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Asbury University launches youth revival p.1 The world, our country has a lot of problems that need to be addressed, many people including the young feel disconnected, disenfranchised and are hoping for answers, a solution. The youth see this as the answer. On February 8, a message was delivered on love and the struggles that accompany it at their chapel service in Hughes Memorial Auditorium on Asbury University’s campus in Wilmore, Kentucky. After the service, a group of students stayed behind where one student confessed he tried to commit suicide, worship continues, this resulted in more students attending. It is certainly commendable to see college students pray, praise and worship rather than the normal occurrences we see occur on campus’. Yet what appears right, is not always what it seems. Fellowship, people praying, are all good things but not indicative of a revival, these are normal occurrences in a healthy church. This is a first observation, which includes some Biblical answers in repudiation to this being a revival. The beginning : It began by a young man by the name of Zach MeerKreebs, an Envision Leadership Coordinator for the Christian and Missionary Alliance at Asbury University giving this message. He spoke from Romans 12:9-21 with a message titled, “Becoming Love in Action,” he also mentions a series of messages by several different speakers on Romans 12, 13, and 14. He asks about love on various subjects and then asked “do you love me.”’ He Spoke of things he loves, food, coffee, (names the places he enjoys) then compares the children and people he loves to these things he loves. He then tells those present he will talk about love after reading Romans 12:9-21. He mentions “13 verses contain 30 different commandments, these are just some of them” After reading he asks the students how are they feeling on it:“What emotion are you feeling right now?” The audience responds speaking of anxiety, joy, exhaustion…. He says I may feel guilt and shame because I don’t do this stuff. Saying, God does not heap guilt and shame on us. That the word of God corrects and coaches us .” A lot of application ensues as he challenges people what they are to do to those on campus and outside, even those who may persecute them. He gives examples of “radically poor love, evil love, selfish love” including his own abuse as a child. he mentions the church often fails at love, that most of the students there probably have had a bad experience with love. “I am happy to sit here and pray with People if you have experienced that kind of love there is leaders on campus that will stay in these seats and pray for you if you need to hear the voice of God the Father in Heaven who will never love you that way, that is perfect in love gentle and kind, you come up here and you experience his love don't waste this opportunity, I'm gonna pray real quick… He then says something that is not only inappropriate but ridiculous to mention at this point. “there's a screw on (picks it up off the floor) look at that, shame the Devil he's not gonna get me with that. all right let's pray, Jesus, then what if I put it just, just a hole in my pants and you just see my heinie, all right Jesus.” After seeing this I had to pause and wonder what is really going on! His statement was so inappropriate (and absurd) as he is about to enter into prayer. ”all right Jesus if there's people in this room that literally feel the weight of that perverted thing that one person called love would you just alleviate that weight right now .” would you just allow the Holy Spirit move through these rows and love on these people.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGvvGbgUmMU&t=198s I’m not trying to be critical on anyone specific, but yet I have to ask does an everyday message that is spoken in churches everywhere bring a revival? The message mentioning love focused on feelings, experience, Jesus and God are mentioned but no cross, no repentance or holiness. We read in Rom 5:5 the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” His statement is promoting an experience, “ Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord . “(Rom 8:39). Yes, we may have feeling at times, but I do not see a separate love experience by the Spirit to all. Love is an action toward another, often a selfless act. That is what Jesus did. 1 John 4:9 The love of God was manifested toward us, by God sending His only begotten Son into the world. (Titus3:4; Eph.3:19) We love by keeping his word his truth, his commandments. What he spoke was mostly is right there was little depth in his sermon, and certainly no gospel mentioned which one receives the love God by his forgiveness. He later says, “some of us need to taste and see and experience the power of the Holy Spirit because if you want to become love, if you really want to become love and action you start by prostrating yourself before the love of God.” ( whatever this means?) The progression of a revival Revival can mean many different things to people, depending on what denomination or church they are involved with and what they believe in from the Word. People have been taught a wrong concept of revival and this is why they say certain things that we see in the modern revivalism. Is this a genuine move or something else, more based on emotionalism. We are told this was never planned. Yet we are told by testimony they were learning about revival in their classes and wondering when or if this will happen to them, what would it be like? I say this because we have seen in the past those deceived and abused by former revivals like Toronto, Brownsville; just to name a few, so we are obligated to be cautious. There is nothing wrong with a healthy skepticism applied, as those of us who have been around for some time and not part of this generation have seen these activities before. Yet there are those ho want to throw caution to the wind. Do we make the same mistakes made before in the fake revivals or do we avoid them? It is certainly premature to pronounce this as a ‘revival.’ Those who are more ‘feeling oriented’ will have immediate things to say on this. But to claim revival, even a worldwide revival is here, in such a short time before we can see the results is not wisdom. We are told to test things, which can take time. The way to know what is really taking place is to wait to see the results. Too many want to make a pronouncement before this is done, that is a concern. God will use what is available, and what is not perfect. Yet we must understand what is taking place at this new launchpad is now going to other colleges and universities. One person said “I feel as though maybe we were the candle and now we are just passing that flame on to other churches and other schools .” A flame of what needs to be defined. Of course the Latter Rain promoters are all speaking of this as the ‘third wave revival.’ I’m sorry, but as one who has been around watching and attending so many false revivals over the years I can’t help but react to what I’m hearing on this. Those who describe this do not know what they are saying and are repeating modern vernacular. Regardless, the news of this event spread as a ‘fire’ through social media. This of course meant people flocking to it for whatever personal reason they have to attend. Some observe this being like Woodstock for the Church; in fact every time revival is mentioned so many are ready to join it. They are itching for an experience. It is mentioned that Asbury University had something similar occur in 1970, but this is not the same University as back then. They employ contemplative prayer / Spiritual Formation in their curriculum, a non biblical way to pray. They carry numerous books by Rick Warren in their library and The emerging church which does not teach Christianity.And they are using their ‘revival’ to solicit $ to support Asbury's University Students from numerous universities are coming and countless other visitors from different states and the world. Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, and Indonesia etc.. Seems everyone has a need to feel Gods presence, so they travel, (what is lacking in their lives or church to have to do this). A spiritual hunger (or emptiness) prompts them to travel at the drop of hat when hearing about a revival. Many say they sense the tangible presence of God which is connected to the worship. It is been pointed out by more than a few who looked into this, those of the LGBTQ are involved in the worship and ministering. They say they are celibate (which we hope is true) but the problem is that they still identify themselves as being a homosexual, even saying this publicly, which shows that they do not understand Christianity. And if the University is allowing this or teaching this, it means they are enabling them. Even former gays on social media are saying there are gays involved at this level of the worship and are not seeing anything wrong with saying they are ‘gay Christians.’ See this article and this article There are other problems we are hearing -- Christians Kicked Out of Asbury Revival for T Shirt?Can this be bringing this church on track? These people need to know the truth because love tells the truth, rejoices in it (Which the speaker did not mention when speaking on love). Is the Holy Spirit at work and not correcting them? If they are not denying themselves than what is this? Of these particular sins and others 1 Cor. 6:11 says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Being soft on scriptures correction in teaching and instruction does not bring revival. Mt. 16:24-26 " If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” To deny our self means I no longer identify with my old self - the person of sin (whomever that is) but the new person in Christ. The old man is crucified, he died with Christ. We do not try to save the old person to bring him along with the new. This would be like saying I’m a Christian murderer but I’m no longer actively murdering, or I’m a christian thief but I’m not practicing theft (why is this like in AA where you begin by saying "My name is _____ and I'm and alcoholic"). 1 John 2:14 “ I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.” The feeling of the presence They came to be in God’s presence which is something that has been ingrained by today's modern revivalism, which is what the former latter rain revivals have taught. They claim you can sense, feel the presence of God everywhere, even outside. Feelings can be subjective to the individual and from this comes animated testimonies. We are told in Scripture he is with us always we don’t go on feelings which can be contrary to the word of truth. To say you ‘must feel the presence, ‘means you do not understand that we walk by faith, not feelings (I’m not denying one can feel things at times). His presence is with us. Here are some of the Scriptures people should know starting with Jn.14:26 his presence is the Holy Spirit who is given to everyone who is saved by the gospel. And in John 7:37-39 Jesus at the feast said " If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive. Nearly all are saying they are seeking his presence but this is not what the New Covenant is about. Many use the Old Testament narrative of those overcome with his presence in the Temple (those were the priests), but the temple is not the building any longer. His presence is in us, we are living stones, as the temple of the Spirit. His presence resides in us, hopefully at peace not grieving. 1 Cor. 3:16 “… you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you ? 1 Cor. 6:19 your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you” (Rom.8:9) One will not find the word revival or the concept that we see in today’s revivalism in the New Testament but you will find the word repent[ance]. Acts 3:19-20 “ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (Which is what Acts 1:8 is about, the Holy Spirit indwelling us by the gospel). There are those proclaiming this as a revival. For revival to take place the Word is to be preached accurately, with conviction in the Holy Spirit. Repentance is to be the reaction. This has always been the means to revive what is dead and dying. Is this revival a response a repentance to the Word proclaimed, not just about confession but words consistently spoken in truth as we see over and over in Scriptures examples? Psalm 119:25 “ My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word .” Ps 119:159-160 Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” It is said twice in this Psalm. Are we to hunger for his presence which every believer already possesses in them? What does revival begin with? A healthy church is in a state of being revived always by the preaching of the words and its works done in Christ to others. Some things to consider before you proclaim revival Scripture says a little leaven (symbol of sin) leavens the whole lump. Revival is not just discovering you love Jesus more, but produces a deep spiritual work where God transforms one’s life and renews the church’s obedience. This happens by THE WORD being taught, the Holy Spirit will convict of sin and bring people to repentance. It will also result in seeking righteousness, which is learned by his Word being taught accurately. It will bring a love for the lost to bring them the gospel, prayer for the lost and each other will be seen, and most important will be understanding Scripture to be fruitful. On the day of Pentecost, when 3,000 and then later 5,000 men heard the preaching of Peter (Acts 2:41). The apostle Peter at Pentecost was “Repent,” the same first words, from the mouths of John the Baptist and Jesus (Mt.3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19). God has not changed His ways for any generation. In Acts 2:37 we read they were cut to the heart, and asked " Men and brethren, what shall we do?" One needs to study the Biblical ways, not our modern application. There was also visceral reaction to what God hated as seen in the church of Ephesus, where they left their first love. And were told Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works ” (Rev 2:4-5) If there is no preaching of God’s Word with repentance expected is this revival at Asbury, or anywhere else? The preaching of His word in truth and clarity has always been the hallmark of a revival. Emotionalism does not mean revival, and what is at Asbury it does not mean revival is to be produced on other campus If this is not taking place at Asbury or the other campuses than one must conclude this is not revival no matter how many people claim it is. p.2 Watching where this is headed and who is involved to lead it |
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