The hardest thing for me to do is to decide what to tell you. There so much I could discuss. I want to talk about how our determined pursuit of worship will influence if we will see revival. How the way we honor people will foster revival. How the exercise of spiritual gifts will facilitate revival. How the fellowship of the brethren will spark revival. But I don’t have time to do all of this. So I’ve isolated 2 or 3 aspects of revival that I think are what Father wants me to share today.
Full disclosure: I believe the Bible teaches revival. I believe in revival. I believe Father wants a lot of people in heaven. His desire is that none would perish, and I’d like to do whatever I can to make sure that Father would get as much of His desire as possible.
When I think about revival the first thing I think about is praying for our church to know “on earth as it is in heaven.” To me, that means revival right here, in our church. That’s what I pray for, a Holy Spirit explosion on Jackrabbit lane.
Everything good that happens here is because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Powerful worship? Holy Spirit. Anointed sermon? Holy Spirit. Great people? Holy Spirit. These good things of this church are not the result of a 5 year plan or someone sitting down and deciding that next Sunday we are going to have extended spontaneous worship and Holy Spirit will move. Doesn’t happen that way.
So we can’t dictate revival, but we can pray it in, and that’s why I pray. I know many in our church are dedicated to prayer. We can pray for the life giving, life changing ministry of the Holy Spirit. The reason I’m explaining this is because I want to fan into flame a burden to pray for revival so a great harvest would be brought in. Amen?
Say this with me: If it’s kingdom... if it’s Holy Spirit… I want it.
I want to approach revival more from a doctrinal perspective today. Not a dry intellectual pursuit, but more like I want to provide a biblical basis for revival which informs your understanding, builds your faith, and spurs you to action.
First let's define terms. I would use revival, renewal, awakening, restoration, and a "move of God" interchangeably. They do mean different things, but I’ll just use the word “revival” to describe any kind of Holy Spirit intervention into human affairs, where He transformatively moves on a scale larger than perhaps a few people. This might manifest as multiple salvations, healings, rededications, restored marriages, etc.; all these would be evidence of revival. Revival might overtake a church, a city, a region, or even an entire country (or more).
***
There are some Christians who do not believe revival is possible. So I want to start there.
The Opposition
What a person believes about revival often has a lot to do with what they believe about eschatology. I don’t want to get off on some rabbit trail, so I’ll just say that if someone has the very common view that the (C)hurch will be raptured just before the Great Tribulation, they might also believe that the world will grow darker and more wicked, and the (C)hurch will dwindle away to just a small remnant of faithful believers. That is known as apostasy, “to fall away.” Here’s an example. Let us Reason Ministries:
(S1) The Scriptures are not promoting a great world wide revival with power but the very opposite for the future overall state of the Church. This does not mean all will succumb to it. However there will be few who have held onto the original faith that the Church once held.
So if the world is getting darker and apostasy is going to leave a small remnant, revival can’t happen. But may I say, I don’t believe this, and in fact I really don’t like it either. I think it comes from a misunderstanding of Scripture. It almost seems like an excuse for failing. An excuse for small, dying churches. An excuse for powerlessness and lifelessness. It’s almost defeatist when we should be victorious in Christ. This has never set well with me.
1) Is the World Really Getting Darker?
We all know about end times Bible teachers who explain in detail how the latest newspaper headline fits into Bible prophecy. The temple is about to be rebuilt, the Pope the antichrist, wars and rumors of wars. Couple that with the rampant immorality, chaos, lawlessness, and violence we see, and it certainly seems the world is getting darker as the Day of the Lord nears.
But does the Bible teach the world will get darker and darker? I don’t think so. This may surprise you, but please bear with me as I explain.
First, a basic fact: There are two kingdoms, the (S2) kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.
The kingdom of light is Jesus’ kingdom: forgiveness, belonging, new life, a hope and a future. The kingdom of darkness is the enemy’s: death, chaos, and separation from God. Everyone is in one or the other.
