He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” - Mark 16:15
We are all called to share God’s abundant love with the world. But sharing the gospel, having faith conversation, evangelism, whatever you want to call it, can be intimidating for many of us.
As believers, watching the movie ‘Jesus Revolution’ is more than an entertaining experience. There is so much for us to learn through this incredible true story.
What is the Jesus Revolution movie about?
The ‘Jesus Revolution’ movie is a true story about the Jesus Movement – a culture-changing revival that broke out in America during the late 1960’s. The main characters of the movie are Lonnie Frisbee, Chuck Smith, and Greg Laurie. The true stories from this unlikely bunch are what the ‘Jesus Revolution' film is based on.
‘Jesus Revolution’ shows some of the amazing things God did during this time, including the massive growth of the church, new songs that emerged from the movement, and the miracle of routine outdoor baptisms at Pirate Cove in Newport Beach. The film also dives into the struggles, doubts, and fears of the main characters and the stress of living in a divided country. The history and hope throughout the ‘Jesus Revolution’ movie carries a timely message for all of us today.
Watching ‘Jesus Revolution’ stirred my spirit and ignited my soul. Itshowcased the heart of the movement and provided incredible lessons that canstill be applied by believers today.
Here are 5 lessons from ‘Jesus Revolution.’
Lesson #1 from ‘Jesus Revolution’ -There is Power in Desperation
When Lonnie and Chuck first meet in the movie, Chuck, a traditionalpastor, is uncomfortable having a hippie in his home. But, his daughterconvinces him to listen to Lonnie’s story.
Lonnie had been hungry for truth for a long time and sought it throughdrugs. God stepped in and opened his eyes at the peak of his desperation. Thatdesire led him to meet God and, through Lonnie’s desperation, God was able toprovide the answers he was searching for.
People are hungry for truth, love, purpose, and belonging. If you lookclosely at the people around you, you’ll see they are often looking for theright things, just in all the wrong places. God’s presence contains everythingthey are searching for and more.
So instead of looking at how people behave, look at why theybehave that way. Ask God to reveal what they’re desperate for.
Lesson #2 from ‘Jesus Revolution’ -Sit with Them in The Rain
One of the most beautiful moments in the movie is when Lonnie meets Gregin the rain. Greg was a young man in pain, searching for answers through drugslike Lonnie once had. After a horrific drug trip, a panicked Greg runs throughthe rain. He falls to the ground, succumbing to a terrifying panic attack.
Lonnie appears beside him, completely calm, and attempts to help Gregcalm down. He doesn’t preach to Greg or offer to pray for him. Lonnie just sitsthere, speaking simple truths to a confused young man.
It didn’t seem like much, but it started Greg’s journey to find God’sheart. After several events, Greg finds the answers he’d been searching for andgets baptized. Later, we find out that Lonnie continued to pray for Greg afterthat encounter in the rain. A simple action, but it was what Greg needed.
Loving people is the most powerful form of evangelism. Lonnie saw a youngman in pain and was present with him. He listened to God’s heart and looked forhow God was moving in Greg’s life. He didn’t say anything crazy or have all theanswers. He simply stayed present and relayed God’s message at that moment.
This interaction proves that evangelism doesn’t need to look a specificway. You don’t need all the answers, just be present and connect with them. Godwill do the rest.
Look for moments when you can “sit in the rain” with someone.
Related podcast: Check out our conversation with LoMiller
Lesson #3 from ‘Jesus Revolution’ -It’s Not About You
As Chuck’s wife wisely says in the movie, “Don’t be so arrogant that youthink God can’t work through your failures.”
You are a flawed human. We all are! But that doesn’t mean God can’t orwon’t move through you.
We see it throughout the Bible. Moses had a speech impediment, Davidmurdered a man and stole his wife, and Peter lied about knowing Jesus to avoidbeing killed. Yet they all made it into the big book.
God does some of His best work through flawed humans.
Secondly, evangelism is about helping people find their own faith inJesus, not yours. God’s love is free and unconditional, and we must choose tolet it in. All you can do is open the door and give them the choice. Fromthere, it’s between them and God.
So let go of the pressure to do it all perfectly. You open the door, andthe rest is up to them and God.
Related Post: What Jesus Teaches Us About HavingFaith Conversations
Lesson #4 from ‘Jesus Revolution’ -The Church is Family
Young Greg is hungry for family, which he finds in the community ofbelievers. He finds a brother in Lonnie and a father figure in Chuck. FindingGod’s love in that community of people gives him a sense of belonging andpurpose that he never experienced before.
Family is who the church is meant to be. Countries can be divided butthere should be hope, love, and freedom inside the church.
At the movie’s beginning, we see Chuck’s congregation uncomfortable withhaving hippies in the church. When Chuck stopped being uncomfortable, he openedthe doors to outcasts. He humbled himself and directed them toward theshepherd. As a result, hundreds and thousands of hungry young people foundtheir way to salvation.
People are ready and hungry, but can only walk through the doors openedto them. Instead of rejecting the outcasts and separating ourselves from thebroken, we as a church family need to open our doors (both metaphorically andphysically) to others..
Does your church feel like family?
Lesson #5 from ‘Jesus Revolution’ -Speak to Them in a Language They Understand
Chuck opened the church doors to hippies. He and Lonnie spoke to them ina language they understood. That doesn’t mean they changed the gospel to betterappeal to hippies. They recognized that the truth was simple and available toeveryone.
Far too often, we as humans try to over-complicate the truth. A millionvoices are trying to tell us what to believe, which can be overwhelming. Butthe truth is simple. To reach people where they are and speak to their hunger,you need to speak simple truths in a language they understand. Even Jesus usedparables, a method people understood.
Having a faith conversation doesn’t need to be complicated. Meet themwhere they are and demonstrate the simple truth of the gospel. God’s love isuncomplicated and powerful.
Root yourself in the simple truth of the gospel and allow yourself tomeet people where they are.
What Stood out The Most About ‘Jesus Revolution’?
'Jesus Revolution’ has enduring messages of hope, healing, restoration, and revival that are needed for our generation today. In our modern world that is full of division and fear, ‘Jesus Revolution’ reminds us that no matter what is happening, everyday people still want to meet a real God, and Jesus chooses you to showcase His love. As you grow in sharing your faith with others, we want to give you some of our favorite Jesus Revolution quotes to inspire you on your journey:
“There is an entire generation searching for God.”
“The truth is always quiet. It's the lies that are loud.”
“Fortunately, God has a long history of using flawed people.”
“If you want to reach (my) people, you’ve got to speak a language they understand.”
Trust God and His Truth
‘Jesus Revolution’ teaches us thatGod is bigger than any one person. It resulted from thousands of desperate menand women discovering the simple truth that God is good, He loves them, and Hehas saved them.
To quote my dad, “You have to lookat every individual and recognize that no matter who they are, they are lookingfor something. They are sheep without a shepherd. They are looking for opendoors.”
We can open those doors. It’s notcomplicated. Just be present and connect with them where they are at. Look forhow God is moving and allow them to find their path to God.
What stood out the most for you inthe movie? Let us know your thoughts!
Related Post: 20 Bible Verses About God's Love
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