A CRY FOR REVIVAL

SERIES: REVIVAL TIME

TEXT: PSALM 85:6

We need to cry out to God, “Wilt thou revive us again?” “Revive us again” means there has been revivals before. God will always forgive as long as we return-Psalm 85:6; 119:159.

Revival means drawing near to God with the expectation of Him drawing near-Isaiah 55:6-9.

• When revival comes God’s people rejoice, they hunger for righteousness, worship and service in His name.
• When revival comes the lost will be drawn to Jesus by the Father.
• Revival is needed whenever the love of God’s people has grown cold-Rev. 3:15-17.
• When revival comes people who have wandered to the far country will return to the Father’s house.
• When revival comes serving will not wear us out or cause burn-out but will lift us up.
• When revival comes His name will be exalted and His people filled with the Holy Spirit.
• Remember you will never receive the blessing from God that you are not pursuing.
• Revival is very intentional. It comes to hearts that desire for more of Him-Matt. 7:7-8.
• Revival must be personal and experienced by the individual. The church is only as strong as the individual person.
• As one walks with joy, with zeal and in power, it strengthens the cords of the entire group.
• The church is only as strong as the individuals that make it.
• When you desire to see His name glorified, when you seek to motivate the church, when you are burdened by the sins within the church you are burdened for revival.
• Revival is an awakening to the things of God. Let us learn:-

THE POINTERS OF REVIVAL.

• “In the last days I will pour my spirit on all flesh.
• There is a promise of last day revival, revival is truly a work of the spirit of God.
• On the day of Pentecost they were in one place, in one mind and in one accord when God visited them.
• For revival to take place, people must come in faith with the heart of expectancy.
• Revival is not accidental, miracle, but when people purpose in their hearts.
• Following are pointers to the need of revival:-

1. Complacency

• Self-satisfaction or satisfaction with the status quo.
• “Seat warmers” who have a “care free” attitude. Attitude may well need a spiritual revival.

2. Lack of concern for the lost-1^st 10:23-24.

• When there is no revival the church does not care for those lost in sin.
• Evangelism and missions is at its lowest.

3. Hiding or covering secret sins-Numbers 32:23.

• If we find ourselves covering or excusing our sins or rationalizing sin we need revival.

4. Having unforgiving spirit-Matt. 6:14-15.

• An unforgiving spirit is a strong indicator that we need spiritual revival.
• We must become like Christ for we are more like God when we forgive others-1^st 2:16.

5. Being filled with pride-Prov. 29:23.

• Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before fall.
• Pride and vanity caused Lucifer to fall-Ezekiel 28:17.
• When we find ourselves feeling superior or puffed up we need humility of revival.

6. Backslidden condition.

• We all know the way to Babylon, back to Egypt, back to the world of sin.
• All these and more are the indicators that we need to draw back to God and His word.
• So let us face up to spiritual realities, see ourselves as God sees us, see sin for what it is and cultivate an earnest desire to be revived- Isaiah 55:6-7.

THE PICTURE OF REVIVAL.

• Revival must purify the heart- true revival changes the heart, only the pure in heart will see God.
• When there is no revival, people look personal holiness.
• Following are true pictures of revival.

1. A spontaneous outpouring of the presence and power of God that moves the people to respond to God’s drawing. True revival are people longing and lingering in the presence of God.
2. A heart of repentance and obedience.

• Repentance of sin is the main sign of revival.
• Repentance is followed by forgiveness when the presence of God has saturated the place.

3. A hunger for God and the things of God.

• Desperation makes people run to the source to be satisfied.

4. A desire to go deeper in Him and to excel to a higher level spiritually.
5. A heart of humility and readiness to forgive others.

• Revival makes us to release other people in forgiveness, we confess our bitterness or past hurts to God and allowing Him to bring a refreshing in your soul.

6. A desire to see souls saved and see lives changed for God’s glory.
7. A desire to see dead things back to life.

• Revival does not only affect our spiritual lives, but other areas of life get affected by revival.
• Dead relationships, dead finances, dead dreams and dead emotions.

PRAYER FOR REVIVAL.

• Today, the church needs to be revived. Revival is desperately needed in any church to cause an awakening to what God is doing and wanting to do.
• Only desperate praying for revival will bring results.
• All our plans and programs are nothing without the movement of God’s spirit among us.
• To some people, prayer is like a fire extinguisher-only used when the house is on fire.
• We ought to pray all the time Jesus Christ said His house would be called a House of Prayer for all people.
• What kind of prayer do we need to pray:-

1. Confessing prayer-1^st John 1:9.
2. Consistent prayer- until we get the answer. P.U.S.H-(Pray Until Something Happens).
3. Confident prayer- Pray with expectation.

CONCLUSION

• We need to cry out to God “wilt thou revive us again?” so that your people may rejoice in thee.
• The christian life is made up of many beginnings we fall-we rise-we keep getting up.
• Only GOD can send revival. He alone is the source “Wilt thou revive us again?” no man, no organization can schedule or plan spiritual revival.
• We need personal, home revival, church revival, revival is returning to God.
• Revival is not turned on and off like electricity or water fountain-It is when we meet God’s conditions He will bestow it upon us.