What is Revival?
"The prayer that sparks revival begins long before the countryside seems to awaken from its slumber in sin. It starts when men fall on their knees and cry out to God. That's where true intimacy with God takes place and we begin the journey of being transformed into the image of Christ. And as men are transformed, the course of a nation can be changed." - Wellington Boone
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” - John Wesley
“When the devil sees a man or woman who really believes in prayer, who knows how to pray, and who really does pray, and, above all, when he sees a whole church on its face before God in prayer, "he trembles" as much as he ever did, for he knows that his day in that church or community is at an end.” - R.A. Torrey
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” - John Wesley
“When the devil sees a man or woman who really believes in prayer, who knows how to pray, and who really does pray, and, above all, when he sees a whole church on its face before God in prayer, "he trembles" as much as he ever did, for he knows that his day in that church or community is at an end.” - R.A. Torrey
What is revival?
The last time we were together we talked a bit about what is revival and how that our country in particular has had significant moves of God in the past but has not had an outpouring of what can be defined as revival. Once again revival is:
1. The turning – 2 Chr. 7:14 - When the hearts of men return back to God. When revival truly takes place the hearts of men will return back to God.
2nd Chr. 7:14
“4If 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.”
Where before men had been selfish seeking their own desires now they become God conscious and God focused. Seeking God and being in His presences becomes the priority. Men, women and young people begin to fall on their faces and repent of their sins.
2. The gathering – Acts 2:42 - Corporate manifestations of the presence of God in corporate settings. Revival, simply by definition, can not be something that can be contained in ones own personal prayer life.
Acts 2:42
“42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”
It is something when it takes place there becomes a gathering of liked minded men and women. Like minded in the fact that they are search to know God.
3. The infection – Acts 4:13 - Revival by definition is not something that can be contained in the 4 walls of the church. It spills out into the various different arms of society.
Acts 4:13
“13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Sinners begin to run to the alters to know God. Denominational walls are crossed. Christ becomes know in society because people realize that the people of God have been with God.
“It is important to keep in mind that with all of these factors of revival and with all of the moves of God that we have seen in the past in church history that all have begun with prayer. Prayer is the key to personal and corporate revival.”
Personal and corporate revival
Our desire as a church in these 52 days of prayer is to have both a corporate and personal revival. Both are distinct and different but both are needed for God to move like He desires to.
· Personal revival would be defined as when a person makes spending time with Jesus their priority. Their relationship with God does not only become defined as their intentions towards Him but also their desire for Him. Those who have a personal revival are those that look to spend significant time with the Lord. It is in these times that the Spirit molds them into the believer that He desires for them to be. It is not that they have less things to do our less distractions. It is simply meeting God in their prayer closet becomes their goal. Godly people, making godly decisions to make God their priority.
· Corporate revival is just as vital as personal revival and is necessary for the Spirit of God to be poured out as He desires to be. Believers begin to spend significant time together seeking the face of God. Suddenly individual differences are set aside because of the “God focus”. Church becomes more then a once a week meeting but a time of encountering God in the house of God. The more they worship together the more real God becomes to all.
Revival is in our grasps
It is also important that we realize that is revival is simply establishing personal and corporate revival then it is in the grasp of any group of people that make seeking God their priority. John 12:32 “2And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” As we lift Christ up He begins to draw us closer and closer to Himself.
The last time we were together we talked a bit about what is revival and how that our country in particular has had significant moves of God in the past but has not had an outpouring of what can be defined as revival. Once again revival is:
1. The turning – 2 Chr. 7:14 - When the hearts of men return back to God. When revival truly takes place the hearts of men will return back to God.
2nd Chr. 7:14
“4If 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.”
Where before men had been selfish seeking their own desires now they become God conscious and God focused. Seeking God and being in His presences becomes the priority. Men, women and young people begin to fall on their faces and repent of their sins.
2. The gathering – Acts 2:42 - Corporate manifestations of the presence of God in corporate settings. Revival, simply by definition, can not be something that can be contained in ones own personal prayer life.
Acts 2:42
“42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”
It is something when it takes place there becomes a gathering of liked minded men and women. Like minded in the fact that they are search to know God.
3. The infection – Acts 4:13 - Revival by definition is not something that can be contained in the 4 walls of the church. It spills out into the various different arms of society.
Acts 4:13
“13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Sinners begin to run to the alters to know God. Denominational walls are crossed. Christ becomes know in society because people realize that the people of God have been with God.
“It is important to keep in mind that with all of these factors of revival and with all of the moves of God that we have seen in the past in church history that all have begun with prayer. Prayer is the key to personal and corporate revival.”
Personal and corporate revival
Our desire as a church in these 52 days of prayer is to have both a corporate and personal revival. Both are distinct and different but both are needed for God to move like He desires to.
· Personal revival would be defined as when a person makes spending time with Jesus their priority. Their relationship with God does not only become defined as their intentions towards Him but also their desire for Him. Those who have a personal revival are those that look to spend significant time with the Lord. It is in these times that the Spirit molds them into the believer that He desires for them to be. It is not that they have less things to do our less distractions. It is simply meeting God in their prayer closet becomes their goal. Godly people, making godly decisions to make God their priority.
· Corporate revival is just as vital as personal revival and is necessary for the Spirit of God to be poured out as He desires to be. Believers begin to spend significant time together seeking the face of God. Suddenly individual differences are set aside because of the “God focus”. Church becomes more then a once a week meeting but a time of encountering God in the house of God. The more they worship together the more real God becomes to all.
Revival is in our grasps
It is also important that we realize that is revival is simply establishing personal and corporate revival then it is in the grasp of any group of people that make seeking God their priority. John 12:32 “2And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” As we lift Christ up He begins to draw us closer and closer to Himself.
posted by DaRonn Washington @ 9:51 PM
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