He will Revive us!

Opening

What is Revival?

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary it says, an act of reviving. Other words that gives the same meaning are, being “restored”, “renewed” or “repaired”.

Things that needs revival, restoration, renewal or repair are only those things that are: 1. expired (dead), 2. faded (old car), 3. lapsed (license), 4. broken (glass)

Are you Expired, Faded, Lapsed or Broken?

Today I’ll be preaching on Hosea

Author & Text

Hosea, son of Beeri is a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel. It is believed that he is from Samaria. His prophecies were at the time when the nation was divided from the kingdom of Judah in the south. From the kings mentioned, it seems that he preaches his message for 30 years before the downfall of Israel. Only Jeroboam II (king of Israel) was mentioned, but several kings of Judah are named. This is probably because Hosea believes that the kings of Judah are the true royal line descending from the great King David.

His message is dating back in 722 BC. when Israel is prosperous, proud and pagan. God’s message to Israel through Hosea is that his people are committing spiritual adultery. There are festivals at which worshippers of Baal & Asherah, have sex with sacred prostitutes to stimulate fertility of the land and animals.

Hosea was married to an unfaithful wife Gomer. She ultimately left Hosea and their 3 children to live with a series of other men. Yet Hosea continued to care for her. He even helped her in times of her financial need. She eventually became a bondservant, but Hosea paid the price to buy her back, and took her home to live with him.

Hosea 6:1–2 NIV

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

His message is dating back in 722 BC. when Israel is prosperous, proud and pagan. God’s message to Israel through Hosea is that his people are committing spiritual adultery. There are festivals at which worshippers of Baal & Astarte or Asherah, have sex with sacred prostitutes to stimulate fertility of the land and animals.

Hosea was married to an unfaithful wife Gomer. She ultimately left Hosea and their 3 children to live with a series of other men. Yet Hosea continued to care for her. He even helped her in times of her financial need. She eventually became a bondservant, but Hosea paid the price to buy her back, and took her home to live with him.

Who can perform “Revival”?

We cannot revive ourselves. We cannot restore ourselves. We cannot renew ourselves. We cannot repair ourselves.

Revival is like a “wave”. We cannot make them, but we can be ready for them.

Cruising along along the coast of California, you will see surfers floating, tossed back & forth by the wind. Waiting for the perfect wave to slice through the water, along with the wave and enjoy the ride.

God’s people are revived through God’s initiative

Revival is like a “wave”. We cannot make them, but we can be ready for them.

Cruising along along the coast of California, you will see surfers floating, tossed back & forth by the wind. Waiting for the perfect wave to slice through the water, along with the wave and enjoy the ride.

Titus 3:5 NIV

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

We cannot revive ourselves. We cannot restore ourselves. We cannot renew ourselves. We cannot repair ourselves.

Characteristics which precede revival

Revival is like a “wave”. We cannot make them, but we can be ready for them.

Cruising along along the coast of California, you will see surfers floating, tossed back & forth by the wind. Waiting for the perfect wave to slice through the water, along with the wave and enjoy the ride.

First, people must be longing for it ( );

Psalm 80 NIV

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm. Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us. Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. How long, Lord God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful. You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. Its branches reached as far as the Sea, its shoots as far as the River. Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? Boars from the forest ravage it, and insects from the fields feed on it. Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself. Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish. Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80 NIV

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm. Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us. Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. How long, Lord God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful. You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. Its branches reached as far as the Sea, its shoots as far as the River. Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? Boars from the forest ravage it, and insects from the fields feed on it. Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself. Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish. Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:18 NIV

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

How can there be “Revival”? How can we be ready for it? (4 Things)

Revival is like a “wave”. We cannot make them, but we can be ready for them.

Become aware of sin;

They must be willing to repent;

Cruising along along the coast of California, you will see surfers floating, tossed back & forth by the wind. Waiting for the perfect wave to slice through the water, along with the wave and enjoy the ride.

1. We should Long for it...

Psalm 80:18 NIV

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

See also ; ; ;

2. We shall experience new Awareness of sin...

2 Kings 22:11 NIV

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.

3. We must Humble ourselves before God...

Isaiah 57:15 NIV

For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

4. And Repent from our sins…

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

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

See also ; ; ;

See also

2 Kings 22:11 NIV

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.

See also

Isaiah 57:15 NIV

For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

See also ; ;

How do we know when Revival has come? (6 manifestations)

We cannot revive ourselves. We cannot restore ourselves. We cannot renew ourselves. We cannot repair ourselves.

Revival is like a “wave”. We cannot make them, but we can be ready for them.

Isaiah 59:16 NIV

He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.

Cruising along along the coast of California, you will see surfers floating, tossed back & forth by the wind. Waiting for the perfect wave to slice through the water, along with the wave and enjoy the ride.

God’s people are revived through God’s initiative

Titus 3:5 NIV

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

How do we know when Revival has come?

Characteristic results of revival

1. People experience Inward Change

Hebrews 8:10–12 NIV

This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Ezekiel 11:19 NIV

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

2. People live Obedient lives

Ezekiel 11:20 NIV

Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

See also ;

3. People are Zealous for God’s work

Ezra 5:1–2 NIV

Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

See also

4. People are Generous in giving

Exodus 36:5 NIV

and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”

See also ; ;

5. People Delight in Worshipping God

Ezra 3:11 NIV

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

See also

6. People are Joyful

Acts 13:49–52 NIV

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:5–8 NIV

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

My personal story of revival.

Close / Challenge

To those who are “expired”, or dead in spirit, come the Jesus and be “revived”;

To those who “faded” away from their first love, return to Jesus and be “restored”;

To those who have “lapsed” from their faith, seek Jesus and be “renewed”;

To those who are “broken”, submit to Jesus and be “repaired”.

Let me end with a beautiful prayer from the Psalmist

We should pray for Revival

Psalm 80:17–19 NIV

Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.