REVIVE US AGAIN
Ps. 85:6-7
INTRODUCTION
January 2 we start 30 Days of Refreshing - 30 days for us to examine our lives to see if we continue to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
* Frog in the Kettle - don't always notice what is happening to us spiritually. Good for us to take stock.
In our text this morning the psalmist asks God an important question.
Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? (Ps 85:6)
We sometimes sing a hymn that says "Revive us again;" We talk about revival, but this morning I want us to take some time and analyze what is involved.
I. WHAT IS REVIVAL?
1. Not Evangelism - though many may be saved as a result.
2. Not Emotionalism although there may be emotional manifestations connected to it.
3. It is a Renewal of Spiritual Life in an individual or among a group of people.
SARDIS - "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. (Rev 3:1)
*Activity is Not Life
* CHRIST IS LIFE - relationship
- when out of sync with Christ - we’re dead
- vine not nourished by life of the vine
II. WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?
John 15
1. Whenever the Love of God's People Has Grown Cold.
EPHESUS - "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (Rev 2:4)
* HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR HEART HAS GONE COLD?
2. The Symptoms That Revival Is Needed
A. Complacency: self-satisfaction or satisfaction with the status quo.
- satisfied with less than God intended
- satisfied with what world offers
- happy with your level of spiritual life even though you know it’s not what God intended.
B. Lack of concern for the lost.
Abide = Character and Priority of Christ
* When no passion for lost - sign we’re cold - rigor mortis
C. Hiding or covering secret sins.
-sin between you and God
- no life = fruit of flesh.
D. Animosity toward other Christians.
- Only Jesus can love some people — His love through you - you are not able
* strife, division etc. indicates need for revival
E. Having an unforgiving spirit.
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Col 3:13)
F. Being filled with pride.
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:6-8)
* Proud spirit does not abide in the vine
G. Any condition of spiritual standing where we are less than we were before: backslidden!
3. Dangers In Our Need For Revival.
A. Spiritual deterioration without our awareness.
* Frog in a Kettle
* Disciples had received power from Jesus Christ to heal and cast out demons
- They had lost their power, but they were unaware that it was gone!
- Jesus told them that it was because of their unbelief! Mt. 17:19-20
B. We Are Often Unaware Of Our Need For Revival When We Need It The Most.
- when hearts coldest - when we think we don’t need revival
C. The flesh will fight against revival,
for to have revival we must admit that we have a need...and
III. WHAT KIND OF REVIVAL DO WE NEED?
1. We Need a Revival That Will Resurrect this Church.
A. Revival means a return of life.
* Church of Sardis
"I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. (Rev 3:1)
* Church of Laodicea
he calls upon them to repent; they thought they had need of nothing. - LUKEWARM
* Church at Ephesus Rebuked them for having left their first love.
ELEMENTS OF ALL OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA ARE PRESENT HERE TODAY!
i. Some folks are members of the church in name only; they are not interested in walking with Christ, reaching the lost for Christ, or in promoting the cause of Christ. - DOING KINGDOM WORK
b. Others are satisfied with the way things are and see no reason for any change.
c. Still others are too concerned about their own agendas to see the need that we need revival and people need Christ.
d. We need to cry out to God, Will You not revive us ?"
2. We Need a Revival That Will Rekindle Old Fires.
* Revive us again means that there has been better days.
* Do you remember better days?
- Days of dedication to the Lord and to His work?
- Days when you came to church expecting to see great things from God?
-Days when you wouldn't think of missing church to go to a hockey game or some other event
-Days when you didn't look for some excuse for why you can't serve the Lord?
- Days when anxious to talk with others about Lord
3. We Need a Revival That Will Restore Joy and Victory to the Child of God.
* Too many defeated Christians today.
* Too many discouraged Christians.
*Too many backslidden Christians.
** The joy of the Lord is our strength, we need a revival where God will give us a song in our hearts
IV. HOW CAN WE HAVE REVIVAL?
1. Only God Can Send Revival.
* He alone is the source: Will You not revive us again
* IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SCHEDULE AND PLAN FOR REVIVAL.
* WHAT WE MUST DO IS PRAY FOR GOD TO GRANT IT TO US. 2 Chron 7:14
2. We must Face up to Spiritual Realities.
A. See ourselves as we are - be honest
B. Acknowledge God for Who He is and quit playing games.
C. We must see sin for what it is, confess it, repent of it, and forsake it.
3. We Must Desire to Be Revived.
Usually we don't want it bad enough to make any difference.
Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isa 55:6-7)
God wants to send revival upon those who genuinely seek it.
4. We Need Revival
* Individuals getting right with God.
* Families Getting Right With God
* Churches Getting Right With God
CONCLUSION:
Revival is not turned on and off like a water fountain, but if we meet God's conditions He will bestow it upon us. There are souls that need to be saved, and we grow complacent and self-satisfied?
Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?
Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation. (Ps 85:6-8)
The wind of revival blows suddenly, searchingly and sovereignly. DR. G. Campbell Morgan said, “We cannot organize revival, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again.”
HOW TO SET THE SAIL:
1. Prepare Your Heart 2. Pray 3. Expect
