall be My people, and I will be their God” (vs. 23), there will be a New Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40; 48:35; Revelation 21) and God will dwell with men.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that Jesus will return and a final revival will bring joy to the whole world.

2) Daniel’s Revival

Is the hope of revival in rapacious worldly governments or an everlasting kingdom?

Among the captive Jews in Babylon are four men devoted to God, Daniel, and three companions. The king Nebucchadnezzar had a dream, and God revealed to Daniel that the dream prophesied successive kingdoms after Babylon. Captives were expected to worship a golden idol, but Daniel’s friends refused and were cast into a furnace, but they were unharmed as they walked inside with the Son of God. Daniel was given the interpretation of the king’s second dream, a period of Nebucchadnezzar’s temporary humiliation and restoration. Is there a meaning to the handwriting on a wall, “mene mene tekel upharsin,” (Daniel 5:25) then Daniel is the man through whom God will reveal it. Granted understanding, Daniel was promoted, but the king was deposed by Darius the Mede. Knowledge of Daniel’s God came to Darius as Daniel was saved from a den of lions. Visions continue. Of four beasts, now Daniel had a dream, a fitting symbol of rapacious worldly kingdoms, followed by an everlasting kingdom given to “the saints of the most high.” (Daniel 7:27) Final visions are in regard to “the time of the end” and “the end of days” (Daniel 12:4, 9). Revival will come as God’s eternal kingdom conquers all beast-like kingdoms of this world.

Rejoice, lovers of God, as corrupt governments of this world rage and oppress people, because a better government is coming.

Difficult Words

Prelude

The most difficult words that Jesus ever uttered are easy to understand but hard to do. Purpose: Let’s see how they would solve some of humanity's biggest problems. Plan: Let’s examine the selfless life in Mark 8:27-38.

The Anointed One

Mark 8:29-30 “He said to them, ‘But who do you [plural] say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ [Messiah, anointed One].’ Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.”

Christ or Messiah means the anointed One. Unlike worldly anointed kings, anointed, for Jesus, meant the cross, giving His life for the world. Peter didn’t want to hear it. We don’t like to hear it. But that's what being anointed heaven’s King means. And to follow Christ, the anointed One, we too must live lives of self sacrifice.

Counterfeit Christianity claims to be spirit-filled, but is really materialistic and self-centered, focusing on personal experiences, not sacrificing for others. Fake Christianity focuses on getting wealth for self instead of using wealth to give. Heaven’s anointing is to give up the self so that others may live. How did Jesus explain this?

The Son of Man must Suffer

Mark 8:31-32 "And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him."

Do we rebuke Jesus when He talks about His true purpose of anointing? How did Jesus respond to Peter?

The Things of God

Mark 8:33 “But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ ”

A true understanding of what it means to be anointed is to be “mindful of the things of God.”

Deny Self

Mark 8:34 “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ ”

Selfishness is the road to mental illness, harmful behavior and death. Sinful societies build altars of self-worship and idols of self-congratulation. Cities are filled with skyscrapers like a giant trophy cabinet of men’s egos. Like skyscrapers, castles were created by a selfish ruling class. God gave the first man a garden, not a castle. Castles create mental illness. Gardens encourage mental health. The idolatry of SELF expresses itself in thousands of ways. Wealth is a delusion that only guarantees misery and loneliness. Jesus gave the antidote, deny self and follow Him.

Whoever Loses His Life

Mark 8:35 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”

This is one of life’s great mysteries: a selfish life is a dead life. The ONLY worthwhile life is giving not getting. In giving, we gain the whole world, it is the way to save our lives. True riches are found in selfless service to others. True success is overcoming self-absorbed living. True celebrity is being found in the book of life.

What Will it Profit

Mark 8:36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

Real heroes are in all walks of life. They make great sacrifices for others like soldiers, firefighters, police who protect and serve, missionaries and volunteers who serve the needy. Jesus’ one-time sacrifice saved the whole world. Living selflessly also saves humanity. Serving is where the true riches are. What do we choose?

Exchange for Your Soul

Mark 8:37 “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

We have spent a lifetime steeped in the propaganda and culture of a selfish world. It even enters the church as a counterfeit gospel of self-interest rather than self-sacrifice. We sell our souls to the devil so we can “live our best life now.” Is anything worth more than your soul? Do we believe in counterfeit Christianity? Are we ashamed of living like Jesus and sacrificing for others?

