Echoes of Revival

Acts 2:1

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all with one accord in one place. 

How does revival start? Well it starts with people. It starts with willing hearts and open minds. It starts with people who are surrendered and those who want to do something. It starts with men and women who want to change. 

It says that the disciples were in one place, with one accord. What does that mean? Jesus had told them to wait, to wait for the promise of the father, the Holy Spirit, and that's exactly what they were doing! Not a single one of those disciples wanted to miss out on the promised Holy Spirit. They knew Jesus' words, how he had said that it was even better for him to go away so the Holy Spirit could come and be with them. They knew the promises and they were open and willing to wait. They were all waiting, they were surrendered to the will of Jesus. They wanted to change, they knew the only way they could do what was needed was for the spirit to come and change them into the image of Christ. They wanted the spirit because they knew that it was by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, that Jesus had done everything he had done. And so they waited, with one accord, waiting for the promise of Jesus. And guess what happened next? 

Acts 2:2

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Picture it in your head. Here you are, a disciple of Jesus Christ, sitting amongst others who are all gathered here with one purpose, to wait for the promise. Imagine it, you're praying and worshiping God, when all of a sudden a mighty wind fills the house! Not just a gentle breeze but a mighty rushing wind. Pouring over you, sending chills down your spine as you fall to your knees in complete adoration. And still the wind blows, washing away your doubt, setting in your heart something beyond anything you have experienced before. It washes you clean and you feel something you have never felt before, the complete presence of God. Filling you, healing you, strengthening you, purifying you...empowering you! 

It's interesting here how Luke describes this scene. He doesn't just say "oh the disciples felt a little breeze." No! He says it was a mighty rushing wind. And he goes on and says it filled the house. It utterly filled the whole house! How amazing is that that the spirit of God, for that is what this was, was so powerfully present that it didn't just fill the disciples hearts, but it poured out not only into their hearts but all around them. Flowing without end to every corner of the room. How amazing is that! Just think about that for a second. Here the disciples are, waiting for the promise of the lord and savior. I'm sure at least one of them had a little doubt. But then without warning, a mighty rush of wind appears and everything changes. Fear is gone, they no longer have to be afraid of man. For what is man compared to the awesome power of the spirit of God. Doubt is gone, how can they doubt any longer? The spirit has descended and they are filled with the very presence of God, the very breath of God, how can they have any more doubts? Bitterness is gone, what do they have to be bitter for? They now have the abiding, peaceful, grace filled presence of the living God. How can they be bitter? Self is gone. How can one think about self in a moment where you are so filled with the spirit. Your thoughts turn not to yourself but rather to others and how much they need this message. I could list hundreds of other things. They had absolutely no need for anything else at that moment. The spirit had come and they were filled with the fullness, not of man, of God who is all and is in all and works through all. How could anyone desire anything else but that in that moment? That abiding, pure, overcoming presence of the living God. It is God Himself living inside you through the Holy Spirit which was poured out in accordance with the promises of Christ. How amazing is that!?!? Take a moment to think about that. Better yet go read Job 38.....I'm serious go read it. 

That same God that is described in those verses, the God who knows all things, who is above all things lives in you! When you read the scripture in this light it becomes far more amazing! The same God who parted the Red Sea, lives in you! The same God who created the universe, lives in you! The same God who causes magnificent sunsets, and placed the stars in heaven lives in you! Does this not astound you? It astounds me. Our God would be merciful if he even allowed us to live on as the Israelites did with sacrifices needed to cover our sins. But no! God sent His son, His Son, to DIE for us. So that we broken and sinful creatures could come into His presence without fear. And as if that wasn't enough! He gave us His living and abiding presence inside of us so that we could walk constantly in him and be filled with His fullness. Does this not astound you!? How gracious and amazing our God is! Now you might be thinking what does this apply to revival? What does the spirit have to do with revival? EVERYTHING! 

If this event had not happened, the New Testament church would not exist. Think about who these men were. Peter, the man who denied Jesus 3 times. Matthew, a tax collector. James and John, the same people who asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire to destroy a town. All of these men had flaws. All of them had ways that were deficient. But yet it was through these men and the others there that day, that God changed the world. And it was by His Spirit, that he changed and empowered them. You cannot read the book of Acts truthfully without seeing the power of the Holy Spirit. It's woven in every miracle, poured out in every word, and yet tragically neglected, no rejected, in our church nowadays. The Holy Spirit is the reason the New Testament church was powerful. It was the power of God, through His Spirit, that allowed the New Testament church to change the world. I've been convicted lately of my tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit. How much I reject God's leading in my life. Going to a funeral is a sobering experience. Because you realize how close we are to eternity. But you also that what you leave behind should still inspire. Will people be able to say that you lived with power? Will people be able to say that you changed their life? If your answer to these questions is no, then there is only one thing that can help. The Holy Spirit. By God's mercy we have access to the throne of God to petition the creator of the universe for help. And often he sends that help in the form of the Holy Spirit, who is our helper. Cry out to him and ask him to forgive you for your rejection of his gift. And ask him to reveal the Holy Spirit in your life. Read the book of Acts in a new light. See the Holy Spirit with new eyes. Search scripture for the true doctrine of God's Holy Spirit. 

Hear the echoes of revival. Hear God calling you to take a stand and not back down. Feel the pull of the Holy Spirit telling you to GET UP and do something. Be filled with The Spirit, and change the world for Christ. 

Acts 1:8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”