Interceding For Revival Series

INTERCEDING FOR REVIVAL - lesson 6

INTERCEDING FOR REVIVAL

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this teaching you will be able to:

1) Define revival.

2) Explain how we can prepare for revival.

3) Recognize when revival is needed.

4) Identify evidences of a backslidden condition.

5) Explain how to use "God's revival plan" to intercede for revival.

KEY VERSE:

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. (II Chronicles 7:14)

INTRODUCTION

One of the most important tasks of intercession is praying for revival.

A.THE DEFINITION OF REVIVAL

First, let us examine what revival is not.

Revival is not just emotionalism. People respond emotionally to revival, but emotions are just a part of the revival, they are not the revival. True revival will affect the whole man,

1) Revival is not loud music and "hell-fire" preaching.

2) It is not a campaign for new members to increase attendance.

3) Church growth is a result of revival, but it is not the same as revival.

4) Revival is not evangelism.

5) Evangelism is proclaiming the good news of the Gospel.

6) Revival precedes evangelism,for when dead believers are "revived," evangelism results.

7) Finally, revival is not just a series of special meetings...unless those special meetings are touched by the sovereign move of God.

Revival is...

"A sovereign, extraordinary work of God through and in behalf of a people who have learned and applied the principles revealed in the rhema Word of God regarding revival."

We may also say that revival is:

1) -An awakening, revitalizing, restoring of God's people, a strengthening of those things which remain.

2) -A return to consciousness or life. That which is revived becomes active and flourishing again.

3) -The inrush of the Spirit into the body that has threatened to become a corpse.

4) -Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

B.PREPARING FOR REVIVAL

1) We can compare preparation for revival to the task of farming. A farmer can sit around and pray for a good harvest, but if he does not prepare the field, plant the seed, and water the crop, it will not come.

2) Equally foolish is the farmer who thinks because he does his part in these tasks that harvest is assured.

3) It takes the sovereignty of God through rain, sunshine, and the proper weather patterns to bring the crop to maturity.

4) The farmer works in cooperation with the principles of sowing and reaping,seed time and harvest revealed in God's Word. God is still sovereign, for the rain, sun, and proper weather patterns come from Him.

5) The same analogy may be used for revival. It is a sovereign move of God, but to "reap" revival, we must prepare for it by following the principles revealed in God's Word. Revival is the joint move of the Spirit of God and the response of the people of God.

C.WHEN REVIVAL IS NEEDED

Revival is always needed of course, but it is most necessary when a backslidden condition is apparent….SAMSON DINT KNOW THAT POWER HAD LEAFT HIM

To understand backsliding, consider the example of Israel. Jeremiah called the problems of Israel "backsliding" (Jeremiah 1:3-4). The Bible says:

• The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. (Proverbs 14:14)

Turn to Jeremiah chapter 2. You will note that Israel had...

1) -Determined God was not as important to them as He had formerly been ("I used to"....): 2:5

2) -Forgot the great things God did for them in former days: 2:6-7

3) -Even the religious leaders of Israel joined the backsliding hosts. The priests failed to ask, "Where is the Lord?": 2:8

4) -With God crowded out of their lives, they turned to others things...in this case, idols: 2:11-12; 27-28

5) -They forsook the true source of spiritual water and began to carve out cisterns that could hold no water. They exchanged living water for stagnant water: 2:13

6) -They began to drift spiritually: 2:19

7) -They entered into a self-righteous condition: 2:22-23

8) -They justified themselves with excuses: 3:11

9) -They drew others into their corruption: 2:33-34

Backsliding is the sin of crowding God out and filling one's life with self.

It is described as a pig going back to the mire and a dog returning to its vomit. (II Peter 2:21-22)

D. EVIDENCES OF A BACKSLIDDEN CONDITION

Here are some evidences of a backslidden condition. Examine your own heart and life as you study this list. You are entering into a backslidden condition...

1. When prayer ceases to be a vital part of your life. It has been said that "revival delays because prayer decays."