When we are saved we get rescued from dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light:
(S3) Col. 1:12-13 [the Father] has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves...
Second, we know darkness and light have nothing in common. They do not mix or cooperate. The kingdom of light is Christ as King, and His kingdom is relentlessly pushing into the kingdom of darkness:
(S4) Mt. 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been violently advancing, and violent men lay hold of it.
Jesus’ kingdom is doing violence to the kingdom of darkness, not the other way around. Let me say that again…. This is big time. And we can get on board with it.
Say this with me: I want to do violence... to the kingdom of darkness.
Darkness is, well, darkness, the absence of light. So, how can something that has no light grow darker? Obviously it can't. Darkness is what it is, it's always been evil, it's always been without hope, it has always been without revelation, it's always bent on destruction and cursing, and, it's always pursued by its citizens. Darkness can’t get darker.
So there are a some Bible verses that do talk about things growing darker:
(S5) Mt. 24:10-13 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(S6) 2Ti. 3:1-2, 5, 12-13 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive... 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.... 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
But take a close look. The subject of these verses is the (C)hurch. These verses are not about the world getting darker, they are about the (C)hurch! Whoa.
2) It’s The (C)hurch That Will Grow Darker
Only the (C)hurch can grow darker. Repeat... Darkness can only increase if the light fades. Check out those verses again
(S7) Mt. 24:10 many will turn away from the faith… People cannot turn away from the faith without first being in the faith.
(S8) Mt. 24:11 and many false prophets will appear… False prophets can only be in the (C)hurch.
(S9) Mt. 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness … The increase of wickedness will be in the (C)hurch, because the love that grows cold is only in the (C)hurch.
(S10) 2Ti. 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. One can pretend to be godly only in the (C)hurch.
(S11) 2Ti. 3:13 impostors will go from bad to worse… There can be impostors only in the (C)hurch.
The (C)hurch has always had impostors, false prophets, and ungodly men. But I believe apostasy will come to some churches but in other churches, God’s people will stand firm in the Truth and in power.
Apostasy doesn’t have to be universal. Let me repeat…
Many churches will persevere and prosper in the Holy Spirit. Like us. We can remain faithful. We can avoid growing cold and dark. We do you say? Are you unshakable in faith? Are you taking the Kingdom with violence? Do you contend for the church, and do you obey God’s commands? Are you quick to repent and quick to bless?
We can be a church whose light does not fade. We can choose to persist with a steadfast hope, we can persevere in living faith, continually filled with Holy Spirit; We can stand firm and be numbered with the faithful ones who never compromised.
Will the world grow darker? No, the (C)hurch will. But not the whole church.
This brings up the next question:
3) Will the (C)hurch Dwindle to a Remnant?
I don’t think Scripture teaches that the (C)hurch will dwindle away. I don’t think there will be just a remnant in the Last Days. I think this idea is wrong.
There are some Bible verses that seem to suggest the (C)hurch will be a small remnant, like:
(S12) Lk. 13:23-30 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
(S13) 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, `Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, `I don’t know you or where you come from.’
(S14) 26 Then you will say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” 27 But he will reply, “I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!” 28 There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
(S15) 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
It certainly seems like only a few get saved, doesn’t it? I want to camp here and spend some time on this, because this is a powerful and revelatory parable. But I want to explain these verses in a way you may not have heard before. Of course, you should always weigh the teaching you hear. That’s a spiritual gift, by the way, discernment. Don’t just take my word for it, be discerning.
Whenever we study our Bibles we consider the context. What comes before and after? What do other parts of the Bible say about this? Who is the audience? Put yourself in the shoes of a first century Jew. How would they understand what is being said?
We find in the verses before that Jesus has been teaching parables about the Kingdom of God. This parable is also about the KofG. His audience is Jews. In fact, I believe Jesus was talking directly to this crowd, speaking directly to their situation right at that moment. Jesus was telling these folks that getting into the kingdom isn’t what they think.
