Desperate

Millennials are unsure about the actual practice of evangelism. Almost half of Millennials (47%) agree at least somewhat that it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith. This is compared to a little over one-quarter of (27%), and one in five Boomers (19%) and Elders (20%).

Almost three in 10 (28%) practicing Christians strongly agree that “all people pray to the same god or spirit, no matter what name they use for that spiritual being.”

In 1948, only two percent of Americans considered themselves to be nonreligious. Although that number steadily grows over the years, it doesn’t hit double digits until 2002 (that’s only an increase of seven percent in 54 years)—but between 2002 and 2016 it jumps from 10 to 18 percent.

Pew Research —The most important reason for going to church: to become closer to God. Yet 1 in 5 adults who attend monthly or more say they do not usually feel God’s presence

The most important reason for going to church: to become closer to God. Yet 1 in 5 adults who attend monthly or more say they do not usually feel God’s presence

Among US adults who do attend church or other religious services regularly (defined by Pew as attending monthly or more), 7 in 10 say a very important reason they attend is so their children will have a moral foundation (69%). Similar shares attend to become a better person (68%) or for comfort in times of trouble or sorrow (66%)

Gen Z—the generation following the millennials—is the least Christian generation to date, according to a new Barna study – 34 percent of Gen Z’s religious affiliation is either atheist, agnostic or none. In fact, teens 13-18 years old are twice as likely as adults to say they are atheist.

The text of the law bears out rather than contradicts Trump’s comment. So long as the abortionist is willing to say that an abortion is necessary to protect the pregnant woman’s health — including emotional health — the abortion can take place at any time before or after 24 weeks. Two decades ago, during a debate over similar legislation, late-term abortionist Warren Hern explained that he would always testify that an abortion he wished to perform would avert adverse health consequences

We live in a lost world. We live in a lost country and its lostness is ever increasing. All around us the vast majority of people are headed to hell. They are headed to a Christ-less eternity. This begs the question…does that concern you?

Let’s stop splitting ha

Good morning! Ugh sounds like he might have caught the tummy bug. When their immune system is down it’s so easy for them to catch whatever else is floating around. As long as there’s no blood in his stool there is nothing to be too concerned about . Just make sure he is staying hydrated (water, pedialyte , Gatorade) keep him on a liquid or bland diet today (chicken soup, banana, rice, applesauce, toast, crackers)

Millennials are unsure about the actual practice of evangelism. Almost half of Millennials (47%) agree at least somewhat that it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith. This is compared to a little over one-quarter of (27%), and one in five Boomers (19%) and Elders (20%).

Based on these statistics there seems to be a growing number of lost people in our culture and a growing trend of people in the church who don’t believe it matters…in fact a growing trend who do not actually believe that they are lost to begin with.

There is a growing trend of universalism in the church. Our lives tell much more than our words ever will. If we are not regularly sharing the Gospel with the lost then we are closet universalists or psychopaths. We either believe everyone is going to make it in the end or don’t care than most will spend an eternity separated from God in hell.

Avery Willis — “God in His wisdom prompts prayer by sometimes allowing things to happen so His people get desperate. When people get desperate enough to get to the end of themselves, then they are in a position that God is willing to pour out His blessings.”

Are we desperate yet? What will it take to make us so? The church is asleep in the Light. We are asleep and in need of being awakened…God is shaking us…what will it take to make us awake?

We have politicians debating whether or not infanticide is ok. We have a nation that has made marriage a mockery. We have a country where you are thought a bigot if you assign a pronoun to your child and dress them in pink or blue.

But worse than all of these…We have churches that know nothing of the real presence of the Living God. There is no fear of Him. No reverence…There is idolatry in the house of God. The prayer meetings are empty…the pews are empty…worship is attended at our convenience...

We ask ourselves why is our nation even considering laws that would allow abortion up to the moment of birth. How is it that we are hearing discussions concerning the sanctity of life, marriage and gender. The answer is simple…we live in a lost world…a lost nation…a lost culture…and largely speaking…a church that is asleep.

We are a cold, apathetic and pathetic people who no longer believe…We hardly believe Jesus saves much less that he heals, raises the dead, delivers from sin or cares about holiness.

We have little expectation anymore. This is why so many of our churches are houses of entertainment or just empty. There is no expectation of God showing up and doing something extraordinary or unusual so we fill it up with something in the flesh or it just empties.

it is time to get real…Time to confess our sins, seek God and prepare...

The church isn’t asleep in every country. Right now the church in China and Iran are quite awake and on fire for Christ. Right now millions are coming to Christ in these countries as spiritual awakening grips their country.

There are places experiencing revival…spiritual awakening…Don’t you want to be one?

