Revival: Stirring Things Up

Intro

A couple years ago I felt that it was important for me to join with the greater body of Christ to pray with them. We have been praying for revival for the last 2 years. While doing so I became increasingly moved by the the thought that I needed to hold some revival meetings

Revival - to come alive again.

As I researched the word of God - the start of all revivals - one or more people developing a desperate cry of repentance - turning from the ways of the flesh to the ways of the Lord.

Initially I did not want to believe it. I wanted the revival to simply happen. Suddenly miracles would happen, chains of addiction would be broken and our churches would be filled to overflowing. What I found was - well a prescription of self reflection where I would have to look at who I am in comparison to where God wanted me to be and then while recognizing my deep need for Him I would repent and do all I can to get close to Him.

Explanation

Heres is what I want…in my life...

I want to lay hands on the sick and watch them get well.

I want to give words of wisdom and knowledge that sets captives free.

I want the Spirit to be so strong on me that when I enter a room people cry out to the Lord to get tight with him.

Here’s what it takes - all of who I am need to die and all of who He is needs to be alive in me. I have to get so close to him that I can hear him whisper.

That takes preparation.

Propositional Statement

Today we are going to break up that fallow ground.

Fallow Ground

Hosea 10:12 NIV

Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

Hosea 10

Ground that was once useful

Point 2

Ground that has become overgrown and untended for some time

Ground that no matter what state it is in can be dug up, turn over, and be useful and alive.

The Message of Hosea

Chapter 1

v2. Marry and adulterous woman

3 sons

You will be punished and your strength taken away as a result of your sins

I will not show love - as a result of your sins (note: not showing does not = not having)

God says, you’re not my people, and I am not your God

In the same place where God says I am not your God we will once again be called “sons of the living God”

That is the picture of Revival…

God’s promise

Hosea 3:1 NIV

The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”

Hosea 3:1

We are that adulterous wife.

examples of sins (lack of love toward each other, we might abhor the sinful condition of the world but does it drop us to our knees., do we harbor bitterness, do we look for that perfect mix of worldly pleasure because it’s not that bad,… the list is long....

He still reaches out in love toward us.

Break It Up - or else!

Read Hosea - it is a pronouncing of destruction for a people who have refused to turn back to Him. and when they do it’s half hearted - like a flat cake not turned over. 7:9

Part of the punishment is the world having victory over the church, addictions holding victory over us, being seen as fools in the world’s eyes, blessing being withheld… the list goes on and on and on...

But the answer is simple… Return and Repent

Conclusion

Hosea 14 NIV

Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me.” Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.