The video "What is Revival? With Ray Ortlund" discusses the concept of revival in the church and its importance in the face of secularization. The video includes an interview with Ray Ortlund, who shares his passion for serving the renewal of the church and addresses uncertain feelings about revival. The speaker's life mission is to serve as a catalyst for the Next Great Awakening, emphasizing the importance of having a healthy ambition for God's glory. The video emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our lives matter in the context of revival and that God can use even the weakest individuals to bring about significant impact. Revival is characterized by seasons of decline and renewal in church history, and pastors should not neglect the revival dimension in ministry. The video also discusses discerning true revival from fake revival and the role of prayer in revival. Dry seasons can prepare pastors and Christians for revival, and unity serves revival by creating conditions for it in the church. The video concludes with expressions of gratitude towards the guest and the listeners' pursuit of genuine answers.
Introduction + Book Recommendation
The concept of revival in the church and its importance in the face of secularization is discussed in the video "What is Revival? With Ray Ortlund". Ray Ortlund, along with his father, shares their passion for serving the renewal of the church and addresses uncertain feelings about revival. They also discuss various seasons of renewal in their ministries. The video includes a book recommendation for "Sunday Matters" by Paul David Trip, a book of 52 devotionals designed to prepare your heart for church. Each devotional includes scripture, reflection questions, and family discussion suggestions, making it ideal for those who struggle with family devotions and want to be better prepared for church.
Start of Interview
- The video discusses the topic of Revival and features an interview with the host's father, who has a deep understanding of Revival.
- The interview focuses on the theological aspects of Revival and aims to provide viewers with a clearer and more hopeful understanding of it.
- The goal of the video is to encourage viewers to think more deeply about Revival and its significance in their lives.
Dad's Life Mission Statement
- The speaker's life mission statement is to serve as a catalyst for the Next Great Awakening.
- This mission is not unique to the speaker, but a common desire among Christians.
- The goal is to make their lives count for Jesus.
Godly Ambition
Godly ambition is about seeking something great for God's glory and renown. It is not humble to disparage oneself before God, but rather to understand one's purpose and reach for it through repentance and faith. Give yourself permission to matter and live your life for the display of God's glory.
Key points:
- Importance of having a healthy ambition for God's glory
- Understanding one's purpose and reaching for it through repentance and faith
- Disparaging oneself before God is not humble
- Giving oneself permission to matter and live for God's glory
Our Lives Matter
The video emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our lives matter in the context of revival. It highlights that God can use even the weakest individuals to bring about significant impact. The speaker expresses their excitement and willingness to give their life for the kingdom of God, emphasizing humility and surrendering to God's will. The focus is on serving renewal in the church and being open to being used by God without needing to see or control the outcome.
- Importance of recognizing that our lives matter in the context of revival
- God can use even the weakest individuals to bring about significant impact
- Excitement and willingness to give life for the kingdom of God
- Emphasis on humility and surrendering to God's will
- Focus on serving renewal in the church
- Being open to being used by God without needing to see or control the outcome
Suspicions About Revival
Revival is a biblical concept that brings spiritual rejuvenation and renewal. It is not a man-made event, but a gift from above. True revival is a transformative experience that includes miracles and a continuous presence of the Risen Christ.
What is Revival?
Revival is the normal Ministry of the Gospel with remarkable power from on high, an unusual manifestation of the same gospel. It occurs when a church service becomes an experience beyond human ability, with outcomes greater than inputs. All believers, regardless of their church's level of revival, are equal in the sight of God.
Key points:
- Revival is not separate from the work of the Holy Spirit in the church.
- It is characterized by seasons of rugged faithfulness and times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
- Revival involves believers being fully involved and caught up in the grace and converting power of the Risen Christ.
- The gospel spreads with unusual power during revival.
Revival in Church History
Revival in church history is characterized by seasons of declension followed by seasons of renewal. Jonathan Edwards emphasized the significance of revivals in advancing God's kingdom, stating that the greatest progress is made during special seasons of unusual mercy. Revival is likened to a tsunami that significantly pushes the shoreline back, and it is viewed as a privilege and grace to be part of a faithful church. While the regular ministry of the Gospel sustains believers, revivals are like memorable feasts that have a lasting impact. Key points include:
- Revival consists of cycles of decline and renewal in church history.
- Jonathan Edwards emphasized the importance of revivals in advancing God's kingdom.
- Revivals are characterized by seasons of unusual mercy and significant progress.
- Revival is compared to a tsunami that pushes the shoreline back remarkably.
- Being part of a faithful church is seen as a privilege and grace.
- Revivals are like memorable feasts that have a lasting impact on believers.
Revival as Part of Ministry
- Importance of not neglecting the revival dimension in ministry
- J. Packer's statement on prioritizing experiencing ongoing reality from above in ministry
- Need for pastors to go beyond institutional maintenance and strive for a ministry empowered by God's work
An Example of Unplanned Revival
During a church service, an unplanned revival occurred, where individuals in the congregation started kneeling in prayer and repentance, leading to a transformative experience of God's presence and renewing power. The planned order of the service was abandoned as the church collectively entered into a spiritual encounter with God. This unexpected movement of the Holy Spirit left a lasting impact on the speaker and kept them open to the Lord in the future.
