I have recently watched the movie ”The Jesus Revolution”. It is rare for me, now-a-days, to be moved to tears of any kind by a movie, television production, a book, play or show.
The JESUS REVOLUTION is a 2023 American Christian drama film directed by Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle. Based on the autobiographical book of the same name co-written by Greg Laurie, the film follows Laurie, Christian hippie Lonnie Frisbee, and pastor Chuck Smith as they take part in the Jesus movement in California during the late 1960s.
This is the story of one young hippie’s quest in the 1970s for belonging and liberation that leads not only to peace, love, and rock and roll, but that sets into motion a new counterculture crusade – a Jesus Movement – making a change in the course of American religious history.
Inspired by a true movement, JESUS REVOLUTION tells the story of a young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) being raised by his struggling mother, Charlene (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) in the 1970s. Laurie and a sea of young people descend on sunny Southern California to redefine truth through all means of liberation. Inadvertently, Laurie meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher, and Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer) who have thrown open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to a stream of wandering youth. What unfolds becomes the greatest spiritual awakening in American history. Rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith lead to a JESUS REVOLUTION that turns one counterculture movement into a revival that changes the world.
This movie, in my estimation, faithfully depicts the moment in time it sets out to capture – and may remind many viewers of their own path to religious conversion.
The questions that remain are “how could this have happened”? What were the prevalent political, social and spiritual circumstances that gave birth to such a widespread phenomenon? What was the condition of the heart and minds, the longings, in so many young people, all at this particular time, that the Message of Jesus would become their lifeboat?
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE – ACCEPTANCE – A FUTURE AND A HOPE – A REJECTION OF THE STATUS QUO that had brought fear, doubt, abandonment and competition for acceptance.
The height of this Jesus Movement was from 1968 through approximately 1976. The beneficial effects lingered and spread for decades afterward. There have been attempts to copy or replicate this so-called JESUS REVOLUTION, but they have been just imitations, using the form and hoping for the function. But sadly, as is usually the case, the religious bureaucrats and the religiously politically astute arrived and have ‘organized the movement to death’.
What has remained, however, is what has always been in the heart of every man, woman, boy and girl from birth: A God-shaped vacuum. That is, a need to love and to be loved just as we are. A need to belong and to have a sense of purpose and usefulness. A Cause bigger than oneself that give hope and makes an eternal difference. A means to escape the mental prisons of fear, doubt, worry, anxiety, sickness, disease, hate, loathing and the like. A way to a peace that brings joy. A way not only to receive these things, but to give these things in return.
So it was in 1968, God put a series of events into action that made a difference. The Message was Jesus and the promise was all these things we long for, and millions responded.
(Please note: The movie also depicts the failures, even in the lives of these God-led men and women. Even in our most sincere pursuits of, and service to God, we are subject to sin and failures.
But just like when Jesus sent His first eleven disciples to go and make disciples of the world, teaching them to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you”, some were doubtful. Some would fail from time to time.
Knowing this, Jesus sent them anyway – all of them – reminding them and us, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As The CHURCH goes – So goes America
In this vein, it is no mistake nor is it a coincidence that the first three chapters of Revelation describe the state of the Church in and around 95 A.D. in both real time and as a prophetic predictor. In other words, although each of these Churches were real and active Christian Churches, they are also a characterization or profile of seven characteristics of Churches to be found in these Last Days.
In their sincere pursuit and service to God, some of these Churches would succeed, some would have failures, but God used them anyway – all of them.
A MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH in the 21st CENTURY
Here is an excerpt on the Seven Churches in Revelation and what they stand for, as presented by Got Questions Org:
The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. The first purpose of the letters was to communicate with the literal churches and meet their needs. The second purpose is to reveal seven different types of individuals/churches throughout history and instruct them in God’s truth.
A possible third purpose is to use the seven churches to foreshadow seven different periods in the history of the Church. The problem with this view is that each of the seven churches describes issues that could fit the Church in any time in its history. So, although there may be some truth to the seven churches representing seven eras, there is far too much speculation in this regard. Our focus should be on what message God is giving us through the seven churches.
The seven churches are as follows:
(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) – the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).
(2) Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) – the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).
(3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) – the church that needed to repent (2:16).
(4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) – the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).
(5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) – the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).
(6) Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) – the church that had endured patiently (3:10).
(7) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) – the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).
I would like to have characterized these Churches by ascribing each with a more contemporary moniker:
The Don Juan Church – The Church at Ephesus
Revelation 2:4, But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
The Suffering Church – The Church at Smyrna
Revelation 2:10, Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
The Kramer Stumbling Church – The Church at Pergamum
Revelation 2:14, But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
The Kardashian Church – The Church at Thyatira
Revelation 2:20, But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols
The Baked in the Squat Church – The Church at Sardis.
Revelation 3:1, “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead.”
The Open Door Church – The Church at Philadelphia
Revelation 3:8, ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have followed My word, and have not denied My name.
The Don Quixote Church – The Church at Laodicea
Revelation 3:15, ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
There are many church leaders today who are attempting to either re-create the early church experience or to adapt the Church to be more relevant to the 21st Century postmodern world.
