The Cry For Revival – DO IT AGAIN, LORD!
First in the series: Revival – Reviving Me, Reviving the Church & Reviving Our Community
Perth Bible Church July 15, 2007 AM Rev. Todd G. Leupold
INTRO1:
On Monday, August 14, 2006, NASA reported that it had misplaced or lost the original recording of the first moon landing including Neil Armstrong’s famous statement: “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
His famous space walk was seen by millions of viewers on July 20, 1969 and was one of the 20th Century’s defining moments, yet now the original recording is lost and maybe gone forever. One might ask, “How could you lose something so important?” Only the government could do that, right?
The truth is that in life we lose things. I can’t tell you the things our family has mysteriously lost from one move to the next. Not to mention vacations. In fact, Friday I received a package from my step-father of things we left behind at his house – and didn’t even know it! Regularly these days, it seems I even manage to lose my ’mind!’
Sadly, sometimes we even lose ourselves - and that is far more important than any of these other things, or even some famous recording.
We lose ourselves by making a mistake or giving in to sin. When we do that, a part of our identity is lost.
We forget to follow Jesus and His commands and we quickly lose our way down a broad path.
We get caught up in the moment and lose sight of those things that are the most important to us.
I have certainly been lost in the past. In some things, I feel lost now. There are times I have lost my way, my identity, and often my proper and godly perspective. Rarely, if ever, does it happen intentionally or purposefully. It just happens. The truth is that we have ALL been lost. Jesus knew that it is easy for us to lose our way and that is why He came. He came to help us find our way back to Him.
(Slightly adapted from “Losing the Most Important Thing”, a sample communion meditation by Ken Gosnell as appears at www.lifeway.com)
Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Now is a time to be found. Now is a time for each of us to check our spiritual compass and re-ascertain just where we are in relation to our “True North” - Jesus Christ! Now is a time to look anew – high and low – for Jesus, to recognize and confess the ways in which we are lost, to ask Him to find us and to lead us along His wondrous path!
PRAYER
INTRO2:
Folks, it is because of these natural and undeniable truths that we need revival – in our individual lives, our families, our church and our community. Multiple research proves this. Over time, most churches plateau and then eventually decline. Typically, they start strong and experience periods of significant growth, stagnate and lose members. Since 1991, the North American population has increased by 15 percent while the number of “unchurched” people has increased by 92 percent. Large church houses that once were filled, now hold a fraction of their capacity. (www.lifeway.com)
This is not some new or modern phenomenon. It is a pattern seen again and again throughout Biblical history and divinely recorded in Scripture as a warning. Remember last month when we examined the Deuteronomic principle of Rebellion – Retribution – Repentance – Restoration (X2)? And the pattern of generational spiritual decline seen throughout history and particularly referred to in Judges? Even in the New Testament, in the ministry of Jesus and divinely inspired writings of Paul there are countless admonitions, warnings and exhortations about this common, natural, human tendency.
Brothers and sisters, revival is not something that is just for the badly back-slidden, the immature or the ignorant. It is not something that is only needed by the uncommitted, those who have neglected attending church, or who are less spiritual they we each think that we are ourselves. ALL of us, throughout our lives and throughout our Christian walk will need personal revival at various times. Every church that has survived more than a generation or two will require times of revival if it is to continue to represent and serve Christ in a powerful way. A church like ours, that has been around for over 230 years, will need to experience many revivals over the course of its existence. The only reason we are here today is because that has happened at Perth Bible Church a number of times in the past. If we are to be here and be effective for Christ for another generation (or more), we just may need another revival.
Dr. Arnold Cook in his tremendous book, Historical Drift, writes: “Despite the constant reminders by social scientists that we live in the vortex of the fastest pace of change known to humanity, our most vigorous reaction is benign neglect. . . time takes its toll. Complacency gradually replaces commitment. The desire to be served subtly displaces the desire to serve. Monetary motivation slowly takes priority over ministry. Wants evolve into needs. . . True Christianity remains always only one slim generation from extinction. The tendency is for the fire to go out. Nominalism becomes the growing edge of Christianity unless frequent times of renewal are experienced.”(pp. 28,57, 241)
WHAT IS REVIVAL?
1. It is Supernatural renewal.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics can be summarized as: “All things atrophy over time.” Revival is the supernatural counter to this natural law!
Literally, revival means “re-” ’to repeat, be brought back’ + “vive” - ’to live, be vibrant, full of life.” Thus, revival is the process of stopping and reversing the natural laws of atrophy and it is an act that, being contrary to natural law, can only be accomplished through supernatural means!
Spiritually, it refers to the condition of our heart – the strength and genuineness of our relationship with Christ and dependence upon Him. We see this poignantly in the Psalmist’s cry in Psalm 85:6-7: “Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You?” Put simply, after lamenting the current sinful, apathetic state of God’s people and remembering by contrast how it used to be when everyone was closer to the LORD, David sung out: “Do it again, LORD, do it again! Remember how it used to be? Remember how before, when you saved us from our own sin, our own selfishness, our own distraction with the things of the world? Remember how you gave us new life and spiritual vibrancy? Remember how you empowered and led us to leave these things behind and utterly surrender to you? Remember how we unreservedly served you, made sacrifices for your glory, and basked in the joy of a life filled with your Spirit? I remember, and I’d give anything to get that back.
Do it again, LORD, do it again!!!”