- Personal experience of an unplanned revival during a church service
- Individuals in the congregation started kneeling in prayer and repentance
- Transformative experience of God's presence and renewing power
- Planned order of the service was abandoned
- Church collectively entered into a spiritual encounter with God
- Lasting impact on the speaker
- Kept the speaker open to the Lord in the future.
The 1970 Revival at Wheaton College
The 1970 Revival at Wheaton College was a transformative experience marked by confession of sins, pouring out of anguish, and seeking forgiveness. The campus atmosphere changed overnight, bringing beauty and harmony to the entire community. The speaker hopes that more people in future generations will have similar revival experiences.
- Special week at Wheaton College in the 70s
- Sense of joy, reconciliation, and freedom
- Happy release and belief
- Humanizing and relaxing experience
- Personal conversations and testimonies
- Long line of students sharing experiences and needs
- President of Wheaton College, Dr. Hudson Armerding, present
- Confession of sins, pouring out of anguish, and seeking forgiveness
- Campus atmosphere changed overnight
- Beauty and harmony brought to the entire community
- Speaker hopes for more revival experiences in future generations
Discerning True vs. Fake Revival
Discerning True vs. Fake Revival
- Distinguishing between genuine work of the Holy Spirit and mere noise and energy is crucial in discerning true revival from fake revival.
- Revivals can be corrupted if they become a spectacle or if people are exposed or shamed.
- Pastors should avoid grandiosity and create a safe environment for people to share their struggles.
- Jonathan Edwards' essay on the distinguishing marks of a work of the spirit of God is recommended as a guide to identify authentic revival.
How to Steward Revival
- The most profound aspect of stewarding revival is not trying to control or take ownership of it, but instead allowing the Lord to define its future.
- The pastor should see the revival as a grace and mercy from above and steward it accordingly.
How Dry Seasons Prepare for Revival
How Dry Seasons Prepare for Revival
- Dry seasons can prepare pastors and Christians for revival.
- Pastors should not be discouraged during difficult seasons, as God is using these times to prepare them for future outpourings.
- Every life lived for God's glory contributes to the Next Great Awakening, even if the full impact is not seen in this world.
- The Lord has many revivals planned for the future.
- Despite our flaws and mortality, God can use us for significant purposes if we continue to have faith in Christ.
- We don't need to worry about being in the perfect circumstances because we are already in the right place at the right time.
How Unity Serves Revival
Unity serves revival by creating conditions for revival in the church. Key points include:
- Disunity and fragmentation hinder revival, while unity among Christians promotes it.
- Seeking unity and being open-hearted towards others are important in fostering revival.
- Moving towards one another and building relationships is crucial for revival.
- Humility plays a significant role in overcoming relational fragmentation and moral corruption.
- Humility allows Christians to come together, pray, and seek revival.
- Personal moral integrity and relational cohesion are essential for experiencing revival.
- Individuals need to examine their lives and cleanse themselves from anything dishonorable.
- Reconciliation and building relationships with others are encouraged for revival.
- Standing aloof or viewing others as competition hinders revival.
- When there is moral integrity and relational cohesion, revival is more likely to occur.
The Role of Prayer in Revival
The role of prayer in revival is significant and should influence the way we pray.
Key points:
- The Bible contains prayers for revival, such as Isaiah 64:1.
- Kingdom advancing prayer opens the door to revival.
- Christians should pray bold prayers for many conversions.
- Prayer played a crucial role in the Jesus movement.
- Praying bold prayers for revival is in line with following Jesus and the prayers of the Bible.
When We Feel Unworthy of Revival
Feeling unworthy of revival is a common struggle among young people, who often experience anxiety and shame. The key points discussed in the video are:
- The importance of being with someone who feels unworthy and showing them love and acceptance.
- Helping them understand the depth of Jesus' love for them and the transformative power of the gospel.
- Drawing inspiration from the Apostle Paul's example in First Corinthians, where he reminds the Corinthians of God's grace and mercy.
- Shifting the focus from past shame and unworthiness to God's love and their future in Christ.
- Recognizing that despite feeling unworthy, God's grace is thorough and complete.
- Encouraging viewers not to project negative thoughts onto God, but to embrace His comforting thoughts.
- Reassuring that God will never leave or forsake them.
- Encouraging them to say "yes" to God moment by moment, as simple prayers can lead to amazing accomplishments by God's grace.
Final Thoughts
The most profound aspect of the video "What is Revival? With Ray Ortlund" is the expression of gratitude towards the guest, Ray Ortlund, and the acknowledgement of the listeners' pursuit of genuine answers.
- Ray Ortlund is praised as one of the host's heroes and the honor of knowing him is expressed.
- Ortlund expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be on the show and acknowledges his desire for better content.
- Gratitude is expressed towards the listeners for their openness to Christ and pursuit of genuine answers.
- The host's passion for being a friend to those with doubts and struggles is mentioned.
- The hope is expressed that the videos can serve as food for the hungry.
- Ortlund's son, Gavin, is praised for his sincerity and wholeheartedness in serving the viewers.
- The audience is thanked for watching and promised more discussions with the host's father in the future.