Revival

Seeking a Movement

In my time in ministry and as a Christian, I’ve heard of countless “revivals” and movements—moments we’re told will bring spiritual renewal or awakening. They’re described as times when believers are refreshed, restored to a deep commitment to Christ, and renewed in their faith. We’ve all heard the language: “God is doing something here.”

Whether it’s a surge of teenagers, a wave of adults returning to church, or a growing crowd on Sundays, revival is quickly claimed. But just as quickly as it’s declared, it often fades. These movements seem to pass as fast as the church’s latest ideas for inspiration.

We’ve seen those ideas before—bringing in trending books, launching new programs, restructuring small groups—all with the hope that something will finally spark lasting change. Yet time and again, they fall short of the greater purpose.

There has already been a true revival—a movement that took place thousands of years ago when Jesus died and rose again. In that moment, God stepped into the world and changed it forever. His kingdom broke in, extending an invitation for all to come home. The Light of life entered the darkness so that humanity might be raised from death to life. It was a movement unlike any other—and because of it, no other is needed.

This is revival: you have been brought from death to life. This is the movement—one that, even when its flame seems to dim, can never be extinguished. And once you are caught up in it, you are held for life.

The reason so many movements fail is that they try to stir a dimly lit fire—or worse, a fire that isn’t there at all—through excitement and borrowed emotion, relying on others to spark what seems to be missing. But this is not how a weak fire grows. It isn’t built on movements or fads, on activity alone or surface-level engagement. True growth comes through genuine spiritual maturity.

The church often spends its energy trying to fan the flames, pushing for inspiration, when it should be focused on helping people mature. We can’t create a fire that isn’t there—only God can do that. Our role is to nurture what He has already begun. Instead of trying to force a weak flame to burn brighter, we should invest in growth and maturity, trusting God to strengthen the fire in His time.

How do we help growth?

Of course, we guide people with Scripture, but we also need to continually remind and encourage them to be both hearers and doers of the Word. They must read the Word so that God increases and they decrease. They must understand that they are not in church to be served, but to serve. They should not simply come to listen to sermons and then forget everything the moment they walk out the door—if that’s all they do, what’s the point? They are only deceiving themselves.

We need to call them to visible change in their daily lives. If they are not influencing the world as salt and light, they are not growing in wisdom or maturity. They must be exhorted to move from spiritual milk to solid meat, to confront and turn from sin, to die to themselves, let go of the fallen ways of the world, and live fully for God—with reverence, trust, obedience, and a heart that gives Him all the glory.

Jesus brought revival—the greatest movement of all, the only one that truly matters. Our task is to nurture what He began, and the world will take notice. When God came upon the early church in Acts, He ignited a fire so powerful that it stirred awe and even fear among the people (Acts 2:43). The atmosphere of the early church was one of reverence and wonder, as God’s miraculous power flowed through the apostles.

This is the reality the world needs to see beyond the walls of the church. When believers shine as salt and light, carrying God’s presence in such fullness, the fear of the Lord will move hearts and draw people in.