June 4, 2006

The Rest of the Story

Is Revival Still Possible?

Acts 2:1-21

Opening Words: Did you know that the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts were written to the same person? Both literary works are written to a person named Theophilus. The name means lover of God. Biblical scholars are divided on who was Theophilus? Was he an individual named Theophilus or was he a personification of anyone who loved God? (It is like Uncle Sam in the United States. He represents us all.) That name Theophilus acts as a great bridge between these two literary masterpieces. Together, they tell one story. Luke tells us about the ministry of Jesus and ends with the resurrection. Acts tells the rest of the story. How those early believers spread the good news of the resurrection and founded the church.

This morning you are going to hear my final sermon in my six part sermon series I have called The Rest of the Story. Each one of these sermons is based on a passage from the Book of Acts. They are my favorite stories from this book. This morning we talk our annual visit to the second Chapter of Acts. It is the story of Pentecost, a holiday to celebrate the harvest. It came fifty days after Passover. It was the time that God chose to send His Holy Spirit into the world. Let me call this message Is Revival Still Possible?

Introduction

On New Year's Eve 1739, John Wesley, George Whitefield, and some of their friends held a "love feast" which became a watch night of prayer to see the New Year in. At about 3 a.m., Wesley wrote, "the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground." The Holy Spirit was moving and revival broke out in that little corner of the world. That event happened 267 years ago. We believe that revivals happened in the good old days but what about today? However, this is my question for you today. Is revival still possible?

That is a significant question in our world today. In our lifetime the church has moved from the center of society to the fringe. Our churches have gone from outposts of evangelism to survival stations. Many churches have gone from being part of a great movement telling people about Jesus to institutions, where we are only worried about ourselves. The fields are ripe for revival. People are asking spiritual questions but the church does not seem to have any answers. Many church leaders and dedicated lay people are asking the question. Is revival still possible in our world today?

I believe the answer is “YES!” Howard Spring once wrote, “The kingdom of God is not going to advance by our churches becoming filled with (people) men, but by (people) men in our churches becoming filled with God.” That is what the second chapter of Acts is telling us today!

Body

This morning I want to talk about three reason reasons why revivals are so rare in our world today. It is not a situation of God not being present in our world. I believe we frustrate the Holy Spirit. The lives we live fail to generate the right atmosphere for revival. The atmosphere was right for the Holy Spirit in the second chapter of Acts. They had things then that we need now to experience true revival. So if you are ready for a little revival in our world say, “Amen!” Revival is still possible in our world today!

Spiritually Prepared

The people in the second chapter of Acts experienced revival in their time because they were spiritually prepared. Perhaps, we aren’t experiencing revival in our time because we are not spiritually prepared. Verse one says that all the believers were in one place. Where were they? They were in Jerusalem. Why were they in Jerusalem? They were in Jerusalem because Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem. You can find that command in Acts 1:4. In other words, they were open to Jesus’ leading. If they were have been more self directed then they would have missed the whole thing. Perhaps, revival isn’t coming in our time because we are to self directed? We are more concerned about how we feel then what Jesus says? Revival is possible when we are spiritually prepared.

I love the story of the minister who decided to take a survey at his church. The survey totaled two questions. The first question was should this church have a weekly Bible study? Ninety-five per cent of those who responded came back yes! The second question was would you participate in a weekly Bible study? Only five per cent said yes. I tell that story for one reason. Our churches are spiritually soft. If we really want revival to come then we need to be spiritually ready. Revival is possible when we are spiritually prepared.

I have a good life. Last week Kathy and I spent Sunday morning in the Coliseum. Last Saturday I was in the Vatican. It was an incredible experience! The Vatican Museum is filled with priceless art. I stood by one masterpiece and soaked it in. It was a picture of Moses parting the Red Sea. A woman in our group came up to me and said, “What Bible story is this?” She looked a little uncomfortable and said, “I was raised Catholic and we were encouraged to study the Bible.” I said, “That is fine. I know Protestants who don’t want to study the Bible.” Perhaps, we aren’t experiencing revival in our time because we are not spiritually prepared. Revival is possible when we are spiritually prepared.

Concerned for Others

The people in the second chapter of Acts experienced revival in their time and were forced to be concerned about others. Perhaps, we aren’t experiencing revival in our time because we are consumed with ourselves. When the Holy Spirit comes and the revival begins something amazing happens. These Galileans begin to speak in other earthly languages. If you examine all the languages mentioned in that list, then you discover all the nations of their world represented. This is the truth. (Their time was more prejudice then our time.) The Holy Spirit didn’t just come for them. The Holy Spirit came to help them tell the world about Jesus. Revival is possible when we are concerned about others.

General Robert E. Lee was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. It is said that soon after the end of the American Civil War, he visited a church in Washington, D.C. During the communion service he knelt beside a black man. An onlooker said to him later, "How could you do that?" Lee replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross." Through the eyes of God there is no us verses them. Through the eyes of God there is no black or white, rich or poor, liberal or conservative, American or Chinese. Through the eyes of God there are only people, who are in need. Revival is possible when we are concerned about others.

Pay the Price

The people in the second chapter of Acts experienced revival in their time and paid the price. Perhaps, we aren’t experiencing revival in our time because we are not willing to pay the price. Beyond our reading today Peter stands up and addresses the crowd. He explains to them (and us) what is happening. People hear this first sermon and respond. When the sermon is done the alter call is given. Acts 2:41 says that 3,000 souls were saved that day. That is a good thing but that is also a hard thing. Any church growth person will tell you. The addition of that number of people will change things within the group. It is my experience that people do not like change. Many good people are more comfortable with a dead tradition then a living God. Are you will to sacrifice those dead traditions to experience a living God? Revival is possible when we are willing to pay the price.

This morning we are going to concern four new members into the life of our church. Andrew, Andrew, Cassie and Matthew are wonderful people and we are so blessed to have them here with us! Nancy Jarvis and Mary Kay Kouceman have done a wonderful job instructing them. They did a lot of work and we owe them a great deal. However, the most difficult work is yet to come. We need to create an atmosphere where they feel accepted. We need to create an atmosphere were they can learn from us and we can learn from them. We need to create an atmosphere were everyone is excited about Jesus. He is our Master and not just our excuse for meeting. It is not just the Andrew, Andre, Cassandra and Matthew. I am talking about everyone of us. They need to create an atmosphere where we just don’t tolerate one another but we learn from one another. It is not going to be easy. It is going to take some work but it is going to be worth our efforts. It is in these kinds of atmosphere where revivals break out. Revival is possible when we are willing to pay the price.

Conclusion

Between the years 1730 and 1740 Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield introduced a new style of preaching to the world. It was a passionate style of preaching. They were not afraid to show their excitement about Jesus. They told people you were more likely to experience God using your heart then your head. They struck a nerve and revival came to America. How powerful was that revival? The Bible belt in the south is the remains of that great movement. They changed America!

Isn’t it time we changed our America. Our land needs are little help. Marriages are falling apart. Relationships are broken. Churches are dieing. We do not need another government program or self improvement book. We don’t need another afternoon talk show. We don’t need churches just filled with people. We need people in church that are filled with God. In other words, we need a revival! And all of God’s people said, ”Amen!”