Reinforcing And Cheering Up The Church

Reinforcing And Cheering up the Church

Have you ever fainted? My little brother had a fear of needles and back when they did Small Pox vaccinations I was asked to hold him in case something happened. It did and he all of a sudden was held up only because I had put my hands under his shoulders. He came back to us and that is known to us as reviving.

In the church the word “revival” has in the past meant special meetings that lasted a week or two. The word means what someone did for you to bring you out of your fainted state of unconsciousness and restore to you to full alertness. So I wonder how many Christians and entire churches today have been in a fainted state and are in need of reviving. It has been a long time since they were aware of God’s presence or His power. They go through the activity of living, worshiping, and ministering, but they were exhausted. They feel no joy and are distressed in the spiritual realm. They have become insensitive to the needs and prospects all about them. They are in a fainted state and in need of reviving.

The Lord Jesus once sent a love note to a church in the little Asia Minor town of Sardis. He spared no blows as He told them the truth about themselves: “I know your works. You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you.” REV 3:1-3. Could this be written to our church? Let us look at some signs to be aware of.

1. The ground of the heart has grown hard and resistant. The Bible says we are to break up the ground. HOS 10:12 “I said, ’Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of my love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek (investigate, explore, search) the Lord that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.” JER 4:3 “This is what the Lord says “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.” "Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.” This is our job not God’s.

2. Our light has grown dim. The Bible says we are to let our lights shine. MT 5:14-16. “You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” EPH 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. If our lights are dim our reflectors needs adjustment.

3. Our fire in our soul has grown weak. The Bible says it is our responsibility to stir it up. 2 TIM 1:6, 7 “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. (Gifts are not given in full bloom; they need to be developed through use.) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

4. The work has grown weary. The Bible says we are not to grow weary. Gal. 6:7Do not be deceived (mistaken): God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary (exhausted, fatigued, overworked, distressed) in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Do you need refreshment?

5. The world has grown in its attraction. The Bible tells this world will pass away. I JN 2:15. Don’t love the world (which is controlled by Satan and organized against God and righteousness) and what it offers. Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” We must let go of the things of this world.