“Revival & People.”
I. REVIVAL IS NEEDED.
A Book of Acts Church is one that is seeking and operating in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. As Spirit-filled believers, we believe the heartbeat of revival is the power of the Holy Spirit. II Chron. 7:14
Revival: “Revival is a period of time when people are awakened to the reality of an ever-present and ever-willing God. It is sparked by prayer and the prophetic preaching of the Word, and it is lead by example.”
Revival is the life of God in & through the people of God to reproduce the life of God in the world. To me, for me, then through me for others.
Rev. 12:3-5; Ps. 85:6; Luke 4:18
- When there is religion, revival is needed.
- When a person is born-again, they pass from death to life.
- Revival is awakening people who are dead. 2 Tim. 3:5; John 11:47-48
II. PEOPLE ARE THE HEART OF GOD.
Our desire is to connect with people in relationships and meet needs as we serve one another in love. Jesus Christ is our means and our message, and we yearn to bring a Spiritual Impact upon those who do not know Christ through building and growing relationships.
Acts 8:4; Acts 2:46-47; Acts 2:47; Luke 14:23
1. We must be willing to connect with people.
In small groups, we learn to function. Prov. 27:17
2. In relationships, we incorporate life lessons.
-Relationships help us not to be deceived. We grow and mature in relationships.
In local churches, we must foster Interdependence, not Independence. Eph. 4:11-13,16
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RELEVANT TO ANY PEOPLE GROUP.
Our desire is to serve people by bringing Biblical Relevance to a lost generation. The Holy Spirit has destined the Church to make a difference in the world through Him.
1. God has called us to be dreamers.
Those who see God’s dreams and visions as reality. James 1:23; James 2:18
Dreamers see the invisible and the visible. They see potential as reality.
II Cor. 4:18
2. God has called us to be Spilled. Acts 4:31; Eph. 5:18
-We have no need to be filled unless we are going to be spilled.
-If we aren’t spilling, then we don’t need a filling.
The Spirit-filled Church must experience revival, be in a relationship with people,
and then it will be culturally relevant.