GOD'S METHOD FOR REVIVAL PREPARATION-

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Introduction:

Our text provides an overview, and introduction to revival preparation. This evening, we will get a 50,000 foot view of revival preparation. We will take an introductory look at some key truths that are critical to revival preparation.

Over the next few weeks, we will take a more in-depth look at this subject.

I- REAL REVIVAL BEGINS WITH A NARROW SCOPE.

A- Revival begins with God’s people. (2 Chronicles 7:14a)

2 Chronicles 7:14a (NLT)

14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

1- Notice to whom the verse is addressed: "if my people who are called by my name.” God is speaking to people who have identified themselves with Him and His work. He is speaking to people that we would call saved.

a. This prescription for restoration and revival was given to Solomon at the dedication of the Temple.

1.) God had warned His people that their disobedience to His Word and commands would bring with it dire consequences for their land. (2 Chronicles 7:13)

b. He follows the warning with a pathway to find renewal and healing from Him.

B- In the Book of Acts, God first worked in His people before awakening the lost to their need of Christ.

1- Notice that God had drawn his people into preparation before they could be used to reach the lost.

(Acts 1:4-5, 12-15)

Acts 1:4–5 (NLT)

4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.

5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:12–15 (NLT)

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.

13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James).

14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.

(Acts 2:42-45)

Acts 2:42–45 (NLT)

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

(Acts 4:23-25)

Acts 4:23–25 (NLT)

23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.

24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—

25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

(Acts 13:1-3)

Acts 13:1–3 (NLT)

1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

TS: Now, He sets forth the conditions necessary to reverse His judgment and to being revival.

II. REAL REVIVAL DEMANDS REAL PREPARATION

A. Preparation in Attitude -

(2 Chronicles 7:14b)

2 Chronicles 7:14b (NLT)

1- Humility - This word has the idea of being "under another". One of the things God's people must do is remember Who is Lord! When we humble ourselves to the Lord, we are acknowledging His Lordship and headship in our lives. We are admitting our weakness and reaching out for His power.

*Ill. This is the picture seen in Joshua 5:13-15. Joshua is told to remove his shoe. This was an ancient way of symbolizing the relinquishing of control to another.

Joshua 5:13–15 (NLT)

13 When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”

14 “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

2- Those who willingly humble themselves under the hand of the Lord open their lives to His blessings - (Matt. 23:12; James 4:6; James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5-6.)

Matthew 23:12 (NLT)

12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

James 4:6 (NLT)

6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10 (NLT)

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

1 Peter 5:5–6 (NLT)

5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

Please note that our humility is to be voluntary! If we do not humble ourselves, there may come a day when the Lord will do it for us. His methods are not always the most pleasant!

B. Preparation in Communication

(2 Chronicles 7: 14c)

2 Chronicles 7:14c (NLT)

1- Prayer - This word means just what it says - pray! It is, in essence, humility in action.

a. The praying person sees his own inability and recognizes God's ability. This causes him to come before the Lord to seek the help he needs.

b. Prayer is an essential ingredient in the mystery of revival! In fact, our praying may seem weak, but it will yield far more fruit than the effort demands!

*Ill. "Pastor John Ramsey had grown accustomed to someone providing him with a rose boutonniere every Sunday. That routine took on dramatic new meaning when a young boy approached him after the service and politely asked if he could have the little rose. Ramsey knew the flower was destined for the trash so he offered it to the boy and asked what he planned to do with the used rose. The little guy replied, "Sir, I'm going to give it to my granny. My parents got divorced last year. I was living with my mother, but when she got married again she wanted me to live with my father. I lived with him for a while, but he said I couldn't stay so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so good to me. She cooks for me and takes care of me. She has been so good to me that I want to give that pretty flower to her for loving me." Ramsey said tears filled his eyes as he listened to the little boy. He then told the compassionate boy, "You can't have this flower because it's not enough." He pointed to the large spray of fresh flowers at the altar and said, "Please take those flowers to your granny because she deserves the very best." The little boy lit up with excitement and said, "What a wonderful day! I asked for one flower but got a beautiful bouquet."

Our approach to God is not unlike what took place that day with this child and Pastor Ramsey. We come in our pain seeking a small response to our situation, but God points to a greater answer and invites us to take that instead.

2- Therefore, let us determine that we will pray for revival! Pray in your homes, in your cars, at you jobs, in the prayer rooms, in the altars. Let us determine that we will take every moment of life as an opportunity to pray!

(James 4:2)

James 4:2 (NLT)

2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

(John 14:13–14)

John 14:13–14 (NLT)

13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

(Philippians 4:6)

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

(1 Thessalonians 5:17)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

17 Never stop praying.

C. Preparation in Desire

(2 Chronicles 7:14c)

2 Chronicles 7:14c (NLT)

(Isaiah 26:9)

Isaiah 26:9 (NLT)

9 In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

1- Devotion - The third requirement is that of "seeking His face". This word means to "desire something". This idea here is that we come to the place where God is the number one priority and desire of our heart! That is, nothing in life is more important, more precious or more needful to us than having God and all He has to offer.

