EXPECTING REVIVAL
8/24/08 Acts 12
1. Revival is the Need of the hour
a. Church is on the defense
b. From sinner seeking to seeker sensitive
2. Pompous Personalities and Pleasing programs
3. No longer what He did for us but what’s in it for me
1. RECOGNIZE OUR PERIL
A. Hatred of the Physical World
1. Malignity Herod Agrippa I
a. GF Her. Great – murdered children – kill Christ child
b. Uncle Herod Antipas – beheaded John the Baptist
c. killed James with the Sword
2. Servility – anything to be accepted by peers
a. killed James only because it pleased the Jews
b. Sun night serv canceled – people won’t come??
c. More worried about what NBC has on than God
3. Hypocrisy intending after Passover
a. careful to observe rituals & customs
b. commit murder without a thought or prayer
B. Hatred of the Spiritual World
1. Desire of Satan
Luke 22:31 (KJV)
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
2. Destruction
a. every demon possessed in Bible rd to destruction
2. REVITALIZE OUR PRAYING
A. United Vs. 5 & 12
1. can we agree to pray for revival?
Matthew 18:18-19 (KJV)
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
B. Unceasing
a. Won’t stop until answered
b. Persistent 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)
Pray without ceasing.
Daniel 10:12-14 (KJV)
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I am come to make you understand
C. Unsparing
a. without ceasing – strain to cross finish
b. all thoughts and emotions and desires on prayer
C. Un-Fuzzy
1. Generation of Generic Prayers
a. unto God
b. for him
2. Who needs to be saved?
3. What in your life needs touch of God
Eph 6:10-18
3. REALIZE OUR PEACE vs. 6-7
A. Pardoned heart
1. Peter was saved & knew it!
Romans 5:1 (KJV)
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
B. Perfect Trust
1. God is in charge, not man
Psalms 27:1-6 (KJV)
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
C. Pure conscience
1. All that he had done was at Christ’s orders
2 Corinthians 1:12 (KJV)
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV)
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
4. LITERALIZE OUR FAITH
A. Peter
1. V. 7 Poked in the Side
2. V. 8 Put on your clothes
3. V. 10 Passed thru the Gates
4. Vs. 9-11 Praised God for Deliverance
B. Rhoda
1. More Emotion than she had sense
2. Rejoiced in answer but didn’t open door to receive
3. So busy shouting kept the door shut
C. Church
1. Denied v. 15a
2. Spiritualize 15b
3. Bewildered v. 16
4. Missed out v. 17
5. AGONIZE OVER MAN’S LOSTNESS
A. Passing opportunity vs. 18-19
1. 16 men heard the gospel
2. HS tugged at their heart
3. Opportunity to be saved
B. Pressing Judgment vs. 20-23
1. Deadline limit of God’s Patience
1. RECOGNIZE OUR PERIL
2. REVITALIZE OUR PRAYING
3. REALIZE OUR PEACE
4. LITERALIZE OUR FAITH
5. AGONIZE OVER MAN’S LOSTNESS
