Revival in Retrospect

Okay, so it was last year, around the beginning of the summer that I blogged about the now infamous (and item of the past), “Florida Healing Outpouring.” Man, a lot has happened since then, even in the context of that particular happening and the now notorious sparkplug behind it—Mr. Todd Bentley.

Let me rephrase that… I don’t know if Mr. Bentley was personally behind it. On the other hand, I don’t know if the Holy Spirit actually instigated something and man, as he loves to do (and does so well) decided to “flesh it up,” I really cannot deliver an answer with finality— we leave that to the Almighty’s evaluation.

I’m hesitant to immediately decry it as faux, fake, and wholly heretical. Why? I was there for one of the evenings and as God is so faithful to do, He powerfully inhabited the praises of His people. Oh, the worship was so sweet, but on the heels of extravagant adoration to the King, I witnessed what can only be described as unbiblical fanaticism, where everything but the Lord Jesus Christ was placed on a pedestal — “The Anointing,” “the Spirit of Elijah,” red healing rags, twitching heads, angel worship, laying on the ground laughing hysterically, etc.

This post, however, is not necessarily intended to be a warning— that article was written last year and I still vehemently stand behind everything I wrote then. I’ve just been confronted lately with a barrage of definitions to the word, “Revival.” In all honesty, I still don’t think I’ve come to any definitive conclusion on what the word actually means as there have been so many alleged meanings assigned to it.

Here are two I can come up with immediately:

1. Planned, Evangelistic Definition of Revival

Can we schedule a revival into our yearly calendar? Can we state with certainty that the week of October 5-10 will be a certifiable revival? Sure, we can classify it as a “revival” meeting, but I think in doing so, we diminish the true definition of the term. As I mentioned, this true definition is something I’m seeking, but more than seeking revelation of revival, I want to know the Jesus that so powerfully and supernaturally releases revival into an atmosphere. Into a people. Into a region. Where it seems as though heaven’s gates are ajar over a sovereignly-appointed, yet contending-directed atmosphere. God is sovereign over the visitation, absolutely. We can’t just plan it, or muster it up (as we will see more so in the second definition). However, I do believe there are certain elements that attract the spirit of revival like a moth to the flame. Anyway, not to venture off on a tangent — I just don’t get some of the “revival” semantics.

2. Spontaneous, Charismatic Definition of Revival

We have been internationally introduced to the neo-Pentecostal realm of “revival,” largely through the portal of Christian television. Don’t get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoy and am deeply ministered to by a lot of programming on such stations. However, some of the elements of this brand of “revival” just don’t seem Scripturally kosher. In short, Jesus is dethroned for the sake of experiencing and demonstrating fanatical emotionalism. I mean, some of the “manifestations” occurring in these meetings make God, in all honesty, look like a cosmic clown. People get into a frenzy and start engaging in all sorts of ridiculousness — clamoring for a healing cloth, shaking their heads like bobble-head dolls, barking like dogs, foaming at the mouth, laughing uncontrollably, falling down and flailing around, you get the drift. Is this revival? No. These are manifestations, and in all honesty, many are counterfeit manifestations if I might be so bold to declare that.

Ah, now do I believe in being overwhelmed by the power of God and being slain in the Spirit? Yes. A step further, however, I believe that true, authentic manifestations of this caliber are currently few and far between because of man’s desire to equate Himself with God and get glory for something only God can truly do. In both camps, really, revival seems to be centered around a figurehead, be it a guest speaker, a pastor or an alleged “Revivalist” touting all the bells and whistles.

Friends, a movement is coming soon — a mighty, tangible move of the blessed Holy Spirit, where atmospheres will be so charged with Jesus’ presence and glory that the multitudes will be overwhelmed by His power and drop to the ground, and no man will be able to boast, for no man will be able to receive the credit. A God-move is coming where Jesus Christ will serve as the Chief Revivalist. Yes, he will use men and women of flesh and blood. He may anoint forerunners as John the Baptist, but you can bet your bottom dollar that they will not resent losing potential disciples, converts or church-members to Jesus. John was considered a “Friend of the bridegroom.” Why? Simple. He demonstrated a supernatural friendship towards Jesus Christ — the friendship described and defined by Jesus in the Gospel of John where life is laid down for the sake of another, a friend. John the Baptist laid down his life, his ministry, his hour in the spotlight, without haste or reservation, for He knew it was all about the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. It’s coming, friends. Oh, that we would contend for this outpouring.

