GENUINE AND SPIRIT-GIVEN REVIVAL

TOPIC: GENUINE AND SPIRIT GIVEN REVIVAL
TEXT: Habakkuk 3:2 ; Jeremiah 3:10

Habakkuk 3:2 – “O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. “

Jeremiah 3:10 – “And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.”

Introduction:

Why is there is still a need for Revival today – when the church had a revival service before?

Why there is a need for a Revival in the midst of the years?

The following are the possible reasons for this problem . . .

1. Because of Human Imperfections

Though the Christian was made partaker of the Divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4) at the time of his/her salvation, the tendency and capacity to commit sin was not removed from him/her.

Note: The tendency to commit sin is stronger than before. WHY?

a. Because the Temptation is stronger than before, and
b. Satan has mastered our weaknesses, and he has mastered his work of deception.

2. Because of our Failure to Learn from the Lessons of the Past (History repeats itself).

a. The miseries of backsliding and the difficulty of restoration.

Illustration: Enercia at Rest and Enercia at Movement – when we rest it is difficult to start anew – when we move it is difficult to stop.

b. The Jewish people, throughout their history, especially during the Judges period – are the best example for this.

Note: Their cycle of sinning – servitude (slavery or suppression) – suffering – supplication – salvation – service.

3. Because most of the Revival the churches and Christians claimed to received before is nothing but Superficial.

Jeremiah 3:10 – “. . . hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly . . .”
Not genuine. Not 100%. There’s a reservation.

See the following Biblical examples for this . . .

a. Jehoshapat – 1 Kings 22:42-43
b. Jehoram – 2 Kings 3:1-3
c. Jehoash – 2 Kings 12:1-3
d. Amaziah – 2 Kings 14:1-4
e. Azariah – 2 Kings 15:1-4
f. Jotham – 2 Kings 15:32-35

They did not make a GENERAL CLEANING (unlike Josiah – 2 Kings 23:25)

4. Because of our Wrong Concept of Backsliding

They thought they don’t need revival because they regularly attend the church services, read their bibles, etc.

They refused to accept or they failed to realize the terrible possibility of BACKSLIDING IN THE HEART – Proverbs 14:14 – i.e., ROUTINE and HYPOCRITAL services.

Illustration: The fading reflection of God’s glory in Moses’ Face that the people failed to see because his face was covered with veil – 2 Cor. 3:13.

We, too, most of the time, fail to see the fading glory in our lives because they are hidden under the veil of routine and hypocrital services or involvement in some church activities.

5. Because of our Wrong Concept of Revival itself.

a. Conducting Revival Meetings is not an assurance that there will be a Genuine Church Revival.
b. Attending the Revival Meetings is not an assurance that there will be a Genuine Revival in one’s soul.
c. Please be reminded that . . .

• The Church has no power to give Revival for the church or for any individual.
• The Pastor has no power to provide Revival for the church or for any individual.
• The Revival meetings cannot give Revival for the church or for any individual.