25th February, 2022.

UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL REVIVAL Pt.5

Psalms85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

DEVOTION TO THE WORD

Till the time of this writing, churches in China can't piblicly declare their faith because the state has declared the Christian faith "Religio Illicita" ( Illegal religion). Publicly claiming to be a Christian will attract persecution even unto death. However, people keep coming to the Lord in large numbers through strategic evangelism and mission work going on there. The churches also operate secretly in unknown destinations hence we call the China church "Underground Church". The Christians in China are one of the most revived believers on the surface of the earth presently. They tick almost all the boxes for the attributes of a revived church. I heard the story of an American preacher who was invited to preach in one of the underground churches in China.
When he got there, he preached for about 3 hours. After his message, his listeners requested he continue his message because they were used to listening to teachings that lasted up to 12 hours. This American preacher was surprised at their devotion to the word of God. A number of these Chinese Christians don't have bibles because of the laws against it but now, they met someone from Christian America who should know all of the bible yet wasn't willing to teach it extensively. The testimony is the same in all Chinese churches. When revival comes, the people of God will be devoted to private study of the word and shall not be tired of listening to accurate teachings of God's word. These are days where accurate scriptural teaching is becoming uncommon. In some circles, bible study is weak and Sunday services are done in a rush to accommodate the next service.

When revival broke out in the early church, Acts 2:42 says, "THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer". That was the reality of the early church. A revived church is a teaching church not a place for nice cool talks. No time for jamboree. Early church history says that in the time of the Apostles and sub Apostolic era, teachings lasted. 3-4 hours. These are doctrinal teachings aimed at maturing the believer. Do you still love deep teachings or you love piece meal sermons and churches where you'll get spiritual fast food? What about your private study of God's word?
The revived early believers had strong private bible study culture such that they had time to check for the accuracy of whatever they were taught: "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true", Acts17:11. How often do you check the teachings and preachings you hear for their accuracy or you just take everything in hook line and sinker? *God is raising a generation like the Berean believers who will be diligent in study of God's word and not rely on what 'papa' said but the truth of God's word. They'll ask questions and search for the truth. They'll be inclined towards deep teachings of scriptures and not piece meal. It is happening already but I pray it spreads like wildfire all over. You need revival, I need revival and the church need revival.