Featured If you had to explain the concept of "revival"..

http://articles.ochristian.com/article1651.shtml

We can define it as a period of unusual blessing and activity in the life of the Christian Church. Revival means awakening, stimulating the life, bringing it to the surface again. It happens primarily in the Church of God, and amongst believing people, and it is only secondly something that affects those that are outside also. Now this is a most important point, because this definition helps us to differentiate, once and for all, between a revival and an evangelistic campaign.

 

A movement of the Holy Spirit in an area or country that produces a spiritual fervor resulting in large scale repentance and conversion to Christianity and is acknowledged by both secular and religious people.

I'm using a modified definition of the one Dr Roy Fish used at SWBTS in his revivals class.

 

If the gospel is being preached in the pulpit you will have no need of a revival because the sheep will be revived every time they hear the gospel. The only churches that need revivals are the ones that have no true gospel. But if they are satisfied in hearing a dead preacher, preaching a dead gospel then that church needs more than a revival, they need resurrecting unto life.

 

I heard this story years ago

FBC, Dallas, TX

One of the deacons asked Dr. Criswell the reason FBC, Dallas doesn't hold revival service once a year like the rest of the churches around

To which Dr. Criswell replied-----Dear Sir-First Baptist of Dallas, Texas has revival 52 Sundays out of the year!!!!

:wavey::love2::thumbsup:

 

Revival should be in our hearts everyday as we seek God. Revival is not some shout, stomp, and spit preacher coming to shake the world in the confines of a church building. Revival happens when people start doing the ministry god gives them no matter how small or how large it may be.

 

That is not entirely true:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec5dJHtMTSg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qOqitIKUNs

 

I am not sure what you are getting at. If the church is asleep, it is ineffective. If it is alive it is making disciples as Jesus taught. Consider the long term lasting effects of the revivals we have had in America. Consider what was done in terms of discipleship. If you listen to the message at http://turret2.discipleshiplibrary.com/1A.mp3 (especially from 25:57-29:35) Dawson Trotman talks about a discussion he had with Billy Graham about the discipleship that was done during the time of each revival and its effectiveness.

 

Then you did not watch much of either. What you are talking about is the effects of the revival not the revival itself.

 

If people are moved by God but they are not doers of the word then they are just disobedient and excited. The Jews did not divorce doing from hearing.

 

This is a good definition.

In ch. 6 of his classic Why Revival Tarries, Leonard Ravenhill gives these reasons we don't have revival: "because evangelism is so highly commercial", "because of cheapening the Gospel", "because of carelessness", "because of fear", because we lack urgency in prayer" and finally, "because we steal the glory that belongs to God."

Throughout the book Ravenhill emphasizes prayer and a concern for the lost as primary signs of revival.

 

John R. Rice (a close friend of Criswell) believed that the preacher should carry revival with him. He based this on Paul's statement in Rom. 15:29, "And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ."

 

I tend to believe why so many "want revival" is not because they want to do the dirty work of humility and repentance but because they want spiritual excitement which is nothing more than a show. True revival is when people are humble and make relationships right with others and seek to do what God wants.

 

I agree in that a preacher who is right with God will bring what is right everywhere he goes.

 

I attended revival at a small country church for the first time last week. I have to say it has been a blessing for me as a backsliding Christian and also for my family. It was sort of a wake up call for me that I really needed. From my observation...and I can't speak for others.... the church revival at this church was all about saving souls and praising God. I don't know much about revivals but in this instance it was a good experience for everyone who attended whether they were walking with Christ already or backsliding. I attended every night and thank God I did. I had veered off the road for awhile and it helped me come out of the ditch

 

Would say that its a work of God, and that the Spirit so moves upon people thatsaints are empowered to be bold witnesses, to live as they ought, and that sinners seetheir need for Christ, and that even the culture feels the shockwaves from many person either become bold for Christ, or else saved by Christ!

 

Which has nothing to do with what a revival is.

 

I've always appreciated that during my times at Liberty U, we had something called "Spiritual Emphasis Week" and did not call it "Revival Week." The difference made all the difference.