2. Revival is Distinct from Evangelism.
The late evangelist and revivalist, George T. Stephens, once explained: “The doctrine of revivalism carries a different meaning. It concerns those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and who are already members of His Body, the Church. But, because they have become indifferent to His Spirit within them, losing their concern for the unsaved, they have need of being revived. One who is unrelated to God in Christ. . . cannot be revived; he must be regenerated. . . revival is the awakening, the revitalizing, the restoring of those who have already come into a personal relationship with our Lord, but who have been robbed of their sense of duty toward God and their fellowmen by worldliness, lukewarmness, or disobedience.”(True Revival, pp. 12-13)
Psalm 85:6 “Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You?”
3. Revival is always Obvious and Powerful.
Genuine revival is more than a feeling, an emotional high, a burst of energy, or a special week of meetings, preachings and/or commitment. Revival is ALWAYS obvious and powerful. Otherwise, it is something else and something less.
Dr. Arnold Cook describes revival as: “a time when God comes down. When the Word comes alive. When sin is revealed. Where brokenness abounds. Where confessions are made. Where forgiveness is granted and broken relationships are restored.”(pg. 242)
If any of these elements is absent, there is not revival.
Psalm 85:6 “Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You?”
Do It Again, LORD, Do It Again!
WHEN SHOULD WE LOOK FOR REVIVAL?
By definition, revival is not something that does, or even should, happen all the time. It is a cyclical need and, as such, it is important that we recognize where and when in our spiritual lives this need arises and when can it most effectively be addressed.
Perhaps the best way to understand this is to refer to the Sigmoid Curve (refer to illustration on slide), first developed by English structural theorist Charles Handy and frequently used in studying individual organizational behavior by secular and saintly analysts alike.
The sideways “S” (blue) line depicts the dynamic life-cycle of an organism or organization as it follows the natural pattern of growth and atrophy. Point A represents a time just before the organism/organization reaches it’s peak vitality (often referred to as “prime time”). Point B represents the time at which decline has been sustained such that it can no longer be denied and death is preeminent.
Most individuals and organizations (esp. churches), tend to wait until they reach Point B before they are able or willing to either admit their need and/or undergo the necessary changes. The problem is that, in most cases, by the time Point B is reached most efforts at revival are “too little, too late.”
Instead, it has been shown that the best time and chance to renew or extend life is at Point A. That is, those who begin to pro-actively change and adapt just before reaching their peak have the best chance to establish a new, revived curve of vitality and effectiveness.
Why? At Point A, there is still the energy, time and resources necessary to take some risks and initiate change. At Point B, even where there is great recognition and desire, the energy, time and resources necessary to create the needed change may have already been exhausted.
So why do so few act at Point A? Because it means risking a small dip just as things are escalating. Because it means breaking with the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Because that gray area in-between the two lines represents an area of tension and conflict and too many people would rather atrophy and die, then face even necessary tension or conflict.
Does this mean that someone or some organization that recognizes a need for revival, but is already at Point B, shouldn’t even bother trying? Absolutely not!! Remember, spiritual revival is a supernatural act. All things are still possible with God, but godly wisdom dictates that – when able – we should act sooner!
This is just plain good discernment and stewardship!
Psalm 85:6 “Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You?”
WHO NEEDS REVIVAL?
Do I need revival? Consider this checklist and see how you do:
1)Is your heart crowded? Does Christ get ALL your love, or merely one of many pieces?
2)Is your heart cold or calloused? Is your love for Him & others fervent? Constant?
3)Is your heart corrupt? Do you crave or treasure anything immoral in God’s eyes?
4)Do you serve less today than you have in the past or are capable of today?
5)Is your excitement/commitment to tell others about Jesus any less today than it has been in the past? Are you silent where/when you used to speak?
6)Are you living today in the present power of the Holy Spirit? Or is your spiritual ’tank’ empty?
7)When others observe you, is your Christ-light bright or flickering?
If you can answer ’yes’ to any of these questions, even partially, then you need revival!
THE SETTING FOR REVIVAL: 2 Chronicles 6:12-42; 7:1-3,12-16
Please open your personal or pew Bibles and visually follow along with me as we read about revival from the Scripture. As I read and you follow along, I would like you to underline the following words each time you see them: If – Then - So That – When – Now.
[Begin & continue in kneeling posture, shadowing Solomon]
What can we learn from this? Revival Is Conditional!
1.God is not obligated to give us revival just because it is needed.
2.While it is ultimately a supernatural act of God, revival begins with us – our hearts and attitudes.
3.God’s blessing of revival is a response to our earnest cry and desire to receive it with a clean heart.
CONCLUDING CHALLENGE: WHO WILL CRY FOR REVIVAL?
[Thanks to Gerald Flury, sermoncentral.com, for the illustrations that comprise this conclusion]
Will I? Will you? Will WE? Earnestly?
John R. Rice once wrote a song that aptly expresses the attitude with which each of us needs to approach the Lord at ’such a time as this.’ The song is titled: “Lord, I’m the One.” The chorus goes like this:
“Lord, I’m the one.
Yes, Lord, I’m the one.
I’m the one who needs revival,
I’m the one, I’m the one.
Oh, it’s not the man next door,
Oh, Lord, I need it more, than the man next door,
Oh, Lord, I’m the one.”
Or, if you’d rather, take the example of Gypsy Smith. (have a pre-set circle drawn or taped to the floor to use as an illustration and for the altar call). When asked how to start revival he would answer: “Take a piece of chalk and draw a circle on the floor. After the circle has been drawn, step inside the circle. After you are inside the circle, pray this prayer. ’O Lord, please start revival inside this circle!’”
Psalm 85:6 “Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You?”
Do It Again, LORD, Do It Again!
Memory Verse: 2 “Chronicles 7:14
[IF] my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
