{"id":1090,"date":"2016-08-15T23:05:51","date_gmt":"2016-08-16T04:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/revival\/"},"modified":"2016-08-15T23:05:51","modified_gmt":"2016-08-16T04:05:51","slug":"revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/revival\/","title":{"rendered":"Revival"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>No Short Cuts For   <\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Finally, there are no shortcuts when it comes to revival. The church desperately needs revival, but it is not going to come by quick and easy methods. Evan Roberts prayed for eleven years before the Welsh Revival broke out, and his ministry during that remarkable time broke him physically. More than one hundred thousand people were converted to Christ during that mighty awakening, but it was not the result of manufactured meetings (they were spontaneous) or manmade promotions. True revival goes deeper than that.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>Warren Wiersbe, God Isn\u2019t In a Hurry, Baker Books; Grand Rapids, MI, 1994, p. 14<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>Steps for Personal and Family   <\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Pray the prayer of the psalmist: \u201cSearch me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting\u201d (Psalm 139:23, 24).<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Be totally honest as you answer each question.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Agree with God about each need He reveals in your life. Confess each sin, with the willingness to make it right and forsake it.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Praise God for His cleansing and forgiveness.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>5. Renew your mind and rebuild your life through meditation and practical application of the Word of God.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>6. Review these questions periodically to remain sensitive to your need for ongoing revival.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Genuine Salvation (II Corinthians 5:17)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Was there ever a time in my life that I genuinely repented of my sin? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Was there ever a time in my life that I placed all my trust in Jesus Christ alone to save me?  Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Was there ever a time in my life that I completely surrendered to Jesus Christ as the Master and Lord of my life? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Is Christ lived out in my home and have I physically confessed Him Lord at home. Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>God\u2019s Word (Psalm 119:97; 119:140)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I love to read and meditate on the Word of God? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Are my personal devotions consistent and meaningful? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Do I practically apply God\u2019s Word to my everyday life? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Do we as a family discuss God\u2019s Word often? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Humility (Isaiah 57:15)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Am I quick to recognize and agree with God in confession when I have sinned? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Am I quick to admit to others when I am wrong? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Do I rejoice when others are praised and recognized and my accomplishments go unnoticed by men?  Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Do I esteem all others as better than myself? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>5. Do I rejoice when others in my family succeed? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Obedience (Hebrews 13:17; I Samuel 15:22)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I consistently obey what I know God wants me to do? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Do I consistently obey the human authorities God has placed over my life? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Do I consistently obey and honor my parents? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Pure Heart (I John 1:9)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I confess my sin by name? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Do I keep \u201cshort sin accounts\u201d with God (confess and forsake as He convicts)? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Am I willing to give up all sin for God? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Do I repent and confess my sins to others in my family? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Clear Conscience (Acts 24:16)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I consistently seek forgiveness from those I wrong or offend? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Is my conscience clear with every man? (Can I honestly say, \u201cThere is no one I have ever wronged or offended in any way and not gone back to them and sought their forgiveness and made it right\u201d?)  Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Is my relationship right with each family member? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Do I go to bed at night with unresolved conflict with others in the family? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Priorities (Matthew 6:33)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Does my schedule reveal that God is first in my life? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Does my checkbook reveal that God is first in my life? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Next to my relationship with God, is my relationship with my family my highest priority? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Values (Colossians 3:12)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I love what God loves and hate what God hates? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Do I value highly the things that please God (e.g., giving, witnessing to lost souls, studying His Word, prayer)? