Conditions For Real Revival

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Conditions For Real Revival

2 Chronicles 7:14

I. “If” indicates a condition.

Story: Mike.....if you don’t come in this house.......

There is a “if” to revival. Revival is something that is definitely needed. It is something that I believe God desires to give to us......yet there is a “if” to it ! There are conditions that must be met before God’s holiness will allow him to send us revival ! God doesn’t just send revival because we need it, but because we desire it !

Do you have a desire for revival in your personal life ? Is there a desire burning in your heart for revival to come to our church ? Would you like to see, and feel the winds of revival blowing across our nation ?

Then we must respond to God’s “if”.

We must be willing to meet the condition.......to pay the price !

What are these conditions ?

a. The People Must Respond.

“If my people which are called by my name........”

Revival is intended for the people of God.....for those who are identified with him. It is the people of God.....the church of God.......the body of Christ that must respond to the conditions for revival. Revival must begin here ! It must begin in me.....it must begin in you.....and you.....and you. The people of God must respond to the “if” of revival or it will not come.

Story:

Have you heard the story of the little church in rural Tennessee. They had a revival meeting every spring and an old guy in town would come every spring and renew his life to God. In the fall he would begin to cool off and by winter he would get cold, but in the spring he would get fired up again. So on the first night of the revival he would come in and sit on the back seat. The next night he is up about two rows. The next night about two rows more. Then by the 4th or 5th night he was on the front seat saying fill me Lord. There was a little lady who knew him well who was heard to day, “Careful Lord, he leaks.”

Do you remember the days of the past when you walked close to the Lord. You loved to fellowship with him......you craved his presence ! There was once a time when we were excited about the Lord. We were energized to serve and do all that he bade us do. We were enthusiastic about our relationship, and it showed in the way that we worshipped......in the attitude of our service, and in the way that we loved our brothers, and sisters in the Lord......but like the guy mentioned in the story.....we leak !

We need revival....because we leak ! We have to continually come back to the Lord to be filled with his presence, and with his power. The people of God must respond to God’s “if”

b. The Pride Must Be Removed.

......”shall humble themselves........”

Joke:

A young man went to his pastor and said, “Pastor, I have a besetting sin, and I want your help. When I come to church on Sunday, I can’t help but think that I’m the best looking man in the congregation. I know I ought not to think it, but I just can’t seem to help myself ! Pastor, I want you to help me with it. “ The pastor replied, “Bob, don’t worry about it. In your case it’s not a sin. It’s just a horrible mistake.”

“Pride” is a great hindrance to revival.

Pride looks at others, and says....”I’m better than they are......I’m not that bad. ‘ There is nothing wrong with me. Pride causes us to compare ourselves with the world rather than with the Lord ! Pride maintains that the conditions around us are not our fault ! Pride maintains that we are doing all that we can, and that someone else needs to do their part !

“We” don’t receive revival because “we” feel we don’t need revival ! We’re doing just fine like we are !

We need to receive the words of Isaiah 57:15. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Before revival can take place we must rediscover the holiness of God. We must realize our own personal responsibility. We must be accountable. We must bow ourselves before God in humility knowing that he alone can bring revival. We can not produce it ! We can’t manufacture it ! Revival comes from the Lord, and we must meet the conditions set forth in scripture !