II CHRONICLES 7:12-22 Can God Really Send Revival?
John Wesley: Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world.
I. THE WORD OF CONDITION -
13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
(a) The Barren life “That there be no rain”
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” (Mt 13:22)
(b) The Defeated life “The locusts devour the land” - Through:-
Deception - “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Cor 2:11)
Discouragement - “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.” (Numbers 21:4)
Doubt - Heb 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Departure John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
(c) The Sinful life “Pestilence among my people”
“Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)
II. THE WORD OF CLARIFICATION - 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
God identifies the who, what, where, when, why, & how of revival!
1. The People of revival - Gods people Alone
(a) A Saved People “If my people”
(b) A Separated People “Which are called by my name”
(c) A Surrendered People “Shall humble themselves”
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)
(d) A Supplicating People “And pray”
(e) A Seeking People “And seek my face”
(f) A Sin-forsaking People “And turn from their wicked ways”
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21)
2. The Position of revival - Humility. Size, affluence, etc. irrelevant.
3. The Pursuit of revival - Praying. Revival is from Him!
4. The Pre-requisite of revival - Turning from wickedness
5. The Point of revival - THEN.....only then.
6. The Promise of revival - I will hear, forgive, heal.
III. THE WORD OF CAUTION - 14 - If my people,
PRIDE IS THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL - shall humble themselves,
PRAYERLESSNESS IS THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL - and pray,
PREOCCUPATION IS THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL - and seek my face,
PRESUMPTION IS THE ENEMY OF REVIVAL - and turn from their wicked ways;
IV. THE WORD OF CONSOLATION - 14 then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Promise Of:-
1. FELLOWSHIP - He Will Hear Us – “Then will I hear from Heaven”
2. FORGIVENESS - He Will Help Us – “and will forgive their sin”
3. FRUITFULNESS - He Will Heal Us – "and will heal their land.”