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Are my affections and goals fixed on eternal values? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Are Biblical values reflected in my selection of music and T.V.\/movies? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Sacrifice (Philippians 3:7,8)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Am I willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to see God move in my life and church (time, convenience, comfort, reputation, pleasure, etc.)? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Is my life characterized by genuine sacrifice for the cause of Christ? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Do I have a servant\u2019s heart at home? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Spirit-Control (Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 5:18-21)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Am I allowing Jesus to be Lord of every area of my life? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to \u201cfill\u201d (control) my life each day? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Is there consistent evidence of the \u201cfruit of the Spirit\u201d being produced in my life? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u201cFirst Love\u201d (Philippians 1:21,23)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Am I as much in love with Jesus as I have ever been? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Am I thrilled with Jesus; filled with His joy and peace, and making Him the continual object of my love? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. How would others in my family view my love toward God on a scale of 1\u201310<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Motives (Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Am I more concerned about what God thinks about my life than about what others think? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Would I pray, read my Bible, give and serve as much if nobody but God ever noticed? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Am I more concerned about pleasing God than I am about being accepted and appreciated by men? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Moral Purity (Ephesians 5:3,4)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I keep my mind free from books, magazines, or entertainment that could stimulate fantasizing thoughts that are not morally pure? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Are my conversation and behavior pure and above reproach? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Do mom and dad approve of my friendships? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Forgiveness (Colossians 3:12,13)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I seek to resolve conflicts in relationships as soon as possible? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Am I quick to forgive those who hurt or wrong me? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Sensitivity (Matthew 5:23,24)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Am I sensitive to the conviction and promptings of God\u2019s Spirit? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Am I quick to respond in humility and obedience to the conviction and promptings of God\u2019s Spirit? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Am I sensitive to my parent\u2019s desires? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Evangelism (Romans 9:3; Luke 24:46,48)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Do I have a burden for lost souls? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Do I consistently witness for Christ? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'>Prayer (I Timothy 2:1)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Am I faithful in praying for the needs of others? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Do I pray specifically, fervently and faithfully for revival in my life, my church and our nation? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. How much time do we spend as a family in prayer? Yes o No o<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>From the Book of 750 Bible and Gospel Studies, 1909, George W Noble, Chicago<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>  <\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Revival is always marked by an overwhelming sense of Christ\u2019s presence in the church. For example, if Jesus were to physically make His presence known, Sunday after Sunday there would be:<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Increased and renewed participation in <b>Worship.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An outpouring of <b>Love <\/b>among God\u2019s people.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A heightened awareness of <b>Holiness <\/b>with confession, repentance, and restitution.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An eagerness for Christian <b>Service.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Anointed preaching of and individual interest in the Holy <b>Word of God.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A growing boldness in <b>Prayer.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A remarkable ease in witnessing to and <b>Evangelism <\/b>of the non-churched community.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All-out involvement in <b>Spiritual Warfare.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An unusual <b>Sense of Well Being <\/b>or wholeness.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Our objective is to facilitate revival by teaching God\u2019s people healthy spiritual habits in these nine basic areas of Christianity that always characterize any genuine time of true spiritual awakening.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>Mainstay Church Resources, Wheaton, IL, November 19, 1997<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>The Visitation of God<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God\u2019s near presence and holiness. Thence springs a vivid sense of sin and a profound exercise of heart in repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Each revival movement has its own distinctive features, but the pattern is the same every time.