Posts Tagged ‘amy smith’
Video and Notes: Transition Commission–A call to be “too severely committed”
I preached my last message at Revival Church last night—and it’s a MUST WATCH!
Last night’s service and message were intense from beginning to end. BY ALL MEANS watch my last message at Revival Church.
I discuss the critical call for the remnant to prepare for a shock to the church and to the earth.
Will American Christianity finally rid itself of a casual approach? Will we reject an independent spirit? Will we pray continually or just focus on nice church services?
It’s time for fire to erupt! That fire must explode out of God’s remnant people who are ready for massive change—a shift that will result in the old model of church giving way to an extreme, demanding and troubling new wineskin.
I bless Detroit as I move on to Branson, Missouri. Amy Smith has been prepared for such a time as this and I’m excited about her continuing leadership at Revival Church!
Join her and the team of passionate warriors every Saturday at 7pm!
Revival Church is located at 26091 Sherwood, Warren, MI 48091.
Here’s the video:
Here’s the notes:
Teacher: John Burton
Teaching Title: Transition Commission
- A Prophetic Company
- Six years of sounding the same message seems like a long time, but this group is barely getting started.
- The prophetic word of reformation that God is delivering to this region is critical, and until there is response the alarms must continue to sound.
- Remember, this ministry is called to awaken the church and call it into revolution—don’t ever lose that.
- Leonard Ravenhill: The greatest need tonight in America is prophets!
- Leonard Ravenhill: There is a terrible vacuum in Evangelical Christianity today. The missing person in our ranks is the prophet. The man with a terrible earnestness. The man totally other-worldly. The man rejected by other men, even other good men, because they consider him too austere, too severely committed, too negative and unsociable.
- The call is for the pavement people—those who are found on their faces crying out day and night for revival.
- Their focus isn’t on crowds, polished worship or programs for the whole family.
- The focus is on the groan. Until people are seen on their face and heard groaning in intercession we will know the assignment is not complete.
- Rare China video: www.johnburton.net/messages
- The reformed model of church is not only shunned, it’s renounced and soundly rejected by even some of the most zealous Christians. They consider them opinions or suggestions instead of mandates.
- The cost is too high.
- It’s radically uncomfortable.
- It’s seen as extreme and too far reaching.
- Will the church heed the word of the Lord?
- Six years of sounding the same message seems like a long time, but this group is barely getting started.
8. Leonard Ravenhill: “In a day of faceless politicians and voiceless preachers, there is not a more urgent national need than that we cry to God for a prophet! The function of the prophet, as Austin Sparks once said, “has almost always been that of recovery”. The prophet is God’s detective seeking for lost spiritual treasures. The degree of his effectiveness is determined by the measure of his unpopularity. Compromise is not known to him. He has no price tags. He is totally “otherworldly”. He is unquestionably controversial and unpardonably hostile. He marches to another drummer!”
b. The word came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. So Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people of Judah and to all those living in Jerusalem: For twenty-three years–from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day–the word of the LORD has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. Jeremiah 25:1-3
- For 23 years, the Lord had spoken to His people through His prophet but to no avail.
- Jeremiah means: whom Jehovah appoints
- Jeremiah lived to see his nation go down into sin, war, and, finally, judgment. Through it all, he was faithful to preach the Word of God.
c. And though the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. They said, “Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the LORD gave to you and your fathers for ever and ever. Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.” “But you did not listen to me,” declares the LORD, “and you have provoked me with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves.” Jeremiah 25:4-7
- For over two decades, the prophet has warned God's people to repent or perish.
- Jeremiah's message fell on deaf ears and defiant hearts.
- Will you still boldly call people to response as Jeremiah did?
- Leonard Ravenhill: “Our pulpits today are occupied with puppets rather than with prophets, with organizers rather than with agonizers.”