Ashamed of Jesus

Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Extreme selfishness is a very popular counterfeit Christianity. It teaches a self-obsessed life pursuing materialism, not the things of heaven. It is ashamed of Jesus and His words, and pretends that the road to hell is good. True Christianity is the exact opposite of the materialistic, narcissistic counterfeits. True Christianity is turning from selfishness, taking up our cross and following Him.

What Can We Do?

Sanity begins by joining Jesus in saving the world, not hiding away in our selfish little worlds. Almsgiving is not just about giving money, but also giving ourselves to others. When was the last time we volunteered to help another person, gave someone thanks, visited a lonely person, listened to their story without constantly turning the conversation to our story, sent a card or just gave an encouraging word?

Postlude

Let us take time to give back to our world, but above all let’s heed Jesus’ call to sanity, by taking up our cross and denying the insanity of selfishness.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Revivals of Isaiah and Jeremiah

Let's look at the oft criticized message of God's prophets and the blessing that prophets bring. Let's examine specifically Isaiah and Jeremiah.

1) Isaiah’s Revival

Can trials and tribulations be forecasters of a soon-coming revival?

Prophecies of judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem (Isaiah 1-12) accompany prophecies against Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Ethiopia, Egypt, Dumah, Arabia, Tyre (Isaiah 3-23), the whole world (Isaiah 24-27), Egypt, Assyria (Isaiah 28-33), and Edom (Isaiah 34-35). Of central importance is to realize that God’s punishment is intended to restore. Suffering is mixed in with visions of revival in Christ’s kingdom (Isaiah 2-4, 32, 35) because suffering and sacrifice are forerunners to revival (Isaiah 49-55), and Christ’s suffering makes all revival possible (Isaiah 52-53). Anticipate revival when we see suffering, because the most wonderful time in human history is just around the corner (Isaiah 56-66). Revival will explode worldwide once Christ establishes His kingdom on earth, “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.’ ” (Isaiah 57:15 NASB)

Rejoice, lovers of God, when trials and tribulations come, because revival is not far away.

2) Jeremiah’s Revival

Can tough preaching about repentance be a forecast of soon-coming revival?

Jeremiah preached “the word of the Lord” (Jeremiah 1:2, 4, 11, 13 KJV, NKJV, NIV, NASB) in the years leading up to the exile of Jews to Babylon, teaching that their worship of idols was like the infidelity of an adulterous wife and the disobedience of rebellious children. Inviting “return” (Jeremiah 3:7, 9, 12, 14, 22; 4:1) of the “faithless” (Jermiah 3:6, 8, 11, 14, 22), God promises doom should they remain unrepentant and the prophet mourns. Repentance in the New Testament comes from a Greek word meaning a change of mind or heart, and in Jeremiah a complementary word “return” means to turn back to God. While the faithful prophet preached to those who will not listen, he mourned as the people fashioned trees into idols (Jeremiah 10). Rejected and persecuted for preaching God’s warning (Jeremiah 18), Jeremiah is led by God to break a potter’s vessel to signify Jerusalem’s doom (Jeremiah 19), an unpopular ministry (Jermiah 20). Yet, a righteous branch or descendant of king David, will rise up and he will be called “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6 NASB), Babylon will be judged (Jeremiah 25) a new covenant will be made, which will bring revival whereby God’s law will be written on men’s hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34), and “shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.” (Jeremiah 33:15 NASB) Revival will not come until punishment has brought the nation to its knees. Will other nations also repent? Come and see the worldwide revival that the Righteous Branch will bring.

Rejoice, lovers of God, when a faithful preacher speaks of doom and gloom, and take heed of God’s warning, and when you do, revival is not too far away.

3) Lamentations’ Revival

In the midst of mourning can revival be far off?

In five poems lamenting the fall of Jerusalem, Jeremiah provides the hope of revival in the midst of destruction, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV). Lamentation is a passionate expression of sorrow, an opportunity for confession of sins, forgiveness and revival. Is there an answer when we pray, “Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had” (Lamentations 5:21 NLT)? Hope for revival in the midst of deep sorrow, is a message for our age too.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that even in the midst of our deepest sorrows, lies the hope of revival.

