Obedience: The Key to Collective Revival

 

Summary

In a moment of profound spiritual clarity, I experienced a life-changing encounter with God at the age of 22. As I was driving, questioning the direction of my life, the Holy Spirit spoke to me with a message that has guided me for over 30 years: "If you'll simply obey the next thing I'm telling you to do, you'll be in the middle of the greatest revival this world's ever seen." This divine instruction has not only shaped my personal journey but also serves as a call to the broader body of Christ. The essence of this message is obedience—listening to God's voice and taking the next step He directs us to.

Recently, this call to obedience manifested in a collaborative effort with leaders like Francis Chan, Andy Byrd, and Michael Miller. We gathered to seek God's vision for unity in church planting worldwide. This unity is not just about mutual love and affirmation but about coming together with a shared purpose. From this collaboration, the "Hundred Cities Initiative" was born. This initiative invites individuals from various movements to undergo intensive training in San Francisco, equipping them to return to their communities and plant churches, thereby transforming lives.

The invitation is clear: seek God, listen to His voice, and obey. This is a collective call to action, urging us to unite as a community to participate in what could be the greatest revival the world has ever seen. I encourage you to visit 100cities.org to learn more about this initiative and discern what God might be calling you to do. Together, let's step into this divine opportunity, not just as individuals but as a unified body of Christ, ready to obey and witness the unfolding of God's plan.

Key Takeaways

- Obedience to God's voice is the key to experiencing personal and collective revival. When we listen and act on His instructions, we align ourselves with His divine purpose, opening the door to transformative experiences. This obedience is not a one-time act but a continual journey of faith and trust. [00:19]

- Unity in the body of Christ goes beyond mere agreement; it involves a shared commitment to a common mission. By coming together with leaders and believers, we can achieve more than we could individually, reflecting the true power of community in Christ. [01:13]

- The "Hundred Cities Initiative" exemplifies the power of collaboration in church planting and community transformation. This initiative is a practical step towards fulfilling the Great Commission, providing training and support for those called to plant churches and impact lives. [01:37]

- God's invitation to participate in His work is open to all who are willing to listen and obey. This call is not limited to a select few but extends to every believer who desires to be part of a global movement of revival and renewal. [02:07]

- The potential for the greatest revival lies in our collective response to God's call. As we unite and obey, we position ourselves to witness and be part of a significant move of God, impacting not just our local communities but the world at large. [02:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - A Life-Changing Encounter
[00:19] - The Call to Obedience
[00:33] - A Message for the Ages
[00:47] - Stepping into God's Plan
[01:00] - Gathering of Leaders
[01:13] - Vision for Unity
[01:25] - Purpose of Church Planting
[01:37] - Hundred Cities Initiative
[01:51] - Transforming Lives
[02:07] - Invitation to Obey
[02:21] - Moving Forward Together

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 14:15 - "If you love me, keep my commands."
2. Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
3. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the life-changing message the Holy Spirit communicated to the pastor at the age of 22? How did it impact his life? [00:19]
2. What was the purpose of the gathering with leaders like Francis Chan and Andy Byrd? What initiative emerged from this meeting? [01:13]
3. How does the "Hundred Cities Initiative" aim to transform communities and churches? [01:37]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the pastor's experience of hearing God's voice relate to the concept of obedience in John 14:15? What does this suggest about the relationship between love and obedience? [00:19]
2. In what ways does Ephesians 4:3's call for unity reflect the goals of the "Hundred Cities Initiative"? How might this unity be achieved practically? [01:13]
3. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 align with the objectives of the "Hundred Cities Initiative"? What does this suggest about the role of church planting in fulfilling the Great Commission? [01:37]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to obey a specific instruction. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [00:19]
2. The pastor emphasizes the importance of unity in the body of Christ. What steps can you take to promote unity within your own church or community? [01:13]
3. Consider the "Hundred Cities Initiative" and its focus on church planting. How might you or your small group get involved in similar efforts to impact your community? [01:37]
4. The sermon invites believers to seek God and obey His voice. What practical steps can you take this week to better listen to and follow God's guidance? [02:07]
5. How can you encourage others in your community to participate in a collective movement of revival and renewal? What role can you play in fostering this environment? [02:21]
6. Reflect on the idea of being part of the greatest revival the world has ever seen. What personal changes might you need to make to align yourself with this vision? [02:21]
7. How can you use your unique gifts and talents to contribute to the mission of church planting and community transformation? What specific actions can you take in the coming month? [01:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience as a Pathway to Revival
Obedience to God's voice is a transformative journey that aligns individuals with His divine purpose. This journey is not a one-time act but a continual process of listening and responding to God's instructions. When believers choose to obey, they open themselves to personal and collective revival, experiencing God's power in profound ways. This obedience requires faith and trust, as it often involves stepping into the unknown, guided by the assurance of God's presence and promises. [00:19]