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>First God comes. On New Year\u2019s Eve 1739, John Wesley, George Whitefield, and some of their friends held a \u201clove feast\u201d which became a watchnight of prayer to see the New Year in. At about 3 a.m., Wesley wrote, \u201cthe power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground.\u201d Revival always begins with a restoration of the sense of the closeness of the Holy One.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Second, the gospel is loved as never before. The sense of God\u2019s nearness creates an overwhelming awareness of one\u2019s own sins and sinfulness, and so the power of the cleansing blood of Christ is greatly appreciated.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Then repentance deepens. In the Ulster revival in the 1920s shipyard workers brought back so many stolen tools that new sheds had to be built to house the recovered property! Repentance results in restitution.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Finally, the Spirit works fast: godliness multiplies, Christians mature, converts appear. Paul was at Thessalonica for less than three weeks, but God worked quickly and Paul left a virile church behind him.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>Your Father Loves You by James Packer, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986, page for May 30.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>Fire Extinguisher<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>A U.S. Lutheran bishop tells of visiting a parish church in California and finding a stirring red and orange banner on the wall. \u201cCome Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!\u201d it declared in words printed under a picture of a fire burning. The bishop was also interested in the sign directly underneath the banner which said: \u201cFire extinguisher.\u201d So much for that parish\u2019s commitment to spiritual renewal.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>One World, May, 1982, WCC<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>The Coming Great Awakening<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Although the apathy of some Christians and the wickedness of society are discouraging, we should pray and remain confident. William Wilberforce was a great Christian philanthropist and vigorous opponent of the slave trade in England during the early 1800s. As he surveyed the terrible moral and spiritual climate of his day, he did not lose hope. He wrote, \u201cMy own solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend, not so much on her navies or armies, nor on the wisdom of her rulers, nor on the spirit of her people, as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the gospel of Christ. I believe that their prayers may yet prevail.\u201d Within a few years after he made this statement, the country he loved experienced one of the greatest revivals in modern times, bringing salvation to thousands and producing widespread social changes.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Those who are students of revival are encouraged because hey see a divine pattern repeating itself. Robert Coleman of the Association of Church Missions Committees noted in a recent interview that he feels we are on the threshold of revival due to three developments: (1) the increase of citywide concerts of prayer; (2) the gathering together of pastors in concerted prayer; and (3) the growing concern for revival among our young people.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>On this last point, David McKenna, president of Asbury (KY) Seminary, reached a positive assessment of the future based on his study of what God has done and is doing among young people. His conclusion is found in the title of his latest book, The Coming Great Awakening, J. Edwin Orr summarized for me in one sentence his 60 years of study on prayer and spiritual awakening when he wrote: \u201cWhenever God is ready to do something new with His people, He always sets them to praying.\u201d This was certainly true during the First Great Awakening.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>In 1746, Jonathan Edwards published a book on \u201cconcerts of prayer\u201d\u2014a term used in his day and repeated in subsequent prayer movements over the last 250 years. Well aware from biblical and historical accounts that united prayer was the only way to sustain the spiritual awakening that already had begun in the colonies, Edwards called for Christians on both sides of the Atlantic to pray for revival. The title of his book summarizes what is happening throughout the Body of Christ at this hour in the growth of the prayer movement: \u201cAn Humble Attempt to Promote Explicit Agreement and Visible Union of God\u2019s People in Extraordinary Prayer, for the Revival of the Church and the Advancement of Christ\u2019s Kingdom on Earth.\u201d Edwards\u2019 book, along with such classic texts as Andrew Murray\u2019s \u201cKey to the Missionary Problem\u201d and Timothy Smith\u2019s \u201cRevivalism and Social Reform,\u201d suggest there usually are five phases in every historic revival:<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>1. Intercession\u2014God\u2019s people begin to unite in prayer for revival;<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>2. Revelation\u2014God answers prayer by pouring out a fresh new manifestation of the person of Christ; (<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>3. Consecration\u2014as a result, God\u2019s people consecrate themselves to Him, and each other, and to the work of Christ in the world;<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>4. Revitalization\u2014ministries are purified and rejuvenated and become more fruitful, both locally, nationally, and beyond;<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal'>5. Expansion\u2014out of revival the gospel is advanced further, the church makes a greater impact upon the surrounding culture, and a general spiritual awakening takes place on many levels.