Revival on the Coast

From the beginning of the earthly ministry of Jesus, we see that repentance was a dominant theme.  John the Baptist preached the message of repentance, and in Matthew 4, we can read:
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

God is drawing people to come into a relationship with His Son, Jesus, and desires for those who would call upon His name to grow deeper in the Christian life.  Repentance is a key element of experiencing that depth - because Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin and death, He calls us to repent from our own sins and embrace what He has done for us through the cross and empty tomb.  He gives us the power to triumph over temptation and to walk in victory.

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In the first chapter of the book of Romans, the apostle Paul presents an expose of sinful practices; in the second chapter, he provides the antidote:
2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

The attempt by government officials to regulate worship in California has been met with a variety of responses.  Some churches have defied the edicts of civic leaders and gathered for indoor worship.  Others have opted for outdoor venues.  A vast majority are continuing to offer worship in a virtual setting.  

There are creative means through which churches and their leaders are participating in worship.  Pastor Shane Idleman has originated what has come to be known as The Stadium Revival in Lancaster, California.  He wrote at The Stream two weeks ago:

Although the event was primarily for our local body as a way to come together, word quickly spread, and over 1,000 people showed up. We are not taking an offering, collecting names for a database, or trying to elevate our church; it’s simply a time to elevate Christ. We witnessed salvations, recommitments and powerful personal testimonies under the prayer tent. It showed how hungry people are to be encouraged and uplifted and even convicted.

At that point, he announced these services would continue through September.  He did a follow up report on August 2 at The Stream.  He wrote: "This second weekend we witnessed even more salvations, recommitments, and powerful personal testimonies leading to 30 baptisms, 29 of which were spontaneous."

Idleman, not to be confused with the Not a Fan author and Louisville pastor Kyle Idleman, says that "My messages are focused on the simple message of repentance. It’s a call back to God … back to truth, holiness, and the fear of the Lord. As a matter of fact, if God doesn’t change my plans, next week’s message is: 'There is No Fear of God in This Place.'" He says: "I have one desire: To see the Spirit of the living God revive dead churches and convict causal bystanders. To encourage believers and convict sinners, and to build the local church."

The pastor deals with the question of whether or not what is taking place could be considered to be genuine revival.  Idleman writes:

Christians can embrace one of two extremes concerning the word “revival.” At one extreme are those who embrace pure emotionalism and hysteria — “if it’s odd it’s God” — all weird behavior is excused. The other extreme lacks a living, vibrant spiritual life. The church feels dead, cold, and lifeless. Talk of reviving the things of God (revival) is either dismissed or ridiculed. Both extremes can hinder the work of the Holy Spirit and genuine Christian growth. Those truly filled with the Spirit reflect the personality and nature of God. Someone truly filled with the Spirit though bold, is often not bizarre.

We cannot dismiss the truly miraculous works of God that happen daily, nor can we minimize the incredible power of God to radically change lives through the power of the Spirit. However, in our zeal and excitement we often minimize the need for discernment. A discerning person considers supernatural experiences in light of God’s Word, nature, and character.

The report of the call to revival in California can cause us to consider a personal response and say, "What does revival look like for me?"  We can allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas of our lives that are not pleasing to Him and rely on His power to destroy the old work of the enemy and create a new work of the Spirit.  It can be a difficult task - Jesus described it as "taking up" your cross - daily.  

So, how do we get there? We can be challenged to adopt an attitude of surrender, which leads to the act of repentance, as well as a devotion to the study of God's Word.  Prayer, discipleship, the practices of the faith, are components that lead to revival.  So, we can examine our hearts - do we want to change?  Are we open to allowing God's Word and the Holy Spirit to expose what does not please Him?  We can check our hearts and make sure that we are truly repentant.