The Lost Revival

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

(This must have been the page that was stuck to another page in the Bible cause it sure hasn't gotten the attention it deserves...)

I once read a very small book about some believers in China before the communist takeover. Basically a fairly large village was touched by the Spirit of God and they were so transformed that they ended up "sharing all things in common and no man had anything they called their own." (That's another page in Acts that got stuck to another page) They experienced tremendous miracles and conversions. That went on for years but when unknown to them the whole communist takeover of China was approaching, they seemed to have less miracles and there was more teaching on suffering for their faith coming from the Holy Spirit.

When the communists took over they sent agents to approach this village to "preach" their communist doctrine but the agents were confused because this village was already living far above their doctrine and they willingly did so. After a couple times of visiting they asked, "Where is your leader?" The people of the village looked confused but finally decided to point out the man who had first brought the Gospel to them. He was busy working at his job clearing the ditches the villagers used the bathroom in. His job was to shovel out all the human waste, putting it in a crude wheelbarrow and taking it outside the village.

The communist agents were stunned that the leader of the village was doing this job because it was reserved normally for outcasts and criminals. They told him that he should not be doing this job as a leader of the village. He looked up at them imploringly and said, "Please do not take my job from me!" The agents left them alone after that for quite a long time even though the very violent communist revolution was taking place all over China. They were confused because they could find no fault with them...

Not to say that anyone should go out and make this all a doctrine (some of us know really well where that would end up) but it seems odd to me that of all that is taught about the early outpouring of the Holy Spirit starting with the day of Pentecost that somehow this fruit of that outpouring seems to be left out. One would do well however to recognize that it was a fruit and not a requirement. They were consumed with love for each other.