From Revival to the Ends of the Earth
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey · 2 min read
Professor Gary Maxey does not treat revival as an end in itself. His working definition ends with outreach. Revival, he says, is preceded by a deepening sense of need and conviction of sin, and then shows itself in repentance, restitution, reconciliation, a deeper spiritual experience, holy living, evangelism and missions.
Pure hearts and power
In his closing message in the book on why revival tarries, he points to Acts 15. Peter stood before the Jerusalem Council and said that what had happened to Cornelius's household at Caesarea was the same as what the apostles experienced in the Upper Room. In both cases, holy fire purified hearts and removed the barriers to power. Peter said God "made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:8-9).
Professor Maxey draws his conclusion. The inner work of the Holy Spirit, changing people from the inside out, made possible the greatest gospel outreaches the world has ever known. He prays he will live to see that in Nigeria.
The order matters
He does not propose that mission replace holiness. He proposes the reverse. Purity comes first, and outreach flows from it. A church with divided hearts can export its division.
The cost of consecration
In his book on the Highway of Holiness, Professor Maxey points to what has happened to missions. He notes that short-term mission travelers now outnumber career missionaries sixty to one, and he says deep consecration has become an almost forgotten focus. He believes God is calling the church back to the sacrificial surrender once seen as indispensable for missionary service.
What this means for Nigeria
Nigeria sends and receives workers. Professor Maxey's concern is not numbers. It is readiness. Is the church willing to go to hard places, unpaid and unnoticed, because the Spirit has cleansed its heart?
A question to take to your church
When did we last send someone for years instead of weeks? When did we last pray, by name, for someone who is willing to go? Put a name on the church's prayer board this month.
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey.
