At the turn of the century, James Burns wrote the book "Revivals: The Laws and Leaders." In the opening chapter he discusses "laws" of revival, as well as the "laws" of the absence of revival. "The first tendency," he writes, "is for the doctrine of the church to lose its power of convicting the conscience, convincing the mind, or moving the heart." He goes on to point out that spiritual decay brings with it a formality of worship in which the "ritual" is so exalted that it crushes the spirit.
I hear voices today telling us of a revival happening in our country. If James Burns is right, and I believe that he is, we have an absence of revival. The modern trend in Christianity is away from doctrine. In my early Christian experience, people would travel great distances to hear men of God preach the fundamental doctrines of the Word of God. As a young believer I would stay up most of the night in discussion with fellow Christians comparing Scripture with Scripture.
The words that represent the great doctrines of the faith have become "dirty words" to many in Christianity. Rarely do we hear of people who are convinced, convicted, or moved by good, sound preaching of Bible doctrine.
Christian entertainment seems to be one key to drawing a large crowd today. If we can have the latest in popular music or trendy speakers, people will flock to hear. Even sermons today lean more toward entertainment. Pastors who can tell a lot of good stories and be very creative in their presentation will gain an audience. I believe that we fit the pattern that Paul had warned Timothy about in 2 Timothy 4:3-4:
I believe that this spiritual decay has also brought about a formality of worship in which the ritual is so exalted that it crushes the spirit.
The problem in our churches today is not that we need a new style or type of worship: Spirit-filled believers can enjoy many different styles or types of worship. I fear we are trying to put the proverbial cart before the horse. Worship is not the way to the filling of the Spirit. Worship is a natural response to a right relationship with God. A right relationship with God for the believer is had by letting the "Word of Christ dwell in you richly." The natural response is,
Colossians 3:16-17
If there is anything that needs emphasis today it is the preaching and teaching of God's Word. I am not talking about sermonettes with a verse thrown in at the end to support a point. I am talking about Isaiah 28:9-10.
Revival in Nehemiah's day came from the reading of the law from morning until midday (Neh. 8:1-3). Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (Neh. 8:5). The natural response to this preaching:
Nehemiah 8:6
The style of his preaching:
Nehemiah 8:8
Beloved, we need to get the horse back in front where he belongs. May God help us follow the charge that Paul gave to Timothy as his parting words:
2 Timothy 4:1-2
"Revival Signs" first appeared in the November/December issue of "Truth Aflame." You can order "Truth Aflame" from Bible Doctrines Publications: P.O. Box 2351, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501.
Copyright © , Evangelist Lynn Dulakis , 1997, 303 Laurel Way, Franklin, North Carolina - 28734
Contact Evangelist Dulakis about preaching at your church -- Phone: 704-349-4344
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Last Updated: 12/20/1999 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."
"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little."
"And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground."
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."