This week we take a break from our Relationships in the Church series. At Faith Church this past week I gave a Q & A sermon. I asked the congregation for questions ahead of time, and then I attempted to bring biblical theology to bear on their questions. Here’s the next question: Is revival a biblicalContinue reading “Is revival a biblical concept? – Q & A, Part 4”
Tag Archives: revival
What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1
Do you remember the Asbury outpouring that happened last year? From February 8, 2023, all the way to February 24th, 2023, that’s 17 days, there was a continuous, 24/7, worship and prayer event at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Throughout history there have been numerous such extended prayer efforts. In fact, the International House ofContinue reading “What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1”
How solo can a person’s relationship with God be and still be faithful? – Meeting together, Preview
It’s been in the news, so I suspect many of you have heard the dire reports. Christian worship service attendance across our nation is down. Way down. One report notes that in the past 30 years, 40 million people have stopped participating in the life and worship of their houses of worship. That decline isContinue reading “How solo can a person’s relationship with God be and still be faithful? – Meeting together, Preview”
Why we cannot manufacture a movement of God (and what we should do instead) – John 15:1-10, Part 5
The theme of my denomination this year is “A Dynamic Movement of God.” This theme comes from the denomination’s vision statement which was created in the early 2000s. While we definitely want to participate in the movement of God, let us not believe that we can manufacture a movement of God. Many Christians claim thatContinue reading “Why we cannot manufacture a movement of God (and what we should do instead) – John 15:1-10, Part 5”
What God wants from revival – John 7:1-52, Part 4
Have you heard about the Asbury Revival of 2023? The university has chapel services, and students are required to attend a number of chapel services each semester. At one particular service recently, something happened. The manifest presence of the Holy Spirit was like a stream of living water in the lives of the students. TheContinue reading “What God wants from revival – John 7:1-52, Part 4”
The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3
What does Ezekiel’s Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones mean? God explains it to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37, verses 11-14. How about that? The entire vision is symbolic. Ezekiel wasn’t at the scene of battle from years earlier. The vision of the valley of dry bones, God says, symbolizes the people of Israel, whoContinue reading “The meaning of the vision of the valley of dry bones – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 3”
The power of God’s breath – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 2
“Can these bones live?” That’s the question God posed to Ezekiel. God had just taken Ezekiel, through a prophetic vision journey, to a valley filled to the brim with human bones. The obvious answer to the question is, “No!” Dead things do not come back to life. When you’re dead, your dead. It could beContinue reading “The power of God’s breath – Ezekiel 37:1-14, Part 2”
A curious case of God making a prophet sin? – Ezekiel 14, Part 4
Long ago I attended a church’s Sunday School class in which the teacher claimed that God is in control of everything, which includes creating and causing human sin, and then punishing humans for the sin. I found that very strange and wrong. I questioned the teacher, but he explained that God is holy and perfect,Continue reading “A curious case of God making a prophet sin? – Ezekiel 14, Part 4”
Why some Christians teach it is possible to become perfect in this life – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 3
Perfection is possible. What do you think about that claim? True or False? We humans use the word, “perfect” quite a lot in our conversations. We make plans for a visit with friends, and we say, “That sounds perfect!” But we don’t actually mean that the plan is absolute perfection. Instead, we mean, “That planContinue reading “Why some Christians teach it is possible to become perfect in this life – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 3”
Revival happens when the bottom rots out – Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, Part 4
I grew up in a Christian home, and I am so grateful for the way my parents raised me and my siblings. Throughout high school and in my first year of college, though, I really had allowed myself to become selfish. I was terribly unkind to my brother for years, I was selfish in datingContinue reading “Revival happens when the bottom rots out – Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 