HUNGER FOR REVIVAL

SERIES: REVIVAL TIMES 

TEXT: HABAKKUK 3:2, HAGGAI 2:9

God’s desire is that this latter day’s church would be greater in glory and power than the church was in the book of Acts. It is time to contend for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our midst today and pray for revival.

“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former” –(Haggai 2:9)

• The Lord declared that the glory of the latter church would be greater than the former.

• We are not there yet, we have never exceeded the church of the Acts of the Apostles.

• Look at the early church;

1. Thousands of people were saved in a day.
2. Signs and wonders, healing and miracles were common place.
3. Peter’s  shadow healed people, Paul’s handkerchiefs healed people –(Luke 24:49)
4. The church today is powerless church, but it’s time to change that, we really need power!!

• There must be more, more of Jesus Christ –(Psalm 85:6, Habakkuk 3:2)

1. There are two kinds of Revival in the Bible, personal and corporate-church.
2. Revival –(CHAYAH) is to sustain life, be restored to life or health, to cause to grow, restore lost, stolen or destroyed things, to restore to growth and  bearing of fruit!!

• When we are revived, we will be juicy fruit Christians –full of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control).

Let us see:-

THE NEED FOR REVIVAL.

• When the people of God are easily offended, easily gossip compromise with and justify sin; Act and talk just like the world, put sports over God’s house , neglect prayer and Bible reading.

• A look at Revival history:

• Through out the history of the church, there have been times where God was send fresh fire to stir up His people to seek after Him again.

1. 1500’s- The reformation – Martin Luther and Calvin, they reminded us that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, through Jesus Christ alone to the glory of God alone–Grace alone.
2. 1700’s The first great awakening – Wesley Whitfield, Edwards- Evangelism.
3. 1900’s— The Pentecostal Revival – William Seymour at Azusa Street – Holy Spirit.
4. The Welsh Revival of 1904:

• In 1904 –26 year old youth intern -Evan Roberts had prayed for Revival for 11 years.
• He felt that God was going to pour out a mighty Spirit of Revival on Wales He prayed “Bend me, O Lord!!”
• His pastor let him speak following a prayer meeting, only 17 people stayed over, mostly youth.
• All ended up at the altar crying out to God until 2am that week 60 people were saved.

• In the next 11/2 years –revival broke out in Wales, 100,000 people saved.
• Changed national culture- bars liquor stores shut down entire police force dismissed.
• Prayer meeting went from 1am-5am.
• Prayer meeting averaged 2000 people.

Aimee semple Mcpherson and the foursquare, gospel church.

• Aimee was a farm girl from Ingersoll Ontario, she started preaching at age 17.
• Foursquare Gospel church was birthed, out of Holy Spirit empowered healing Revival meetings.
• Foursquare Gospel, started by Aimee in 1923, it emphasizes the fourfold ministry of Jesus Christ as, savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, healer and soon coming King.
• Revival comes conditionally–(2nd Chronicles 7:13-14).

FOUR KEYS TO GETTING READY FOR REVIVAL-(2nd CHRO. 7:13-14)

Humanity. 

• We must admit our need for God.
• Humanity means we acknowledge we need God.
• God is attracted to our weakness, He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.
• Our weakness, in fact makes room for his power.

Prayer.

• To pray in boldness and faith –(Ephesians 3:20)

• To pray with strong desire to receive from God–(Mark 11:24)
• It is time to pray big prayers, He has promised to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or imagine.

Seek God’s face:- Become God chasers!! (Psalm 63:1-2)

• We need to realize that revival is not a formula, it is about falling in love with Jesus again.
• We have got to stop just seeking His hands (His blessings, health, prosperity, peace) and start seeking his face His face-(His presence, knowing Him) –(Phil. 3:10)

Repentance: To turn from our wicked ways unto God-(Matt. 3:1-3).

• Repentance precedes revival!! John the Baptist preached repentance–(Malachi 3:1-2)
• We will see God come in revival when we begin to seek Him in prayer and repentance.

CONCLUSION 

• God’s desire is that this latter day’s church would be greater in glory and power than the church in the book of Acts.

• Let us contend for fresh out pouring of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for hunger for Revival.