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Awakening the Sleeping Giant: The Church and the Road to Revival

by Mario C. Alleckna

185 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0539; ISBN 1-4120-0171-4; US$19.09, C$21.95, EUR15.68, £10.98

Find out how to live a fulfilling, empowered and victorious Christian life. Learn what it takes for revival to be delivered from the storehouse of heaven.

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about the book      about the author      table of contents and sample excerpt       catalogue info

About the Book With global disasters lurking on the horizon, today's rapidly growing political and economical uncertainty has once again become the breeding ground of fear and depression. And while end-time prophesies are slowly unfolding, the Christian church finds herself surrounded by a society which is tossed around like a wave in an ocean of dramatic events and changes. In such a climate of negative predictions, the cry of our nations for real answers and a clear sense of direction has become an unprecedented opportunity for God's people. Is the Christian church able and prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead? Are God's people ready and equipped for the great end-time harvest that is coming? Reflecting the unquestionable need for personal revival and the revival of the church, this book takes an analytical and thought-provoking look at the individual Christian life and the Christian church in general. With an in depth, holistic approach, the author discusses a wide spectrum of fundamental issues: Why is the highly educated modern Christian church seemingly so powerless? What does it take to get onto the road of a church revival? Can the Christian church have the strength of a giant? What does the Bible have to say about the spiritual war and the end-time? Founded on Biblical truths and spiced with a fresh, insightful look at the Christian life, this book challenges and encourages the reader to pursue a meaningful, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

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About the Author Mario Alleckna was born and raised in the western part of Germany, in the small town of Wegberg. In 1991 he followed God's call and moved to Canada. Being a passionate worshiper, he became involved as a musician in a local church and worship leader for special ministry events. In the mid 90's the author, driven by an unquenchable thirst for the reality of God's truth, found himself confronted with the question: "Is there more to the Christian life than the regular church - and Bible study routine?" What followed was a three year period of deep searching and intimate time with Jesus. Finally, after receiving and writing down numerous revelations and nuggets of truth, he heard an inner voice saying, "put these together in a book". Mario, his wife Pauline and their wonderful children have made their home in the city of Chilliwack in the south-western part of British Columbia. Contact the author at: mcaall4j@telus.net

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Table of Contents and Sample Excerpt

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Drug Busts in the Bible Belt
PART ONE - A Church Without Power
1 The Professional, Modern Church and the Deception
2 The Drive to Control
3 Legalism - Self-Righteousness - Pride
4 The Splits-Syndrome
5 Life Without the Right Focus is B.A.D.
6 The Bunji-Jump Effect
PART TWO - More Than Conquerors
7 Real Freedom, Life Under Grace
8 The Power Source, the Holy Spirit
9 Spiritual War - a Reality
10 The Powerful Lifestyle of Worship
11 Faith - Nothing Goes Without It!
12 Prayer - Connecting With God
13 The Road to Revival
14 The Vision, the End-Time, and the Shepherd's Voice
Epilogue: A prophetic Word, the Call to an Act of Worship

Introduction: Drug Busts in the Bible Belt

Living east of Vancouver, Canada, in a community of about 65, 000 people, we are blessed with more than 68 churches, including a variety of different denominations. The number of congregations indicates that there must be thousands of Christians in Chilliwack. What a concentration of the Holy Spirit! Just imagine the amount of prayer going up to heaven in one week. But, how can it be that, with such an army of God's people present, there seems to be no difference between this part of the world and other crime stricken cities? Where is the life changing power of God manifested through the church? What is wrong, what is missing? Has Christianity, through the compromise of values and by adjusting to world standards, become just another philosophy? Could it be that we, as Christians, are too busy trying to fix our own problems, such as marriage break-ups, church splits, financial struggles, and burnout; when we should be utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit, setting our cities on fire for Jesus? Can we turn a whole nation over to Christ?

