I I Will Build My Church Will Build My Church ((Part 2Part 2))

““The The Challenge of Challenge of

Acts 2: 1Acts 2: 1--13; 3713; 37--4141

Date:Date: 11th Mar 201211th Mar 2012

Occasion:Occasion: SSMC Sunday WorshipSSMC Sunday Worship

Text:Text: Acts 2: 1Acts 2: 1--13, 3713, 37--4141

a.a. In the last sermon, I argued that the In the last sermon, I argued that the

Malaysian church needs to undergo Malaysian church needs to undergo

a major paradigm shift in its thinking a major paradigm shift in its thinking

because the changes that have taken because the changes that have taken

place in our national context in the place in our national context in the

last 50 years.last 50 years.

b.b. Every church under Islam has Every church under Islam has

weakened historically, and many weakened historically, and many

have died. What will the future hold have died. What will the future hold

for the Malaysian church?for the Malaysian church?

c.c. The danger is that much of the The danger is that much of the

church is functioning in ways that church is functioning in ways that

are no different from the way we are no different from the way we

used to function in the colonial used to function in the colonial

days! We have tended to take days! We have tended to take

religious freedom for granted.religious freedom for granted.

d.d. Can we afford to NOT to ask God Can we afford to NOT to ask God

for a powerful revival?for a powerful revival?

i.i. A definition:A definition:

Revival is the outpouring of the Revival is the outpouring of the

HS upon a whole church, region HS upon a whole church, region

or even country.or even country.

ii.ii. Some marks of revival: Some marks of revival:

Acts 2:1Acts 2:1--13; 3713; 37--4141

a)a) A sovereign work of the God. A sovereign work of the God.

We cannot tell God when to bring We cannot tell God when to bring

revival.revival.

b)b) Often preceded by intense Often preceded by intense

prayer! (1:14)prayer! (1:14)

c)c) The Holy Spirit is poured out The Holy Spirit is poured out

(Acts 2:1ff)(Acts 2:1ff)

ii.ii. Some marks of revival: Some marks of revival: Acts 2:1Acts 2:1--13; 3713; 37--4141

d)d) Signs and wonders are Signs and wonders are performed (2:43)performed (2:43)

e)e) Evangelism in power and many Evangelism in power and many are brought into the church are brought into the church (2:41,47)(2:41,47)

f)f) Secret sin revealed: e.g. Ananias Secret sin revealed: e.g. Ananias and and SapphiraSapphira (Acts 5)(Acts 5)

g)g) The church moves forward with The church moves forward with confidence in spite of intense confidence in spite of intense opposition.opposition.

a.a. Wesley & the 18Wesley & the 18thth century century

Evangelical Revival Evangelical Revival

Wesley’s theme: ‘To reform the Wesley’s theme: ‘To reform the

nation, especially the church, and nation, especially the church, and

to spread scriptural holiness over to spread scriptural holiness over

the land.’the land.’

i.i. Revival and evangelistic Revival and evangelistic

growth:growth:

ii.ii. Hundreds of thousands lifted Hundreds of thousands lifted

out of poverty.out of poverty.

a.a. Wesley & the 18Wesley & the 18thth century Evangelical Revival century Evangelical Revival

iii.iii.The impact of holiness emphasis on British The impact of holiness emphasis on British

society, especially among the working class: society, especially among the working class:

‘The Methodist movement and its aftermath ‘The Methodist movement and its aftermath

coincided with the industrial revolution, and coincided with the industrial revolution, and

was more largely responsible than any other was more largely responsible than any other

influence for the integrity … of a large influence for the integrity … of a large

section of the working class.’ And it was this section of the working class.’ And it was this

that gave to the emerging that gave to the emerging labourlabour movement movement

in the nineteenth century Britain ‘its stability, in the nineteenth century Britain ‘its stability,

its thrift and its incorruptibility.’its thrift and its incorruptibility.’ (Ronald Wraith and Edgar Simpkins, (Ronald Wraith and Edgar Simpkins, Corruption Corruption

in Developing Countriesin Developing Countries, 1963, p.179.), 1963, p.179.)

a.a. Wesley & the 18Wesley & the 18thth century Evangelical Revival century Evangelical Revival

iv.iv. Roy Roy HattersleyHattersley argued that Wesley was argued that Wesley was

one of the great architects of modern one of the great architects of modern

Britain. His influence was felt primarily in Britain. His influence was felt primarily in

the 19the 19thth century: century: ‘Methodism encouraged ‘Methodism encouraged

the working poor to be ambitious, the working poor to be ambitious,

industrious and respectableindustrious and respectable——the the

qualities which made them the qualities which made them the

indispensable backbone of industrial indispensable backbone of industrial

and imperial England’and imperial England’ (Roy (Roy

HattersleyHattersley, , John WesleyJohn Wesley, 2004, p.410.), 2004, p.410.)

a.a. Wesley & the 18Wesley & the 18thth

century century

Evangelical Evangelical

Revival Revival

b.b. SIB in Sarawak and SIB in Sarawak and

SabahSabah

Buduk Nur 15 July 1985

a.a. PrayerPrayer

b.b. Holy livingHoly living

c.c. UnityUnity

d.d. Commitment to this Commitment to this

countrycountry

e.e. Signs and wondersSigns and wonders

•• The future of the nation and the The future of the nation and the

Malaysian church is at stake.Malaysian church is at stake.

•• Let come back to the story of Let come back to the story of

J Sung and the Chinese church J Sung and the Chinese church

in the 20in the 20thth century.century.

•• Point: Point:

The problems of world The problems of world

evangelization are far too big evangelization are far too big

for any of us to cope with! for any of us to cope with!

But if we are faithful and just do But if we are faithful and just do

what God tells us to do, then we what God tells us to do, then we

can trust God to do the rest! can trust God to do the rest!

That is exactly what we have to That is exactly what we have to

do in Malaysia!do in Malaysia!