Don't despise the prophet. His message may seem negative, and we may prefer something more uplifting, but remember that blessed are they that mourn, because mourning produces repentance, and repentance brings God's blessings.

Killing the Prophets

Prelude

Elijah’s persecution is common to many ancient prophets and modern preachers. Purpose: What can we learn from Elijah’s recovery from bitter harassment? Plan: Let’s look at the story in 1 Kings 19:1-21.

 
He Arose and Ran

After Elijah’s confrontation with prophets of Ba’al, and their punishment for murdering God’s prophets, he became severely depressed.

1 Kings 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

Even in the church, a Jezebel is pictured, “who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:18-29). Faithful preachers still fight false prophets and their heresies.

Arise and Eat

1 Kings 19:5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.

After persecution, time away is good. Faithful preachers will face opposition. The progressive left, the legalistic right, and the wishy-washy middle will all be angry.

What are You Doing Here

1 Kings 19:9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

God may also gently ask what we are doing. Have we worked passionately in God’s service, and been mistreated? What were we expecting?

The Lord Passed By

1 Kings 19:11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Jesus preached about both heaven and hell. God can be like a tornado, earthquake or wildfire, but also a gentle whisper, especially to faithful servants who are disheartened by the ugly side of church life.

What are You Doing Here

1 Kings 19:13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

God’s gentle, quiet encouragement is that there is still work to do. After an evil attack any faithful preacher would feel alone. Rest and recover. A wounded soldier of the cross still has value.

Return, 7000 Have not Bowed

1 Kings 19:15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

The Lord encouraged Elijah to return to the ministry, that seven thousand had not worshipped Ba’al. Christians face horrible persecution in some countries, and harassment in others. Many love God like we do.

Elisha Followed Elijah

1 Kings 19:19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Elisha prepared a large farewell party and humbly joined Elijah as his servant. A true servant has a teachable heart and just wants to help, without a hidden agenda.

Postlude

Followers of the way must be prepared to experience harassment. Let’s remember that it doesn't end with one bad experience. Take time to rest, even wipe the dust off our feet. Then listen to God‘s quiet whisper. May He give us strength to continue on to the next divine appointment.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Revival in Politics, Church and Marriage

Can revivals reach worldly politics as well as righteous people? How do lovers picture a revival? Let's look at Esther, Job and the Song of Songs.

1) Esther’s Revival

Can God provide revival even through normal worldly politics?

Esther, a Jew, became queen to Persian King Ahasuerus, but evil Haman plotted to kill all the Jews, because “When Haman saw that Mordecai [Esther’s much older cousin] would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.” (Esther 3:5 NIV) Saved through what seem like worldly circumstances, we often overlook God’s hand in history. The plot to kill the Jews failed and Haman was executed for his treachery. Jews in every province had been “fasting, weeping and wailing.” (Esther 4:3 NIV) In triumph the Jews were revived from impending death. Exile gave the Jews the festival of Purim to commemorate this time of national salvation.

Rejoice, lovers of God, because revival can look like ordinary politics until the moment of salvation from catastrophe.

2) Job’s Revival

Do even the most righteous among us need revival?

Job may have been a contemporary of the patriarchs, and like them was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:1 NKJV) Was his character able to stand up to the devil’s worst torments? Tried severely, Job refuses to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9 NKJV). By the time three older friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite had finished giving their advice, Job declared “you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians.” (Job 13:4 NKJV) The younger friend, Elihu, finally speaks up in anger against Job, “because he justified himself rather than God.” (Job 32:2 NKJV). Worst of all he said was that Job “multiplies his words against God.” (Job 34:37 NKJV). And then it was the Lord’s turn to talk to Job. Was Job alive when God “laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:4 NKJV) Confronted by the incredible omnipotence of God, Job had no answer. By the time God was finished describing His power and justice, Job repented and was restored. God revived Job’s life and gave him “twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10 NKJV)

Rejoice, lovers of God, and submit without complaint to life’s trials, looking to God alone for restoration and revival.

3) Revival of True Love

Is revival possible even via sexual love?

