Revival Again?

 I believe we are in a great paradigm shifting era in world wide spiritual revival. In the First Reformation, God took His Word out of the hands of a few specialists and gave it to everyone. the result was a huge, worldwide revival and renewal and a church reform-ation. What could possibly impact the world as greatly as that? Is it possible?

Yes, it is possible, and it is happening. In what some scholars are calling, "The Fourth Great Awakening" God's Spirit is on the move again is ways reminiscent to the Early Church. From a small band of meek, undisciplined and uneducated men in Palestine grew a power packed, world changing juggernaut of 30 million people from all walks of life. The Early Church was so powerful that it shook up the political scene and led politicians to ask its leaders to become part of the state. Unfortunately,  the leaders chose safety and security politically and physically rather than remain spiritually powerful but vulnerable. Mammon was very attractive and Constantine was able to co opt the movement of God.

What is God up to now to replicate the Early Church?Are we open enough to receive what the Lord has in mind? I doubt it.

Christians have resisted, revolted and refused to change when God started moving in a different way than people were comfortable. Look at Peter. He was, one of the original 12 and God's Spirit was upon him. He preached and the ground shook, people were healed and prison doors opened. He was a miracle worker but when God came to him and directly ordered him to change his old cultural habits he said no! No! NO!! (See Acts 10)

Do you think we modern Christians are any more open the God's new ideas when he wasn't? Racism is difficult to change. Sexism is difficult to change. Being ungenerous is hard to change.

What great move of God would cause you to quiver and shake and resist?

What big move do you see coming down the pike?

More later.

Gary Sweeten