What Is the Nature of a True Missionary Revival?
A true missionary revival requires a personal devotion to Christ Jesus and a new effusion of the Holy Spirit to bring about increased effectiveness in the Lord's work.
Andrew Murray emphasizes that a true missionary revival requires more than just temporary enthusiasm or increased interest; it demands a deep, personal devotion to Christ that remains steadfast amidst changes. He argues that the church needs a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit to inspire genuine dedication and effectiveness in missionary work. Murray highlights that the call for more missionaries can only be met through a collective spiritual awakening and commitment to the Lord's work, akin to a second Pentecost.
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What must be the nature of a true missionary
revival? An increased missionary interest, awakened by intelligence from the field, and stirring appeals, is not enough. It is simply temporary, passing away after a time.
We need a devotion and an enthusiasm having its root, its strength, and its permanence through all surrounding changes, in a personal devotion to
Christ Jesus, in a life rooted in Christ.
In "The History Of The Church Missionary Society" we read:
'At a time when new missionaries were urgently needed, and the
Committee were asking for special prayer that they might be raised up,
Ridgeway reminded the Society that what was needed was really another
Pentecost.
The lack of missionaries is, no doubt, the point of immediate
pressure. But that can be met only by increased effectiveness on the part
of the whole spiritual body, in more single dedication to the Lord's work,
more holy energy, more true devotion. And how shall this be, except by a
new effusion of that Spirit, who is the mover and promoter to all holy
action, and the dispenser of all needful gifts and grace?'
(Excerpted from The Coming Revival, by Andrew Murray , pg. 54)
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of a True Missionary Revival
- The Need for a New Pentecost
- The Role of the Holy Spirit in Holy Action
- Temporary Interest is Not Enough
- A True Revival Must be Rooted in Christ
- Increased Effectiveness through Holy Energy
- A New Effusion of the Holy Spirit
Key Quotes
“We need a devotion and an enthusiasm having its root, its strength, and its permanence through all surrounding changes, in a personal devotion to Christ Jesus, in a life rooted in Christ.” — Andrew Murray
“The lack of missionaries is, no doubt, the point of immediate pressure. But that can be met only by increased effectiveness on the part of the whole spiritual body, in more single dedication to the Lord's work, more holy energy, more true devotion.” — Andrew Murray
“And how shall this be, except by a new effusion of that Spirit, who is the mover and promoter to all holy action, and the dispenser of all needful gifts and grace?” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We must have a personal devotion to Christ Jesus to experience a true missionary revival.
- Increased effectiveness in the Lord's work requires more single dedication, holy energy, and true devotion.
- A new Pentecost is necessary to bring about a new effusion of the Holy Spirit, which is the mover and promoter of all holy action.