How the American Church Can be Okay--Quickly, by John Avant

Over the past several weeks, I’ve tried to clearly but lovingly discuss the serious illness afflicting the American church. 

But I want to finish this series with some extraordinarily good news:

Everything can change very quickly for the good in the American church!

How do I know this with such certainty?

First of all, because we’ve already seen it happen throughout history. Sometimes, God in His sovereign mercy chooses to revive and restore His people with astonishing speed!  

In 1802 God used one man, Timothy Dwight, to debate and preach to atheist students at Yale University.  In a very short time, a third of the campus came to Christ and began to take the Gospel down the eastern seaboard, helping to launch the Second Great Awakening. The American church was changed.  

On  September 23, 1857 God used one man, Jeremiah Lanphier, to launch a prayer meeting in New York City.  Within a year a million people had been baptized into local churches across the country and the American church was changed.

I could give a dozen more examples of how God is willing and able to change things very quickly among His people, but the best way to see that is to go to the word of God. 

In 1 Thessalonians 1:8, Paul said this about the believers in the Greek city of Thessalonica:

“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ 

From this small group of believers, the Gospel spread to an entire nation. And here’s what is really astonishing.

Paul had just led them to Jesus about six months prior! 

God used brand new believers with no way to communicate or travel rapidly to change their nation in a matter of months.  

So while we do not have the power to suddenly fix the American Church, God does! 

And we do have the power to get ready!

Read the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians. 

Then do what they did.  

— They began to live lives of faith, hope and love by the power of the Spirit that amazed even Paul. (Vs 3)  All other priorities were secondary for them. You can choose this. 

— They believed the right Gospel. (Vs 5)  They weren’t pursuing comfort or prosperity. They took up their cross and followed Jesus and proclaimed His good news everywhere.  You can choose this. 

— They had mentors and became mentors.  (Vs 6,7)  We need each other! And the world needs to see Jesus in us. When Paul said in verse 7 that they became “examples,” he used the same word which meant “nail print” in the Gospel of John!  They became the nail prints of Jesus, showing forth His love and power.  You can choose this. .

— They turned away from sinful idols. (Vs 9)  Every day they were surrounded by idols.  But they chose Jesus as their life every day, over and over again.  You can choose this too.  

The American church is not okay. 

But it can be. 

And fast. 

God waits to revive His people.

God wants to revive His people.

Are you ready to be that person?

If so, then maybe soon, we can sing with Forrest Frank,

“Everything is gonna be okay!”