Longing for a New Normal

[acknowledge title of sermon and some content from a commentary by Matt Mason, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 51-100 ]

Psalm 85 NIV

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. 1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. 3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. 4 Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. 8 I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

Over the years, as I’ve met with new Elders and Deacons for a series of what I call “Leadership Conversations” at one point we talk about what it means to be called on Mission with God. What does it look like to give leadership to a “missional church?”.... a church that understands its identity to be a community sent by God into the world to tangibly display and proclaim the renewing power of the Gospel. And part of the conversation involves reading some articles that I share. One of the articles has this title: “No Longer Normal: What Happened When the Holy Spirit Came to Church.” The article describes the experience of one congregation when they decided to take seriously the invitation of Psalm 85 and many other passages in the Bible, to pray for revival....to pray for God to bring fresh renewal and restoration, faithfulness, obedience, and trust to their city and to their church.

The article begins with this paragraph:

“Five years ago we were a “normal,” traditional church. Then, through a series of circumstances, our church leaders began to sense that God wanted to do more—and that He would reward those who would earnestly seek Him. We began to pray more frequently, more sacrifically, more intensely, and with more faith. We quickly discovered that when we got serious about seeking God in prayer, He got serious with us. And nothing has been “normal” since. Here’s our story.”

Psalm 85:6–7 NIV

6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

[Blank]

The language of revival is not common in our tradition of Christianity, is it? It certainly wasn’t for me as I grew up in this tradition. When many of us think of revival we might picture large tents in open fields where guest speakers come for a series of evening to lead “revival services”. Or we think of experiences that are more associated with the Pentecostal or Charismatic expressions of the Church. Now I know that is not true for all of us who are part of this congregation. Some of you have had experiences of congregational renewal or revival events. [share Pastor Jun’s experience at Galilee Presbyterian Church]

“Will you not revive us again” says the Psalmist.

Allow me to take the next several minutes to walk through Psalm 85 with you.

[Begin with CONTEXT.....many believe it to be “post-exilic”…explain]

Begins with recalling and remembering the faithfulness of God....showed favor, restored fortunes of you people, forgave sin, set aside your anger..... vv.1-3

Moves to a calling upon the Lord for mercy and revival.... Restore us, put away your displeasure, revive us, show us your unfailing love, and your salvation.... vv.4-7

“I will listen....” this is a commitment to obedience and trust in the Lord. v.8

He promises peace....shalom....his salvation is near.... v.8-9

May His Glory dwell in our land...... v.9

How do we understand or think about God’s glory..... God’s manifest presence.....

Glory of a sunset....more than just looking beautiful....it has a kind of visceral impact on you....emotional....

God’s glory is his manifest presence....his experienced presence....

Next we find the psalmist poetically describing the fruit of God’s glory dwelling with his people. vv.10-11 .... a poetic way of saying “where all is as it should be!”

Psalm 85:10–13 NIV

10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

Community life is changed, transformed,

Story of Sutera Twins, Ralph and Lou. 1971...

From a local newspaper:

RENEWED MORALITY FOUND IN WAKE OF REVIVAL

What has been billed as a 'spiritual awakening' has been credited with an unusual phenomena in Saskatoon – a surge of people making up for past dishonesty.

The Sutera Twins Crusade, a series of nightly revival meetings which have lasted over a month and drawn exceptionally large crowds, has resulted in the spiritual awakening, according to several clergymen in the city.

[Blank]

From Impact Canada website:

The following is an eye witness report contributed by Mrs. E. Rowney,

A brief report of what God has been doing in revival blessings, here in Saskatoon and other areas, during the past five weeks.

It all began when the Sutera Twins, Ralph and Lou, accompanied by Dr. Virgil Brock, well-known hymn-writer, began a week of evangelistic meetings at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Lord really honoured His Word, as  given to us in 1 Chronicles 7:14. The whole congregation got right with God and with one another, as they humbled themselves and prayed. Two brothers who had not associated with one another for many, many years, confessed their faults to each other and have been a great blessing to the congregations as they have sung together in the meetings. Some families drove 30 miles out of the city, in the early hours of the morning to ask forgiveness of those against whom they had had a grudge for many years.

