The Four Winds of Revival

TEXT: Ezekiel 37:1-14 FBI

TOPIC: The Four Winds of Revival 5/11/97

Pastor Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Icard, North Carolina

Sunday morning, May 11, 1997

(Message preached following revival with Jamey Ragle where 60 people were saved)

Has the breath of God blown over us in revival? Has the life-giving breath of God blown through and in our lives and our church this past week? This past month? Some 60 souls trusted Christ this past week bringing the total to more than 100. Does that alone mean that the winds of revival are blowing?

I believe that there are certain winds or evidences of revival that must be present if we can truly say that revival is upon us.

1. The Wind of Conviction and Confession of Sins, (Cleansing)

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another,

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (KJV)

2. The Wind of Repentance and Renewal of Fellowship (Restoration)

1 John 1:5-10

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (KJV)

Psalm 51:1-13

1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.>> Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. (KJV)

3. The Winds of Salvation and Separation unto Holiness, (Consecration)

Luke 1:77

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, (KJV)

Acts 4:12

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)

Romans 10:10

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (KJV)

4. The Winds of Recommitment and Rededication to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Surrender)

Romans 10:9

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (KJV)

Romans 13:14

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV)

1 Corinthians 15:57

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)