* A.W. Tozer said, "If we yearned after God even as much as a cow yearns for her calf, we would be the worshiping and effective believers God wants us to be. If we longed for God as a bride looks forward to the return of her husband, we would be a far greater force for God than we are now.")

2- One of the problems with the modern church is that we have ceased to desire God. Often we have many pursuits in life and are so fragmented in our devotions that we have no place for a first place in our lives. May that attitude die the death it has long deserved! May the people of God once again fall in love with God to the point that He becomes the focus and the driving force of all of life!

D. Preparation in Purity -

(2 Chronicles 7:14d)

2 Chronicles 7:14d (NLT)

1- Repentance - The phrase "turn from their wicked ways" is self explanatory! God wants His people to stop their sinning! We are to examine our lives, identify anything that does not please the Lord or line up with His Bible, and we are to eliminate that from our lives! It sounds harder than it is, because as we humble ourselves, pray and seek His face, our sin will become increasingly clear.

* Ill. Gordon MacDonald offers the following thoughts on repentance

"Repentance is not basically a religious word. It comes from a culture where people were essentially nomadic and lived in a world with no maps or street signs. It's easy to get lost walking through the desert. You become aware that the country side is strange. You finally say to yourself, I'm going in the wrong direction. That's the first act of repentance. The second act of repentance is to go in an alternate direction. It implies that you not only do this but you admit it to your companions."

We do not like words like repentance. They have the tendency to make us feel as though our lives are lacking in some area or the other. The fact is, before revival can come to a people, that people must be clean! They must be practicing repentance at every level.

(Isa. 55:7)

Isaiah 55:7 (NLT)

7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

(Eze. 18:31)

Ezekiel 18:31 (NLT)

31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel?

(Acts 17:30).

Acts 17:30 (NLT)

30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.

* Ill. This was the command to the church at Ephesus, Rev. 2:1-7, and it is still God's will for you and me today!

III. REAL REVIVAL PROVIDES REAL REWARDS

A. God Will Hear Us -

(2 Chronicles 7:14e)

2 Chronicles 7:14e (NLT)

1- Sin hinders prayer (Psa. 66:18).

Psalm 66:18 (NLT)

18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

2- When sin is taken care of, prayer can flow unhindered to and from the throne of God!

(Psalm 66:19-20)

Psalm 66:19–20 (NLT)

19 But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.

20 Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

B. God Will Help Us -

(2 Chronicles 7:14f)

2 Chronicles 7:14f (NLT)

1- God also promises to "forgive our sins".

a- This means that not only is the prayer line restored, but it means that we can be in close fellowship with Him.

(1 John 1:9)

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

* Like the Prodigal Son, you will find that your Father will receive you and restore you through His amazing grace. (Luke 15:11-24)

Luke 15:11–24 (NLT)

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.

12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.

14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.

15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.

16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!

18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,

19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,

24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

C. God Will Heal Us -

(2 Chronicles 7:14e)

2 Chronicles 7:14e (NLT)

1- This great verse was given to Israel.

a. They were warned that their sins would be answered by the Lord through drought. This would devastate their land and their population. However, the Lord's promise to them is that repentance equals rain. If they will honor Him, He will honor them! If they will open their hearts, He will in turn open the heavens.

b. In a sense, we are in the same situation today. Our homes, communities and nation have been devastated through a drought of spiritual blessings and power. If God's children will come back to Him in genuine repentance and faith, we will see our nation impacted for and by the glory of God. We need that kind of revival!

Conclusion:

A. Notice that the condition and the promise are given to "God's people". However, when the refreshing comes it would reach the entire nation. The implication is clear: Genuine revival affects those revived and all those around them!

B. If we, as a people, experience a true move of God in revival, we will see God's power touch this world in a tremendous way! Revival in our hearts and church will create a spiritual dynamic that will impact our homes, our communities, our schools, our neighbors, our nation and our world for the glory of God!

C. I don't know about you, but I am tired of seeing what sin is doing to our homes, our churches and our nation! Would to God that His people would get a real vision of what He could do for us and through us in revival. Would to God that we would pay the price to see that take place! If real revival ever came to our lives, we would never be the same! It would change us and everything we touch too! (Ill. It might be any type of need you can think of, but real revival can remedy that need through the power of God. He promises to "heal YOUR land".)

Revival is a real possibility! However, while genuine revival is always sovereign in its origin, we can create an atmosphere where it becomes more likely. In that atmosphere, while genuine revival is not a guaranteed event, at least on a corporate level, it will become a reality on a personal level! The key word in this verse is the word "If". Everything hinges on us being in that place that God desires for us to abide in. If we will meet the requirements on our end, we can be sure that God will move on His end. Revival will happen to us as individuals "if". Are you willing to consider a few questions before you leave today?

1. Are you one of His people? If not you can be!

2. Are you willing to come before Him humble yourself, pray, seek His face and turn from your wicked ways?

3. Are you willing to be and do whatever it takes to see real revival came to your life, your church, your family, your community and your nation?

If the Lord has spoken to your heart today about your need for personal revival, or the need for revival in our church, please come before Him right now and get about the business of meeting the requirements!

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