This account starts with someone asking a question: (S16) Lord, are only a few people going to be saved? It sounds like this person has been listening to Jesus, he’s heard him teach before, and he’s starting to get a clue that something’s up. I can guarantee you this person was not asking about gentiles. This is important. Jews considered the salvation of God to be for Israel only.
So the question is a Jewish question. (S17) Jesus, you are preaching things I’ve never heard before, and I don't understand. Please explain. Are only a few of us Jews going to be saved?
Jesus answered, (S18) many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. They won’t get in because the owner of the house closes the door. They ask for the door to be opened, but He doesn’t know them. Who are these people? Jesus tells us who they are: (S19) We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.
Again, context. Jesus is describing a particular people. People who ate and drank together with Jesus, people He taught in our streets. In the streets of Israel. These are a very specific people. Those who were shut out by the house’s owner are Jesus’ countrymen, neighbors, and even associates – Jews!
But the owner of the house says, I don’t know you. Wow. He doesn’t know these people, even though he ate and drank with them and taught in their streets. They’re out.
But there are some that are in. Notice that the righteous men of the Bible, like Abraham, are in. They are seated at the feast. The house is the kingdom of God. Jesus tells us the narrow door is the door to the kingdom.
Jews are God’s chosen people, and they thought that just being born a Jew is enough. They call themselves the sons of Abraham. I think Jesus is using this parable to teach them this isn’t true. John the Baptism confronted this: (S20) Mt. 3:9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
So Jesus is using the idea of the narrow door to tell the Jews that their lineage is not enough. The narrow door is a picture of a very specific way of entering. They don’t get a free ticket. He and only He is the way.
But it doesn’t mean only a few will get in. In fact, Jesus has a ticket for every person on this planet, if they want one. This means in order to enter the Kingdom, you need a ticket to get through the narrow gate, amen?
If you’ve ever been to a large stadium for a sporting event, the parking lot is huge, the main entryway is wide open... anyone can enter. But when you get to the gate it is very narrow, and you have to have a ticket. (S21)
But tens of thousands still get through the gate. A narrow gate doesn’t speak to the number of tickets, does it? (S22)
Ok, now you need to notice who else will be in the owner’s house besides Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets:
(S23) 29 People will come from the east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.
Consider this carefully. (S24) The last will be first, and first will be last. The “first” (Jews, the children of Abraham), will be last, they will be shut out if they rely on their lineage. But the "last" (that is, the gentiles) will be first, and they (S25) will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
The passage is not about just a remnant being saved, it’s actually about the need for the Jews to believe Jesus, the narrow door. And this doesn’t mean that just few will enter heaven. In fact, the phrase (S26) east and west and north and south means they from places beyond Israel, every corner of the earth, a great number. This passage is actually a revival passage!
By the way, do you have a ticket? Do you have a place at the feast in the Kingdom? If you’re not sure, there will be an opportunity at the end for you to get in the narrow gate.
***
So we have discovered so far that the world has been, is, and will be dark. The (C)hurch is the only place that can grow dark. Now it is time to consider the case for revival.
4) There will be Revival
The (C)hurch certainly has false teachers and false prophets. The (C)hurch has sinners and hypocrites in her midst. The (C)hurch surely has false doctrines. For sure, this has always been the (C)hurch, even in the first century. Yet we can still have revival. Apostasy doesn’t have to happen in a church. It doesn't have to happenour church. (S27) Here’s my faith statement:
(S28) I believe that revival will come to the Gallatin Valley.
(S29) I believe Father wants to include us, this church.
(S30) I believe we will chose to hold fast to the truth and keep being filled with Holy Spirit.
(S31) I believe we will do the work of the Kingdom and help bring in a great harvest.
(S32) I believe we will see people getting saved, healed, and set free like never before.
(S33) I believe this church will be a refuge for the hurting, a home for the orphan, and a place of belonging, believing, and becoming.
(S34) What do you believe?
I’m speaking from faith. I’m speaking from a position of confidence in what I know about Father’s heart. I’m speaking forth proclamations, believing that God will move. Here.
