Reflections on Revival (3)

Introduction: The goal of this series of messages has been to make some reflections about revival. We are mearly scratching the surface on the subject, but The brief definition we have been working with is that revival is at least, God transforming His people. Thursday evening, we reflected on the diagnosis our dilemma. What keeps us from revival? We discovered from the book of Haggi, that symptoms of distress, discouragement and distraction reveal the root problem as self glory. The sin of self glory is when we seek satisfaction from anything other than God.

Last evening, we reflected on the sufficient solution, which is God’s word. His word is enough to treat all of our problems and equip us for life and godliness. Since His word revives us, we should believe, value, and obey his word. Tonight, We are digging deeper into this area of obedience.

Specifically, we are reflecting upon the aspect of obedience known as Repentance.

Here is the point…. In order to enjoy the transformation of God (revival), repentance is required. Turn with me to Haggai chapter one where we see this truth unfold…

Read: Haggai 1:12-15

Haggai 1:12–15 ESV

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.” And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

Pray

expaination of how God’s people responded to His word. By way of reminder…

Transition: Tonight, we are investigating how God goes about stirring His people to obedience so we too might enjoy His transforming work in our lives. I hope to draw our attention the the reality that revival is more than trying harder to obey Jesus. Transformation is more than just pulling up our boot straps. Repentant obedience to Jesus is more than the change of appearances…

Think of it this way, if I sat a beautiful cake before you you might notice the creative designs, the colorful icing. But what you don’t see is all the work that has gone into mixing the ingredients. This is what I hope to reflect on concerning revival.

Illustration: What are the ingredients for true repentance?

1. God’s promise (1:13)

“I am with you”

In what way is He “with” them? Certainly not in the way he dwelled in the Holy Place of the temple.... it wasn’t finished yet. However, He is presently with His people to encourage, protect , provide.

Application: There isn't much that makes a whole lot of sense going on in our world today. We , like the remnant of people in Haggai's day may face the temptations of distress, discouragement, and distractions. However, when we belong to God through faith in His Son, we have hope of His presence. He no longer dwells in temples made with hands.

Illustration: We are often tempted with fear and anxiety when we fret over things that we suppose will happen in the future. Often we have expectations about how things in our lives might work out only to find out they shake out very differently than we planned. For some, this creates all sorts of despair and grief. But for God’s people, we need only to hope in the promises of God. Trust that His plans for the future will work out.

For example: From the messianic promise made at the end of Haggai , it was 500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It has been over 2000 years since Jesus promised His disciples that He would return. How should we respond? Trust God’s will and timing. You may have been praying about some things for awhile. You may think you've spent a lot of time hoping for something. But when we belong to God we can rest with assurance that He is with us Now by His Spirit, and Jesus will return! We can trust the promise of His presence.

transition: what Bring about repentant obedience? Gods promises, and second God’s stirring…

2. God’s stirring. (1:14)

Stirred their spirit.(this means that God Awakened the spiritual breath of His people. He blew life back into them by changing their frame of mind.) He changed their hearts which changed their behaviors. This key for genuine repentance.

also, this is very helpful because it cautions us from seeking the out word effects of revivalism rather than the inward effects of God’s stirring. Revival is a supernatural work. It is not something that can be manipulated or organized through natural means.

transition. God speaks and His people repent.

Notice the timing element repeated throughout Haggai. With these details we can see that God’s word can accomplish more in 24 days than we can with years and years of our own power.

transition: now that we see these 2 key ingredients for repentance.. let’s notice the Fruit of repentance.

The fruit of repentance.

1. They “all” Feared the Lord. (1:12)

The message of the Lord first came to the leaders, then to “these people”, now they collectively are all referred to as the remnant of the people. What we discover here is an example of corporate repentance.

What does this mean? Example: 2 Corinthians 7:10

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

these folks started obeying the voice of their God. essentially, the people turned away from the sin of seeking their own glory, and devoted themselves to the glory of God.

2. They worked (1:14)

their work was evidence of genuine repentance. Their work revealed true revival. We cannot be transformed by Jesus and never change our behaviors.

we must have a transformation of our minds renewed by His word, and repenting by changing the direction of our behaviors.

Closing point: God’s word is sufficient to transform God’s people. He stirs us to the core by revealing the root of our problems. He strengthens our hope by speaking His promises. He empowers our obedience by His presence. May it be said of you , and us as the apostle Paul said of the church at Thessonolica…. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 ESV

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.