Q: What do you think is the greatest need in our churches today? Do you think it's better preaching, new styles of worship, more youth work, or what? I'm on the board of our church, and we've been debating this recently. - J.L.
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(Photo: BGEA / File)
A: I'm convinced that the single greatest need in most churches today is spiritual revival - for a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ and a greater desire to do His will, regardless of the cost.
How does this happen? It must begin with an awareness of our spiritual poverty - an acknowledgment of our sin and our emptiness before God. It is no accident that Jesus' first words in the Sermon on the Mount dealt with this truth: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This must lead us to confession and repentance, asking God to forgive us and turn our hearts toward Him.
Spiritual revival also means seeing the world the way God sees it, with all of its brokenness and rebellion and heartache - and then asking God to use us to touch it for Christ. When we are concerned only for ourselves, our lives and our churches will grow cold and stagnate - but when we become burdened over a world that has lost its way, then God can begin to use us.
Spiritual revival cannot be manufactured or created by our own efforts; only the Holy Spirit can bring true revival to our hearts. But we can pray for revival, and we can ask God to remove anything in our lives that would create a barrier to God's work. May the ancient prayer of Habakkuk become yours: "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years" (Habakkuk 3:2, KJV).
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Affectionately known as the “World’s Preacher” for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history — nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories — through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
©2007 Billy Graham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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I thank God for Billy Graham. It was through his ministry that I came to know the Lord. While I have not agreed with every single thing he's ever said and done, I believe he's a man of God and a man of integrity, and I am thrilled to see his legacy in his son Franklin, his daughter Anne, and his grandson Will, as well as other of his descendants who are active in ministry today.
Behind it all has been the stalwart, faithful intercession of Ruth Bell Graham, reared by missionaries in China and a mighty woman of God who was willing to run the homefront with five children while Billy Graham traversed the globe. She was Billy's equal in every way, and I fully expect to see fruit of her intercession for years to come. I know he misses her terribly, but they will spend eternity together. God bless Billy Graham!
The sad part of the modern Christianity is the lack of emphasizing repentance. Hardly we hear
the second coming of Christ, but the main theme from most of the pulpits and through T.V is
to have heaven on earth. The reality of sin and the need of real repentance through a broken
heart is an outdated message. God is ready to send a great revival when we repent.
Amen! Spiritual Revival must begin in the pulpits of the Christian churches in America. Otherwise, the trend of the blind leading the blind will continue. With Spirit-emboldened, evangelical-minded, truly God-fearing, people-loving pastors pumping out passionate, Biblically sound preaching to their congregations on a weekly basis the congregations of American Christian churches would receive the inspiration they need to stand up in the market places of America and insist on the rights our forefathers fought for and died to give them.
It starts with every pastor, deacon, and church staff member on their knees emptying themselves before the Lord Jesus, sacrificing their will for the divine will of God.
I am not speaking about a militant Christian army uprising. More of a standing up for the Laws of love, compassion, and obedience to the commands of Christ! These are the desires of the heart of God, who willl respond to those who agree by empowerment with His Holy Spirit for the beginning of National revival. It will be challenged by the spirit of antichrist, but 'the gates of hell cannot prevail against the Church of Jesus Christ!
Billy you Rock my friend.