The Price of Revival

Introduction

Acts 8:1–4 KJV 1900

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Pray - Be Seated

There are principles in the Word of God that, if we live by them, we will prosper.

Deuteronomy 28:8 KJV 1900

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 11:26–28 KJV 1900

26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

Exodus 19:5 KJV 1900

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

In the book of Judges, we find a vicious, and very familiar, cycle of events that seem to happen to a nation

Submission to God

God blesses that nation

That nation becomes proud and forgets God

That nation follows after other gods and does what’s right in its own eyes.

God’s judgment falls on that nation

The nation repents and turns again to God

And the cycle continues

As a nation we were founded upon principles found in God’s Holy Word.

Because of this we prospered as a nation

We lent to other nations but didn’t borrow

After a rocky start (ending with the war of 1812), we never again had to defend our borders against a foreign invader

Our land was blessed

Our economy was blessed

Our people was blessed

Because of this we were promoted as a nation

Our currency was, until recently, used as the world’s foremost reserve currency. Our currency was in demand the world over giving us advantage in world markets.

We were propelled to the center of the world stage after WWII, becoming a world superpower.

After the fall of communist Russia, we were the only remaining superpower in the world

But as a nation we have forsook God, and God’s Word.

Our government is in disarray

Our society is unraveling at the seams

Our economy is falling apart

As we have forsaken God, He has removed His hand of blessing and protection from us.

As a nation, we are utterly without hope outside of Jesus Christ

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Not the American people, but God’s people!

The blame for this must be laid at our feet! It’s our fault!!

Only we can fix it. Only we are qualified to stand in the gap.

1 Peter 4:17–18 KJV 1900

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

We are the ones that have the Words of Life

We are the ones that know God

We are God’s covenant people

We have heard the gospel time and time again

We are the ones that need to wake up and realize what’s going on! They can’t!

If we don’t step up and assume responsibility for where we’re at, and take authority over the spirits of this city, this county, this state, this nation, we cannot last.

Reversing the course we’re on presently will not be easy. It will require courage. Commitment. Sacrifice.

Expound on scripture text

1 Peter 4:12–14 KJV 1900

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

We are not exempt from tribulation. In fact, we are promised it.

John 16:33 KJV 1900

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Conclusion

As a people, as a church, we need to get our focus off of our comfort, off of securing for ourselves a future.

Our retirement savings are waiting for us in heaven.

Our homes, our cars, our clothes, our toys, will all burn and be destroyed. Only what we’ve done for Jesus Christ will last.

Only our work for the kingdom of God will have any lasting and meaningful effect.

Altar Call

Save our Nation:

Prayer and fasting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 PM - 8 PM

This week I want us to focus on National repentance.

YouTube links will be on the website. Please take a look at them

Outreach

Retention

Altar work

Take some cards and pass them out.