Acts 3.11-26, Times of Refreshing from the Presence of the Lord”

“Times of Refreshing from the Presence of the Lord”

Our times may seem particularly godless leading God’s people to pessimism about the future. Yet other periods of our nation’s history were just as dark and discouraging. Our God promises that if a people repent, He will send “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord” ().

I. Repent –

A. The Law of God

1. Enables us to understand the holiness of God –

2. The testimony of Josiah –

3. Repentance results in reformation in worship –

Kept the Passover –

B. Nehemiah asked Ezra the priests

1. To read the book of the law –

2. The response - repentance –

II. Time of Refreshing –

A. A promised revival –

1. Mourning over their own sin –

2. NOT demanding justice from others

B. Jesus Christ paid for our sin –

1. But He also suffered the justice we demand from others

2. Christ is our peace – He tears down the barriers built by injustice –

–

3. God is the offended One – He does not demand that we right the wrongs. His Son bore the injustice so that He might reconcile us to Himself –

wrongs. His Son bore the injustice so that He might reconcile us to

Himself –

III. A Fountain –

A. For sin and uncleanness

1. Christ Himself renews us in righteousness

2. So that we turn from our idols to the living God –

B. Example: The Great Awakening

1. Edward’s definition – “In a Faithful narrative of the Surprising Work of God in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton”

2. Definition of revival: “Conversion from carelessness to honor God

through Jesus Christ, turn from lust to seek Christ and His kingdom, submit to the authority of the inspired Word of God, a desire for Truth and love for God and man.”

and love for God and man.”

3. Edward’s testimony: “It was a time of joy in families on the account of salvation being brought to them; parents rejoicing over their children as newborn, and husbands over their wives and wives over their husbands.”

4. Worship was revived

5. Those who visited the town had their conscience smitten and awakened: Those weak in faith had their doubts removed.

God is able to bring revival to our community and nation. Let us seek Him for such times of refreshing for our nation. He is able to sweep away the past generations of cultural and governmental rebellion against God and His law with such times of revival refreshing so that we can know the joy of many coming to Christ.

God is able to bring revival to our community and nation. Let us seek Him for such times of refreshing for our nation. He is able to sweep away the past generations of cultural and governmental rebellion against God and His law with such times of revival refreshing so that we can know the joy of many coming to Christ.