- Pastor Dan Parton of Manitou Springs: Twenty-three years is a long time for a man to preach with no results. Twenty three years is a long time for a man to preach to deaf ears. Twenty-three years is a long time to be ridiculed and punished for your ministry, yet Jeremiah remained faithful.
- Commissioning
- Those who know their purpose and who are burning with a message rarely quit. Will you quit?
b. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
- Like Jeremiah you were formed, you are known, you are sanctified and you are ordained.
c. “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:6-10
- This is what Detroit needs.
- You are the prophetic voices.
A church that’s a challenge to run with | Revival Church’s unapologetic mission
This testimony from a 16 year old about the hardcore challenge of Revival Church totally rocked me—and it will you too.
Amy Smith and her 16 year old daughter were having a discussion about the intense environment at Revival Church. The discussion was revealing and quite powerful:
Amy: It seems to be quite the challenge to run with Revival Church. Why do you think that is?
Abby: Because there is accountability through the preaching and teaching. Stuff gets called out and you can't hide. There are no excuses. At other churches it might be easy to act or think everything is fine and you can slip and it seems normal because others are doing that too. It seems lukewarm.
At Revival, it's more than just being taught basics, you feel like you're in training. It's like you're being built up, not just filled in.
Amy: Why do you like Revival?
Abby: It's straightforward and there's nothing fake about it. I can respect someone who is straightforward and tells the honest truth for your own good no matter how hard or risky it is than someone who sugar coats it just so you can follow them.
Long ago I made a promise that I would never tone down the activity of the Holy Spirit out of respect of those less hungry.
I often am celebrated for taking that stand as most people presume I’m simply in favor of more freedom during the services. I am, but that’s barely the tip of the iceberg.
When the Holy Spirit moves, a culture of brokenness, conviction, submission, training and fear of the Lord is also the result.
After 24 years of ministry, I’m absolutely confident that my wife and I have the skills to grow a church of at least 200-300—if we toned down the message, the call and the expectations. I’d have a healthy salary and a stable life. There would be no need to develop additional income streams. We’d be beloved by many! However, my stomach turns when I think about that option. It scares me a little that it’s available to me!
I have never had even the slightest passion to lead a ministry that affirmed the lukewarm, game players or those with their own agenda. That may seem harsh, but the truth is that the end is near and the mission is extreme. Only those who are willing to die in the battle are going to crucify their flesh, lay their own desires down and run toward the enemy.
Of course, even the most immature, weak and struggling are welcomed in if they are ready for boot camp and the resulting war! It’s the hungry, rejected and broken that will be leading the charge!
I want to challenge pastors to grab hold of the vision God has given you and call everybody up much higher into it. When the call reaches the point where comfort is violated, many will probably bolt for the exits but those who remain are more precious than you can imagine.
It’s that remnant army that will turn the world upside down. Abby Smith sure seems to be developing as a general in that army.
Flags and Fire : Special service tonight at Revival Church
People couldn’t stop raving about Amy Smith’s flag ministry teaching and demonstration they took part in at a special event recently.
Well, I LOVE flags! I feel there is a significant breaker anointing on the ministry of flagging, and I want you to understand the purpose and strategy behind their use.
As I often say, we can beat the devil with fabric and a stick! 
Tonight, at 6pm sharp, we’ll begin the night with Amy’s teaching and demonstration, and then move into worship.
And, don’t forget, the most important hour of the week—prophetic prayer from 5-6pm!
That’s not a catchy phrase to convince more people to show up for prayer—I believe it’s an accurate statement. Throughout my ministry, from the days as a volunteer youth minister in Dayton to our youth events in San Diego to the church plant in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and now here in Detroit the pre-service prayer has ALWAYS been the most important time of the week. No comparison.
Without being fueled by God together in that place of zealous, contending and declarative prayer, it’s like showing up to race at the Indy 500 without filling up the tank with gas.
So, come tonight at 5pm if you can, and certainly at 6pm for a night of flags and fire!