Some of the most extraordinary chapters in church history weren’t written in seminaries or cathedrals. They were written when God showed up unexpectedly, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary movements that saw thousands of lives transformed by the power of Jesus.
The Greatest Hits of Revival History
Some of these revival stories sound like they’re straight out of a movie. But they’re 100% legit, and they’ve got game-changing lessons for us today.
The First Great Awakening: When Revival Fire Swept Through Colonial America
Picture this: It’s the 1730s. People are just going through the motions with their faith. Then BAM! Jonathan Edwards preaches “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and suddenly, everyone’s paying attention. Like, really paying attention.
Key Lessons:
- Bold preaching still works (just maybe ease up on the “angry God” part)
- Real revival starts with real repentance
- When God moves, word spreads faster than church gossip
Azusa Street: That Time LA Wasn’t Just About Hollywood
1906, Los Angeles. A one-eyed African American preacher named William Seymour starts a prayer meeting in a converted stable. What happens next? Only one of the most influential revivals in modern history.
The Plot Twist:
- People of all races worshiped together (in 1906!)
- Services ran 24/7 for THREE YEARS
- No social media needed – news spread worldwide
What Turned These Moments into Movements?
1. They Got Real About Prayer
Not your “bless this food” prayers. We’re talking all-night, warfare-level, “we’re-not-leaving-until-something-happens” prayers.
2. Unity Was Non-Negotiable
- Race barriers? Broken.
- Class divisions? Gone.
- Denominational walls? What walls?
3. They Kept It Simple
- Jesus was the focus
- The Gospel was clear
- Pride took a backseat
The Unfiltered Truth About Revival
These revivals weren’t perfect. They had:
- Critics (lots of them)
- Chaos (sometimes)
- Confusion (plenty)
- Coffee shortages (okay, I made that up)
What This Means for Your Church
Here are some practical takeaways:
1. Prayer Still Works
- Start a prayer movement
- But maybe don’t call it a “movement” (sounds too churchy)
- Just pray. Like, really pray.
2. Expect Opposition
History keeps showing us how God disrupts the status quo: The Pharisees couldn’t handle Jesus breaking their religious traditions. The early Jewish Christians struggled to accept that God wanted Gentiles in the church. The Azusa Street Revival shocked 1906 Los Angeles by creating a space where all races could worship together during the height of segregation.
This discomfort isn’t a sign something’s wrong; rather, it’s often evidence that God is doing something new. Just as renovating a house creates a temporary mess but leads to lasting improvement, revival disrupts established patterns, challenges traditional power structures, confronts comfortable sins, and pushes us beyond familiar boundaries.
3. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
I love what WCLN 105.7 in North Carolina says: ‘Keeping the main thing the main thing.’ This isn’t just a catchy radio slogan – it’s the heartbeat of every true revival in history. When Jesus is central, everything else falls into place.
- Jesus first
- Everything else second
- Yes, even your cool light show
4. Don’t Try to Control It
The moment you try to package revival, it’s not revival anymore. It’s a program.
Hard-Earned Wisdom from Past Revivals
History has given us clear warnings about what can derail revival. Here’s what we need to watch out for:
- Don’t measure success by numbers
- Don’t try to replicate someone else’s revival
- Don’t forget about discipleship
- Don’t let things get weird (okay, maybe a little weird, but holy weird)
Your Next Steps
- Start praying (like, seriously praying)
- Study these revivals (not just the highlight reel)
- Prepare your people
- Hold your plans loosely
- Keep your eyes on Jesus
The Bottom Line
Revival isn’t something we can schedule between the potluck and the youth group meeting. But we can create an environment where it’s more likely to happen.
Remember:
- God hasn’t changed
- People still need Jesus
- The Holy Spirit still moves
- Coffee still helps (kidding… kind of)
Your Turn
What if revival started in your church? What if it started with you? What if it started today?
Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Don’t wait for someone else to start it. Just start seeking God like everything depends on it – because it does.
And hey, maybe while you’re studying revival history, you’ll become part of revival future.
Now go pray like Edwards, preach like Seymour, and love like Jesus. (But maybe skip the “angry God” sermon – that’s so 1740s.)
P.S. Yes, revivals can happen without potlucks. But why risk it? 😉
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