One thing we do know, God is able to change the world in which we live, and He has chosen to do His work through us, the church. In the following chapters of this book, I will attempt to give some clues for the dilemma of the Christian church, who finds herself without the power to change the world around her.

excerpt from Chapter 1: The Professional, Modern Church and the Deception

Through the invention and implementation of all kinds of strategies, and motivated by our eagerness to build a well-functioning church, we have in many cases become servants of programs. We go all-out trying to find ways to make church fun, exciting and relevant, while becoming more and more consumed by the demands of modern-day church business. Now, realizing that church business has a lot to do with people, they might end up becoming our main focus. Seeking to accommodate everybody we so easily become people pleasers. "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Gal.1:10) It is little wonder that some churches are rapidly growing. Their programs and the ways they cater to people seem irresistible. Unfortunately, instead of leading new converts into God's presence, where all their real needs would be met, we point them to the "right" program.

We have placed such an emphasis on accommodating people, that we don't realize how the Holy Spirit is kept outside the door. After all, is there a real need for His Presence when we have small-groups, meetings and fellowship-events with great programs and all the answers? In fact, would we even want His presence? Perhaps He might change the way we do church? Today the office of a pastor is pursued much like any other career-with some formal training and a degree at the end. This training commonly involves subjects such as speech-making and how to do a professional presentation. (Let's remember what Paul had to say about "eloquent speaking"; 1Cor.2:1) Simple fishermen with a calling from God would not easily qualify for a position in today's highly educated church. And while believers are hearing the Word of God, presented in a professional way (a funny story here and there is sure to enhance the experience), they starve while sitting at His banquet table. This explains why in recent years thousands of seasoned and mature believers have left the organized church. A. W. Tozer's words still ring true: "There is today no lack of Bible teachers to set forth correctly the principles of the doctrines of Christ, but too many of these seem satisfied to teach the fundamentals of the faith year after year, strangely unaware that there is in their ministry no manifest Presence, nor anything unusual in their personal lives." Who are today's church-leaders? How do they live? Are they the kind of peculiar people the Bible talks about and do they carry a strong, spiritual anointing? Contrary to Jesus and the powerful Bible Teachers and Revivalists of the past, who all preached repentance, most church-leaders today think that showing God's love means we are here to make people feel good. The over-emphasis that is placed on God's grace has caused a terrible imbalance in today's teachings. Vital issues such as repentance and the fear of the Lord are not easily addressed in an environment created for comfort."Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword"(Matt.10:34). Like it or not, the almighty, righteous and sovereign God of the whole universe does not fit into a box with "grace only" written on it! The extreme focus on people that we see in today's church is also found in the philosophy of Humanism, where man becomes the centre, and God is there to fulfill man's desires. This has resulted in the creation of the absolutely unbiblical "prosperity Gospel" with the 'bless me'-'bless me' attitude. Instead of desiring God's presence we constantly ask for His presents. Quite a few books have been written on how the Lord will prosper you if you pray a certain prayer over and over. Soon our focus becomes "easy living" rather than "right living". But the fact is, we were created to be with Him, and not just to receive from Him. God's desire is to spend quality time with His children.

excerpt from Chapter 13: The Road to Revival

Revival! The spiritual awakening of the church through the reviving of the people in their passion for Jesus. When God's Holy Spirit comes in His power, pouring down from heaven as living water, He brings new life, and His overwhelming presence is revealed through the signs and miracles that only He can do:

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations"(Rev. 22:1, 2).

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink;thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water"(Jn. 4:10).

It is not the sophisticated sermon of a well trained preacher, or the professional sound and musicianship of a worship band;nor is it the waving of flags or the dancing of dancers that will bring victory to the church. Just like Moses was forever changed after he went up on the mountain to meet with God, so also His people today must have a personal encounter with Him. Only when we are enveloped in God's Shekinah Glory presence will we be transformed, healed, empowered and authorized to become true representatives of Jesus Christ.

Since the 18th century, there have been many reports of revivals all around the world. However, in the past decade we have witnessed a noticeable increase of God's powerful move in the church. This doesn't come as a surprise for those who strongly believe that we live in the last days of the end time. Many even expect that, in the near future, we will see the greatest outpouring of His Holy Spirit in the history of the church, igniting a soul harvest of unspeakable dimensions:

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams"(Acts 2:17).

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Catalogue Information

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