Listen to this: We must pray for a revival and redemption for the world and revival and perseverance in the (C)hurch. We can proclaim that, yes, there will be faith on the earth when He returns. We should catch a vision for the lost and start being a light that shines brightly for the Gospel. Pray it in and don’t give up, church!
There will be revival.
Let’ look at some Scripture. Remember the story with the disciples in the upper room, and the tongues of fire came? They spoke in other languages and were accused of being drunk. Then Peter stood up and quoted the prophet Joel:
(S35) Ac. 2:16-21 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
(S36) 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
(S37) 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. [Joel 2:28-32]
Peter quoted this prophecy to explain what just happened. He says these things happened because of the poured out Holy Spirit.
This pouring out is what we now call Pentecost, and it was the beginning of the Last Days. (S38) In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. In the last days… Peter is clear. The unusual occurrences are evidence of the Last Days.
Ever since Pentecost it has been the Last Days. This means we also live in the Last Days. Our sons and daughters will prophesy, there will be signs in the heavens, in the Last Days.
There will be revival: (S39) Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
We’ve had many revivals already. If revival isn’t possible, how did we have revivals before? Every one of them happened in the Last Days.
(S40) The Great Awakening, 1734-43, Jonathan Edwards
(S41) The Second Great Awakening, 1800-1840, James McGready, Charles Finney
(S42) The Businessmen’s Revival of 1857-1858, Jeremiah Lanphier
(S43) The Urban Revivals, 1875-1885, Dwight L. Moody
(S44) Welsh Revival of 1904-1905, Billy Sunday
Let’s briefly look at how the Great Awakening got its start. In 1729 Jonathan Edwards became pastor of Northampton church in Northampton, Massachusetts. In about 1734 the church began to experience the beginnings of revival. It started among the youth of the city, they had been afflicted with unusual illness and unexpected deaths. Repentance began moving through the youth, and conviction spread from the youth to people of all ages. Within six months 300 people converted and the church’s membership grew to more than 600. That was pretty much every adult in Northampton.
Let me say this to you who are say, less than 21 years old. How would you like to be the starting place for revival? Aaron and Anna, would you want that for the youth group? Zach and Heidi, would that be of interest to you for the children’s ministry? Parents, would you like to see your children be used of God to spark revival?
So this was just the start, and it didn’t happen until about 6 years in. Eventually Edwards was holding revival meetings numbering in the thousands. It is estimated that savations numbered in the 100s of thousands.
That was the first Great Awakening. But did you know there have been at least four great awakenings in American history? There have been revivals in many other countries? There have been revivals in America over the last 40 years?
There’s revival happening somewhere right now.
So revival can come in these times. I expect revival right here. I expect we will witness revival with our own eyes. I expect revival will fundamentally change the Gallatin Valley.
There will be revival.
Say this with me: I’m gonna get ready… It’s going to be big.
Let me continue to make my case with Scripture.
(S45) Mat. 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."
Revival is God’s intention. Jesus promises a plentiful harvest of souls. There's going to be a great multitude in heaven:
(S46) Re. 7:9-10 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
(S47) They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
We’re talking serious party. Salvation is not going to be rare, and so we are not only justified in asking for revival, we ought to be passionate for the kingdom of God coming "on earth as is in heaven."
Get some faith going, church!
A Call to Holiness
What then shall we do, brothers and sisters? We should pray. We should be obedient to God and share our faith, be generous, love one another, use our spiritual gifts, and help the poor and the widow. And, we desperately need to be filled with Holy Spirit.
But also, holiness. I’m not talking rules of behavior. I know it’s certainly possible that some of us might be involved in overtly sinful behavior. I hope not. But holiness begins in the heart, and from there moves out into our actions. Jesus said,
(S48) Mk. 7:21-22 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
We need to deal with the inner man, the sinful nature
(S49) Ro. 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Holiness involves several things:
(S50) First need to be a repentant people. Repentance is a key component to holiness and revival. If you are entertaining sin in your life, you need to repent.
