Revival (Section 4) When A Revival Is To Be Expected (From Charles Finney’s Lectures) Series

Revival (Section 4) WHEN A REVIVAL IS TO BE EXPECTED (From Charles Finney’s Lectures)

Psalms 85:6 Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?

I. WHEN A REVIVAL OF RELIGION IS NEEDED

A. When there is a want of brotherly love and Christian confidence among professors of

religion, then a revival is needed.

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1 Th 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you:

for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

B. When there are dissensions, and jealousies, and evil speakings among professors of

religion, then there is a great need of a revival.

Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in

the day of vengeance.

So 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

989 blasphemia (blas-fay-me’-ah) slander, detraction, speech injurious to another’s good name, impious and reproach speech injurious to divine majesty

C. When there is a worldly spirit in the Church.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

D. When the Church finds its members falling into gross and scandalous sins, then it is

time to awake and cry to God for a revival.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

E. When there is a spirit of controversy in the Church or in the land, revival is needful.

F. When the wicked triumph over Christians, it is time to seek revival.

G. When sinners are careless, it is time Christians should bestir themselves.

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF A REVIVAL IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES

A. A revival of religion is the only possible thing that can wipe away the reproach which

covers the Church, and restore religion to the place it ought to have in the estimation

of the public.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.

B. Nothing else will restore Christian love and confidence among Church members. Nothing

but a revival can restore it, and nothing else ought to restore it.

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with

thy free spirit.

C. At such a time a revival of religion is indispensable to avert the judgments of God from

the Church.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of

God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

D. Nothing but a revival of religion can preserve such a Church from annihilation.

E. Nothing but a revival of religion can prevent the means of grace from doing a great

injury to the ungodly.

F. There is no other way in Church can be sanctified, grow in grace, and be fitted for heaven.

Ephesians 5:26 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to

his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the

Holy Ghost;

III. WHEN A REVIVAL MAY BE EXPECTED

A. When the providence of God indicates that a revival is at hand.

Romans 8:28 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

B. When the wickedness of the wicked grieves and humbles and distresses the Christians.

C. A revival may be expected when Christians have a spirit of prayer for a revival.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,