The Coming Revival

Last week was a hard week. My heart was broken for the Ukrainian girl, Iryna Zarutska, who was killed in Charlotte, the Colorado school shooting, the 9/11 commemoration and then the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Like you and our nation, I’ve been grieving. We all grieve in different ways, but personally, I have moved from denial to anger and am still on the journey to acceptance.

This is so much bigger than politics. This is a spiritual battle. We see there is true evil in this world - a girl being stabbed, children being shot, innocent people dying on 9/11, then a fellow Christ-follower being killed - it is all pure evil. Why? In the beginning, God created a perfect world. Adam and Eve were in a perfect relationship with God and with each other. Then, man sinned. When sin entered this world, everything changed, and our world has been broken ever since. Yet, our God is faithful. He is redeeming and restoring. God is making all things right and new. Sometimes we wonder why Christ doesn’t just return now and fix it all. But think about this, when Jesus does come back, that’s it. There is a heaven and there is a hell. And, once Jesus returns, no one else will have the opportunity to hear. That is why it says in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” Jesus waits so that all will hear the Gospel and come to repentance. So, we are living in the in-between. Knowing the best is still to come. In the meantime, we must hold tight to Him and point others to Jesus. 

In 1968, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a defining moment in our nation’s history. Whether you agreed with him politically on every issue or not, everyone knew Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. loved Jesus, and he believed our nation could be a better place. He chose to proclaim the Light because he knew the darkness could not overcome it. Yet, he also knew he was putting his life on the line. His assassination was tragic, but realize what God did.

There have been four Great Awakenings in our country, and the last one started with this spark. The fire was lit, and Revival came. The last Great Awakening in our country was in the 1960s and 70’s. In the midst of civil unrest - marked by Woodstock, the Vietnam War, the fight for integration, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - a Revival was sparked across our nation. God showed up and showed off. It is truly in the times of uncertainty and division that God does His greatest work.

We’ve been in a series at church on spiritual leadership. God, in His Sovereignty, by the power of His Holy Spirit, knew where we needed to be at this time. We’ve been studying the book of Titus. Paul was writing this letter to Titus and another one to Timothy. They were serving God in a dark time. The Roman Empire was persecuting Christians. They were literally putting their lives on the line to bring the Gospel to the world and to generations to come. In fact, after writing this letter to Titus, Paul would end up being arrested again and this time killed for his faith in Jesus. But what happened? Revival! What the enemy meant for evil, God turned to good. God brought a Revival that transformed the Roman Empire, ultimately into a Christian nation.

The death of Charlie Kirk has impacted us all. I wish I hadn’t seen the video. It’s still in my mind. This husband and father was dialoguing with college students in a civil way about faith and life on a college campus and being shot dead at that very moment was only out of pure evil. Many Christians have been killed for their faith through the centuries, but this one hit so close to home. Charlie wasn’t perfect, but he sure loved Jesus, his wife, his children and our nation. It seems like evil has won, but not when God is present. Could Charlie Kirk’s death stir the very Revival that our weary hearts and our nation so urgently need?

We are already seeing it. Revival is taking place in the UK. Gen Z is coming to church more than any other generation. Bible sales are up 22% this year. Men are attending church more than ever. At Rolling Hills, we have a Revival happening October 22-26. Obviously, it is only the Spirit of God who brings Revival. But, Revival always starts with His people. Revival starts as God’s people pray and are truly revived spiritually in our hearts and lives. The spiritual awakening starts with us. As Titus 3 says, “not live unproductive lives.” We long to see Jesus and make a difference in this world for His glory.

I pray that the assassination of Charlie Kirk will impact all of us deeply. He was a man of faith in Jesus - a brother in Christ - and he was killed exercising his rights as an American to engage in dialogue. He knew the risks, and the question is: Are we willing and ready to die for Christ? Think about it. I pray it never comes to that point for you, but are we willing to die for our freedom in Christ (as so many have before us) or for our faith in Jesus? We are seeing a nation responding to free speech and disagreements with violence - this is the exact opposite of what our country was fundamentally founded on. 

So, what should we do:

1. Live for Jesus every day with the same passion as you are willing to die for Jesus.

2. Love God and love others. Love is the only way for Christians to live. Jesus told us, “Love your enemies.” Love is what will lead our nation and people back to our God.

3. Speak the Truth, but always do this in love.

4. Make the most of your time. We are not promised tomorrow. Make every day matter.

5. Remember - God wins! God will triumph. As Christ followers, we are on the winning team. Don’t live in fear, but live in faith. Our God is at work and Revival is coming.

Imagine a world where everyone knows and loves God. What a difference this would be. A world where people lead with love first, and never violence. A world where people pray, care and listen to one another. A world where it truly is “on earth as it is in heaven.” This is the world God longs to see and our God will ultimately bring. One Day, everything will be perfect, but until that Day comes, let’s live faithful in this “in-between.” Let’s pray, love and share Jesus with whoever we meet. Like Charlie, MLK and the other godly brothers and sisters who have gone on before us, let’s make the most of our time. However long we are on this earth, let’s live for Jesus. There is a Great Awakening coming. Revival is Here. And, Revival starts with us.