Fresh Encounter: God's Pattern for Spiritual Awakening Chapter 12 Review

Fresh Encounter: God's Pattern for Spiritual Awakening 

Authors: Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King

Chapter 12 Review

Chapter 12 focuses on the fruit of revival.  On page 157 they quote Arthur Wallis: 

"Clearly it is the saints, not the sinners, that are primarily involved in revival. The quickening of the saints is the root, while the saving of the sinners is the fruit."

They continue on page 157 with: 

Although authors define revival and spiritual awakening in various ways, we see a distinction between revival and spiritual awakening. Revival is for God's people, for Christians who have given their lives to Christ but whose faith has wavered and whose spiritual vibrancy has waned. Revival renews the flames of fervent love for Christ the believer once knew. Revival brings God's people back to Himself. Spiritual awakening applies to the unbelieving world. It involves the conversion of a great number of people over a brief period of time. It is evangelism on a massive and rapid scale. Spiritual awakenings generally occur after God's people have been revived. 

Too often I think we misrepresent revival.  Often when we talk of revival we speak of people getting saved.  When in reality we should be looking to ourselves and how we have lost focus.  It's easy to see that others have an issue that needs to be fixed; it's difficult to look into the mirror and admit that I have an issue that needs to be fixed. 

This is true for the church body as a whole as well.  Rarely do we see churches, as a whole, repent and change how they operate.  Why?  Honestly I'm not sure.  Maybe it tradition, pride or selfishness.  I do know that each church is different and should seek Christ to show them how they have fallen short; rather than comparing themselves to others.  

On pages 157-158 the authors continue writing: 

Brian Edwards noted there is "little that is new" in revival.  That is, all the elements of revival, such as preaching, singing, praying, testifying, and repenting are activities that ought to characterize the church at all times. Edwards notes that revival is not normative Christianity. It is restorative Christianity, bringing God's people back to where they should be. Says Edwards, "Revival is not normal any more than spiritual decline and backsliding is normal. These are opposite ends of the normal life of the church. Revival is supernormal and backsliding is subnormal."

Being in the mist of revival sounds like a great place to be! And it most certainly is, but revival is designed to pass.  Once we are revived it's time to get to work.  Ephesians 2:10 (CSB) says:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. 

Some things to remember...

Christianity is both individualistic and cooperate.  Individually, we need to glorify God with every aspect of our lives.  Corporately, we worship God together to encourage one another's faith. The goal of revival is to impact both aspects of Christianity...the individual and the body.  

What is the fruit of revival?  Simply put, we become more Christian.  Individually, we should have a renewed love for God's Word, prayer, loving others and sharing the gospel.  Corporately, we should have a renewed love for God's Word, prayer, loving others and sharing the gospel.  Ultimately, our church experiencing revival is directly connected to us individually experiencing revival.  

If you are unwilling to change...you maybe the reason we, as a church, hasn't experienced revival.  May we each seek revival so that we may experience revival together!