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>National &amp; International Religion Report, Special Report, 1992, pp. 2-3<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>Scriptural Illustrations of   <\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; David (1 Chron. 28:1\u201329:25)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Asa (1 Kings 15:9\u201324; 2 Chron. 14\u201316)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Elijah (1 Kings 17\u201318)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 17; 19:1\u201320:33)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hezekiah (2 Kings 18\u201319; 2 Chron. 29\u201332)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Josiah (2 Kings 22:1\u201323:30)<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Others: 2 Chron 7:14, Psa. 80:18\u201319; 85:6; Isa. 32:12\u201317; 35; Jeremiah 33:23; Lamen. 3:40\u201350; Hosea 6:1\u20133; 14:1\u20132; Habakkuk 3:2; John 7:38<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>Touch the World Through Prayer, W. Duewel, OMS, pp. 171ff<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>Quotes<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In an eyewitness report of the great Welsh revival of 1904, G. Campbell Morgan wrote, \u201cThe horses are terribly puzzled. A manager said to me. \u2018The haulers are some of the very lowest. They have driven their horses by obscenity and kicks. Now they can hardly persuade the horses to start working, because there is no obscenity and no kicks.\u2019\u201d &#8211; D.J.D. Our Daily Bread, September 26.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lady asked Billy Sunday: \u201cWhy do you keep having revivals when it doesn\u2019t last?\u201d He asked her, \u201cWhy do you keep taking baths?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The 19th century evangelist Charles G. Finney said, \u201cRevival is the renewal of the first love of Christians resulting in the conversion of sinners to God. It presupposes that the church is backslidden, and revival means conviction of sin and searching of hearts among God\u2019s people. Revival is nothing less than a new beginning of obedience to God.\u201d &#8211; Source unknown<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dr. J. Elder Cumming contended that \u201cin almost every case the beginning of new blessing is a new revelation of the character of God\u2014more beautiful, more wonderful, more precious.\u201d &#8211; J. O. Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God, Moody, p. 14<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Revival is an invasion from heaven that brings a conscious awareness of God. &#8211; Stephen Olford<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Revival is that sovereign work of God in which He visits His own people, restoring and releasing them into the fulness of His blessing. &#8211; Robert Coleman<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Revival cannot be organized, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again. &#8211; G. Campbell Morgan<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Revival is the people of God living in the power of an ungrieved, unquenched Spirit. &#8211; James A. Stewart<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The kingdom of God is not going to advance by our churches becoming filled with men, but by men in our churches becoming filled with God. &#8211; Howard Spring<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A genuine revival without joy in the Lord is as impossible as spring without flowers, or day-dawn without light. &#8211; C. H. Spurgeon<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness, making God\u2019s love triumph in the heart. &#8211; Andrew Murray<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A revival means days of heaven on earth. &#8211; D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again. &#8211; Vance Havner<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In revival, the minds of people are concentrated upon things of eternity, and there is an awareness that nothing else really matters. &#8211; Brian Edwards<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Revival restrains the righteous anger of God, restores the conscious awareness of God, and reveals the gracious activity of God. &#8211; Stephen Olford<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>Sources unknown<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>Resource<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:18.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt;line-height:normal'>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Seven Laws of the Learner, B. Wilkinson, ch. 7<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>Don\u2019t Lose Heart<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Jesus taught that we should always pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). Let\u2019s follow the example of others who prayed until revival came. In the spring of 1904 a young Welshman named Evan Roberts was repeatedly awakened to pray from 1:00 to 5:00 a.m. By November a powerful spiritual awakening was spreading through Wales.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>Source unknown<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal'><b>God Used a New Believer<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>God worked through the testimony of a young new believer named Florrie Evans. When Pastor Jospeh Evans asked for testimonies, Florrie arose and with a trembling voice said, \u201cI love Jesus with all my heart.\u201d God used this to melt the hearts of many others.   