[Blank] After the first two weeks the attendance increased so that meetings had to be held at St. Timothy's Anglican Church, and two nights later at the University Drive Alliance Church with a seating capacity of one thousand, and finally into Third Avenue United Church. Here the nightly meetings have continued for two weeks,  with week night meetings drawing an average of 900, and Sundays seeing two meetings with approximately 1700 at each and an overflow meeting of 400 at the University Drive Alliance. Hundreds lined up outside the church waiting to get in.

No excessive emotionalism was manifest, but a contagious joy was evidenced as people, spontaneously testified before the huge crowds, of the wonderful release that God has given as they died to SELF and gave their lives to Christ.

About 40 percent of those  that spoke were young people, some of whom had been delivered from drugs, alcohol and other binding habits.

A significant number of people who had  suffered from mental breakdowns were completely healed. One young woman, who had been diagnosed as a schizophrenic is a living, vibrant testimony to what God can do when all else fails. She had received over 30 electric shock treatments, was taking 20 pills a day, and then living in defeat. Her doctor had said that there was no hope for her. But, as she gave herself completely to Christ, He set her free.

Numerous homes, some already broken up, have been reunited. One young woman, whose husband had left her, was in such a state of depression, that she was contemplating suicide. But, that night after Christians had prayed for her until the morning hours, she also found joy and release in giving her life to God. A few nights later her husband also put his trust in Jesus Christ, and today they are happier than ever before.

The unspoken theme of the revival is honesty before God and man. As a result God has spoken to many to make restitution for thefts in the past. Business men of the city have been more than surprised as people have called on them to pay for stolen goods.

As God has spoken, by His Spirit, Sunday morning services have continued into the afternoon, with people asking forgiveness of one another, and others telling of the wonderful renewal God has brought to their lives in these days.

Another sure sign that this really is revival is that people no longer want to hurry home after meetings. In several churches they gather together in what are known as 'after-glows.' Here each one is given a chance to share what God has done for them. No one needs coaxing as people with a holy joy in their voices express their love for the Saviour.

Here also the opportunity is given to tell of a spiritual need in one's life. A unique feature of these groups is that several lay people will relate to the one with the need, and counsel and pray that one thro' to spiritual victory.

As word of the revival has spread, calls have come from other areas for those who have felt the touch of God to go and tell what they have experienced. The faculty and student body of several Bible schools in Saskatchewan, Alberta and even as far away as Toronto, have tasted of revival as a result. https://www.impact-canada.com/saskatoonrevival

“The social impact was astounding. For example, judges were presented with white gloves, not a case to try; no robberies, no burglaries, no rapes, no murders, and no embezzlements, nothing. District councils held emergency meetings to discuss what to do with the police now that they were unemployed. In one place the sergeant of police was sent for and asked, 'What do you do with your time?' He replied, 'Before the revival, we had two main jobs, to prevent crime and to control crowds, as at football games. Since the revival started there is practically no crime. So we just go with the crowds.' A councilor asked, 'What does that mean?' The sergeant replied, 'You know where the crowds are. They are packing out the churches.' 'But how does that affect the police?' He was told, 'We have seventeen police in our station, but we have three quartets, and if any church wants a quartet to sing, they simply call the police station.'” (https://jedwinorr.com/resources/articles/prayandrevival.pdf)

Is this a small picture of what it looks like when love and faithfulness come together and righteousness and peace kiss each other? I think so.

What is “revival”?

Historically, times of “revival” were seasons in which the ordinary works of the Holy Spirit (convicting of sin, converting, sanctifying, filling with assurance and power) are greatly enhanced. (52)

Revivals are periods of great spiritual awakening and growth. In revivals ‘sleepy’ and lukewarm Christians wake up, nominal Christians get converted, and many skeptical non-believers are drawn to faith. In Europe and North America there were significant revivals in the 1740s, the 1830s, and the late 1850s. The 1857 revival began in lower New York City and is often called ‘the Fulton Street Revival.’ By one account, during a period of about 2 years, about 10% of the population of Manhattan was converted and joined the city’s churches.

