Episode Summary

Main Theme

In this episode of Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton, Pastor Josh explores Acts 19 and poses a provocative question: Could 2025 be the Church’s next Great Awakening? He draws on scripture, church history, and Lakepointe’s current spiritual momentum to encourage listeners to seek personal and communal revival marked by devotion to the Word, openness to the supernatural, and authentic repentance. The tone is earnest, passionate, and peppered with humor, practical tips, and vivid biblical storytelling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lakepointe’s Season of Growth and Preparation

• Pastor Josh starts by celebrating church growth – between 10,000 and 12,000 more people attend weekly than just a few years ago. The church faces “good problems”: not enough space, not enough time for baptisms, and campus expansion needs.
  • “Right now, we are in the middle of a tidal wave of grace. I’ve never seen anything like it.” (04:02)
• Upcoming "At the Movies" series is presented as a major outreach. Pastor Josh pleads with attendees to create space for newcomers by shifting service times.
  • “Are you guys in for doing whatever it takes to make space for the people who are trying to come to know Jesus?” (07:40)

2. Studying Acts 19 and the Birth of the Ephesus Church

Historical & Archaeological Color (09:12–22:30)

• Lakepointe’s sermon series, "There is More," walks verse by verse through Acts.
• Pastor Josh provides a vivid, “Indiana Jones”-esque tour of ancient Ephesus:
  • Library of Celsus: likely location of the lecture hall of Tyrannus, where Paul preached.
  • Agora (Marketplace): where idol-maker Demetrius and tradesmen encountered economic crisis as Christianity challenged idol worship.
  • Ephesus Theatre: scene of a 25,000-person riot about the spread of Christianity.
  • Humorous aside: Archaeological evidence of “demons” (cats) in Ephesus.

Notable Quote:

“The Bible really happened. A real Jesus died on a real cross for the real you. And if you give your life to Him, He could really change your life and family. That’s the point.” (22:15)

3. Spiritual Awakening: Past and Present

Historical Awakenings and Their Significance (28:45–39:30)

• Pastor Josh details four major spiritual awakenings in American history:
  • First: 1730s — Jonathan Edwards
  • Second: 1790s–1850 — Charles Finney, Father Nash
  • Third: 1900–1910 — D.L. Moody, Azusa Street
  • Fourth: 1960–1975 — Billy Graham, Chuck Smith, “Jesus Revolution” culminating in Dallas
• He speculates the 50-year pattern might point to a coming awakening in 2025.
  • “He has done it before. He will do it again. The only question is, will it be us?” (39:25)

4. Marks of Awakening (Outline)

I. Awakening to the Word of God (39:35–56:45)

• Scripture engagement is the root of true revival.

  • Paul taught daily for five hours in the Hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9–10).
  • Josh humorously contrasts this with modern complaints about long sermons.
    • “If my sermon goes 39 minutes instead of 35… Oh my. The restaurant’s going to be full, Chili’s just gonna have a line!” (42:55)

• Practical Steps: Don’t fuss over Bible plans—do the plan you’ll actually do. Start with one chapter a day, aiming for 5–7 days a week, starting in Matthew.

• Theological core: The Bible is the only perfect thing on Earth. “There is no awakening to God without an awakening to His Word.” (52:30)

II. Awakening to the Supernatural (56:48–1:16:05)

• Extraordinary miracles marked the church in Ephesus—God did miracles through Paul, not because of Paul.
• Pastor Josh’s Caveats:
  • Miracles are rare (30 miracles over 32 years in Acts), so don’t chase signs, chase Jesus.
    • “That’s why they call it a miracle, not a Wednesday.” (58:48)
  • Miracles are real—he shares present-day testimonies from Lakepointe and personal stories (e.g., a deaf woman healed during a sermon).
  • Danger: Some chase the supernatural more than Christ, becoming critical or vulnerable to deception.
    • “Don’t chase miracles. Chase Jesus. And when we do that, sometimes miracles will happen.” (1:00:15)
• Spiritual Warfare: Story of the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:11–20): Without real relationship with Jesus, spiritual warfare is dangerous.
  • “If you try to fight a supernatural battle with natural power, you’re gonna get your butt kicked.” (1:11:10)
  • “Paul was so all in for God, he had a reputation in hell. … The moment you step into eternity, I want hell to rejoice you’re out of the fight.” (1:12:40)

III. Awakening to the Fear of God (1:16:10–1:22:30)

• When God’s Spirit moves, holy fear and genuine worship erupt.
  • “Fear fell upon them all. … And the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.” (1:18:20)
• True worship flows from gratitude for forgiveness. Don’t let shame hold you back; acknowledge sin and worship your “sin-canceling Savior.”
  • “Whoever’s been forgiven much, loves much.” (1:20:20)

IV. Fruits of Awakening—Radical Repentance (1:22:30–end)

• New believers in Ephesus burned occult books worth today’s equivalent of $7 million—choosing Jesus over anything that might keep them in bondage.
  • “They realized it would cost them more to keep [their occult items] than to burn them.”
  • Call to self-examination:
    • “What do you need to burn this week? … Burn it before it burns you.” (1:24:20)
• Pastor Josh leads the congregation in an act of surrender and prayer for both personal and churchwide awakening.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the need for personal revival:

  “For there to be an awakening in our nation, city, or state, there’s gotta be an awakening in your life and in your family’s life. Apply this to you, not them.” (39:30)

• On Bible engagement:

  “If you want to hear God, open your Bible and start reading out loud, you’re going to hear God.” (52:15)

• On miracles:

  “Don’t chase miracles. Chase Jesus. And when we do that, sometimes miracles will happen.” (1:00:15)

• On spiritual warfare:

  “If you start a fight with your pants on and end the fight with your pants off, you lost, okay? That’s what happens to these guys.” (1:13:00)

• On worship and shame:

  “When you hear that voice—‘who do you think you are to worship?’—agree with him! ... ‘I am a sinner. And I came to worship a sin-canceling Savior.’” (1:20:40)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------| | Lakepointe’s growth & “At the Movies” plea | 00:00–08:30 | | Ancient Ephesus: context & visuals | 09:12–22:30 | | The Bible really happened | 22:05–25:00 | | What is a spiritual awakening? | 28:45–35:00 | | Four historical awakenings | 35:30–39:30 | | 2025: The next awakening? | 39:30–40:00 | | Awakening to the Word of God | 40:00–56:45 | | Awakening to the Supernatural | 56:45–1:16:05 | | Spiritual warfare: Sons of Sceva | 1:10:00–1:15:30 | | Awakening to the Fear of God | 1:16:10–1:22:30 | | Repentance: burning occult books | 1:22:30–1:26:10 | | Application & prayer | 1:26:10–end |

Concluding Challenge

Personal Reflection:
Pastor Josh ends with an altar call-style challenge:

“If you want an awakening in your life, your family, your church, or your nation, what do you need to burn this week? Burn it before it burns you.” (1:24:20)

He leads a prayer of surrender and invites listeners to let go of bondage and receive God’s freedom through Christ.

Episode Takeaways

• Awakening is possible—but it must start with you.
• Devotion to God’s Word, openness to the Holy Spirit’s power, holy worship, and real repentance will invite awakening.
• History shows God can—will—do it again. The question is: Will it be us?

For more resources, visit lakepointe.church/digital or the Lakepointe Church app.