Bread for the Nations

I am the bread of life. John 6:48 (NIV)

…as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 (NKJV)

Revival is on our hearts and minds. Over the past several weeks we have looked at farming as a framework for revival. The desire for revival leads through a sequence and a season. With repentance and confession of sin, the impacted soil of our lives is plowed in preparation to receive the good seed of the word of God.

It is the vital ministry of the Holy Spirit, symbolized by rain, rivers, and refreshing springs of living water that causes germination and the sprouting forth of life. That life then grows and matures, producing even a hundredfold increase to be harvested.

But this is not the end of the story. Wheat that is harvested, gathered, and stored in a barn is not an end of itself. The purpose of wheat is to be baked into bread to provide nourishment.

The Purpose of Revival

Without splitting hairs, revival is sometimes confused with the fruit or results of revival. When we say that we want to see revival, often we are thinking of a great response to the gospel message; people being added to the church; or even a reversal of societal decay and decadence.

These are all wonderful things, but these are the results of revival. Revival begins when God’s people are no longer satisfied with going through the motions. Revival begins with hunger and desire for God among believers. When God’s people are no longer satisfied to feed on crumbs leftover from an almost forgotten, past encounter with God, revival can happen.

The reason that we do not witness more of the fruit of revival is that often we are not offering anything that the world finds to be attractive or appealing. We would not think much of a farmer who only occasionally plows, plants, and harvests and yet we wonder why sinners are staying away when we are still trying to get by on yesterday’s blessing. Even Manna had a limited shelf life.

Bread for the Nations

The events on the Day of Pentecost were the climax of a church that was united in prayer and purpose. After those who were gathered in the upper room had received “the promise of the Father,” the world took notice. Yes, some presumed that they were imbibing the “spirits,” but others asked, “What can this mean?” This opened the door for the proclamation, “This is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel…”

The church grew (exponentially) because the 120 had had a revival experience. They had become bread that was appealing and life-giving. The key to growth is life. The aroma of fresh bread will draw a crowd. The world may not be able to figure it out at first, but they will be drawn to Jesus, nevertheless. Those apostles did not have impressive credentials, however, “…they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 (ESV)

The Bread of Life

For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:33 (NIV)

Revival is not for our own pleasure or fulfillment. Revival positions us, not only to be the hands and feet of Jesus but to be broken bread and poured out wine. Oswald Chambers said it well: “Jesus said to Peter, ‘Feed My sheep,’ but He gave him nothing with which to feed them (John 21:17). The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other people’s souls until they learn to feed on God.”[1]

We can wonder how many believers who are voicing a cry for revival understand the implications. Do we understand? In John 6, Jesus lost many followers when he said that to have life, they must partake of his body and blood. I am not sure that being asked to be broken bread is going to be well-received either. …as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 (NKJV)

No More Crumbs

In August 2004, Rev. Ted Lanes, my grandfather, preached his final sermon at the North Carolina AGIF Conference. He was weak physically, but he powerfully preached a message, “The Crumbs Ministry or Bread for the Nations.”[2] The thrust of his message was that for too long we have settled for crumbs, but that we must have a bread ministry. Here is his concluding prayer:

Now Father, I thank you for each one gathered here tonight. I thank you that we will not be satisfied with a Crumb’s Ministry. Lord help us to realize that we are wheat and we need to grow and develop and become bread for the nations. Lord, people are looking to us even as they look to Jesus. I think of the woman who said, “The dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.” The whole world is hungering for the true bread of life. We need to dedicate ourselves individually. Lord give me a Bread Ministry. May my life be free from chaff and may the wheat be gathered into the barn and Lord; will you make us to be wheat for the nations. Father, tonight in Jesus’ name, for each individual here we ask a special double portion anointing. God, in the name of Jesus, we pray that on the morrow we should recognize the fact that we are wheat from the master’s table. In Jesus’ name, and all God’s people said Amen.

Revival, or more accurately, the fruit of revival, is something that many are seeking. We cry out, “Do it again Lord.” The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Azusa Street, and others, are divine moves of God, but let us make it our desire to have a bread ministry. Let us no longer be content with crumbs. May we be bread for the nations.

Steve Ekeroth

 

 

[1] Are You Exhausted Spiritually?

[2] Fellowship Magazine-Winter 2004, Page 6