Moving Towards Revival
- Part 1 - What Revival is NotPsalm 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Luke 3:2-14 2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
INTRO: My definition of Revival – A series of meetings where a church or group of churches attend religious services and all the items it contains.
God’s definition involves our attitudes and a change of heart!
Revival (both definitions) is not just for the church leaders
Whole congregation needs renewal
Old - Young
Dads - Moms
Sons - Daughters
SS teachers - students
Revival (His definition) is not something that we can just decide to have and it will happen
We can not schedule Revival
We cannot just speak it and it will be
We cannot just attend and receive revival – we can miss it
Revival (both definitions) is not just a public display
Not how we look
Not how we dress
Not how we vocalize
Not how we attend (if our heart is wrong)
Not where we sit (if our heart is wrong)
Revival (my definition) is not a cure-all for all that may ail our body
Won’t make our singing fantastic
Won’t make us super Christians (maybe supper Christians)
Won’t make us "superior" Christians (better than others)
Won’t make us better givers
Won’t make us better prayers
Won’t make us better attenders
Revival (both definitions) is not brought by the preacher
We can get plenty others to come
We don’t really have to listen
We don’t have to apply his words
Revival (His definition) is not just for the church
We can become so full of His Spirit that it shows
We can become so close to God it changes our life
We can become such a super Christian that (through Him) we make a difference
We can become serious about how we serve and live for the Lord
We can become so renewed that we rejoice in Him
We can become so revived that we follow His will
We can become so close to Him that we seek avenues to do more for Him
We can become so much that He wants us to be that we reach others as He would have us do – by following the Great Commission and reaching the world for Christ!
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church 02012004pm - First used…- 022298am