This document discusses the need for revival in the Malaysian church. It argues that the church needs a major paradigm shift to adapt to changes in the national context over the last 50 years. Without revival, the church risks weakening like churches under Islam have historically. The document outlines some marks of revival seen in Acts 2, including the Holy Spirit being poured out, signs and wonders, and evangelism bringing many new believers into the church. It discusses revivals in 18th century Britain under John Wesley and in Sarawak and Sabah, noting the holiness emphasis positively impacted society. It calls the church to prayer, holy living, unity, and commitment to evangelize Malaysia, trusting God to accomplish what is too big for people alone
3. a. In the last sermon, I argued that the
Malaysian church needs to undergo
a major paradigm shift in its thinking
because the changes that have taken
place in our national context in the
last 50 years.
b. Every church under Islam has
weakened historically, and many
have died. What will the future hold
for the Malaysian church?
4. c. The danger is that much of the
church is functioning in ways that
are no different from the way we
used to function in the colonial
days! We have tended to take
religious freedom for granted.
d. Can we afford to NOT to ask God
for a powerful revival?
5. i. A definition:
Revival is the outpouring of the
HS upon a whole church, region
or even country.
6. ii. Some marks of revival:
Acts 2:1-13; 37-41
2:1- 37-
a) A sovereign work of the God.
We cannot tell God when to bring
revival.
b) Often preceded by intense
prayer! (1:14)
c) The Holy Spirit is poured out
(Acts 2:1ff)
7. ii. Some marks of revival: Acts 2:1-13; 37-41
2:1- 37-
d) Signs and wonders are
performed (2:43)
e) Evangelism in power and many
are brought into the church
(2:41,47)
f) Secret sin revealed: e.g. Ananias
and Sapphira (Acts 5)
g) The church moves forward with
confidence in spite of intense
opposition.
8. a. Wesley & the 18th century
Evangelical Revival
Wesley’s theme: ‘To reform the
nation, especially the church, and
to spread scriptural holiness over
the land.’
i. Revival and evangelistic
growth:
ii. Hundreds of thousands lifted
out of poverty.
9. a. Wesley & the 18th century Evangelical Revival
iii.The impact of holiness emphasis on British
society, especially among the working class:
‘The Methodist movement and its aftermath
coincided with the industrial revolution, and
was more largely responsible than any other
influence for the integrity … of a large
section of the working class.’ And it was this
that gave to the emerging labour movement
in the nineteenth century Britain ‘its stability,
its thrift and its incorruptibility.’
(Ronald Wraith and Edgar Simpkins, Corruption
in Developing Countries, 1963, p.179.)
Countries,
10. a. Wesley & the 18th century Evangelical Revival
iv. Roy Hattersley argued that Wesley was
one of the great architects of modern
Britain. His influence was felt primarily in
the 19th century: ‘Methodism encouraged
the working poor to be ambitious,
industrious and respectable—the
respectable—
qualities which made them the
indispensable backbone of industrial
and imperial England’ (Roy
Hattersley,
Hattersley, John Wesley, 2004, p.410.)
Wesley,
11. a. Wesley & the 18th
century
Evangelical
Revival
b. SIB in Sarawak and
Sabah
13. a. Prayer
b. Holy living
c. Unity
d. Commitment to this
country
e. Signs and wonders
14. • The future of the nation and the
Malaysian church is at stake.
• Let come back to the story of
J Sung and the Chinese church
in the 20th century.
15. • Point:
The problems of world
evangelization are far too big
for any of us to cope with!
But if we are faithful and just do
what God tells us to do, then we
can trust God to do the rest!
That is exactly what we have to
do in Malaysia!