Avery Willis — “God in His wisdom prompts prayer by sometimes allowing things to happen so His people get desperate. When people get desperate enough to get to the end of themselves, then they are in a position that God is willing to pour out His blessings.”

Are we desperate yet? What will it take to make us so? The church is asleep in the Light. We are asleep and in need of being awakened…God is shaking us…what will it take to make us awake?

It has been quite some time since America has seen a spiritual awakening…We have seen it many times in our history. We have had awakenings…but let’s begin with definitions...

What is revival? What is a spiritual awakening?

Dr Roy Fish — A simple working definition I've used is that it's an outpouring of the Spirit of God, upon His people, that divinely enables them to live lives that are godly, to love each other unconditionally, to serve the Lord productively, to praise Him appropriately, to rejoice in Him plentifully, and to witness for Him convincingly. It is an outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the church which enables the people of God to live like the people of God.

Hallmarks of Revival — “an unusual consciousness of the presence of God is one of the first characteristics you look for. What happens is that Christians really begin to experience the presence of God. When we see His holiness, it so reveals our unholiness that we are brought into solemn awakening to our plight and our distance from God.”

c I would say an unusual consciousness of the presence of God is one of the first characteristics you look for. What happens is that Christians really begin to experience the presence of God. When we see His holiness, it so reveals our unholiness that we are brought into solemn awakening to our plight and our distance from God.

There is always a brokenness over sin and a sense of humility. There is also a hunger for prayer. We often talk about prayer being a condition of awakening or revival; but when revival comes, God's people have a great hunger to pray.

Another thing you see when there is genuine awakening is a coming together of believers across denominational lines. Spiritual awakenings occur across the body of Christ. I don't think there's ever been just a Baptist spiritual awakening.

We need a spiritual awakening. But how can it happen? Can we make it happen? What brings it about?

Ultimately it is a matter of God’s sovereignty as to when, where and how God will awaken His people. But we can prepare for it. We can ask for it. We can have faith for it.

Roy Fish — Richard Owen Roberts uses the analogy of sailors who set a ship's sails. Ancient sailors didn't power their ships; all they could do was set the sails. They could not make the wind blow. But when the wind blew, if they had set the sails, then they sailed. We can't make the wind blow, but we can set the sails.

There is such a thing as preparing our heart and meeting certain conditions; but meeting conditions never guarantees revival. The sovereign God still has to make the wind blow. In its context, is not speaking to revival or spiritual awakening. But when God's people humble themselves, and pray, seeking His face, and turn from their wicked ways — I would point to these as the setting of the sails.

Richard Owen Roberts uses the analogy of sailors who set a ship's sails. Ancient sailors didn't power their ships; all they could do was set the sails. They could not make the wind blow. But when the wind blew, if they had set the sails, then they sailed. We can't make the wind blow, but we can set the sails. There is such a thing as preparing our heart and meeting certain conditions; but meeting conditions never guarantees revival. The sovereign God still has to make the wind blow. In its context, is not speaking to revival or spiritual awakening. But when God's people humble themselves, and pray, seeking His face, and turn from their wicked ways — I would point to these as the setting of the sails.

How do we prepare our sails?

James 4:7–10 NASB95

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

There is no formula which when followed brings revival. However, we can pray for it…and prepare for it. Unfortunately, sometimes, we have to get desperate before we want to prepare for it.

Get desperate for it.

Habakkuk 3:2 ESV

O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.

God in His wisdom prompts prayer by sometimes allowing things to happen so His people get desperate. When people get desperate enough to get to the end of themselves, then they are in a position that God is willing to pour out His blessings.”

Are we desperate yet? What will it take to make us so? The church is asleep in the Light. We are asleep and in need of being awakened…God is shaking us…what will it take to make us awake?

We have politicians debating whether or not infanticide is ok. We have a nation that has made marriage a mockery. We have a country where you are thought a bigot if you assign a pronoun to your child and dress them in pink or blue.

Some might say we have created a god in our own image and become shocked to see a world who rejects the creation of our own imagination.

But worse than all of these…We have churches that know nothing of the real presence of the Living God. There is no fear of Him. No reverence…There is idolatry in the house of God. The prayer meetings are empty…the pews are empty…worship is attended at our convenience...

We are a cold, apathetic and pathetic people who no longer believe…We hardly believe Jesus saves much less believe he heals, raises the dead, delivers from sin or cares about holiness.

We have little expectation anymore. This is why so many of our churches are houses of entertainment or just empty. There is no expectation of God showing up and doing something so we fill it up with something in the flesh or it just empties.

We have created a god in our own image and become shocked to see a world who rejects the creation of our own imagination.

it is time to get real…Time to confess our sins, seek God and prepare...

