Having come to Christ as a result of the late 60s-early 70s so-called “Jesus Movement” (renamed Jesus Revolution for the current film), people wondered for the first years if it was real, even as many wonder the same about the recent Asbury (University) so-called “revival”.
My reply is: as with any such movement, big or small, global or local, in a collective or by oneself, when God “moves” us in some way to put faith in Him for salvation (and He will draw us to Jesus, His Son, see John 3:16), we can only wait to see what “fruit” is produced in the lives of participants over time, and/or see what spiritual growth we have realized in ourselves, because “The Lord will [a]perfect that which concerns (each of us),” Psalm 138:8).
In short, any such movement, revolution, or revival, can be real–and lasting–if it is…
sourced in God’s Word,
brings people into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ*, and
they (we) commit to maturing as a believer, that is, to allowing the Lord to do that perfecting within us by His Holy Spirit as we submit to His leading, direction, and guidance–or yield again when there may be temporary setbacks. This is called “good fruit”.
On The Good Fruit
Jesus offered the metaphor of a sower and his seeds to explain this phenomenon to His followers–then and now:
“Behold, a sower went out to sow.4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them.5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth.6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: somea hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
He went on to explain:
“When anyone hears the wordof the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediatelyreceives it with joy;21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For whentribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediatelyhe stumbles.22 Nowhe who received seedamong the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bearsfruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
(Matthew 13: 1-9, 19-23, New King James Version)
On the Good Fruit Today
The purpose of this post is to feature an interview, below, by Pastor Garid Beeler of VISION Calvary Chapel, with Pastor Jack Hibbs (an original participant in the Jesus Movement) regarding what is taking place in many arenas of the world today in the light of Bible prophecy in particular. Some history of Hibbs’ involvement in the Jesus Movement is also included.
I believe Pastor Hibbs’ ministry is just one example of some of the “good fruit” produced as a result of that historic move of God’s Holy Spirit that included, most notably, the Costa Mesa, CA, Calvary Chapel pastored by Chuck Smith (featured prominently in the movie).
Fast-forwarding to this year, only time will reveal what spiritual seed will have been sown at Asbury University and whether or not it was real, counterfeit, or just a passing fad at a place known for hosting revivals in its long history.
But, as always, it will depend upon each individual’s choice for Christ, with or without mass movements, for we do not arrive at the proverbial pearly gates as a group.
For, as explained in the interview, we could well be at the door of the next prophetic event called the “Rapture” (a translation from the original, Latin, term), and that will change everything. This is just one of the topics featured.
GUEST FEATURE
~~~~~
*Here is basic summary regarding why and how to enter the family of believers in Jesus Christ: ABCs of Salvation
pnissila 
Good Seed: Fifty Years from the Jesus Movement–Where Are They Now? Hear from One (Guest Feature, A Bible Prophecy Q/A with Pastor Jack Hibbs)
Phyllis Beveridge Nissila
Was It A Real Jesus Movement/Revolution/Revival?
Having come to Christ as a result of the late 60s-early 70s so-called “Jesus Movement” (renamed Jesus Revolution for the current film), people wondered for the first years if it was real, even as many wonder the same about the recent Asbury (University) so-called “revival”.
My reply is: as with any such movement, big or small, global or local, in a collective or by oneself, when God “moves” us in some way to put faith in Him for salvation (and He will draw us to Jesus, His Son, see John 3:16), we can only wait to see what “fruit” is produced in the lives of participants over time, and/or see what spiritual growth we have realized in ourselves, because “The Lord will [a]perfect that which concerns (each of us),” Psalm 138:8).
In short, any such movement, revolution, or revival, can be real–and lasting–if it is…
On The Good Fruit
Jesus offered the metaphor of a sower and his seeds to explain this phenomenon to His followers–then and now:
He went on to explain:
On the Good Fruit Today
The purpose of this post is to feature an interview, below, by Pastor Garid Beeler of VISION Calvary Chapel, with Pastor Jack Hibbs (an original participant in the Jesus Movement) regarding what is taking place in many arenas of the world today in the light of Bible prophecy in particular. Some history of Hibbs’ involvement in the Jesus Movement is also included.
I believe Pastor Hibbs’ ministry is just one example of some of the “good fruit” produced as a result of that historic move of God’s Holy Spirit that included, most notably, the Costa Mesa, CA, Calvary Chapel pastored by Chuck Smith (featured prominently in the movie).
Fast-forwarding to this year, only time will reveal what spiritual seed will have been sown at Asbury University and whether or not it was real, counterfeit, or just a passing fad at a place known for hosting revivals in its long history.
But, as always, it will depend upon each individual’s choice for Christ, with or without mass movements, for we do not arrive at the proverbial pearly gates as a group.
And here is the best news: we don’t have to wait, anyway! (See related commentary: On Personal Spiritual Revival: How, Here, Now!)
And I wouldn’t wait.
For, as explained in the interview, we could well be at the door of the next prophetic event called the “Rapture” (a translation from the original, Latin, term), and that will change everything. This is just one of the topics featured.
GUEST FEATURE
~~~~~
*Here is basic summary regarding why and how to enter the family of believers in Jesus Christ: ABCs of Salvation
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