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The “Asbury Revival” started with a simple message

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Only God knows the lasting impact that will result from what is going on with the “Asbury Revival” this week. I’m not saying I am fully supportive of everything that goes on at Asbury (I don’t know much about them) and I don’t know what was preached after this one message. But I think it is a good sermon worth watching and people have been responding for days. Maybe you also are ready to repent and/or recommit to pursuing Jesus and sharing His love.

As I was watching the simple message that started it all by Rev. Zach Meerkreebs, Envision Leadership Coordinator from the Christian and Missionary Alliance speaking at Asbury University and reading some of the YouTube comments, I was thinking that it seems like it is genuine and not a “slick speaker coercing students into an emotional response.” To me it seems like the students (and many around the world that heard about it) were ripe to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Some criticize that this isn’t a full Gospel presentation but it was a 26 minute message shared with Christian College students.

Something like this happened when I was going to Crown College that had started at Wheaton March 19, 1995 and spread to other Bible colleges including Crown College and the University of Northwestern.

The Initial Scripture Text of this Message at Asbury

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13  contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20  “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21 (NASB)

Here is an account of what happened next afer this message was shared according to this YouTube Comment:
@JLeeladee “After the praise team sang a few songs, they left to go eat lunch. While they were gone, a small group of students were hanging around & praying for one another. One guy started to share his testimony (with just the remaining few students) of how he attempted suicide a few years ago. But the Lord spared him and he was repentant and so grateful for God saving him from dying. Then the other girl said that is when the atmosphere shifted & the outpouring of the Spirit happened and fell in the place. She contributed it to the young man sharing his testimony in humility and repentance. The gospel team came back to the Chapel from lunch and began singing again, as the students were still there.”

Some people are very critical of this. Only God knows what is truly going on. Reminds me of the advice given in the Book of Acts. “…If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!” Acts 5:38-39 (NLT)