—Larry Sparks, 2009

Missional Worship

Just a quick Word of encouragement to the worship community (namely, all of us who have been redeemed and live to radiate authentic gratitude for the Cross of Christ)…

God has been exhorting me to concentrate less on naturals and hone in on the supernatural concerning what it means to missionally worship— yielding (not creating, for that’s God’s job and not a church’s) atmospheres to evangelistic worship. This may sound slightly intangible and different, but let me explain.

The Church of Jesus Christ — you and I — can veer off into one of two imbalances: Being too heavenly minded for earthly good, or being a “Christian” carbon copy of the world. The reality is that we are stationed in two realms simultaneously. We are spiritually positioned in Christ, seated with Him in heavenly places as voices that proceed from the Throne of God (which is such a powerful Truth concerning our spiritual placement), and, at the same time, we are on earth — strangers, foreigners, and aliens, indeed— but nevertheless, “on earth.” Until the consummation of the age when Jesus physically returns to Earth, we are anointed and charged to see that the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God.

Ultimately, God’s agenda for lost humanity is divine Kingdom-drafting. Jesus did not commission us to “go ye therefore and make converts of all nations.” He intentionally used the term “disciple.” People who are radically touched and transformed by the Living Christ to go forward and imitate Him— to literally “be Jesus” on Earth, a people who truly grasp that they are His temple, His tabernacle, His house, His vehicle, His body on Earth.

Fine and good, but what has the power to create a disciple? Programs don’t. Emotionally appealing altar calls don’t. Church-as-usual does not. What can instigate a true, lasting, supernatural change in the hearts of the once-lost, and, in a miraculous moment, transform the “chief of all sinners” into a radical Kingdom advancer?

The presence of the Awesome One. A genuine, real-deal encounter with the Living, tangible, loving, powerful, mighty Yahweh. Okay, so, where does missional worship concept come into play? Very simply, Scripture reminds us that the God of heaven inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). His presence is magnetically drawn to the fragrance of true, authentic, extravagant, selfless, yielded worship. Not “I’ll worship to get my breakthrough.” That’s selfishness and shame on us for even buying into that garbage. Not “I’ll worship because God NEEDS it.” He’s entirely self-sufficient, so let’s give up believing that mess. Not “I’ll worship because I like the music.” Nothing to do with music. Not “I’ll worship when I feel like worshipping.” David declared, “I will bless the Lord at all times…” “I will.” There’s an element of decidedly lifting one’s eyes beyond circumstance and fixing gaze upon the beautiful Savior. In short, true worship is of the Romans 12:1 caliber.

“In view of God’s mercy” we offer up our lives as living sacrifices. Genuine Spirit and Truth worship begins with a revelation of Truth — the Truth of the Cross of Christ, the blood of Jesus, and our eternal gratitude for being radically liberated from a horrific fate that we chose and was well-deserved. We don’t just worship for worship’s sake. The Cross is the ultimate manifestation of God’s glorious mercy, so that is what we fix our focus upon and in turn, respond to. We respond to everything it represents and the endless dimensions of God-revelation it has generously opened us to.

The reality is that when we understand the missional, or evangelistic byproducts of worship, something glorious happens. Now granted, we don’t worship just so that something happens in our atmosphere, personally or corporately. We worship Him because He is Jehovah. Ah, but in worship, we must possess an undergirding understanding and expectation of the sovereign move of the Spirit of God. He DOES respond to our praise and DESIRES to move in our midst.

“Change the atmosphere…” I sense that this is a phrase emerging from the Spirit. God wants to supernaturally transform atmospheres. I believe He wants to charge whole environments with a spirit of revival and evangelism. When we as believers encounter God in the midst of Spirit & Truth worship, we are revived by His presence and long to worship Him and in turn, manifest His will on earth all the more! When the lost are present in these atmospheres, in accordance with God’s sovereignty in salvation, the Spirit cannot help but go after these folks and do what He does best — powerfully introduce sinners to Jesus Christ. I’ve seen it; it is incredible.

I pray that we would be mindful of this supernatural dimension while we worship God. It can never just be about singing songs… even singing songs to God. God wants to tangible release Himself into atmospheres, by His Mighty Spirit, and awaken the sleeping, revive the dying, and save the sin-stained. So, while we gather to worship in church, or we are jamming in our cars, I pray that we would prophesy to the ever present looming clouds, be it over our churches, over our neighborhoods, over our cities, over the nations — “Let it rain…”