Makings of a Spiritual Revival

A while back, I had the honor of preaching to a congregation that was undergoing a pastoral change. Here is a snippet from what I preached to them during their evening service:

Makings of a Spiritual Revival

Acts 1:14-2:1

For the church in Acts the wait for the promised power was almost over. Just the same, your patience in this pastoral selection process is almost over. Change is a difficult process and can test the faith of those involved in it. The Church in Acts watched their leader rise into heaven and faced an undetermined future.

The key to the church's survival existed in their ability to continue. For too many people change means they freeze up and stop functioning. Change for them is a end of the road. The sad part is that some people refuse to adjust to the changes. Spiritual and emotional death set in.

Sometimes when the church faces change such as the loss of a pastor or other church leader, the future that was so bright seems to dim a bit. For the church in Jerusalem they decided to cling to a promise. Sometimes we forget the promises of God, a promise to never forsake us. God delivers on His promises. But the church has to decide to continue if it is to thrive.

Because the church thrives in togetherness, we should be prepared to move forward with God.

What is it about togetherness that allows a church to move forward with God and to thrive? Togetherness allows the church to thrive in prayer, in fellowship, and in unity.

I. The church thrives in prayer

Being prepared to move forward requires us to beware of a future designed by God. Prayer gives us an awareness of God’s presence and His will.

Re-read verse 14

A. Prayer (supplication) provides focus for power over sin .

The people were in one accord which means they were focused and determined to see through the next phase of the church. They prayed with earnest request to see the promise of Christ fulfilled. The New King James Version includes the word supplication as a way of showing the urgency of their prayers.

They knew they needed to have power over the worldly desires inside them. They wanted to give themselves wholly to Christ. This wasn’t just a man thing either. Luke was very careful to make sure that those who would read this letter knew that women were very much involved with the transitions and with the leadership of the church.

Re-read verse 24

B. Prayer provides an outlet for power in life choices.

Voting for the new apostle was a big deal. They needed to be sure that they were acting in God’s will so they laid hands on each man and prayed for God’s decision to be made. Whatever decision was made was the decision to which they would adhere. Prayer offered them power over a very important life decision.

Prayer sets forth ministers and sets forth people into new jobs, into school, into parenthood, and into marriage. Prayer allows us to voice our concerns before God as Jesus did before He was marched off to His trial, and prayer allows us to voice our commitment to God as Christ does as He prays over the disciples in John 17.

Here is what David Guzik had to say about the casting of lots:

“The casting of lots may be an imperfect way to discern God’s will, but it is much better than the methods many Christians use today, relying on emotions, circumstances, feelings, carnal desires, and so forth.”

Deciding on a new pastor will be an emotional commitment but your emotions should not rule your ability to make the choice. I’ve watched too many churches that looked at the green grass on the other side of the fence and forget how God is trying to fertilize their side of the fence.

God has given you several people to choose from. I believe any of them will be God choice. You have to seek His help and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit as you decide. That choice comes easier as you join together and pray.

As togetherness helps the church thrive in prayer, we each should make renewed commitments to God. To move forward with God we each should pray for continued power over sin and power in life choices.

When is the last time you let someone pray for you, much less pray with you? When is the last time you asked to pray with someone?

As the church becomes focused through prayer, we also find that through togetherness…

II. The church thrives in fellowship.

How does fellowship aid in the church moving forward?

Read verse 15

In fellowship, we have…

A. A place to encounter God

The believers spend countless hours together as they waited for the promise given by Christ. It became a mark of the church and would be repeated throughout history as the church learns how to minister in hostile and favorable environments.

This particular period shows how fellowship really changes Peter. Without Christ, Peter denies Him. With Christ, Peter steps up into a leadership role. Fellowship allows us to encounter and interact with God.

Read verse 21

B. A place to be engaged by God in ministry

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Peter knew they needed a person who had not turned away after Christ was crucified. They needed someone who could rise up in leadership as the church awaited its future. Peter, who Jesus pulled aside to correct and strengthen, now used his own weaknesses to help point the church to God and God’s will for the church.

Fellowship changes the heart of people.

I have seen this personally. My wife and I have been involved in young couples’ fellowships at the churches we have attended and pastored. We have witnessed how people go from being attendees to desiring to be involved with all kinds of ministries. I have seen men who thought the best they could do was be seat warmer become incredible leaders to youth and to adults.

These fellowships give people great opportunities to hear God’s Word, respond to it, and be themselves. They do more than a typical Sunday school or Wednesday night teaching program. Teaching builds disciples and fellowships build people. Both are vital parts of the church.

Creating opportunities for fellowship opens the door for people to discover their gifts and opens the door for them to receive ministry. The churches greatest asset in moving forward with God is its ability to create environments for fellowships.

Revival is birthed out of the churches ability to open its arms to those seeking a family. Fellowship groups create places of togetherness where people are no longer threatened by what others think and they are able to encounter the presence of God and the engagement of God.

Moving forward becomes easier as togetherness ignites prayer and fellowship which culminates as…

III. The church thrives in unity.

What about unity helps the church to thrive?

Read verse 26

A. Unity embraces God’s decision

Matthias becomes the new apostle at the casting of lots. There wasn’t a lot of fanfare and great parades in the streets. He just takes His place among the teachers and witnesses and they church moves forward under God’s guidance.

Casting lots is not a Biblical pattern because afterward the Holy Spirit comes; He becomes the One who guides the decision of the church. The Holy Spirit chooses Paul for example. The decision was not any less important, however. They specifically prayed for a leader and Matthias becomes God’s choice.

Read verse 2:1

B. Unity embraces God’s action

The church did not split over the decision. We know this because they were still in one accord. That means that they were like-minded or with one mind. They had a common vision and mission.

God’s plan to develop world changers becomes evident only after the church commits to unity.

One of the hardest lessons I have ever had to learn came when I tried to plant a church in Covington, GA. It started probably for the right reason but ended for all the wrong as the church lost unity and togetherness - all of which I caused.

God let me grow and learn how to handle that situation but as I went through it I was quite dismayed and shocked to how it unfolded. It was a hard lesson but one necessary to move forward…

Tough lessons in life can grow us or divide us. Some transitions we will love while others will be bitter. We have to each decide, however, how we will see it. We have to look beyond the deceptions of Satan in order to see the greater work of God in action. Peter looks beyond the betrayal of Judas and shows the young church how God used it to fulfill Scripture.

The church in Acts 2:1 was in one accord in one place! The church needs each other during transitions. The greatest strength comes in numbers not in individualism.

Conclusion:

When transition comes, God has prepared the church to grab the bull by the horns (which I do not recommend to do literally – that’s like trying to catch a snipe or going cow tipping – bad ideas). The church has to come together, and in doing so, it will begin to thrive in prayer, in fellowship, and in unity.

Through togetherness, one of the great revivals fell and changed the church. The Holy Spirit baptizes the church and 3,000 souls are saved!

I want to challenge you tonight to spend the next several days praying and fasting. Make it your choice to move with God as He prepares you to move forward. As the time approaches for you to decide on a pastor, make it your choice to receive that pastor into fellowship and create an environment for the church to launch itself into this community. When the day comes for the new pastor to step into this pulpit make it your choice to be united with him from the get go.

Let God have the church, and watch what He will do with it.