Awakening is defined as...an act or moment of becoming suddenly aware of something. This is a word not used as much today in our language, but one that could use some recapturing. When we use this word in a church context, it describes a move of God, initiated by Him in the life of his people where they move from a place of either apathy, complacency, or even sinfulness. As God breaks into the lives of His people, they are awakened to the glory of His Name and Word and desire to adjust everything in their lives in line with Who He Is and What He Says.
When I was around the church several decades ago we used to have conferences either in the fall or Spring and we call them called "Revivals". I do not want to be critical of them for I have fond memories of some of those gatherings, but I thought it then and think it still think it today - You cannot "calendar" a revival for only God can bring about the Awakening that is needed.
In looking at Scripture and in history though, there are definitive things that are present when God moves and raises the church from its slumber. So what are some of these things that are present before and as a moment begins among Christ-followers. Currently at the church I pastor, we are walking through the book of Jonah. While Jonah had some real spiritual issues, there were also moments where I want to be like him.
From the belly of the Fish to landing on the shore out the mouth of the Great Fish and begins his way finally to Nineveh, those initial steps from those 3 places reveal some critical pieces that are present as a move of God begins. Again, these cannot be scheduled for they happen through God's revelation and initiation in the lives of His people.
Let me note them here...
The Necessary Steps - Jonah 3:1-4
Jonah 3:1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the
Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
These are the necessary steps before God often does something big like rescuing a city.
(1) A Move of God Starts with Christ-followers Getting Right
1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
In the belly of the fish God has gotten Jonah's attention and Jonah things get right with God. Before anything was going to happen in Nineveh, God's messenger needed an awakening and heart change. Jonah needed to deal with his sin before God before he would be ready to bring any kind of message to the pagan city of Nineveh.
(2) Word of God Comes Fresh in Power– 3:1a
Jonah 3:1a Then the Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time”
God comes again a second time to Jonah and the Word is a bit different this time as God tells him that Jonah will only be allowed to speak what God tells him to say. The first time he was told to go and call out against Nineveh.
When awakening has come throughout history, the Word of God come fresh in power to those awakened. Here is an example from the Old Testament that show the passion the returned exiles had as they stood listening to the Word of God.
Ezra 8:1And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard,
on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
(3) Move Forward in Holy Obedience– 3:2a
Jonah 3:2a“Arise”
Jonah is to move forward from the shore in obedience so when God tells him to get up and it is more than just a physical calling, but he is to get up from his messy life and move forward into God’s purposes. This is a starting over for he has been broken down to be ready to get up and be used by God. Our faith is not to be an idle faith, but active.
Every move of God reveals a deep desire for walking in holiness as those people move deeper into God's purposes.
(4) Align Our Heart with God’s Mission– 3:2ab
Jonah 3:2b go to Nineveh, that great city,
Through Jonah’s restoration will now become the vessel in which God is going to bring salvation to the city of Nineveh. Before, Jonah did not want to go so he ran - now he aligns his heart with God's desire to see Nineveh repent of its sin.
His heart is aligned with going and carrying forth the purpose of God in Him.
(5) Simplify Life to the Mission of God– 3:2c
Jonah 3:2cand call out against it the message that I tell you.”
Jonah 3:3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.
He was not to come up with his own words, but the exact Words from God and he is to be completely obedient to preach what he is given. By the way – this is still the case. Sermons and Messages are not to be grounded in a speaker’s thoughts but a faithful explanation of what has already been said by God.
If you read about the great moves of God throughout history, one of the marks of those who have been awakened in that move, is that the people completely adjust their lives to God’s ways. They get rid of things and simplify life to a single-minded pursuit. They take an inventory and simplify their lives to practice the disciplines of the faith over anything else.
(5) Unashamed Confidence Embracing the Risk of the Gospel– 3:3-4
Jonah 3:3So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh,according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
Q: How long did this journey take Jonah? Well, we are not told on what shore he landed on so we can only guess. If it was back at Joppa, then we can have an idea from there and to me it makes sense this may be where he was put back on land – the very place he decided to flee from.
Joppa is the current city Jaffa, which is near Tel Aviv, and if this is where he landed then it is around 711 miles from Joppa to Nineveh and that would take if one did not stop- 232 hours to walk it. Someone could walk it in 9 days if there was not stopping or sleeping. That distance would be like walking from Lifepointe to Denver, Colorado.
See Jonah Outside the City
If you can, I would like to invite you to observe Jonah with me at a safe distance where we can see his body language, his facial expression, and his gait as he approaches this massive ancient city.
Think back with me and see him in Jonah 1 where his heart is nothing like anything we desire to be.
Now look with me at him in Jonah 3 where he is standing before the most magnificent and powerful city in the ancient world. He is all by himself, no companions, no army, no accountability partners, no sword, no fellow staff members, no sending agency, no money raised – absolutely no support system around him.
Now see him armed only with the presence of God and the Word of God and see him step into the city and walk according to the Word of the Lord and preach.
One man alone in the biggest
and most vile city of the World!
This is not a coward, but rather a man I would like to be like in that very moment! I can’t imagine any more faith than what he is possessing and I am overwhelmed at the site of him.
When God awakens believers, they embrace the cost connected with the Gospel. Just look at the Reformers who at great cost never wavered in this stance for Biblical authority in the church.
Are you and I willing to embrace those realities connected with God's movement with the Gospel?
