A Thought Question: Can Revival Really Happen?

12 Responses to A Thought Question: Can Revival Really Happen?

1. Royce Ogle says:

   February 1, 2011 at 11:41 am

   Thank you for sharing this story and the videos. Yes, it is possible. When God's people put His agenda first, put the gospel in shoe leather, loving unconditionally, yes, it is possible.

   A very similar thing happened a few years ago in Chattanooga. It started in a meeting at a church, spread throughout the jails, and spilled into the streets and communities and hundreds came to faith in Christ. The church baptized converts every day for about three weeks. Possible? When you think about it its a strange question to ask if God can do something isn't it?
2. Grizz says:

   February 1, 2011 at 4:43 pm

   Three Questions …

   (1) The church leaders in most communities are called Pastors. They are sheep feeders and herd recruitment specialists, so why is it so hard to call them pastors?

   (2) If your elders and/or preachers are not qualified to be called pastors (since they are most likely already doing the work), why not?

   and (3) What I saw in the videos was not "revival". It was 'incarnation' that happens whereever you find the living and breathing body of Christ. If you cannot remember that ever happening for so long that you have to ask if it can happen where you are, you probably do not even have to check the pulse. Just order a gravestone…sometimes also called 'the sign out front'…then look at the day and date function on your watch…and let the stone carver know what date you noticed the church there had died. Then harvest any viable organs you may be able to find and start living and breathing for real this time!

   The question: what took you so long to notice?

   Grizz
3. Price says:

   February 1, 2011 at 7:38 pm

   WOW !! Reminded me of a group of stinky fishermen, a dishonest tax collector, a radical religious zealot, along with a couple of influential brothers who despite their rather extreme differences, agreed to work together under the right leadership….and changed the world. Where's CENI when you need it…:)
4. Dan Nieman says:

   February 1, 2011 at 11:54 pm

   Thanks for these videos. They are a real inspiration. God wants to move in the church at all times. But that doesn't happen until churches leave their pride and self-centeredness and come together with other believers in prayer and repentence.
5. aBasnar says:

   February 2, 2011 at 1:34 am

   First, I am glad to hear this, but I am really surprized, what goes along with this.

   On one hand we so diligently search the question of baptism, and here all is about "asking Jesus into your heart" to be "born again". Somehow your excitement here does not fit this other discussion.
   Is unity more important than an accurate presentation and acceptance of the Gospel? In the end in boils down to the Evangelical "Easy Grace", doesn't it?
   And what about the doctrinal differences between Methodist, Pentecostals, Baptists? Are they simply hidden under the rug? Or are they going to be solved?
   Is cooperation unity, or are the denominational distinctions as strong as ever? Believe me, it is just a matter of time, until the same unsolved questions will, yeah MUST come to the fore again.

   With these questions I don't want to minimize their love and engagement in their community. This is truly great and honors and pleases God. It's just, that there is more to be concerned about. There are seven Ones in Ephesians 2 – somehow at least One baptism (Methodists – and New Birth by a prayer) always gets kicked out of this list … and, presto: We are one.

   Alexander
6. Doug says:

   February 2, 2011 at 8:29 am

   Alexander, you must have heard some stories about unity… I heard a story about love. Love can create union in the face of diversity but the opposite (unity creating love) doesn't work so well.

   My experience has always been where love is evident, the Spirit works among men and women. The message is: If you want revival…love people.
7. Laymond says:

   February 2, 2011 at 9:59 am

   What is revival ? Doug
8. Twistersinbama says:

   February 2, 2011 at 11:57 am

   These videos are exciting and saddening at the same time. Such a better picture of Christian unity than normally happens, people coming together through a path instead of and in spite of theological issues, etc.

   However, the videos definitely have a "pie in the sky" mentality. If only we will "be the church" then we can "change our town for the better." Sorry, but changing our town for the better is not part of the plan. It is incidental – a byproduct – and can't be used in measuring whether or not we "are the church".

   Maybe I'm just cynical, but I'm more interested in what happens when we do stuff right, but the results are not what we expect – when we fail in the eyes of this world. That is what the apostles were faced with over and over (prison, beatings, hunger, martyrdom). It is what all Christian communities eventually face as they mirror more and more the living Christ as the world simply cannot tolerate His presence.

   When the world considers us a success, when the government seeks to include us, when benevolent societies walk hand in hand with us, I begin to wonder – are we mirroring the "enlightened hedonism" of humanism, or are we mirroring the living Christ?

   Just as Christian unity is defined at the margins, so too is Christian effectiveness defined through our failures, remembering that we follow a God whose power is shown through weakness, through submission, through self-sacrifice.
9. Dan Harris says:

   February 2, 2011 at 1:13 pm

   very encouraging videos. Alexander asked what about the theological differences in the different denominations in this movement? In my experience, the main ones in the church that know the difference between Baptists and Methodists, between Presbyterians and Lutherans are the ministers. The most of the rest of the people go to a church out of family ties or friendship ties and out of their belief in the gospel. The sad part is that most denominational church of Christ people would not be willing to be a part of this story…..Dan
10. aBasnar says:

    February 2, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I recall a saying like this:
    Love unites, but doctrine separates

    This sound so nice, but is a lie of the Devil. You cannot buy unity for the price of truth – I'm very serious, but rather downhearted than angry.

    I strive for unity – and one of the reasons I joined the church of Christ was the ideal of unity. Actually we have the same ideal amog the Plymouth Brethren who call themselves Christian assembly (or Christian CHurch) instead of Church of Christ, but for the very same reason. And that's where I was before.

    But I cannot buy unity for the price of fellowship with infant-baptizers
    I cannot buy unity for the price of an "Ask Jseus into your heart". Gospel

    But most of all: I cannot buy unity for the oprice of leaving the denominations untouched! This would be a false unity, a lie! Tear off your labels, put away your man-made creeds: Then we can become one. Seek for the Ancient Order of Things, and I readily admit that many churches of Christ gave up seeking these or striving for unity.

    But there is no shortcut to unity. But – really – what is presented in these videos may be a step towards unity. I only ask you not to call an unfinished work complete. They still have miles to go, and we too.

    Alexander
11. NBS says:

    February 2, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    I was really moved by this post and so excited to read what some of you had to add in the comments section. Then I read the comments…and now I'm disillusioned…
12. Jay Guin says:

    February 3, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    NBS,

    Agree. If our doctrine gets in the way of celebrating with the believers in Georgia, we need to reconsider our doctrine.

    No, their practices and doctrines aren't perfect, but the Spirit is clearly present.

    (1Co 12:3 ESV) 3 Therefore I want you to understand that … no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

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