Our vision should be that the astonishing biblical possibilities for the church as the community of the Spirit would be realized in U.S. society in ways it never has before. The church has been given divine power to radiate the infinite glory and goodness of God in our lives and relationships (2 Peter 1:3-8) renewing us in the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). It has the capacity to be a “new humanity”—a community of surpassing beauty (Eph 2:14-18; 4:15-16).

In turn, under the leadership of Christ’s Spirit these churches have the ability to make their surrounding communities places far better places to live (Matt 5:13-16; Luke 10:25-37; Gal 6:10) so that many are drawn to God’s beautiful glory (1 Pet 2:11-12; cf. Deut 4:5-8).

So, is Psalm 85 still relevant for us today?

According to a study done by the United Church of Canada, the number of people who identify themselves as a Christian (irregardless of whether they belong to a church or not) has dropped from 77% in 2001 to 53% in 2021 AND the number of people who have no religious affiliation increased from 16% in 2001 to 35% in 2021. (https://broadview.org/secularism-canada/)

And one of the facts of church life today is the Great Walk-Away going on among the young. (Some have called it ‘Deconstruction’.) Today less than 25% of adults aged 18-34 go to church regularly, and that number seems to be plummeting. One study, “The Great Opportunity”69 estimates that over the next 30 years—if current trends continue—a best case scenario is that 35 million youths currently raised in the church will walk away from faith, and a worst case scenario is 42 million. (Keller, DRAC, 36)

Relationship between Revival and Prayer

One consistent characteristic that precedes and accomplanies any and all expressions of revival in history is PRAYER. Dr. J. Edwin Orr, a historian (Oxford) who studied historic revivals extensively has noted this in his lecture on Prayer and Revival

Dr A. T. Pierson once said, 'There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.'

There is always corporate prayer—extraordinary, kingdom-centered, prevailing prayer. Prayer not merely for our individual needs but for the power and gospel of God to be manifest (Acts 4:24- 1). This is prayer beyond the normal daily devotions and worship services and, as much as possible, should be united prayer, bringing together people who do not usually pray together. Prayer that accompanies renewal has both a more outward and a more inward focus. (a) Inward: asking for grace to confess sins and humble ourselves and to know God, to see his face, to see his glory, to experience his love and high assurance. (b) Outward: asking for compassion and zeal to reach the lost, so see the church flourish and grow with new converts. See prayer for revival and what it led to in Acts 4, Exodus 33, and Nehemiah 1. (Keller, Decline and Renewal of the American Church, 54)

One way to think about the relationship between prayer and revival is to use the metaphor of an altar. Think about Elijah confronting the priests of Baal on Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18. The prophet builds an altar, but it is only God who can send the fire to ignite it. Christians looking for revival are “building the altar”, praying God will use their effort to bring the fire of revival with a movement of his Spirit. (Keller, DRAC, 53)

Might the Lord Jesus be stirring in our hearts a longing for REVIVAL?

Remember opening story?

“We quickly discovered that when we got serious about seeking God in prayer, He gots serious with us. And nothing has been “normal” since.” (James Graf)

A quote from D.M. Lloyd-Jones “I commend to you the reading of biographies of those who have been used by God in the church throughout the centuries, especially in revival. And you will find this same holy boldness, this arguing, this reasoning, this putting the case to God, pleading his own promises. Oh, that is the whole secret of prayer, I sometimes think. Thomas Goodwin uses a wonderful term. He says, “Sue him for it, sue him for it.” Do not leave him alone. Pester him, as it were, with his own promise. Quote the Scripture to him. And, you know, God delights to hear us doing it, as father likes to see this element in his own child who has obviously been listening to what his father has been saying.” (cf. Lloyd-Jones, Revival; Keller, DRAC, 82)

[Blank]