The London Times reported remarkable changes that took place in the public spirit. For example, in Swansea people who had left their parents in the \u201cworkhouse\u201d for the poor came to take them out. Entire congregations were on their knees in prayer and \u201cfor the first time there was not a single case of drunkenness at the Swansea County Petty Sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>The Bible Society saw orders for Scriptures multiply to three times the level for the previous year. At Bangor<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>University revival fires were spreading in January of 1905. There were \u201conly a third or a fourth of the students attending some of the classes\u2026Beginning with a spontaneous outburst of praise andprayer among the men students, the movement spread . . at a united prayer meeting\u2026some\u2026broke down sobbing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>David Lloyd George, who later became Prine Minister of England, saw one of his political rallies taken over by the Welsh revival. On January 11th, 1905, he said the Welsh revival gave hope \u201cthat at the next election Wales would declare with no uncertain sound against the corruption in high places which handed over the destiny of the people to the terrible brewing interest\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>The Times reported on January 16th, 1905, that \u201cAt Glyn-Neath a feud had existed for the past ten or twelve years between the two Independent Chapels, but during the past week united services have been held in both chapels, and the ministers have shaken hands before the congregations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>The fires of spiritual awakening crossed the ocean. In 1904 the Atlanta newspapers reported an amazing revival of prayer sweeping the city. On November 2nd the Supreme Court of Georgia closed so people could attend prayer meetings. Stores, factories, offices and even saloons followed suit.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>\u201cFor two hours at midday all Denver was held in a spell . . . The marts of trade were deserted between noon and two o\u2019clock this afternoon,\u201d the Denver Post reported on January 20th, 1905.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>One Kentucky pastor died of overwork after receiving 1,000 new members in two months. Out of a population of 50,000 only fifty unconverted adults remained in Atlantic City, New Jersey!<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Revival came to north China in 1932 in answer to several years of prayer. At one point, Norwegian missionary Maria Monsen wondered what good her praying could do. She longed to see God\u2019s river of life flood spiritually dry China. Then she realized that the mighty Yangtze River began when the tiny drops of rain came together in the top of the mountains.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>Maria sought a prayer partner who would join her in claiming the promise \u201cthat if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven\u201d (Mt. 18:19). When she finally found someone she exclaimed, \u201cThe awakening has begun! Two of us have agreed!\u201d The rain drops of revival prayer were coming together.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>In November of 1930 Maria announced, \u201cA great revival is coming soon and it will begin in the North China Mission.\u201d She was convinced that the missionaries had fulfilled the conditions for revival found in 2 Chron. 7:14.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>In 1932 about forty Christians were meeting in a town in North China for prayer four times a day beginning at 5:00 a.m. Believers were convicted of sin. Two men repented of hating each other. Love was strong and deep. Joy abounded.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>When revival came more people were born again than in any previous year in North China. One missionary estimated that 3,000 people came to Christ in his town. Pastors, missionaries, and Bible women experienced a deeper Christian life than they had ever known before.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>A spirit of prayer was poured out on the church. People loved to pray. Many times prayer meetings lasted two or three hours. The prayers were short, fervent, and sometimes tearful. Children\u2019s prayers led to the salvation of their parents and teachers.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>In 1936 revival fires broke out on the campus of Wheaton College west of Chicago. A senior named Don Hillis arose in chapel to voice a plea for revival. Students responded with an all-day prayer meeting on Saturday. Both faculty and students confessed sin and made things right with one another.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>The Wheaton campus was touched again in 1943 following a message on confession of sin during special services. The captain of the cross-country team arose to confess that he had violated college policy by leading his team in a Sunday race. Pride, criticism, and cheating were confessed by other students. Lunch and dinner slipped by unnoticed while the meeting continued into the evening service.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>\u201cStop the bus!\u201d a member of the Wheaton College Glee Club shouted. The Glee Club was touring in Florida in 1950. A revival that had broken out on the campus in Illinois had touched this student hundreds of miles away. He confessed he had broken the rules and other students began to turn to God.<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.0pt;text-indent:18.0pt;line-height: normal'>God\u2019s promise is still true. If we seek Him with all our heart, we shall surely find Him ready to pour the riches of His grace and love into the lives of His people (Jer. 29:13).<\/p>\n<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:right; line-height:normal'>Oliver Price, Revival Insights, Vol. III, No. 4<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No Short Cuts For Finally, there are no shortcuts when it comes to revival. The church desperately needs revival, but it is not going to come by quick and easy methods. Evan Roberts prayed for eleven years before the Welsh Revival broke out, and his ministry during that remarkable time broke him physically. More than &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/revival\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Revival&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1090"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1090\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}