Sermon Central
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A Cry For Revival
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on May 19, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: We need to cry out to God, “Wilt thou revive us again?” “Revive us again” means that there have been revivals before. God will always forgive as long as we return to Him.
A CRY FOR REVIVAL
Study Text: Psalms 85:6, Psalm 119:159
Introduction:
- Revival means drawing near to God with the expectation of Him drawing near to us. Isaiah 55: 6-7.
- When revival comes, God's people will hunger for righteousness, worship and service in His name. When revival comes, the lost will be drawn to Jesus by the Father.
- Revival is needed whenever the love of God’s people has grown cold. We read in Revelation 3:15-17, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing’; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
- When revival comes, people who have wandered away to the far country will return to the Father's House. When revival comes, serving God will not wear us out but will lift us up. When revival comes, His name will be exalted and His people filled with His Spirit.
- You will never receive a blessing from God that you are not pursuing. Revival is intentional. Receiving from God comes through deep desire for more of Him. Ask and it shall be given thee, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto thee.
- Revival must be personal and experienced by individual. The church is as strong as the individual person. As one walks with joy, as one walks with zeal, as one walks with power, it strengthens the cords of the entire group. The church will be stronger as the individual life is made strong.
- When you desire to see His name glorified – you are desiring revival. When you seek to motivate the Church – you are seeking revival. When you are burdened by sin within the Church – you are burdened for revival. When you ask the Lord to fan the flame within your own heart – you are asking for revival.
- A revival is not the Church deciding to do something and doing it. It is something that happens or is done to the Church by God. It is an awakening to who God is and a longing to be close to Him and follow His word.
- We shall discuss the topic under three sub-headings:
1. The Different Pointers of Revival
2. The Definite Picture of Revival
3. The Desperate Prayer for Revival
1. The Different Pointers of Revival
- In the last days I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh. There is a promise of last day revival. Ye shall be endued with power from on high. Revival is truly a work of the Spirit of God.
- On the day of Pentecost, they were in one place, in one mind and in one accord when God visited them. For Revival to take place, people must come in faith, with a heart of expectancy. We will not receive it, until we believe it. Revival isn’t accidental, but when people purpose in their hearts.
- Consider some of the different pointers to the need of revival: just as a sick person manifests physical symptoms, so the need for personal spiritual revival has spiritual symptoms.
i. Complacency:
- Self-satisfaction or satisfaction with the status quo. “Seat-warmers” who have a “care-free” attitude may well need a spiritual revival.
ii. Lack of concern for the lost and the suffering in the world (1 Corinthians 10:23).
- How can we see or read the world news, considering all the suffering in the world, and not be moved by it? If we are not, we definitely need spiritual renewal or revival.
iii. Hiding or covering secret sins (Numbers 32:23).
- If we find ourselves covering or excusing our sins, or rationalize, “I will have to change that…someday,” we may well need spiritual revival.
iv. Having an unforgiving spirit (Matthew 6:14-15).
- An unforgiving spirit is a strong indication that we need spiritual revival. We are to put on the mind, the views, and the feelings of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
v. Being filled with pride (Proverbs 29:23).
- We are reminded in Proverbs 16: 18 that “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride and vanity were the cause of Lucifer’s fall (Ezekiel 28:17). - We must beware, lest his attitude is reflected in us. If we find ourselves feeling superior or puffed up, we need the humility of revival.
vi. Animosity toward other Christians.
- It is said that we can pick our friends, but we cannot pick our brethren.
vii. Any condition of spiritual standing where we are less than we were before:
