REVIVAL - EXPONENTIAL '08 NOTES (TIM KELLER)

The Application and Facilitation of Revival Dynamics in the Local Church
Tim Keller
April 24, 2008
Exponential Conference ‘08

Tim Keller is the founding and Senior Pastor of Redeemer Church in New York City. He is one of the most intellectually gifted thinkers and pastors on the planet. MP3’s of his messages are available on the following sites: Redeemer Church, Acts 29 Network, and The Resurgence.

These are notes that I took during Tim’s “breakout session” at Exponential ’08.


IMPORTANT TRUTH: We are not reproducing because we are “not alive.”


SIXTEEN DYNAMICS OF REVIVAL

3 INSTRUMENTS of Revival:

1. Recovering The Difference Between The Gospel and Religion

Religion: “I obey, therefore I am accepted…”

Religion is usually motivated by fear and anxiety. It is often an attempt to “control God…” It sometimes fosters the attitude and idea, “God owes me… After all, look at all I’ve done…”

It often causes you to feel smug and superior…

It is the “default” of the human heart… We easily drift into attempts at “self-salvation.”

Gospel: “I’m accepted, that’s why I obey…”

People who truly believe the gospel are filled with extraordinary gratitude. They obey God not out of a sense of fear or anxiety, but out of a sense of gratitude and thankfulness…

Revival is always preceded by the recovery of the difference between the gospel and religion.

2. Extraordinary Prayer

Revival is always preceded by extraordinary, corporate, over the top, united prayer… In fact, prayer is possibly the “only given” in every spiritual “movement” in history…

3. Creativity

Revival is always innovative… It looks different – completely different – than it has ever looked before…

Example: C.S. Lewis, “…you never get back to Narnia the same way…”

In the same way, revival never occurs in the same way it has occurred in the past. It is amazingly creative.

3 ASPECTS of Revival:

1. Nominal church Members Get Converted

People who have intellectually “believed” the correct doctrine, but are nonetheless spiritually “dead” actually receive the gospel and begin to fully trust and rely on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

2. Sleepy Christians Wake Up

Believers who are trusting in something else as their “functional” Savior – family, career, etc. – actually trust place their trust in Jesus not only as their “intellectual” Savior, but as their “functional” Savior.

Romans 8:16-17 comes alive with these believers… The Spirit “…bears witness with their Spirit...”

There is a huge difference between “inferential” assurance – assurance that is “inferred” – and “intuitive” assurance – assurance that somehow comes from within as a result of the “witness” of the Holy Spirit.

The result of what happens in these believers is evident in worship services… This cannot be programmed… It is supernatural… People are supernaturally “beautified” by the Holy Spirit and “come alive.”

3. People In The Community Are Converted

Lost people are brought into a living relationship with Jesus Christ… Evangelistic intensity in the church dramatically increases and the lost are irresistibly drawn to Jesus Christ.

6 BALANCES or MARKS of Revival:

1. A Particular Kind of Edifying Worship

The worship of the church miraculously moves the hearts of unbelievers, while simultaneously edifying the lives of believers… Worship becomes extraordinary – simultaneously attracting unbelievers while strengthening believers…

2. A Strong Emphasis on Great Preaching and Teaching.

Preaching and teaching is:
• Gospel oriented
• Truth Oriented, and,
• Real

This is crucial: Pastors must make the truth real and clear.

3. A Strong Emphasis On Life-Changing Community or Relationships.

TRUTH: We become like the people we hang out with… Revival brings a renewed emphasis on authentic community.

4. Strong Emphasis On Evangelism

The church becomes outwardly focused…

5. Passion for Justice and Concern for the Poor

6. Cultural Engagement

The church enables and empowers believers to integrate their faith, work and lives…

4 RESULTS of Revival:

1. There is Always a “Looney or Excessive” Fringe.

Some people will drift towards imbalance…

2. There Is Always A Backlash.

There is a backlash in the “church” by exiting leaders who feel threatened by the new growth.

There is a backlash in the “community” by people who do not understand what God is doing in the church.

3. Lots of New Churches Are Planted.

Revival always leads to reproduction. Churches are planted. Existing churches resist the urge to “protect their turf.” Thoughts drift towards the “kingdom” and instead of territorialism.

4. Real Social Healing.

Revival always brings healing…


God has more revivals “up His sleeve.”