If we will allow God to show up, they will too!

 

5 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Full disclosure: I am not writing this as one who has arrived. I have not done what I am writing here. I am trying hard to do exactly what I'm writing here.

Churches in America used to have no issue gaining converts and attendees. As a self-avowed "Christian nation," it was a part of our national psyche to go to church. For millions of Americans, it was a normal part of life.

But, over the years, with government programs replacing church generosity, anti-God changes in our public schools, and anti-God policies being adopted by our leaders and entertainers, church attendance and participation have been falling. 

Add to this, the fact that many churches turned into little more than country clubs or bless me clubs, and the public view of churches has severely suffered. Many believe that all they want is for you to show up, pay up, and shut up.  

One thing, however, that has been a real constant in church history is that revival will draw people. People, at their hearts, are hungry for real. If they truly believe that God is there and will change their lives for the better, they will show up. And they will show up in masse! 

When Jesus was here physically on the earth and people got wind of his teaching and miracles, they showed up in droves. In the passage above, they forced him into a boat so he had enough space to teach! In many places, Jesus had to escape the crowds in order to pray and teach his disciples. 

One thing that marked his ministry was signs and miracles. It was the same for the Apostles and the generation after them:

Mark 16:20

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

So the early church grew like wildfire and turned their world upside down! From ungodly to godly in many places. 

Many of our churches have tried a "show up as you are" approach. Many more have brought in concert-like atmospheres- complete with light shows and sound effects- and why not? Millions flock to concerts every year. Some have tried giveaways. Yet, except for a hard-headed few, people stay away and church attendance falls.

Could it be that we've gotten away from "the gospel of the kingdom?" 

Have we become building-focused, rather than kingdom and people focused?

Have we decided that people are to serve our organization, rather than us having an attitude of serving the people?

If we will learn to listen to and follow the spirit of God- preaching and teaching what he wants us to, hungry people will show up!

If we will truly fall in love with Jesus and let him give us real burdens for real people, hungry people will show up!

More importantly, if we will dive deep into the waters of life, then God will confirm our words with his signs and wonders and people will come in droves! 

The great revivalists of the past were sold out to Jesus and allowed God to operate through them. The crowds showed up. Millions of lives were changed. Sometimes, because of the operation of the spirit of God, whole towns were shut down for a time in order to let people seek God! 

It can happen again! 

It can happen today! 

Biblical and historical revival is not a series of meetings that bring small changes, make us feel better, and see a few people saved. Don't get me wrong, I thank God for every soul reached for the kingdom, but we've set our sights way too low! 

What God did for the early church, he can and will do today! 

What God did a hundred years ago at asuza street, he can and will do today! 

If we will but repent and allow God to take us to where he wants us to be, he can start yet another wildfire that can encompass the whole world!

God help us all to die to ourselves, our platforms, our ideas, our programs, and our organizations, and rise to real life in you so that you can actually work through us in Jesus' name! 

When people truly believe that their lives will be impacted significantly, they will show up!

If we will allow God to show up, then the people will too!