Senior Pastor Lionel Goh said that this is the first of a series of eight messages on the topic of “Revamp”. In this new series, we want to explore what it means to live radically for Christ. The dictionary meaning of revamp is to patch up, restore or renovate. A spiritual revamp requires us to revise and reconstruct with God.
Why do we need a spiritual revamp?
1. We can do better both as an individual and as God’s missional people.
- From the July 2016 Whole Life survey findings, RiverLife Church appeared to be doing relatively well in areas of personal faith practices (e.g. coming regularly for worship service, involvement in cell, etc).
- However, where it pertains to Faith at home (e.g. reading the Bible regularly with spouse and children, prayers, discussing of faith matters regularly and service in ministry together) and Faith & Life (i.e., living out and being true to our faith), there is much room for improvement.
- As a Church, the trend over the last five years of the attendance, salvation decisions, baptisms and total giving point to a picture of stability but not breakthrough. Pastor Lionel shared that RiverLife Church can aspire to do better as God’s missional people!
2. We need to break free from the ropes that tie us down.
- Pastor Lionel shared that the modern church is tied down by many of the world’s values, which had crept into the church and had immobilized us from doing God’s work or fulfilling God’s promise in our lives, much like the Giant in Gulliver’s Travels being restrained by ropes to the ground. These ropes are:
- Consumerism & Non-commitment
- Complacency & Compromise
- Cynicism & Criticism.
He focused on the first point and said that the two other points would be covered in subsequent weeks.
The root cause of consumerism and non-commitment is self-centredness. In this worldview, God and Church are just products for our selfish use. God would be used to bless, protect, provide, heal and to meet our needs while we run our own lives!
For such a person, the Church exists as a community simply to feed him, care for his family and give him fellowship. There is no allegiance to the church nor would the person find time to serve others.
3. God wants to involve us in a fresh season of ministry soon!
- Like the River of Life in Ezekiel 47, we were conceived by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to go out into our world to transform individuals, impact society and bless the nations.
- Pastor Lionel shared on the converging signs of a new season. God’s Pillar of Fire is moving soon!
How do we prepare ourselves to move with the Lord? How do we make this spiritual revamp? We can learn from Jesus’ One Command and Two Promises given to the Disciples in the Upper Room – Acts 1:4-5, 8.
- One Command: Stay put in Jerusalem.
- Two Promises: They would be filled with the Holy Spirit; and they would be empowered to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.
The disciples responded by praying in unity and with anticipation - Acts 1:12-14. They also dealt with their past failures and disappointments - Acts 1:15-26.
To be ready for what God wants in this new season, we need an Upper Room encounter! Pastor Lionel challenged us to emulate the likely posture of the disciples in the Upper Room to:
(a) Set time to seek God together
(b) Pray in unity and with anticipation
(c) Confess our sins and failures to God and each other
(d) Reconcile our differences and mend broken relationships
(e) Align our hearts to embrace a new season of ministry.
Discussion Questions
1. Pastor Lionel Goh shared on the reasons why RiverLife Church, that is, including its members, needs a spiritual revamp. Share with the Cell which of the reasons would be your most important reason for this revamp. [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: This is an ice-breaking question and it helps members to recap on the main reasons why we need a spiritual revamp. Members can share their personal perspectives on why these are important reasons and to agree to start on this spiritual step of faith. Ezekiel 47 gives the picture of the River of Life. We are conceived by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to go out into our world to transform individuals, impact society and bless the nations.
2. Pastor Lionel listed the failures and disappointments of the Disciples when they gathered together in the Upper Room after Jesus' crucifixion. What were some these disappointments or failures and in your own faith journey, which of these resonates with you? [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: This is a relate question. Leaders can encourage members to recount how God turned a hopeless situation around to propel the Disciples into His global agenda! Leaders can talk through the following:
- Judas' betrayal
- Peter's denial of Jesus
- Their cowardice in deserting Jesus
- Their lack of faith in believing the resurrection
- Their desire to be the greatest
- Their lack of love for one another
- Their carnal motives in following Jesus
Members can confess and share of their past or ongoing personal struggles with one or more of these in their lives.
3. Pastor Lionel spoke about ropes tying God's people down and preventing us from fulfilling God's will and potential for our lives. In particular, he focused on the attitudes of consumerism and non-commitment prevalent in the modern church. Reflect on whether such an attitude is present in you and if so, how you may commit to deal with the root cause. [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: This is a reflect question. Members can examine their own attitudes towards God and church, and humbly reflect on whether they have been self-centred or man-centric. Leaders can encourage members to go deeper and repent of such attitudes. Members can pause and pray for one another, committing to God any area identified and surrender that area of their lives to God for full control!
4. A new season awaits us. Pastor Lionel shared that God's Pillar of Fire is moving soon. How can you or as a Cell, prepare in practical ways to move with the Lord? [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: This is a response question. Leaders can help members focus by talking through the likely posture of the Disciples in the Upper Room that Pastor Lionel spoke about. Read Acts 1:12-26. RiverLife Church needs an Upper Room encounter. Pastor Lionel suggested the following practical ways include:
- Daily time with God: Meditate on His Word and use 40.Day devotion guide by Love.Singapore
- Fast: A meal daily for 40 days
- Pray: Gather as a Cell to pray for renewal
- Read: Radical by David Platt.
Members can commit to one or more practical ways to deepen their faith and relationship with God. The Cell can then pray on these commitments for a spiritual breakthrough!
