In need of revival – Part 2

We, the Christians in America, need to see the culture and times we find ourselves as they really are … not as we would wish them to be (trying to bring back the dead past) or daydream about an unrealized future.

We are here to change the now. That is why God placed us where and when we are for us to reveal the true character of God to the world. It never was about “us.” Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations (races) baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you. The “us” in this command is in following Jesus and not a prosperous, comfortable lifestyle seeking to escape the world and its problems.

That the church at large has been failing the culture since the 1960s primarily because we wanted to do it our way rather than God’s way is most manifest in the grim statistics of the Generation X and Z. The Pinetops Foundation published a study called The Great Opportunity (greatopportunity.org). It discloses the hemorrhaging of the younger generations in the church.

Dr. David Thomas in his short video “What We Long for” states the truth where he says, “I believe we are in such a profound freefall culturally, spiritually, truly an upheaval...” (https://vimeo.com/312996299) What we need is the greatest of awakenings, greater in scope than the first and second great awakenings. This is far beyond revival at a local level but awakening in the historical sense where culture is impacted.

Fred Markert, international director of YWAM Strategic Frontiers, describes the situation so succinctly at a conference earlier this year (https://youtu.be/TqhFuXt9nLI). We cannot afford to be asleep or distracted during our watch unless we’re complacent about the future for our children and grandchildren.

Dr. George Barna of Barna Research Group reveals sobering data. It’s our time to seize the opportunity, remembering God's sovereignty and the church's responsibility. Historically we find common denominators to guide us.

1. Passionate and prevailing prayer.

1. Genuine repentance and living lives of God defined holiness.
2. Freedom for the Holy Spirit to move in spontaneity under godly oversight.
3. Rekindling lifestyle evangelism and consistent, compassionate outreach to the lost and those suffering in poverty, persecution, and exploitation.
4. Rediscovering the passionate preaching of the Word of God.
5. Restoring a healthy fear of the Lord through a revelation of divine judgment and experience of Holy Spirit conviction.
6. Most importantly, rekindling the fire of first love zeal and simple devotion to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Here’s the deal: “In the last days it shall be, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17) but only if we want it. We must decide no price is too high for revival and awakening.

Bud McConnaughey serves on the staff of North Summit Church, 201 N. Division, Sandpoint. If you want to know more about Jesus Christ and His hope, contact us at www.northsummit.com. We’ll be glad to help you or refer you to numerous local congregations and pastors in Bonner County.