SERMON NOTES:
What is Revival? (Part 1)
There’s been a lot of talk about Revival over the past few weeks. Of course, as genuine believers we are yearning and desperate to see a modern-day Revival. We want to see God pouring out His Spirit upon this generation. So, we could be forgiven for getting excited when we hear of a potential move of God to whatever degree.
Many of us have heard about something happening at Asbury university. And many of the testimonies coming out of it seem to be genuine and sincere. But it is still early days to define it as a proper Revival. That only comes from looking at the result that emanate from it and the effects that this event has upon that university and the surrounding communities. Basically, time will tell.
Isa 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Isa 41:18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isa 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
Isa 41:20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
This is a beautiful picture of life, and Revival.
What is Revival?
Revival describes a spiritual reawakening from a state of spiritual slumber, apathy, indifference and stagnation.
For something to be revived it must 1st have been alive. That is why it 1st and foremost relates to the Church.
Revival happens when God becomes the focus and results in man being restored to a right standing with God.
Revival is about the presence of God manifesting or demonstrating in the midst of God’s people.
C H. Spurgeon tells us: “The word ‘revive’ is from the Latin, and may be interpreted to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished.”
1Sa 3:2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
1Sa 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
1Sa 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
We break into this story at a pivotal point in Israel’s history. It is a time where the light is about to go out in Eli’s life and in Israel’s existence.
Eli ended up leading Israel into a very dark place. Eli was backslidden. His compromise brought judgment upon his home, the work of God and upon the nation.
Blindness and deafness is always the last sign of decay before God judges. You don’t see things the way you used to. Suddenly you don’t see anything.
But, please remember, God does not leave Himself without a witness.
If you think that God cannot do without you, you are severely deceived! You have no concept of who you are and no concept of who God is.
God’s hand was so powerfully upon Samuel that it says in 1 Sam 3:19
“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”
John Piper teaches: “The idea of revival originates in the reality that, on the one hand, God is the decisive giver of all spiritual life and, on the other hand, humans, even those who are born again and part of God’s covenant family, from time to time drift into a kind of lifelessness and lethargy and backsliding and indifference and weakness. And when you put those two together — God as the giver of life and man as ever drifting towards lifelessness — what you get is the need for the hope of reviving, coming back to life — a fresh outpouring of God’s live-giving Spirit on his people. That is what revival is.”
Many believers think Revival starts when the Church gets a vision for the lost. That is not true! Revival starts when the Church gets a fresh vision of God and God’s will. They submit to Him and start to feel what He feels – love what He loves, and hate what He hates. They have an overwhelming feeling for His glory manifested and righteousness to be vindicated and.
Got Questions Ministries instructs: “Revival … encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God’s holiness, a passion for His Word and His Church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness.”
Remember:
- We are created to contain the glory of God.
- We are here to perform the will of God.
- We are here to manifest the character of God revealed in Christ Jesus.
Revival normally comes when the devil is very active, society is in freefall, and the Church is sleeping. Things arrive at a spiritual crisis. Christians either give up or cry out to God. This is the story of Scripture.
Deadness and decay among believers and abounding lawlessness in the world are strong indicators that Revival is desperately needed. God does not ignore such a mess. No, He speaks to His people. He moves upon His people. He exposes that which is an offense to Him. He introduces what is pleasing to Him.
Written by Pastor Paul Malcomson. Preached on 3/7/23 @ Light of the World Gospel Ministries church in Walthill, NE.