I had the privilege of inviting hundreds of pastors to go to their knees in prayer last week, as I opened the annual SBC pastors’ conference with a time of seeking God for revival. I have come to deeply appreciate Dr. Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist in Albany, GA. He served as president of this year’s conference, and he chose the theme “Prepare for Rain.” He spent months praying and asking God to send revival to the hearts of these shepherds. And he did it with deep understanding of genuine revival and an equally deep passion for the glory of God to be present. I appreciated the conference because Dr. Catt understands the progressive elements of an authentic move of God. The thematic sequence he chose for the gathering was as follows:

1. Prayer
2. Brokenness
3. Revival
4. Evangelism

In my last blog, I addressed the misconception that revival and evangelism are synonymous. We learned that they may occur concurrently, but they are distinct both in who is involved and in progression. Revival always begins with God’s people, and it often results in a massive explosion of gospel power. The best form of evangelism follows powerful revival. In this blog, I want to note that revival is NOT equivalent to excitement, emotion, mysticism, or enthusiasm. There is currently a widely publicized gathering taking place in Lakeland, FL. It has been continuing for weeks, with a large number of people from around the world coming to “get under the cloud.” From everything I have read and observed, it is hardcore emotionalism . . . of an extreme kind. It may be perceived as having positive elements, but it is unmistakably counterproductive to the kind of biblical revival we need in our churches and nation today. Excitement and laughter are prominent components. But isn’t joy an emotional response to the work of God? There can be no denying that joy is a fruit of revival, along with the other fruit of the Spirit. The psalmist noted this when he declared, “Revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you!” (Ps. 85:6). When David confessed publicly his sin with Bathsheba, he cried out for the restoration of the joy of his salvation (Ps. 51:12). And in Psalm 126:2, “shouts of joy” accompanied the redeeming work that takes place when God blesses His people. Certainly, in the early church, we sense the joy that came at Pentecost, the encouragement Paul talks about among those who experienced revival in Ephesus, and the joy that came as the fruit of repentance in the churches referenced in Revelation. Joy is an emotion that accompanies a cleansing work of the Spirit in our hearts. He sets us free indeed! One of my favorite definitions of revival is “falling in love with Jesus all over again.” When we love someone with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we will most certainly display it. Crying out in repentance, contrition, and brokenness because we have offended a holy God is also an emotional act that accompanies personal revival. We cannot see God for who He is without having the “woe is me” response of Isaiah 6. Some outward expression of inward change is bound to occur. HOWEVER, even though revival may be emotive, it is never predominantly emotional. My outward response of any kind to the work of God is never the primary characteristic of revival. Otherwise, revival would be all about us and not about the glory and exaltation of Christ. I might add that thousands of pastors on their knees last week, seeking the Lord, is not revival either. But, humbling ourselves, as leaders, before the holy God of heaven and acknowledging that we have robbed Him of His glory through our self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness is characteristic of the type of revival we need today . . . regardless of whether it is outwardly expressed.

God, give us broken and repentant hearts, and then fill us with Your joy. BUT please don’t let emotion turn into emotionalism!