Reflections on Revival (2)

Introduction: Last evening we reflected on the diagnosis our dilemma. We discovered from the book of Haggai that the core diagnosis of our distress, discouragement and distraction is self glory. We wrapped up by considering our ways, and our hope. Tonight, we are reflecting on the sufficient solution.

Illustrate: Imagine that you go to your family physician for a check up. After evaluating your family history and symptoms your are diagnosed with heart disease. Would you want to know how to treat the diagnosis? Yes, I think I would. I would want to know what solutions are available. In a similar way, we have discovered that the main spiritual diagnosis that hinders revival is the sin of self glory. Tonight, we are discovering the sufficient solution.

Plainly, God’s word is the sufficient solution. When God transforms His people, He will do so through His word. True revival is the result of God’s people being changed by the truth of God’s word.

Transition: Turn with me to the book of Haggai.

Read: 2:1-9

pray.

Sufficient Solution

Point: God’s word revives God’s people. His word brings about lasting transformation. Observation: Notice the repetition throughout this book. Haggai 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, 1:7, 2:1, 2:10, 2:20....

The question then becomes; Why? why is Gods word so sufficient to transform His people?Turn with me to 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

I want to point out 2 answers to this question from these 2 verses… first is because...,

1. The author of Scripture is God.

Source determines substance.

Illustration: Spring water vs. sewage treatment plant.

Point: Because the 66 books of the Bible are divinely authored by God, they contain the very substance of truth we need to transform every aspect of our lives.

2. The affect of Scripture is good.

good for teaching = instruction. Acquiring knowledge or skill.

good for reproof = constructive critique. Alignment; like hitting the berm and getting back between the lines.

good for correction = replacing a fault. Adjustment; like going the wrong way and needing to turn around.

good for training in righteousness = the whole process of education. Discipline; like keeping your car well maintained so that it keeps you on the road moving in the right direction.

Transition: Think about how God’s word affected God’s people in Haggai’s day. Give examples from chapter 2 where we see teaching, reproof, correction, and training.

Point: God’s word is the sufficient solution. God’s word revives us.

Now, we notice the affect in Haggai's day, but how is the word affecting us today? How can we enjoy the good affect of God’s word? I offer only three considerations.

Believe God’s word is sufficient. One of the greatest temptations against God’s people today is believing that God’s word is not enough. We are constantly tempted to believe that the Bible is lacking. One area we see this the most is in dealing with our problems.

For example: Just as God called His people to rebuild the temple. His word revealed the reason they were spending a lot of time and energy and seeing no results. They were making huge investments in their own houses and field, and receiving little return. Why? because they were consumed with self glory.

Today, we run around like crazy to try to get ahead and never seem to do so. But rather than apply God’s word, we try to alleviate our problems with alternative solutions. Rather than submit to the sufficient Word of God that will cut through all the fluff and really get to the heart of our troubles, we try to deal with our problems on our own. We use tricks and gadgets, we ignore, medicate, blame, theorize, and exercise… and yet never get to the bottom of our troubles. Why? Because we are trusting something other than God’s word to give us solutions.

Scripture will make us complete for every good work. Which takes us to our second consideration…

2. Begin valuing God’s word. We commit ourselves to what we value. We pursue what we value. We spend time on what we value. Simply, if we believe God’s word is sufficient, we should value His word. What does this look like? What does it mean to value the Bible?

a. For examples: This is not a list but rather a life time. Not a quick fix. Both collectively and individually.

A. We Read the word to familiarize ourselves with God.

B. We study the word to be workmen who can rightly handle it. It is a tool in our tool belt. It is a weapon in our arsenal.

C. We mediate on the word to concentrate our minds and be filled with truth.

D. We memorize the word to retain.

E. We talk about and teach the word to scatter.

F. We Sing the word to celebrate God.

G.We pray the word to enjoy fellowship with God.

H. We preach the word to exult and worship our King.

Transition: Valuing the word is a lot like filling up the tank with word, so that the vehicle of our life can run in a manner worthy of Christ. Which takes us to our last consideration. How do we enjoy the good affect of God’s word? How can we depend on the Bible as the sufficient solution? Believe it, value it, and then… obey it.

3. Behave according to God’s word.

a. James 1:22-25 tells us…

James 1:22–25 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

b. Lord willing, we are going to spend more time on the particular point tomorrow night. However, we must realize that its one thing to say we believe God’s word is sufficient… and its whole other thing to actually behave in a way that is according to the God’s word.

c. God help us to not stop short of actually obeying His word.

Closing: For some here this evening, the sufficient Word that you need to hear is that God has created you in His image. You were made to enjoy Him and have fellowship with Him. However, you have rebelled against His word. You are guilty of breaking His law and commands and as a result you fall far short of His glory. Right now, you are subject to the consequences of seeking your own glory. Which is God’s judgement and eternal death. If that were the end of it, we would all be very discouraged and rightly so. But , God has loved you by sending His Son Jesus to die in your place. Jesus satisfied the judgement of God by giving His perfect life and dying on a cross. We know that this is pleasing to God because God raised Jesus from the dead and He now sits at the right hand of the Father waiting for the day He will return for His church. Do you believe this? Will you turn from your sin and trust in Christ? For some, You need to know that any attempt to obey God’s word apart from a relationship with Jesus through faith… is an offence to God. It will only bring further judgment upon your soul. You need this good news in order to be saved.

Then, for those who have a relationship with Jesus through faith, Be reminded, we need His word to sanctify us. To grow us. To continue to transform our affections, and desires. We need to enjoy the alignment of our thoughts and attitudes. To turn us afresh to Christ so that we might live according to His will. Lets pray together and ask God to help to do so.