Submit — He is God and we are not. There will never be a move of God on your terms. He is not going to codify your sinfulness. He is not going to settle for your personal brand of holiness and hypocrisy. You have to humble yourself and submit to Him.

We have to come to the place where we say, “You are God and I am not.” If you cannot truly give God your life like this then you can never really experience life in Him. If you simply added God to your agenda instead of making Him your agenda you will never know the power of God in your life.

If you are unwilling to submit and make God your agenda then you can stop listening to this sermon right now, get up , walk out the door and never come back because we will never be any good for you here.

Resist the Devil — This means to set yourself against and oppose him. We are in a spiritual battle not a picnic. We haven’t hit heaven yet and until we do it is war on earth. If you thought your faith was something to be easy and just a means to comfort you through life’s hard times you got the wrong religion.

Christianity is real religion and it comes with a price…death to self and life in Christ…Satan and all of hell opposed Christ so what do you think they are going to do to you if your life is in Him?

You have to stop riding shotgun with the devil and get out of the car. You have to resist him. Not ignore him, resist him…not appease him…resist him. You have to make the conscious decision that you are going to actively resist, rebuke, renounce Satan and his plans for your life.

Draw Near to God — To join one to another. To approach

You will never resist the devil long if you are depending on yourself to win the day. The same word for our drawing near to God is used for His drawing near to us.

When you approach God with the intent that your life be joined to His He will in turn draw near to you and make it happen. In Christ we have the power to overcome the evil one.

We draw near to God in prayer.

Cleanse your hands — When we draw near to God His holiness exposes our unholiness. His perfection draws attention to our sin. So turn from it and repent, stop being double minded and think you can have life both ways…have God and do things your own way.

Weep, mourn your sin, see it for what it is and be brokenhearted that you have hurt the heart of the Holy God who loves you and sent His Son to die for you.

Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up…Heal your heart and your life…HE WILL REVIVE YOU.

This is what it means to set our sails…Humble ourselves and recognize God is God and we are not, draw near to Him, turn from our sin and obey Him

When we do this we become consumed with love for Him, become concerned with the things He is concerned with and begin to be a part of what He is doing to save the lost world…revival has come.

Is God really your God? Is your life’s primary love a love for God? Do you see your life’s purpose to glorify Him? Is your heart concerned about the things He is concerned about? His glory, holiness and seeing the lost saved?

If the answer to these questions is no then you need a spiritual awakening. Prepare your sails…Cry out to Him in repentance and ask Him to move in your life and in the life of the world around you.

If you answered no you are living in substandard Christianity or no Christianity at all.

Do you expect God to move in your life? Do you expect people around you to get saved? People to be healed? Miracles to happen? Do you expect God to move your heart and give you a word of knowledge or insight into your life and the lives of others?

Do you expect God to move profoundly upon the lost of Bedford so that they become convicted of their sin and get saved?

Do you expect this nation to be brought to its knees before a holy God? Do you expect politicians who hate God will be removed from office?

What do you expect? What did you come here expecting today?

Is God really your God? Is your life’s primary love a love for God? Do you see your life’s purpose to glorify Him? Is your heart concerned about the things He is concerned about? His glory, holiness and seeing the lost saved?

If the answer to these questions is no, if you have low expectations of God, then you need a spiritual awakening. Prepare your sails…Cry out to Him in repentance and ask Him to move in your life and in the life of the world around you.

If you answered no you are living in substandard Christianity or no Christianity at all.

We want to regularly experience the Holy Spirit…a life in which there is testimony to the supernatural workings of God everyday.

A life where the lost are saved, God is praised, His power believed and His presence is known.

If you want that then prepare the sails…humble yourself, resist the enemy, draw near to God and repent…and keep on doing these things until you see God show up.

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Don’t think things will just happen in the instance you decide to move toward God. you may not feel His presence or see His presence right away…but if you keep on humbling yourself…keep on resisting the devil…keep on drawing near to God…keep on repenting…Keep on seeking Him…you will be gin to see the reward of your seeking. You will see God show up and revive you.

Christianity is not easy…it is death to self and life in Him…but few ever push through the death to full realize the resurrection life. They want one foot in the tomb and one in the outside world because complete death to self is too dark and hard…the cost is too high.

Will you believe there is something more to your faith than what you have yet experienced? Will you have faith for more?

What are you believing God for right now? What is supernatural, extraordinary and unusual about your life? Where is the evidence of a life given to God and joined to His Holy Spirit?

Humble yourself, resist the enemy, draw near to God, repent and pray...

Our prayers for revival are precipitated upon the belief that you have personally already done these things and are praying for your church family all over the world to do the same…so the lost might be saved…So that our God might be glorified.

Desperate

Introduction

Conclusion

Desperation

Setting the Sails

Conclusion