Experiencing Revival
Sunday, September 17
God Revives
4 He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 This is what the Lord GOD says to the bones: I will cause breath to enter you so you will come to life. 6 I will put muscles on you and flesh on you and cover you with skin. Then I will put breath in you so you will come to life...’”
Ezekial 37:4-6
When I was a kid a revival went for two weeks. It started on Sunday and ended on a Sunday 15 days later. During those 15 days there were services EVERY night – including Saturday night. There were special nights “bring a Bible night”, “friend night”, and “ladies night” and there were contests that lasted all week. The one who brought the most guests won a brand new Bible with concordance, study helps and thumb tabs.
My Grandpa told me that in the old days when a revival started it went on “Holy Spirit” time and would continue until everyone in town was either saved or angry! These revivals would go for 6, 8, or 12 weeks – sometimes even longer.
When I first started in the ministry a revival would last maybe a week, then for three days, and today you hardly hear of a church having a revival.
Folks, what our world needs today is a good old fashioned revival – NO, not the kind of revival meeting I’ve just described. That was something that may have had some benefit in it’s time – I mean many people were saved through those week long revivals.
Today we need to go further back to have the kind of revival the Bible talks about… the kind of revival that brings new fresh life to old dead bodies. The kind of revival that Ezekial talked about when he spoke of the valley of dry bones…
Great Revivals
Jacob
On the return to Bethel, Jacob ordered his entire household to put away their false gods and to wash and change their garments. This they did as Jacob built an altar to the true God. The false gods were then buried under an oak in Shechem.
Gen. 35:1–4
Samuel
At the exhorting of Samuel the people put away their false gods and prepared their hearts to serve the only true God.
1 Sam. 7:3–6
Moses
This occurred when complaining Israel saw the mighty hand of God in the parting of the Red Sea. On the safe (eastern) side of the sea, Moses led the people in a song of praise, while Miriam and the women furnished the special music.
Exod. 14:31–15:21
David
a. When the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem for the first time
1 Chron. 15:25–28; 16:1–43; 29:10–25
b. At the dedication of the materials to be used in building the future temple
1 Chron. 29
Solomon
This occurred at the actual dedication of the temple.
2 Chron. 7:1–3
Asa
He removed the Sodomites and all false idols out of the land. He even deposed his own grandmother because of her idolatry.
1 Kings 15:11–15
Jehoshaphat
The king led a revival when he ordered the cleansing of the temple and the sanctification of the Levitical priests.
2 Chron. 19
Elijah
This took place after the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
1 Kings 18:21–40
Jehu
He exterminated all Baal worshipers and their temples.
2 Kings 10:15–28
Jehoiada
This godly high priest led the people in a covenant whereby they forsook their idols and worshiped God.
2 Kings 11:17–20
Hezekiah
Like Jehoshaphat, King Hezekiah experienced revival when he cleansed the temple of God.
2 Chron. 29–31
Manasseh
When wicked King Manasseh became converted, he led his people in a revival by ordering the destruction of all idols.
2 Chron. 33:11–20
Josiah
This revival began when the Book of the Law was accidentally discovered during a temple cleanup event. The public reading of God’s Word had a profound effect upon both King Josiah and his people.
2 Kings 22–23
Ezra
Through Ezra’s preaching on separation, the Jewish remnant ceased their ungodly marriage alliances with the heathen of the land.
Ezra 9–10
Nehemiah
After Nehemiah had rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem, Ezra stood by its gates and publicly read and taught from God’s Word, causing a great revival.
Neh. 13
Jonah
The Ninevites, through Jonah’s preaching, repented and stayed the destructive hand of God.
Jon. 3
Esther
This time of repentance and rejoicing followed the salvation of the Jews from the plot of wicked Haman.
Esther 9:17–22
John the Baptist
John preached the imminent appearance of Israel’s Messiah, warning them to repent and submit to water baptism.
Luke 3:2–18
Jesus
The conversion of a sinful Samaritan woman instigated this revival in Samaria.
John 4:28–42
Philip
The strong preaching of Philip the evangelist concerning the kingdom of God produced a great revival in Samaria.
Acts 8:5–12
Peter
a. At Pentecost, after his great sermon
Acts 2
b. At Lydda, after he had healed Aeneas
Acts 9
Paul
One of the greatest revivals occurred in Ephesus during Paul’s third missionary journey. This account should be carefully read.
