Revival and Renewal

Scriptural text:

Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ()

God is at work in all that happens to believers, whether to warn them, to draw them to himself or to do them good.

God is at work in all that happens to believers, whether to warn them, to draw them to himself or to do them good.

God has a purpose in all the experiences that believers have in life (; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; )

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(ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

God uses every experience in the lives of believers for good

God uses every experience in the lives of believers for good (1)To warn and correct, (2)To test and exercise believers’ trust in God

(1)To warn and correct

(2)To test and exercise believers’ trust in God

To test and exercise believers’ trust in God

(3) To benefit others

To purify and prepare believers for glory

(3)To benefit others, (4)To purify and prepare believers for glory ()

(4)To purify and prepare believers for glory ()

Therefore we must understand who we are, and become better Christians than we have been. With that being said, we called to be servants (ministers)

Definition: minister, a person who serves. A minister serves the need, whatever it is; to that end, in the nt, the whole church was to be equipped ()...

minister, a person who serves. In the basic meaning of the term, there is no indication as to the arena or nature of the service. It might involve ministering as an assistant, as the young Samuel was to Eli (), as Joshua to Moses (), or as John Mark to Paul and Barnabas (). Priests at the altar were ministers (), but so was Onesimus when he cared for the needs of the imprisoned Paul (). Political leaders were viewed by Paul as ministers of God (), but Peter’s mother-in-law, by attending to domestic chores, was also a minister (). Those chosen to serve tables in the Jerusalem church were ministers (), as was Paul when he collected relief funds for the poor (). A minister serves the need, whatever it is; to that end, in the nt, the whole church was to be equipped (), and by the standard of ministering to the hungry, naked, lonely, sick, or imprisoned all are judged ().

It might involve ministering as an assistant, as the young Samuel was to Eli (), as Joshua to Moses (), or as John Mark to Paul and Barnabas ().

Priests at the altar were ministers (), but so was Onesimus when he cared for the needs of the imprisoned Paul (). Political leaders were viewed by Paul as ministers of God (), but Peter’s mother-in-law, by attending to domestic chores, was also a minister (). Those chosen to serve tables in the Jerusalem church were ministers (), as was Paul when he collected relief funds for the poor ()…, and by the standard of ministering to the hungry, naked, lonely, sick, or imprisoned all are judged ().

I agree that the direction of the people must be turned “away from the external elements of religion to those that are internal and spiritual.”

(4:16) Minister— Inner Man: the inner man being renewed day by day sustains the minister.

Note three significant points,

1.  The minister does not faint (cp. ). He does not give up or quit; he does not lose heart or become discouraged; he does not allow anything to defeat him:..

not people, circumstances, events, fatigue, exhaustion, or even persecution and severe opposition. Nothing, absolutely nothing can drive him from the ministry nor keep him from preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep in mind the things that give him the strength to continue preaching: the presence and power of God (); the spirit of his faith (); the hope of the resurrection (); and the needs of people and the glory of God ().

2.  The minister's outward man perishes every day.

⇒  The "outward man" is the earthen vessel (), the human body (), the mortal flesh (), and the earthly house ().

⇒  The word "perish" (diaphtheiretai) means to age, wear out, waste away, deteriorate, decay, corrupt, and die.

Note: Paul says that his "outward man" or body was wearing out and wasting away every day. It was in the process of perishing and dying.

3.  The minister's "inner man" is renewed day by day. The inner man is…(, ; , ; ; ; ; Peter 3:4)

•  the spirit of man that has been "born again" or created anew by the Spirit of God (, ).

•  the spirit of man that was dead in trespasses and sins until it was quickened and made alive by Christ (, ).

•  the "new creature" () and the "new man" (; ).

•  the highest and deepest part of a man's being where the Holy Spirit dwells.

•  the "hidden man of the heart" ().

The minister is renewed day by day when he draws near God for strength and growth, for relief and deliverance from trials, pressure, and trouble.

But remember: it is the presence and power of God within your body that renews you. (; for more verses.)

Why is it easier to talk about revival than to experience it? Because followers of Christ must become personally and vitally involved in the death and resurrection of Christ. And this requires repentance, prayer, watchfulness, self-denial, detachment from the world, humility, obedience and cross-carrying!"

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me" ().

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" ().

"Fear thou not; For I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" ().

"...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" ().