LUKE 6:46-49: “Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; and the river burst against it and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” NASB
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OBESERVATION: What is the fruit of true revival? As I ponder this question additional stories are coming forward regarding the unusual worship and prayer services that are taking place in the Asbury College Chapel and are now beginning to break out at other Christian College Chapels. Social media is abuz with people asking –

“Is this a true revival?”

Some are responding based on their traditions and other based on their skepticism. Whatever you might think at the moment, may I suggest that whenever thousands of young people begin to gather for hours on end to worship, pray, cry out in repentance, and kneel at the altar…

THIS IS A GOOD THING!

But – does it constitute true revival? I have been around Charismatic and Pentecostal circles long enough to know that mere emotion does not mean anything. Yet, whenever God has moved sovereignly in our nation and in our churches there has been evidence of true revival that always follow these gatherings that are filled with the wonderful presence of God. What is that evidence of true revival?

IT IS WILLFUL OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD!

Let’s face it. The church today does not look much different than the world. Christian marriages are ending at the same rate as non-Christain marriages. Christians generally do not even think about what the rating is in the movies they purchase to watch. And, there is a growing number who come to church each Sunday who are battling with addictions and emotional issues that keep them from moving forward in life.

When there is a true turning to God in revival marked by fervent prayer, heartfelt worship, and sincere repentance – there is also a turning to God’s Word in a new and profound way. It is not just a casual hearing of the Word. It is a hearing of the Word with understanding that is followed by repentance and faith filled obedience to God’s Word. True revival does not last for a few services.

True revival sweeps the hearts of men and women to change a generation!

When I was a young believer in the Jesus Movement of the early 1970s we would come to church 2-3 times a week. There were no large screen projectors. No fancy stages filled with a rock band, smoke machines, and light shows. We did not come for activities or games. We gathered around one or two people with a guitar, worshipped the Lord, eagerly listened to the teaching of God’s Word, and then prayed for one another as we positioned our lives to go out and tell others about Jesus Christ.

Sin, addictions, sexual immorality, foul language, cheating, hatred, jealousy, and all forms of sin started to be broken from our lives. As we gathered – rebellion was replaced with surrender, indifference with engagement, apathy with purpose. A new reverence for and obedience to God’s Word is the true test of any revival. It will not be a short term news cycle. It will not leave us wondering if God has visited our nation. We will all be impacted as the Holy Spirit comes like a mighty wind and blows through our land.

With any move of God we each have a choice. We can simply be hearers or observers and watch the wind of God’s Spirit pass us by with little or no effect. Or, we can be like the wise builder that Jesus spoke about in the parable of the man building a house.

• “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

For years the church has misplaced its priorities and its attention to things that can never bring lasting change. Christian political efforts have brought little change. Conferences and seminars come and go each year and people do not dramatically improve. Technology is employed to reach the masses and our nation seems to be slipping further and further away from God.

Yet – what we could not do wtih all of our organization, planning, and effort – God can do with His mighty wind of revival. On the Day of Pentecost, 120 men and women were transformed by God’s rushing mighty wind. They were filled with power and turned their world upside down. We need this rushing mighty wind once again to blow across our churches, Christian campuses, communities, and our world!

I pray that we are witnessing the beginning of a fresh wind from heaven. Time will show if we are. However, my heart is positioned to receive all that God is desiring to give. I want to be ready to hear, and once I hear from God’s Word – to act on this word with faith filled obedience. To fail to do so has drastic consequences.

• “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; and the river burst against it and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Lord, bring a rushing mighty wind of Your Spirit upon our land. Move in the hearts of both young and old. Break the chains that bind and set people free. Give us boldness to proclaim Your love to all in these last days.

Come Lord Jesus and heal our hearts and our land!

In Jesus’ Name!