Readying For Our Revival

This afternoon’s message is a little bit different, a little bit light hearted but nevertheless, I believe necessary for us this afternoon as we approach the 200th Anniversary Conference.

I’ve entitled it Readying for Our Revival simply because Revival must be prepared and readied for.

There needs to preparations in our own lives and for our ministry in the church as well.

I. Preparing at Home

A. Prepare Physically

Make sure you get ready the night before.

Make sure you get to bed on time.

Make sure things are set up for schooling, homeschooling, meals so you can come to the services and ready to go and not always rushed.

Rested and Ready for God to work.

B. Make sure you are separating from sin

Look at Eph 5:8-10

C. Make sure you are limiting the worlds influences

Romans 12:2 AV

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

D. Make sure you are devoting time to God

Time for your devotions

Time for family devotions

Time for praying for Revival

Praying for the preacher

Praying for the church house to filled

Praying for souls to be saved

II. Preparing for Services

How should I prepare for the services and for the conference coming in.

A. Come early

When we are early it shows our care, interest and excitement for something

B. Come prepared to be friendly

Ephesians 4:32 AV

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Colossians 3:12 AV

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

C. Come ready to work

Come ready to help in any way you can. Come by the church and see if there is a way you can help on Saturday.

Share in the burden.

1 Corinthians 9:19 AV

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

Never have the attitude, that’s not my job.

Ephesians 6:6 AV

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

D. Come ready to serve

Service comes down to God or man or both at the same time.

Come ready to fill in the gap in ushering, nursery, picking up trash, directing people; sitting with people; welcoming people.

Be ready to lead someone to Christ

Be ready to encourage a wayward soul

E. Come with a right attitude

There are some attitudes that will destroy a service and a spirit in the church and some others that are contagious and will build others up, just in our attitude.

1. Check your pride at the door

Proverbs 6:16–17 (AV)

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 8:13 AV

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

2. Have a positive outlook

Don’t be pessimist. Don’t continually have a negative outlook on what God is doing.

One of our problems is we often either disappointed with something in our live sand project that on other situations.

Or we often look to man and their inability and we allow that to cloud our confidence in what can do.

God is in the buisness of using nobodies. God loves to use the weak things instead of the strong.

He loves to use the foolish to confound the wise.

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 AV

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

3. Be a problem solver not a fault finder

Anyone can be a fault finder - it doesn’t take a degree to be a critic. Critics are dime a dozen, but someone who will graciously, humbly, and respectfully come in and help is a God send.

III. Preparing for your Ministry

A. Serve for God

Colossians 3:22 AV

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Colossians 3:23 AV

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

B. Serve for the love of the brethren

2 Timothy 2:24 AV

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

1 Peter 3:8 AV

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

C. Give your ministry your best

Ecclesiastes 9:10 AV

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Proverbs 22:9 AV

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Colossians 3:23 AV

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

IV. Remember Your Calling

You are called of God to be used by Him to bring Him glory and honor and to bring others to Him.

If I am not doing that, then I am not fulfilling my purpose in Christ.

So when I come to church I need to be laser focused on accomplishing those things.

This week, it is not about you or me. It is not about our feelings, our recognition, our accolades.

It is not about getting our time in the lime light, our needs met, our way done.

I’m to about God’s glory, about looking to win souls and then encouraging and growing the brethren.

Outside of that we are wasting space and wasting time.

Readying For Our Revival