Say this with me: There is no revival... without repentance.
(S51) Second, we need to be intolerant of sin and immorality in the (C)hurch. I think too much of the (C)hurch has missed the clear call to righteousness and are reluctant to exercise discipline for fear of offending people or being called judgmental. This of course is done in love with a view to repentance and restoration. But it must be done.
(S52) Third, there are so many of us who are content and comfortable. Back benchers. Some are content to do their duty, come to church, read their Bibles, and write their offering checks. But the lukewarm are going to be spit out of His mouth, amen?
Holiness. Jesus is returning for a Beautiful Bride, pure and spotless:
(S53) Re. 19:7-8 ...For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
See that? We are to make ourselves ready.
Now let me be clear. I’m not saying there is a specific problem our church. I only know that if God is speaking we better listen. We have to get our houses in order, not only personally, but in our families and in our church.
(S54) 1Pe. 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
If you will commit to being a godly and repentant people, obedient to the Word and merciful to others, and if you will pray and intercede and cry out to God, there will be revival.
My final revival Scripture is
(S55) Ac. 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…
Repentance sets the groundwork for refreshing. Oh how we need a refreshing from Holy Spirit! Times of refreshing, times of revival, times of the Glory of the Lord.
The Narrow Door is Open **worship team**
I mentioned before that you would have the opportunity to enter the narrow door. In the past you may have excuses, you may have been ambivalent, or you may simply have had doubts. You’ve never repented and believed, or maybe you heart has grown cold. But you have a chance today, right now. There might not be a tomorrow. Don’t find the narrow door shut in your face. I don’t want you to hear the words, “depart from me, I never knew you.”
So if this is you, here’s what needs to happen. Right now.
(S56) Repent, which means to turn from the sin, death, and evil in your life, and turn towards Father
(S57) Call upon the name of the Lord. His name is Jesus, the Christ, the son of the living God.
(S58) Believe, which means to receive the Good News that Jesus died as a fully sufficient sacrifice for your sins.
(S59) Invite Holy Spirit to come and fill you and give you new life.
There will be people circulating through the crowd, and they will be exercising their gift of discernment to determine who they will pray for. They will also have words of knowledge, words of wisdom, encouragement, and prophecy. If you want someone to pray for you, flag one of them down.
If you made this decision, we celebrate with you. There’s nothing better in this life than to know you belong to Father. We want to help you in this journey.
***
I hope you are catching a vision for revival. Revival is prayed in. Revival comes to a holy people. Revival comes in Spirit-empowered people. But I want to tell you, this isn’t a formula. There isn’t a 10 step process to revival. But we have to do, and be, all these things anyway, because Father wants it. So let’s do what Father commands and pray He sends revival.
But let me ask you honestly. Is this what you want? Do you have weep for the lost? Do you mourn for the suffering and the sick? Do you want His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven? Do you really want revival? Are you willing to pursue Father’s heart for this church, maybe in a way you haven’t considered before?
You have an opportunity. Father’s desire is to capture your heart and turn it to the purposes of God. Let’s not miss the chance.
(S23) 29 People will come from the east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.
Consider this carefully. (S24) The last will be first, and first will be last. The “first” (Jews, the children of Abraham), will be last, they will be shut out if they rely on their lineage. But the "last" (that is, the gentiles) will be first, and they (S25) will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
The passage is not about just a remnant being saved, it’s actually about the need for the Jews to believe Jesus, the narrow door. And this doesn’t mean that just few will enter heaven. In fact, the phrase (S26) east and west and north and south means they from places beyond Israel, every corner of the earth, a great number. This passage is actually a revival passage!
By the way, do you have a ticket? Do you have a place at the feast in the Kingdom? If you’re not sure, there will be an opportunity at the end for you to get in the narrow gate.
***
So we have discovered so far that the world has been, is, and will be dark. The (C)hurch is the only place that can grow dark. Now it is time to consider the case for revival.
