Seeking Revival

Ephesians 3:14-21 AMP

14 For this reason [grasping the greatness of God’s plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God--the first and ultimate Father]. 16 May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God's people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; 19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God's presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. 20 Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Pray this prayer daily for the next seven days.

I. Seeking Revival

All true Christians should yearn for revival. We should all be tired of the sad state of things around us. We should all want so much more. And as I have so often stated, the world is in a mess because the church is in a mess, and the church is in a mess because you and I are in a mess. It all begins with us in other words. A.W. Tozer

In the history of the church, the term revival in its most biblical sense has meant a sovereign work of God in which the whole region of many churches, many Christians has been lifted out of spiritual indifference and worldliness into conviction of sin, earnest desires for more of Christ and his word, boldness in witness, purity of life, lots of conversions, joyful worship, renewed commitment to missions.

You feel God has moved here.

And basically revival, then, is God doing among many Christians at the same time or in the same region, usually, what he is doing all the time in individual Christian lives as people get saved and individually renewed around the world. John Piper

For further study read Revival by Martin Loyd Jones recommended by John Piper

II. We can seek revival but not create revival

2Chronicles 7:13-14 AMP

13 "If I shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence and plague among My people, 14 and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

1. Humble

2. Pray

3. Seek personal fellowship and encounter with the LORD

4. Turn from their wicked ways – Experience deep confession and repentance

III. Reflections on a biblical Revival

Joel 2:1-2, 12-15 AMP

1 Blow the trumpet in Zion [warning of impending judgment], Sound an alarm on My holy mountain [Zion]! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble and shudder in fear, For the [judgment] day of the LORD is coming; It is close at hand, 2 A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and of thick [dark] mist, ... 12 "Even now," says the LORD, "Turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance], With fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]; 13 Rip your heart to pieces [in sorrow and contrition] and not your garments." Now return [in repentance] to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness [faithful to His covenant with His people]; And He relents [His sentence of] righteous judgement [when His people genuinely repent]. 14 Who knows whether He will relent [and revoke your sentence], And leave a blessing behind Him, ….? 15 Blow a trumpet in Zion [warning of impending judgment], Dedicate a fast [as a day of restraint and humility], call a solemn assembly.

1. Recognize the times -

Matthew 16:2-3 AMP

2 But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3 "And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a threatening look.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times?

2. Turn to the Lord as our one and only hope.

3. Experience real conviction and sorrow over sin.

4. Hunger and thirst for righteousness.

5. Biblical Fasting – See Isaiah 58 – Giving to the poor, treating people with respect, love, compassion, and justice.

Conclusion -

Micah 6:8 NASB95

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?