Prudish Christians love to separate divine love from erotic love, but the frank and detailed Song of Songs, intertwines the two majestically with all sexual purity. Is eroticism kept within the bounds of marital love, it is then a great blessing from God, a revival of heart and soul. Not as the world looks upon sex, but as God intended, this Song celebrates pure sensuality as it ought to be. The idea of sexual attraction between a man and a woman being representative of the love between Christ and His Church is not new (Song of Songs 1:16; 3:1-4; 5:3-5; 7:1-13). Song of Songs is the title given in the very first verse and it is far better than any popular love song because it sings of the greatest love, a love so great that one willingly died for the other. Of marital love and the personal revival brought to two people, this is a celebration, and yet in the most sensual of tones, this picture of marital love is just a tiny glimpse of the love between Christ and His Church. Songs of love are ubiquitous, but this one is the best, as it reminds us of the love of those who wait for Christ’s return saying, “Make haste, my beloved, And be like a gazelle.” (Song of Songs 8:14)

Rejoice, lovers of God, and look longingly for our Christ to return and the revival He brings, as lovers long for their beloved.

Revivals can reach even the jaded world of politics as well as righteous people who think they need no more repentance. The pure love between a man and woman pictures the longing of heart that takes place among those who love God and the love of Christ for His church.

Revival under Ezra and Nehemiah

Ezra and Nehemiah both took important roles in a revival of the Jews after their Babylonian captivity. What important lessons can we learn?

1) Ezra’s Revival

Is marrying within the faith an important decision if we want lifelong revival in our families?

Revival among Jewish captives in Babylon began when Cyrus king of Persia was moved by God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and send volunteers from among the exiles back to do so (Ezra 1-2). After relaying the foundation of the temple, “With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” (Ezra 3:11 NIV) Babylonian captivity still in their memories, they wept and shouted for joy that God’s house was being rebuilt. Captivity seemed to return as rebuilding was stopped by Xerxes and Artaxerxes (Ezra 4).

After this an appeal was made to search the records for the decree made by Cyrus. Darius found the decree among court records and gave order for the work on the temple to continue without interference. It was finally finished. Construction was completed in time for Passover preparations. Was it now time for “a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given” (Ezra 7:6 NIV)? Finished with construction, now it was time to teach the people God’s ways.

Marrying outside the nation of Israel was strictly forbidden, not for any racial bigotry because most of the neighboring tribes were of the same race. Foreign marriage was forbidden, with few exceptions, because of the introduction of pagan religion, which included many perversions such as child sacrifice and ritual prostitution. Wives such as Ruth, were an exception, because she had chosen Israel’s God as her God (Ruth 1:16). Was there a need for any clearer reason, “The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons” (Ezra 9:11-12 NIV)? Forbidden was: perverse foreign religion.

Rejoice, lovers of God, for He will build His Church, but continuation of revival requires that we marry within the faith.

2) Nehemiah’s Revival

Can God use faithful leaders from all walks of life?

Nehemiah is the sequel to Ezra as the revival begun in Ezra continues. Trained in the Persian court, and lover of God, Nehemiah was a natural choice for a civic leader during national revival. As Nehemiah heard from his brother that “The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire” (Nehemiah 1:3 NLT), he wept and fasted and prayed. A prayer for favor from the Persian king was needed, “O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” (Nehemiah 1:11 NLT) Leader of reconstruction, Nehemiah gave the glory to God, “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:15-16 NIV)

How should we preach, and is the formula used in that great assembly meant to be an example? Should we read the Bible in the assembly of God’s people, and “read it aloud from daybreak till noon” (Nehemiah 8:3 NIV)? We probably don’t have the stamina for a 6 hour Bible reading today, but their simple formula is still valuable, “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.” (Nehemiah 8:8 NIV) Preach the word and give the sense, for no other agenda is relevant; just preach the Bible and explain it — simple.

Revival is not an inclusive act, but involves separation from sinful influences such as idolatrous foreign religions, and it involves confession of our sins. Must we confess? Include praise and confession as they did and we will be blessed, “our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands … they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies … we are slaves today … Because of our sins.” (Nehemiah 8:16, 26, 36-37 NIV) Confession is good for the soul and public confession of the sins of the whole assembly reminds us all of our need for God’s grace and mercy.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that faithful leaders from all walks of life can be used by God for revival to continue.

Ezra and Nehemiah reveal to us that all church members, lay and ordained have very important roles to play in rebuilding the temple after a period of decline. Christians understand that spiritually, the temple is us, meaning the church.