When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matthew 21:10, 11)
I was recently reading a sermon preached by Charles H. Spurgeon in 1875 entitled "A Stir, and What Came of It". The subject was Christian revival or what Spurgeon called "a stir". In his most eloquent and powerful preaching, Spurgeon asked and answered the questions, "What caused the stir or, more appropriately, who caused the stir in Jerusalem?" and "What came of it?"
It was the coming of Jesus the Christ, of course, that caused the stir and the response was that a few believed Him and His teaching; Many were openly opposed to Him and His teaching; Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22); But most of the Jews who were in Jerusalem that week for the Passover were in a state of stagnation and apathetic about the promised coming of the Messiah.
I believe that the Church in America today is in a state of stagnation. The consequences of this stagnation is Christian apathy, a cultural and moral decline, a watering down of God's word, and a distortion of the gospel of Christ. Religion without the saving power of the gospel. It reminds us of the warning to the church in Laodicea; I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:15, 16)
We are in need of a stir or revival in the true Church in America. The Church must boldly proclaim the true, life changing gospel of Jesus Christ which is the only hope for America and for the world. The Church of the living God is the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14) The consequences of the Church's continued stagnation and lukewarm witness will be our continued tragic decline and God's certain judgment (I will spit you out of My mouth.)
If there is to be a stir or revival in the Church, it needs to start with me. Lord, please give me and every believer a renewed love for you and your word, a renewed desire for personal holiness, and a renewed courage and urgency to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a hostile world that so desperately needs to hear Your gospel truth. Maranatha!
