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The Scripture speaks of many different revivals, each with its own unique touches.

It speaks of revivals ignited by the spark of humility in repentance of sins.

Isaiah’s plea in 64:1: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down” comes from realization of Israel’s desperate need in Isaiah 64:6:

Scripture speaks of revivals hallmarked by the priority given to hearing the Word of God.

The effort of the returned exiles in Nehemiah 8 to hear God’s word: the planning of that day, the building of the platform and the arrangements of leaders and priests and people to hear and understand the laws of God demonstrate that God’s Words are not glossed over or ignored, but are treasured and heeded carefully.

Scripture speaks of revivals birthed in an atmosphere of earnest prayer.

The genuine prayers of Solomon at the temple’s dedication show us a king who desires nothing but God’s presence and his blessings upon the prayers of his people in that place, and God answers those prayers with his presence and promises.

Scripture speaks of revivals spurred on by righteous obedience.

Radical obedience, demonstrated by King Josiah paved the way for genuine reform amidst a wicked generation.

Through the king’s willingness to obey God’s law, false worship was abolished, false idols were demolished, and false priests were executed.

Josiah didn’t just purge the false: he established the true by restoring the temple, the Passover, and an attitude of submission to God’s laws.

But it seems that something is missing.

We find ourselves asking, “What else do we need?”

Perhaps it’s time to turn to the book of Acts.

Acts is full of revival: Jewish Christians sharing the good news in Jerusalem, taking the good news as they are scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, taking the good news throughout the Roman empire, including to Rome itself.

God penetrates the darkness of the gentiles through Peter, begins churches throughout Galatia, Macedonia, Phyrgia, Pamphylia, and other places.

The gospel goes to Corinth, Athens, Damascus, and Ephesus.

If any book can show us what we’re missing, it’s the book of Acts.

And if any one revival moment - if any one story within Scripture can open our eyes to the fifth rule of revival, then it has to be the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

Picture yourself there in Jerusalem.

It’s the feast of Pentecost - 50 days after Passover.

There are thousands of Jews packing the streets of Jerusalem, all centered around the Temple.

The noise of the crowds is almost roaring as people hustle around to make sacrifices and secure accommodations.

Then, out of this one house, a whole bunch of folks start to come out and speak to the crowds.

And those crowds, from all over the place, hear about God’s works.

Those people who followed Jesus Christ are now talking about him - and doing so in the dialects and languages of many different people groups.

Can you imagine how strange this must have been?

You’re from Egypt, and these guys are speaking like they do back home…but those are fishermen from Galilee!

And the person next to you is from Asia, and he hears his own native way of speaking…at the same time!

What is going on?

Some of the Jews visiting that day must have been spellbound by these events.

They pondered and discussed what was happening, fascinated by this turn of events.

Others simply laughed it off: “they must be drunk!”

The Bible tells us what happened next: Peter begins to preach a sermon.

After quoting from Joel 2, Peter begins to trace the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

He interprets Scripture through Christ’s life, just as someone reads through the lenses of their glasses.

He prioritizes God’s Word, and that word cuts to the quick.

With a sermon like this, the people felt the weight of their own guilt.

“Brothers, what shall we do?” they ask.

This isn’t like the mechanic asking what you want done with your vehicle.

They were not just looking for something to fix.

These are people who are face-to-face with their sin.

They know how guilty they are, and how deserving of punishment too.

Then watch what happens:

This chapter seems to have all the components needed for revival, doesn’t it?

It has the call to humbled repentance: “Repent and be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins...” It has the Word of God prioritized - Peter quotes from Joel 2, Psalm 16:8-11, and Psalm 110:1.

It has earnest prayer - immediately after Pentecost, the next verse shows God’s people praying:

It also has righteous obedience.

Verse 4 of this chapter tells us that these disciples of Jesus were speaking exactly the words that God gave them to say.

But, even with all these factors, I feel like we’re not getting the whole story.

Something is missing.

What’s missing?

Humbled repentance expressed in earnest prayer, resulting in careful prioritizing of God’s Word and righteous obedience to his commands.

Those are all things we can accomplish.

They are all vital components of revival, but none of them really cause revival.

I want to pose to you this morning a fifth rule of revival.

We’ve seen the necessary parts that comprise the work of God in reviving our hearts.

But there’s a fifth element that initiates the work within God’s people.

If you’ve spent any time studying the book of Acts, you’ll notice that I have skipped a major part of the story.

What started all this in the first place?

Well, look back at the beginning verses of Acts 2:

So this whole thing started when God sent his Spirit.

It wasn’t because of any other factor that the Spirit came - he came because God sent him.

It should not surprise us that God would send his Spirit.

He promised just that:

I think now we’re ready to consider the fifth rule of revival:

Revival Comes When God Sends It

Revival does not come because we fulfill all of our obligations, so God has no choice.

Revival does not come because we do enough to earn God’s favor.

Revival does not come because we force God’s hand.

Revival comes because God makes it happen.

But isn’t that how God always works…according to his will?

God does what he chooses to do, so if God wants to send his Spirit among us, then we will do just that.

Our role is to be ready for the Spirit to move among us.

Our role is to be in the right position spiritually for God to work within and through us.

We don’t make it happen: God does.

Does copper wire produce electricity?

Does the moon make its own light?

Does a road reflector shine all on its own?

Does a puppet wave without a puppet master controlling it?

Neither can we produce revival without God sending it.

If we are truly seeking revival, we must recognize we are totally dependent on God to make it so.

Otherwise, as the old song says, “without the Spirit’s touch, its everything but church.”

Look back at Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 once more, but this time look closer at the actual sermon:

That same Peter, who two months earlier was too wishy-washy to even admit to knowing Jesus, is now boldly proclaiming him.

When God chooses to do his work in his people, that’s when revival comes.