Chapter 7 Phases of Revival

Cycle of Sin

People Serve the Lord

Judges 2:7 NASB95

The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the Lord which He had done for Israel.

The people of Israel because they had seen the the great work the Lord had done for Israel. He delivered them out of Egypt and into the promised land. God provided victory against all those that came against Israel. They enjoyed the blessing of walking with the Lord

We too experience the goodness of the Lord through salvation in His Son Jesus Christ. We are fired up about following Jesus when we are first saved. We read our Bibles and Pray daily . We seek for opportunities to plug into church and serve. We serve the Lord with a joyful heart

People forsake the Lord

Judges 2:11 NASB95

Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals,

When Joshua died the message of the Lord was not shared with the next generation. Consequently, the nation of Israel was indoctrinated into the culture of false gods. They turned against the one true God and followed the gods of the cultures around them.

If a person gets away from the discipline of the faith they will also forsake the Lord. It begins with skipping reading the scriptures and prayer. Soon they stop going to church and serving. Before they know it they are engrossed in the ways of the world and serve the gods of the world. (Money, Pride, and Sensuality)

God allows judgement

Judges 2:14 NASB95

The anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

God turned them over to the cultures that they were serving. Consequently, the cultures consumed them and oppressed them. The cultures they desired turned out to be an enemy that took advantage of them. Not only this, but the Lord was against them and would not let them have any relief from their captors.

When we get ensnared to our sin because we forsake the Lord, He allows the natural consequences of our sin to serve as a judgment for our sin. Life becomes difficult and the consequences often become unbearable.

People cry out for help

Judges 2:15 NASB95

Wherever they went, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had spoken and as the Lord had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed.

Judges 2:18 NASB95

When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.

The people were so distressed because of their oppression that they called out to the Lord. They were oppressed and afflicted. When they could take it no more they called out to God for help.

When a person gets tied up in their own sin things will get so bad that their seems to be no hope. We call this hitting the bottom of the barrel. Some people will cry out to God only when they hit the bottom of the barrel.

God delivers them

Judges 2:18 NASB95

When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.

God raised up judges to deliver Israel and turn them back to their God. It was only by the compassion of the Lord that He allowed them to return.

When we repent of our sin God restores us. 1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9 NASB95

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

7 Phases of Church Revival

Phase 1

God is on mission to redeem a lost and dying world. He calls the church to join Him in His mission. Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Phase 2

The church gets internally focused. It begins substituting the purpose of God for their own. They develop church growth strategies through faith in dynamic leaders and programs.

Phase 3

God disciplines the church. He allows them to get what they desired. We were the moist unhealthy when we were at our largest. Explain

Phase 4

The church cries out to God. This is when a church has a desire for revival.

Phase 5

God calls his church into a season of repentance or judgement. When God calls his people to repent and they do he sends revival. When God calls for repentance and they do not, He sends judgment.

Phase 6

God revives the repentant church. The hearts of the people are turned to God and they are in right relation with Him. He restores the joy of being the children of God.

Phase 7

God draws people to His Son through the church.