God always wanted the church to be a revival base to spread the kingdom to many nations. This is exactly what happened when the Apostle Paul arrived at Thessalonica. He preached with:
“power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction” (1 Thess 1:5)
and started a revival which kept going when he left after persecution.
However, Paul’s fellow labourer, Timothy, brought news of the church and 5 amazing characteristics it had after only 3 to 5 months:
1.Transformed Lives (6a)
Before they had lived only for pleasure and involved in all the normal vices of society. But now they were living in the light and not darkness. They were known for their love for one another and others. In such a short time their lives had completely changed for the better.
2.Willingness to suffer (6b)
Such was their conviction for the ways of God that they were willing to suffer for their faith. Life was no longer comfortable but full of joy. Today we want to go to church AND live a comfortable life as well! But Jesus said that the servant is not above his Master. The Master suffered, so how can believers think anything different?
3.Incredible Joy (6c)
In 1762 in Daniel Rowland’s Church, began a new revival in Wales that made the previous 30 years of revival seem like winter by comparison. Everyone proclaimed that ‘summer’ had arrived! One of the characteristics of this revival was the amazing and long-lasting joy believers experienced. Meetings went on all day, such was the joy of experiencing the presence of God.
One nearby church had a service that didn’t stop for 3 days. When the presence of God descends, time stops and no-one even is aware of the passing time. They have tasted eternity. The believers were called ‘jumpers’ because that’s what they used to do all the time, such was the joy in them at their salvation.
4.A model for all the believers (7)
In such a short time, the reputation of the believers in Thessalonica had spread over two provinces in Greece, Macedonia and Achaia. The church was a revival base. They were known for their remarkable faith, love and hope. What are you known for?
5.Impacted two provinces of Greece (8)
But their reputation went far further than other believers. All of society in two provinces had heard about them! Their lifestyle, joy and love had impacted society.
In 1762 after the revival started at Daniel Rowland’s Church, believers used to come from all over Wales, as far as 40 miles by foot to hear Daniel Rowland speak about the wonders of God and salvation. They then would return to their home villages and repeat the sermon to their families, neighbours and to anyone who would give them an ear!
Are you impacting your neighbours and society in general with your Christian witness?
The local church as a base for revival
Today we need to recover the church as a revival base, which impacts not only other believers but society itself. So let’s pray for a fresh revival to fall on our churches and nation, and for God to bring about the same characteristics of the Thessalonian Church.
For more stories on revivals do read my book GRACE OUTPOURINGS: 21 DAYS REVIVAL DEVOTIONAL for a great devotional experience.