Thursday 12th February
REVIVAL LIFESTYLE
How will community revival impact the lifestyle of Christians? Lifestyles are significantly impacted by cultures, and there are many different cultures both throughout history and in our world today. One answer is that we will live more intimately with Jesus and be more dependent on him, but how will this change our priorities? Let’s look at how the revival commencing at Pentecost impacted the lifestyle of the early Christians, and extrapolate some principles. As you read the Scripture below, look for lifestyle changes that could impact you in revival.
Read
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day, they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Devotion
It is a mistake to see the lifestyle described in this passage as normative for the whole of the early church. It may appear that the early Christians lived in idyllic Christian communities without any problems as they shared meals, possessions, support and worship. However, this is not true. We find in the New Testament letters that many of the early churches faced the same tensions and problems that we face today. The Christian lifestyle described here flowed from a revival. God was on the move in extraordinary ways. For example, people were being added to the church every day. But this description of lifestyle in the early Jerusalem church does give us some clues as to how our lifestyle might change as God moves in revival.
First, there will be greater passion for spending time with God and growing in a relationship with Him. These revival Christians were at the temple every day as well as learning from the apostles and spending much time in prayer.
Reflect
How does this desire for time with God mesh with our hectic Western lifestyles? What needs to be restructured, prioritised, or let go?
Second, we will want to be together more to encourage, disciple, serve, share with and pray with each other. While the Jewish culture 2000 years ago was more communal than our contemporary, individualistic culture in the West, these Christians took community to the next stage. There is a massive emphasis in this passage on being together: in the Temple, in homes, around meals. Even generously sharing money and possessions. It is not that these early Christians had oodles of spare time and cash. They worked all day with no weekends. Most were quite poor. They just loved each other and wanted to share everything together. In revival, unity and fellowship will be strong.
Third, we will have a much stronger awareness of the presence and power of God. These early Christians experienced numerous miracles. They saw God adding new people to their church community every day, and their hearts were glad and filled with awe. As God works in greater power, it will be exciting, and our expectations of God’s presence and power will grow.
Pray
For a greater passion to stay in the presence of God and grow in a relationship with Him. To be still and know that He is God.
A revival of the Word of God in our lives
Make room to pray throughout the day to remain in constant communion with the Lord.
That God would grant us wisdom and strength to have our priorities right. To seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first.
To make lifestyle adjustments so that He is always the top priority.
That we stay strong in the community, encouraging, discipling, serving and sharing with and praying for one another.
That the Holy Spirit would teach us to have a stronger awareness of the presence and the power of God.
That we will experience miracles personally and in the Body of Christ.
That we will see new believers being added to our church communities day by day.
May our expectations of God’s presence and power grow as these requests become a constant part of our revival lifestyle.
Source: Queensland Baptists
Adapted, paraphrased and some parts rewritten for Impact Ministries.