4) There will be Revival
The (C)hurch certainly has false teachers and false prophets. The (C)hurch has sinners and hypocrites in her midst. The (C)hurch surely has false doctrines. For sure, this has always been the (C)hurch, even in the first century. Yet we can still have revival. Apostasy doesn’t have to happen in a church. It doesn't have to happenour church. (S27) Here’s my faith statement:
(S28) I believe that revival will come to the Gallatin Valley.
(S29) I believe Father wants to include us, this church.
(S30) I believe we will chose to hold fast to the truth and keep being filled with Holy Spirit.
(S31) I believe we will do the work of the Kingdom and help bring in a great harvest.
(S32) I believe we will see people getting saved, healed, and set free like never before.
(S33) I believe this church will be a refuge for the hurting, a home for the orphan, and a place of belonging, believing, and becoming.
(S34) What do you believe?
I’m speaking from faith. I’m speaking from a position of confidence in what I know about Father’s heart. I’m speaking forth proclamations, believing that God will move. Here.
Listen to this: We must pray for a revival and redemption for the world and revival and perseverance in the (C)hurch. We can proclaim that, yes, there will be faith on the earth when He returns. We should catch a vision for the lost and start being a light that shines brightly for the Gospel. Pray it in and don’t give up, church!
There will be revival.
Let’ look at some Scripture. Remember the story with the disciples in the upper room, and the tongues of fire came? They spoke in other languages and were accused of being drunk. Then Peter stood up and quoted the prophet Joel:
(S35) Ac. 2:16-21 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
(S36) 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
(S37) 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. [Joel 2:28-32]
Peter quoted this prophecy to explain what just happened. He says these things happened because of the poured out Holy Spirit.
This pouring out is what we now call Pentecost, and it was the beginning of the Last Days. (S38) In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. In the last days… Peter is clear. The unusual occurrences are evidence of the Last Days.
Ever since Pentecost it has been the Last Days. This means we also live in the Last Days. Our sons and daughters will prophesy, there will be signs in the heavens, in the Last Days.
There will be revival: (S39) Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
We’ve had many revivals already. If revival isn’t possible, how did we have revivals before? Every one of them happened in the Last Days.
(S40) The Great Awakening, 1734-43, Jonathan Edwards
(S41) The Second Great Awakening, 1800-1840, James McGready, Charles Finney
(S42) The Businessmen’s Revival of 1857-1858, Jeremiah Lanphier
(S43) The Urban Revivals, 1875-1885, Dwight L. Moody
(S44) Welsh Revival of 1904-1905, Billy Sunday
Let’s briefly look at how the Great Awakening got its start. In 1729 Jonathan Edwards became pastor of Northampton church in Northampton, Massachusetts. In about 1734 the church began to experience the beginnings of revival. It started among the youth of the city, they had been afflicted with unusual illness and unexpected deaths. Repentance began moving through the youth, and conviction spread from the youth to people of all ages. Within six months 300 people converted and the church’s membership grew to more than 600. That was pretty much every adult in Northampton.
Let me say this to you who are say, less than 21 years old. How would you like to be the starting place for revival? Aaron and Anna, would you want that for the youth group? Zach and Heidi, would that be of interest to you for the children’s ministry? Parents, would you like to see your children be used of God to spark revival?
So this was just the start, and it didn’t happen until about 6 years in. Eventually Edwards was holding revival meetings numbering in the thousands. It is estimated that savations numbered in the 100s of thousands.
That was the first Great Awakening. But did you know there have been at least four great awakenings in American history? There have been revivals in many other countries? There have been revivals in America over the last 40 years?
There’s revival happening somewhere right now.
So revival can come in these times. I expect revival right here. I expect we will witness revival with our own eyes. I expect revival will fundamentally change the Gallatin Valley.
There will be revival.
Say this with me: I’m gonna get ready… It’s going to be big.
Let me continue to make my case with Scripture.
(S45) Mat. 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."