This is nothing new. In 313 AD, the Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which accepted Christianity. He completely altered the relationship between the church and the imperial government, thereby beginning a process that eventually made Christianity the official religion of the empire. During the process of making Christianity the official religion of Rome, Constantine refashioned and church according to an acceptable form and function followed, evolved and some 1,700 years later the church in entering a terrible time of apostasy (2023).
It would seem these church leaders (pastors, preachers, Bible teachers, theologians, etc.) are utilizing the principle of “Form Follows Function” – and both the effort to re-create the church and to adapt the church are failing.
The problems with re-creating the early church stem from the fact that the early church’s form was the result of factors pressing the Church into its form – for survival, which resulted in growth.
The problem with the theory of “Form Follows Function” which states that the shape of a building or object should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose, is it is to be applied to architecture and industrial design – not the Church which Jesus is building. Jesus’ Church “is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation, but through His Blood.”
The main problem with building the church modeled after external influences is that the Church is the Body of Jesus, and we are to have the “mind of Christ” and to be filled by the Spirit of God. The Church can never be RE-modeled. It is already modeled, made and complete – once and for all times.
The Bible instructs and warns that “a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
WARNING: Those who would re-create or attempt to adapt or fashion the Church into an image of the world are “a natural person who does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him”.
Here is the JESUS Model for Ministry. An outline and Model for Ministry is Jesus as compared to the counterfeit: Follow Him, follow His ways. (denoted by BLUE text).
(I). Repent
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(1). Here is the World’s Postmodern Model for Ministry: (denoted by GREEN text).
You will rarely or never see the a sign in front of the Church or hear the words which say “repent.
Instead you’ll see and hear, “Come, Grow, Go. (Attend church, make a “profession of faith”, join church membership, learn about our church denominational ways, tithe, serve in some function around the church organization.
(II). GO – Make Disciples – Follow Him
- Matthew 4:19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(II). GO – The unspoken but implied message in the Postmodern churches is “do it our way or GO AWAY”.
- We (the postmodern Church) Do it our way and GO into a new members class. Learn to “witness” from a script or in a classroom; go on a “mission trip”; go to church; go to Sunday school.
III. Teach, Preach, proclaim the Gospel, lay hands on the sick
- Matthew 4:23, Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
- and healing every kind of disease
- and every kind of sickness among the people.
(III). The postmodern way is to talk, talk talk. Talk about it in classrooms and small groups and then we send the paid professionals to do the Work.
IV. Learn and teach – BE BEREAN – STUDY TO BE APPROVED – WHAT & WHY.
Jesus teaches His disciples 5:31 through Matthew 9:38
- Disciples and the World
- Regarding Personal Relationships
- Giving to the Poor and Prayer
- Fasting; The True Treasure; Wealth (Mammon)
- The Cure for Anxiety
- Prayer and the Golden Rule
- The Narrow and Wide Gates
- The Two Foundations
- Jesus Cleanses a Leper; The Centurion’s Faith
- Examples Peter’s Mother-in-law and Many Others Healed
- Discipleship Tested
- Jesus Casts Out Demons
- A Paralytic Healed
- The Calling
- The Question about Fasting
- Miracles of Healing
(IV). The Postmodern Churches talk about these things, in brief and largely explain most of them away as outdated or ended with the Apostle – or hand them off.
(a). Matthew 10:1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
(a). We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort…
(b) Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them:
“Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(b). The Postmodern Church, (we), reason that since God sent Paul and other to the Gentiles, and that we are now grafted into the ‘Olive Tree’, and Jesus has since sent us to all the world, we are doing our small this part of the Whole. Command.
(c) Matthew 10:7“, And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
(c). We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort…
(d) Matthew 10:8“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.
(d). We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort…
(e) Freely you received, freely give.
(e) A few of us (the postmodern Church) might be doing some of this – in part…
(f) Matthew 10:9“Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.
(f). We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort…
(g) Matthew 10:11“And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city.
(g). We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort…
(h) Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves;
(h). (the postmodern Church) largely avoid this.
(i) Matthew 10:24“ A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.
(i). We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort. Ministry has become very competitive. Each one striving to outdo the other.
(j) Matthew 10:26“ Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
(j). We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort…
(k) Matthew 10:32“ Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. Verse 33. “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
(k). We (the postmodern Church) largely ignore speaking these words in order to be relevant to the world’s systems…
(l) Matthew 10:34“ Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
These words are ignored and are never spoken aloud. We (the postmodern Church) do nothing of the sort.
(m) Matthew 10:38“ And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Verse 39. “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
(m.) We (the postmodern Church) act, largely, as scribes and Pharisees. Some, but not many will follow this instructional warning.
(n) Matthew 10:40“ He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
We (the postmodern Church) do not teach these sort of things. (Let’s not be like the postmodern church. Let;s BE the Church that Jesus built).
SO, PLEASE NOTE:
When someone says the Church needs to be more relevant to the society around it, remind them that the Church has always been irrelevant to the world’s ways, is counter-cultural to the world’s ways and is relevant only to God and His Ways of life, peace, joy, holiness and righteousness.
When someone says we must return to the ways of the early Church, remind them that we do not need to return to the ways of the early Church – we need TO TURN to the ways of Jesus and we will BE THE CHURCH.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Don’t be like the procrastinating Church at Sardis.
(<–click the biscuits)
NEXT – JESUS WARNS ABOUT THE RISING PHARISAICAL SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST & HIRELINGS – THE 8 WOES.
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