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to obey Him today? How can you take a step of faith in that direction?


Day 2: Unity with Purpose
Unity in the body of Christ transcends mere agreement; it involves a shared commitment to a common mission. When believers come together with a unified purpose, they reflect the true power of community in Christ. This unity is not just about mutual love and affirmation but about working collaboratively to achieve more than what could be accomplished individually. By embracing this vision for unity, the church can become a powerful force for change and transformation in the world. [01:13]

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering unity within your church community? What practical steps can you take to support a shared mission?


Day 3: Collaboration for Transformation
The "Hundred Cities Initiative" exemplifies the power of collaboration in church planting and community transformation. This initiative is a practical step towards fulfilling the Great Commission, providing training and support for those called to plant churches and impact lives. By working together, individuals from various movements can be equipped to return to their communities and bring about meaningful change. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of coming together with a shared vision to transform lives and communities. [01:37]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you collaborate with others in your community to bring about positive change? How can you support initiatives that align with God's mission?


Day 4: An Open Invitation to God's Work
God's invitation to participate in His work is open to all who are willing to listen and obey. This call is not limited to a select few but extends to every believer who desires to be part of a global movement of revival and renewal. By responding to this invitation, individuals can experience the joy and fulfillment of being part of God's unfolding plan. This call to action encourages believers to seek God, listen to His voice, and take the next step He directs them to. [02:07]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek God's guidance in your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure you are listening and responding to His call?


Day 5: Collective Response to God's Call
The potential for the greatest revival lies in the collective response to God's call. As believers unite and obey, they position themselves to witness and be part of a significant move of God, impacting not just their local communities but the world at large. This collective response requires a willingness to step into the unknown, trusting in God's promises and His ability to work through His people. By coming together as a unified body of Christ, believers can participate in the unfolding of God's plan for revival and renewal. [02:21]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: What role can you play in contributing to a collective response to God's call? How can you encourage others to join in this movement of revival and renewal?

Quotes

"If you'll simply obey the next thing I'm telling you to do, you'll be in the middle of the greatest revival this world's ever seen." [00:19:31]

"God, if we'll just obey the next thing you're telling us to, we will step in not just personally but as a body, as the body of Christ at large, we will step into what God has for us in this hour." [00:45:03]

"We got together and we said, God, what would you do among us? What could we do together, not just individually? We all have individual things that God's called us to, but what would you do with us together?" [01:10:48]

"What would unity really look like, not just in love and affirmation of one another, but what would it look like to unify together around the purpose of church planting around the world?" [01:21:52]

"It's an opportunity for different people from our movements that have gone through their basic training schools to then do an eight-week intensive in San Francisco and to do intensive training and be committed to a year-long process of going back to their local churches." [01:35:20]

"What we're asking of you, what we're appealing to you is would you seek God and then would you simply obey him and would you be willing to say, God, we want to do this together for such a time as this." [01:56:56]

"The invitation is being given, God is speaking, we're diving in. Once you at least go to 100cities.org, see what we're doing, see what God's saying to you, and then let's go forward together." [02:10:32]

"Let's go forward together, not just individually but as a community to obey him and be in the middle of the greatest revival this world has ever seen." [02:21:44]

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Transcript
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