Revival - The Key To Survival

Revival - Key to Survival

2 Chronicles 7:14

July 24, 2005

Introduction

In 1904 a young ministerial student named Evan Roberts, began to feel that God was sending an urgent message that He was going to pour out a mighty spirit of revival on Wales, which is now a part of Great Britain. Roberts began attending various revival meetings and during one he was deeply moved by the Spirit. As he prayed at the altar he cried out to God, “Bend me o Lord!” This was a complete and total surrender of his will to God’s will.

Roberts soon returned to his home church to preach the message of revival but his pastor was reluctant to allow him to speak. In a compromise, the pastor announced that Roberts would be speaking following the regular prayer meeting and any who wished to stay were welcome. Only 17 people stayed to hear Evan speak and most of them were teenagers and young adults.

Evan Roberts spoke in that church for nearly two hours with a simple 4 point message that he was convinced could help God bring revival.

1. Confess all known sin to God

2. Deal with and get rid of any “doubtful” area of your life

3. Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly

4. Confess Christ publicly

When Roberts was finished speaking all 17 young people were at the altar on their knees crying out to God. They prayed until 2am that night and it was the beginning of one of the greatest movements of God in all history. By the end of the week, over 60 people were won to Christ and over the course of the next year and a half revival swept through the nation of Wales. Over 1,000,000 people were led to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

The revival was so great that the national culture changed dramatically.

• A rage of bankruptcies took place - All of the taverns and liquor stores went out of business

• Work at the coal mines was brought to a near standstill - The mules who pulled the wagons were so accustomed to hearing foul language from the workers that after the men were saved the mules no longer recognized their voices or commands

• The entire police force was dismissed for almost 18 months due to a complete lack of crime

• One of the few court cases that was actually brought before a judge was unusual. The defendant came into the court and admitted his guilt, the judge led the man to Christ and the jury closed the case by singing a hymn.

The revival eventually made its way across the Atlantic and swept through parts of New York and New Jersey. There was even a daily column in the New York Times called “Today’s Converts” that listed those who were being saved.

Times seem to have totally changed and we have to admit that our world is nothing like that of 1904. I would have to agree our world is a darker and more sinister place where revival seems almost impossible.

What about God has changed from 1904 to today? What part of the power of Christ’s resurrection has diminished from then until now? What part of the work of the Holy Spirit has changed?

Our church has fallen on desperate times, but not because of attendance, money or lack of involvement. We are in desperate times because we desperately need a movement of God almighty and no one seems to realize it!

If God could bring revival in 1904 or any other time for that matter, He can do here in Mt. Orab in 2005.

This morning I want to carefully look at some of the conditions that God places on the outpouring of revival. Open your Bibles to 2 Chronicles 7:14.

If my people, who are called by my name, will 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. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I. God is looking for people to revive

If my people

The if here is the beginning of the conditions that God is looking to be met before He will act. It is clear that God is issuing a conditional promise to His people - do these things and I will respond. God has an expectation of specific things before He brings revival.

These promises are only for those who place their faith in God. God is speaking to His people and no one else here. We must understand that this is an exclusive deal that God only offers to His people.

We often forget that the work of revival always begins with God’s own people first, why?