Acts 19:11–20
When God Moves Among His People
“Every revival begins in a prayer meeting”
J. Edwin Orr
“Whenever God intends great blessings for His people, He first sets them to praying”
Matthew Henry
1735 – The Great Awakening
1801 – Second Great Awakening: Cane Ridge Kentucky Revival
1857 – The Third Great Awakening
THE AMERICAN REVIVAL OF 1857
This mighty 19th century visitation of God’s presence, from which has flowed almost one and one half centuries of spiritual blessings, still represents a challenge. As a spiritual tornado, the Spirit of God swept through the land. New England became the center of an enormous awakening that resulted in great numbers of people experiencing forgiveness for their sins and the reality of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In some towns it was reported as being "almost impossible to find anyone who had not been converted." Like a great spiritual epidemic, tremendous conviction of sin swept through the land, and thousands turned to Christ. Drunkards standing at the bars, gamblers at game tables, people gathered in churches, and even passengers on ships as they approached land found themselves suddenly aware of God’s presence and holiness. Overcome before Him, they repented of their sins and found forgiveness and eternal life.
In many places bars, theaters, and gambling houses closed or emptied; new churches began to spring up; family altars were established or restored; and the spirit of prayer grew in intensity until anyone crossing the land could find a "mid-day" prayer meeting in almost any town. As many as 50,000 people a week experienced God’s saving grace in Christ when this gracious visitation was at its height. Following in its wake came mighty preachers of God’s Word such as D.L. Moody under whose ministry multitudes experienced salvation in Christ. Many pioneer missionaries were also commissioned to go with the gospel to the ends of the earth.
1904 – Great Welsh Revival
1906 – Azusa Street Revival
1960’s – The Jesus Movement
Could there be a fourth “Great Awakening?” Only with prayer…
The Promise of Revival:
4 “…He said, “Wait here to receive the promise from the Father which I told you about. 5 John baptized people with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
“…8 But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”
Acts 1:4-8
The task is too much for us. There are too many obstacles. It’s too hard, the world is too apathetic, too distracted, to focused on their bodies, their wallets, their clothes, their cars, their houses, their careers, and themselves.
We have too many of our own problems, we don’t have enough money, we don’t have any political connections, we don’t have enough savvy, skills, knowledge or energy.
We can’t do it. It’s too much.
Turn to one an other and say, “we can’t do it”, Ít’s too much”
Listen, when Jesus left us and went to prepare a place for us he left us everything we need to do the job!
He left us twelve motivated and passionate men who turned their world upside down with the message of Jesus. He left us his church that is inhabited by his holy shekinah glory – His Holy Spirit.
We have his presence, his power, his purpose and his promise – we are not alone and we have enough.
Turn to one another and say, “It’s too much but God is sufficient”; “We can do this!”
This is God’s promise… He leaves us with the presence and power we need to do the work he left us with.
And what is that work? We’re preparing for the party! When Jesus comes back for us there is going to be such a party! And everyone is invited.
By the way: Did you answer your invitation yet?
The Prayer for Revival:
14 They all continued praying together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers.
Acts 1:14
Notice with me some important things about their prayers…
1st: The People: eleven apostles, the woman, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers” (1:14). Nothing has changed in 2000 years, God works when a small group commits to intercessory prayer.
2nd The Unity: they prayed together.
3rd The Persistence: The words used were that they “steadfastly continued” in their prayers. They would not quit, they would not be distracted…
4th The Passion: the original greek uses two words – prosuche which is prayer and deesis which is pleading or begging.
African Pastor’s declaration… on my wall in my office…
I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear!"
The Presence of Revival:
2 Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages.
Acts 2:1-4
Wind. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). Wind is the symbol of the new birth, i.e., new life. From God. It was not worked up by believers. Mighty. Powerful to do what it was sent to do. Everyone. Filled the whole house.
Tongues of Fire (2:3) “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:3). Visual, “As of fire,” i.e., not real fire, but fire-like. Cleansing. Fire is the symbol of purification. Included each. “Sat on each of them.”
Filled with the Holy Spirit “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). First of many. “Be filled (more than once) with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Yield. Not to get the Spirit, but the Spirit gets you.” New task. We are filled to do God’s work.
There was a movement of God in his people that attracted those in the world.
It starts with me. It flows to you, and you, and you, and you, and then it spreads to your friends, and their friends…
The Power of Revival:
41 Then those people who accepted what Peter said were baptized…
47 They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.
Acts 2:41-47
Personal Transformation
Conviction
Confession
Repentance
Baptism
Celebration in praise, worship, prayed, shared the Lord’s supper, helped one another day by day…
There were spiritual consequences to the power of God when he moves among his people.
The church became the church – the center of life and community. This is the church I long for. This is the church we are building. This the church we belong to. This is the revival we need… Let’s this revival begin in me…
We Must Pray
1. Plant a Prayer Flag
2. Pray for 30 Days
3. Participate in the 24 hours of Prayer – Sept 22-23
4. Come to the Prayer and Praise Rally on the land – Sept 23 at 6:00 PM
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Invitation
