Sermon Central
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Call 2 Fall
Contributed by Blake Inscore on Sep 25, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Today we are joining with thousands of other churches across the country to pray for revival to breakout in our Nation and the only way that is possible is for us to humble ourselves before Almighty God, repent of our sins, and recommit ourselves to live
Call 2 Fall
Introduction: Today we are joining with thousands of other churches across the country to pray for revival to breakout in our Nation. The only way that is possible is for us to humble ourselves before Almighty God, repent of our sins, and recommit ourselves to live for His Son Jesus Christ. That is that whole focus behind today’s emphasis: Call 2 Fall.
Franklin Graham
We need another great awakening, a fresh revival that puts us on our knees, brings us to repentance for our sins, and turns our hearts back again to worship and obey God. There is no other way for America to be great again...
Before we actually spend time in prayer, I want to share with you some reasons that I believe this call is so important.
A Call 2 Fall is Taught in the Scriptures
Our theme verse is 2 Chronicles 7:14:
If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
The first requirement on the path to renewal is to “humble ourselves,” to fall on our knees and faces before the Lord in repentant prayer. Over and over the Scriptures teach this. Let me offer you three simply perspectives from scripture on why I think the idea of Call 2 Fall is so important.
It reminds us of the importance of a Proper Attitude:
Humility and Dependence Upon God
Motives matter. God looks at our hearts, He knows what is driving our lives. God requires genuine humility before He will intervenes on our behalf. That is why I think the key word in our theme text is: humble. The Hebrew word for humble refers to a proud or arrogant person being brought into subjection. It is a picture of spiritual submission to the sovereignty of God. The Call to Fall must begin with an attitude of humility before God, an admission our need for God’s mercy and grace. If we remain self-sufficient in our attitudes, we cannot expect God to give us the help we so desperately need.
It reminds us of the importance of putting Prayer into Action:
Kneeling Together Before the Lord
The Call 2 Fall is a call for God’s people to publicly, to humble ourselves by bending our knees before Almighty God. In Scripture, bending the knee is an act of humility, reverence and submission. Some of God’s greatest leaders demonstrated their deep humility by bending their knees in prayer before Almighty God.
Abraham: Then Abraham fell on his face, and God talked with him... (Gen. 17:3)
Moses: Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. (Exod. 34:8)
The Psalmist: Oh come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psalm 95:6)
Elijah: And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down to the ground, and put his face between his knees. (1 Kings 18:42)
Ezra: At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9:5)
Daniel: …in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, [Daniel] knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. (Daniel 6:10)
Paul: “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
It reminds us to live in Anticipation of God’s Promise:
God will Answer
We believe that God Himself is the originator of the “Call to Fall.” If we will do our part, we can surely anticipate that He will do His. In fact, Scripture is filled with promises for those who humble themselves before the Lord. The verse that follows our theme verse reminds us of this truth. God promised…
2 Chron. 7:14-15
…I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
…all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.
God desires for His people to humble themselves before Him and His Word clearly reveals that truth. So what applications can we make for us a Nation?
