On June 9, Pastor Bai Yu'e shared the seventh in a series about the revival of the church. The series addresses the foundation, motivation and future of the church’s revival.
The foundation
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Perfecting holiness is not associated with status, but with spiritual life. Paul asked the Corinthian church to purify and circumcise themselves both in body and soul. Both one’s behavior and heart need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Those who are serving God with true hearts are spiritually pure. And those who only remove visible idols but still have invisible idols in their hearts remain unclean.
For my brother, my flesh and blood, even if I am cursed and separated from Christ, I will. (Romans 9:3)
Paul knew that Jesus loved the world and all people, so he tried his best to preach no matter if he was successful or not. Paul was faithful. Do brothers and sisters in the church today have the same loyalty, dedication, burden and willingness as Paul? Do we want everyone to be saved, or care about only ourselves?
The motivation
And not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. (2 Corinthians 7:7)
The spiritual growth and revival of brothers and sisters in the church is based on people serving and encouraging each other. Humans are weak and any external pressure may cause spiritual depression. On this occasion, care and comfort is an important way to show His love and bring spiritual growth among believers.
We need to confess our sins and repent before God. Our greatest sin is not that we are not in awe of God but that we don’t trust in His Word. There are seven signs of repentance and confession: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. Only if we truly hate sin can we avoid sinning.
The future
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
We recognize spiritual revival because of how believers express love for each other. If a believer is spiritually in tune with God, his heart is filled with love and the church will be immersed in the love of Christ. Since small problems and contradictions can be completely resolved and covered by love, it will encourage the love and spiritual revival of other believers. Today, if we are true Christians, we must tithe with generosity and willingness. Our generosity is not only to help others, but it also guides them to give thanks to God. There are many people who focus on the spirit but they still hold money tightly in their hands. In fact, giving tithes is also a way to serve and worship.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
白玉娥牧师谈教会复兴（七）
6月9日，白玉娥牧师在线上分享了教会复兴的第七篇。讲述了教会复兴的根基、途径和结局。
一、 教会复兴的根基
亲爱的弟兄啊，我们既有这等应许，就当洁净自己，除去身体、灵魂一切的污秽，敬畏神，得以成圣。(哥林多后书 7:1 )
这里谈到的成圣不是地位上的成圣，保罗在这里所说的，基督徒生活当中的成圣是要属灵生命渐渐成圣。保罗要求哥林多教会众圣徒，要洁净自己除去身体灵魂上一切的污秽，不单外在的行为上，就是心思意念都要被主的宝血洁净真正敬畏神的人才是灵性洁净的人。而那些只除去外在有形偶像，心中仍然充满无形偶像的人仍是不洁的。
为我弟兄，我骨肉之亲，就是自己被咒诅，与基督分离，我也愿意。(罗马书 9:3 )
保罗深知耶稣爱世人爱灵魂，因此无论得时不得时，他都竭力传福音。保罗的服侍是忠心的，我们今天教会同工的弟兄姊妹，在服侍上是否有保罗的忠心，是否竭力，是否有负担，愿意人人得救，还是单顾自己不顾别人呢？
二、 教会复兴的途径
不但藉着他来，也藉着他从你们所得的安慰，安慰了我们；因他把你们的想念、哀恸，和向我的热心，都告诉了我，叫我更加欢喜。(哥林多后书 7:7 )
教会弟兄姊妹灵性的成长和复兴是在于同工的服侍和弟兄姊妹之间彼此的鼓励。因为人都是软弱的人，任何外在的环境压力都有可能造成基督徒生命灵性的低谷。在这个时候就需要弟兄姊妹肢体之间彼此相抚、挽拉、安慰，彰显基督的爱。这是信徒之间灵性成长的一个非常重要的途径。
我们在神面前需要认罪悔改，我们最大的罪就是对神的不敬畏，同时对神话语不坚信。真正的认罪懊悔有七种表现，分别是殷勤、自述、自恨、恐惧、想念、热心、自责。只要你恨恶罪才能离开罪。
三、 教会复兴的结局
最要紧的是彼此切实相爱，因为爱能遮掩许多的罪。(彼得前书 4:8 )
教会信徒灵性复兴之后就会通过爱心来表达出来。信徒灵性光景好，心中就充满了爱，就会使全教会都沉浸在基督爱的氛围当中，即使有小问题小矛盾也完全会被化解，被爱遮掩，并且还会激发其他信徒的爱心和灵性的复兴。今天我们如果是真基督徒，就必须在金钱上有所付出，而且奉献一定是慷慨的，是甘心乐意的。我们的慷慨不但能够帮助别人，同时也能够使他们来感谢神。现在有很多人特别属灵，但一提到钱就立刻产生异样的情绪，实际上信仰这条道路金钱的奉献也是一种服侍和敬拜。
On June 9, Pastor Bai Yu'e shared the seventh in a series about the revival of the church. The series addresses the foundation, motivation and future of the church’s revival.
The foundation
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Perfecting holiness is not associated with status, but with spiritual life. Paul asked the Corinthian church to purify and circumcise themselves both in body and soul. Both one’s behavior and heart need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Those who are serving God with true hearts are spiritually pure. And those who only remove visible idols but still have invisible idols in their hearts remain unclean.
For my brother, my flesh and blood, even if I am cursed and separated from Christ, I will. (Romans 9:3)
Paul knew that Jesus loved the world and all people, so he tried his best to preach no matter if he was successful or not. Paul was faithful. Do brothers and sisters in the church today have the same loyalty, dedication, burden and willingness as Paul? Do we want everyone to be saved, or care about only ourselves?
The motivation
And not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. (2 Corinthians 7:7)
The spiritual growth and revival of brothers and sisters in the church is based on people serving and encouraging each other. Humans are weak and any external pressure may cause spiritual depression. On this occasion, care and comfort is an important way to show His love and bring spiritual growth among believers.
We need to confess our sins and repent before God. Our greatest sin is not that we are not in awe of God but that we don’t trust in His Word. There are seven signs of repentance and confession: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. Only if we truly hate sin can we avoid sinning.
The future
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
We recognize spiritual revival because of how believers express love for each other. If a believer is spiritually in tune with God, his heart is filled with love and the church will be immersed in the love of Christ. Since small problems and contradictions can be completely resolved and covered by love, it will encourage the love and spiritual revival of other believers. Today, if we are true Christians, we must tithe with generosity and willingness. Our generosity is not only to help others, but it also guides them to give thanks to God. There are many people who focus on the spirit but they still hold money tightly in their hands. In fact, giving tithes is also a way to serve and worship.
- Translated by Elaina Wu
Pastor: Church Revival Needs Foundation, Approach, Destination