Revival is God’s intention. Jesus promises a plentiful harvest of souls. There's going to be a great multitude in heaven:
(S46) Re. 7:9-10 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
(S47) They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
We’re talking serious party. Salvation is not going to be rare, and so we are not only justified in asking for revival, we ought to be passionate for the kingdom of God coming "on earth as is in heaven."
Get some faith going, church!
A Call to Holiness
What then shall we do, brothers and sisters? We should pray. We should be obedient to God and share our faith, be generous, love one another, use our spiritual gifts, and help the poor and the widow. And, we desperately need to be filled with Holy Spirit.
But also, holiness. I’m not talking rules of behavior. I know it’s certainly possible that some of us might be involved in overtly sinful behavior. I hope not. But holiness begins in the heart, and from there moves out into our actions. Jesus said,
(S48) Mk. 7:21-22 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
We need to deal with the inner man, the sinful nature
(S49) Ro. 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Holiness involves several things:
(S50) First need to be a repentant people. Repentance is a key component to holiness and revival. If you are entertaining sin in your life, you need to repent.
Say this with me: There is no revival... without repentance.
(S51) Second, we need to be intolerant of sin and immorality in the (C)hurch. I think too much of the (C)hurch has missed the clear call to righteousness and are reluctant to exercise discipline for fear of offending people or being called judgmental. This of course is done in love with a view to repentance and restoration. But it must be done.
(S52) Third, there are so many of us who are content and comfortable. Back benchers. Some are content to do their duty, come to church, read their Bibles, and write their offering checks. But the lukewarm are going to be spit out of His mouth, amen?
Holiness. Jesus is returning for a Beautiful Bride, pure and spotless:
(S53) Re. 19:7-8 ...For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
See that? We are to make ourselves ready.
Now let me be clear. I’m not saying there is a specific problem our church. I only know that if God is speaking we better listen. We have to get our houses in order, not only personally, but in our families and in our church.
(S54) 1Pe. 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
If you will commit to being a godly and repentant people, obedient to the Word and merciful to others, and if you will pray and intercede and cry out to God, there will be revival.
My final revival Scripture is
(S55) Ac. 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…
Repentance sets the groundwork for refreshing. Oh how we need a refreshing from Holy Spirit! Times of refreshing, times of revival, times of the Glory of the Lord.
The Narrow Door is Open **worship team**
I mentioned before that you would have the opportunity to enter the narrow door. In the past you may have excuses, you may have been ambivalent, or you may simply have had doubts. You’ve never repented and believed, or maybe you heart has grown cold. But you have a chance today, right now. There might not be a tomorrow. Don’t find the narrow door shut in your face. I don’t want you to hear the words, “depart from me, I never knew you.”
So if this is you, here’s what needs to happen. Right now.
(S56) Repent, which means to turn from the sin, death, and evil in your life, and turn towards Father
(S57) Call upon the name of the Lord. His name is Jesus, the Christ, the son of the living God.
(S58) Believe, which means to receive the Good News that Jesus died as a fully sufficient sacrifice for your sins.
(S59) Invite Holy Spirit to come and fill you and give you new life.
There will be people circulating through the crowd, and they will be exercising their gift of discernment to determine who they will pray for. They will also have words of knowledge, words of wisdom, encouragement, and prophecy. If you want someone to pray for you, flag one of them down.
If you made this decision, we celebrate with you. There’s nothing better in this life than to know you belong to Father. We want to help you in this journey.
***
I hope you are catching a vision for revival. Revival is prayed in. Revival comes to a holy people. Revival comes in Spirit-empowered people. But I want to tell you, this isn’t a formula. There isn’t a 10 step process to revival. But we have to do, and be, all these things anyway, because Father wants it. So let’s do what Father commands and pray He sends revival.
But let me ask you honestly. Is this what you want? Do you have weep for the lost? Do you mourn for the suffering and the sick? Do you want His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven? Do you really want revival? Are you willing to pursue Father’s heart for this church, maybe in a way you haven’t considered before?
You have an opportunity. Father’s desire is to capture your heart and turn it to the purposes of God. Let’s not miss the chance.
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