Revival of Love

          We need a revival to break out!  For the next few months, our Sunday morning worship services at Briensburg will be themed “A Revival of Love.”  The sermons will each address a different aspect of agape, framed as a series on First Corinthians 13. 

            The revival should be contagious, transcendent and transformative.  We pray the sacred flame of love will “leap from heart to heart” as we share the renewal experience with each other and the world around us.  Respect for each other’s cultural, religious and political differences must enable us to put “Christ Above All” as we freshen our commitment to the more excellent way (1 Co. 12:31).  Remember all the changes we identified during Lent?  Well, now is the time to implement them!

            The kind of love Jesus demonstrated is what we are expected to emulate in fulfillment of the New Commandment, empowering us to love even our enemies.  This is the true evidence by which everyone can know for sure whether we are actual followers of Jesus or simply impersonating discipleship for lesser motives.  Love not only completes the joy of our salvation but effectively addresses our problems. 

            The world needs love now as much as ever.  Strife, poverty and despair are rampant among so many people, sometimes in nearly hopeless situations.  God’s love has the power to overcome so many of the challenges confronting humanity on every level.  Individuals and whole populations are suffering due to causes that could be eradicated by a revival of love “spreading scriptural holiness throughout the land.”

            This revival includes a comprehensive altar call. Encouraging each other to surrender anew to our first love, we are inviting everyone to begin or to reaffirm a personal saving relationship with God in Jesus Christ, to allow the Holy Spirit to work within and among us in new and fresh ways, and to continue in the sanctifying grace toward perfection in love.  All who want to share in this revival may do so first by praying as we have been for those in our “72+U” lists of Family, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors.  You may also participate in our online ChurchSchool version, where we will have study notes, worship videos, discussion groups and other resources.  We would love to have you attend the 11 a.m. worship services any Sunday.  Please pray for the church as we reorient our efforts in this direction.  Pray for a “Revival of Love” to break out across our community.

Revive us again;

Fill each heart with Thy love;

May each soul be rekindled

With fire from above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.

Hallelujah! Amen.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.

Revive us again.

 (William P. Mackay)