COLUMN: When cultures collide

By Marv Fisher
Guest Columnist

As we study the birth and early growth of the church in the first few chapters of the book of Acts, we see two cultures at odds. God was doing a work of revival with a new way of reaching mankind, through the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Many traditionalists were opposed to the sweeping revival in and around Jerusalem, and were vigorously opposed to change.

Today, many people have been going to dead churches for years, longing for revival. Some of you reading this article have walked away from God, disappointed in the results of dead religion. Most people long for revival, but few know where to begin the search.

Acts 3:19 tells us, “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Revival starts personally, with me, and with you, in simple surrender and repentance. Only the Lord can brings refreshment to our disappointed and weary souls.

One of the great hindrances to revival is the opinion of others around us who are skeptical or even opposed to repentance and faith in Jesus. In chapter 5 of Acts religious leaders who thought they were serving God, but in reality, they were fighting against Him.

Revival often comes on the heels of hardship and pain. Pain from our failure and sin, pain from rejection of peers and of family, pain from the realization of wasted years. Are you desiring revival? Are you willing to walk the path that comes with revival?

Let God bring revival, let God restore, let God bring refreshment and new life. Let’s leave the trappings of our culture and get back to the simplistic approach to reading and studying the scripture. Let’s depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts to change, let’s come to Jesus, the healer of the soul. May we experience true baptism, immersion into our risen Lord!

Marv Fisher is the pastor at Calvary Chapel Farmville and can be heard weekdays at 1:30 p.m. on 105.3 Equip FM radio. He can be reached at pastor@ccfarmville.org.

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