Dr Roberts Liardon* has just spent four days with us, sharing us some heavy and mostly unheard stuff on the revival. Here is a short summary of what we learned.
Revival can stem out of two ‘things’. The first one is a supernatural and sovereign move of GOD and the second one is when men and women decide to believe GOD and to aggressively implement what they read in the Scriptures. In the first case, GOD suddenly breathes on a city or a church. Everything starts in heaven and thousands are converted as it was the case in Acts 2 and Azusa Street, with the birth of Pentecostalism. Christians usually tend to spend their time praying for this kind of move, even though it is very rare. Instead of waiting for something that depends solely on the LORD’s goodwill, they should rather focus on the second trigger of revival. Instead, when a people totally changes their way of thinking and doing things (i.e. repentance - Ac 3:20, 2Chr 7:14) and begins to use the Word of GOD in a bold manner, they break through spiritually. This was the case in Ephesus (Ac 18-20) and it can also be the case in any of our churches, if only we are willing to pay the price.
The Ephesian revival started with a seed planted by Apollos. He was an eloquent man, bold, fervent in spirit, teachable and competent in the Scriptures. He knew how to deliver his message in a way that was received by many. Through his ministry, twelve people got born again: they were Paul’s first disciples, the remnant that would soon become a majority. Before using them, Paul made sure they were baptized in water and in the Holy Ghost. Then, he began to water the seed which Apollos had planted. He taught day and night in the synagogue for three good months, disputing the Jews and persuading the crowds. Faced with their stubbornness and unbelief, he left the synagogue (see Jesus at Nazareth) for the school of Tyrannus and there, he went on teaching daily for two more years before the first fruits of the revival could be seen! 2 years and 3 months of total commitment: the price to pay for the Ephesian revival.
Most of the time, when we hear the accounts of signs and wonders taking place during revivals, we often wish to witness such phenomenon. Many of us actually pray for this. However, revival has a price that many are probably not as willing to pay. Indeed, are we really ready to change our lifestyle and come to church every day, twice a day, for as long as it takes – weeks, months, years-, so that our church, neighbourhood, city or family would experience a true Pentecost? Are we even ready to kneel down in prayer day and night, spending a good deal of our day in the Scriptures, until tongues of fire come down from heaven and set us ablaze afresh – revive us once again? Those are some of the questions that we were asked…
I will stop here today: there is enough food for thought. I will conclude this article next week. Have a wonderblessed® week!
Roberts Liardon, Author, Public speaker, spiritual leader, church Historian
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