4 steps to revival Qtr cong mtng series

Opening Comments:

The following are some observations from today’s opening, inaugural service.

            What do I do if the bird starts heckling John?

            I noticed that I made the inside of the bulletin! This is quite an accomplishment                             unless you are the star of an excommunication service.

            I personally stuffed the bulletins with tithe envelopes; therefore, if you received                            more than one, then you are supposed to fill that one up to and turn it in.

            Breakfast was closed today!

            John looks good with the white screen backdrop; it accents his color.

            The evangelist is preaching on my birthday.

            The prayer requests on the back of the bulletin. A long list of needs. With the #1                            need being for REVIVAL IN OUR CHURCH.

 So I assume therefore, that our #1 desire is to have our church revived.

H. I.:               Does God desire corporate, or personal revival? Could corporate revival be                                     the fruit of individuals personally experiencing revival?

 What is revival?

What it is not:

                        Souls being won to Christ

                        Emotional excitement

                        A sudden burst of church growth

                        Phenomenal return to prayer

                        Hysterical laughter

Revival defined:

                        It means “to live again” or “life again”.

                        In order to re-experience life, there must first be a death.

                        But revival or the decision to allow God to breathe new life again into my                                      life is a personal choice.

                        I must decide and agree with God that there are areas in my life that need to                                              be put to death.

Let’s look at the four most popular revival texts, and discern what they are saying to us.

Step #1:          1 Peter 4:17 (cf. Mark 7:6-7, 20-23)

Judgment is needed for me, and judgment is needed for His church.

Because of my evil heart, I must keep it in check through an honest evaluation.

Step #2:          2 Chronicles 7:13-16: We must be repulsed or sickened by our sin.

            Notice the progression of this prayer:

                        1).        Humility- He is LORD and Master, He is right and I am wrong.

                        2).        Prayer, seeking God’s face - being honest about me to God.

3).        Turn from their evil ways, habits, and lifestyle which are contrary to the word and revealed character of God.

Step #3:          Galatians 2:20-21: Death to my desires and my flesh

            Christ was crucified for my sin;

            I must die to my sin.

            This is crucifixion - nailed to my own cross.

            I do not live for myself! I live the way Christ wants me to live, by yielding my will                                    to the will of His Spirit.

            This is lived by faith in conjunction with God’s word.

            The result from this is a hunger for the lost. (2:21)

Step #4:          Phillipians 2:1-11:  Develop a servant’s heart.

            This was and still is the perfect mind of Christ, He came to serve, not be served.

            There is no one I am not willing to serve.

            To serve them is to esteem better than me, worthy of my service.

            *I will love God supremely;

                        *be willing to do whatever He asks regardless of the cost;

*and serve God’s people, and the people He sovereignly places into my life.