WHY OUR CHURCH DOESN’T EXPERIENCE REVIVAL
Psalms 85: 6 & Psalms 51 10 - 13
Intro:A. If We look in the dictionary the word revival has two meanings listed
1. A series of meetings for the purpose of reawakening religious faith
2. A restoration to use, activity, or vigor after a period of lackluster or lackadaisical effort
B. David describes what revival meant to him in Psalms 51 10 – 13
C. The real reason that our church doesn’t experience revival is that the question is worded all wrong
1. The church isn’t a thing that can experience revival --- The church is made up of people
(a) So the real question is “ Why do people not experience revival “
(b) Or even more to the point “ Why don’t I experience revival in my own life “
D. A series of meetings in the church is no more a revival that a group of guys holding a football is a
football game
1. Most churches hold a series of meetings periodically with a visiting evangelist and call it revival
(a) But revival isn’t necessarily a group thing
(b) Revival happens when individuals realize that they aren’t as close as they should be and ask the
Lord to Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me
(c) Revival takes place when individual Christians pray Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.
E. I have no doubt whatsoever that we have many Christians here this morning who need revival
1. Christians who are simply going through the motions or playing church
2. I wonder --- How many will experience revival in their lives this morning
(a) And I wonder --- Of those who don’t “ What is it that keeps us from having revival “
F. This morning I want us to look at 3 things that keep individuals from being revived
I. Pride
A. We don’t want to admit to others ( or sometimes even to ourselves ) that we need revival
1. We have the attitude of the man heard falling from the 40 story building as he was falling “ I’m still OK “
2. We compare ourselves to others and we come out pretty good
(a) I may not be as spiritual as some, may not be as active or as close as I used to be, but I’m still better
than a lot of other people are
B. Remember David’s reason for wanting & needing to be revived --- He had lost the joy of his salvation
1. We still come to most of the services if nothing else comes up and if we feel good and aren’t too tired
2. We open our song books and half heartedly sing the songs
3. We hear most of what the preacher has to say even if our mind does wander sometimes ( I wonder how
many could tell me what the message was about last Sunday )
4. We pray every day or at least most every day --- Maybe not on our knees but we say our quick prayers
5. We read & study the bible sometimes when we can find the time to do it
C. But many Christians have lost the joy of their salvation or are losing the joy of their salvation and are too
proud to admit it even to ourselves
1. We look for excuses not to attend services
2. We show up with our attitudes and unforgiving spirits and dare anyone to look at us wrong
3. We endure the message & singing and keep a close watch on our watches
4. We’re here in body but our minds are somewhere else
D. If any of this hits home --- Admit it --- You need revival
1. But our pride keeps us from admitting it and receiving one
II. Another thing that keep people from experiencing revival is --- Designated Hearing
A. These people aren’t hard of hearing they are hard of listening
1. When these people hear the message they hear it as it applies to others
B. Look at what David says in these verses
Psa 51:12-10 Create in ME a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within ME. (11) Cast ME not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from ME. (12) Restore unto ME the joy of thy salvation; and uphold ME with thy free spirit.
1. David isn’t concerned about the need of revival in others --- He realizes his need for one
C. In all of my years of preaching I don’t believe that I have ever preached a message that at least a part of it
didn’t apply to me
1. I believe that every one of us, if we listen to a message with our heart, will be convicted by God of
something that we need in our lives
(a) We all need to listen to God’s message as it applies to us
(b) And don’t worry --- God is certainly able to convict others of their needs
D. If you feel that MRBC isn’t on fire for the Lord as we ought to be
1. Don’t try to light a fire under everyone else
2. Get your own fire burning so hot that it has to spread
(a) Remember --- The entire city of Chicago burned down because Mrs. Oleary’s cow kicked over a
Lantern
III. The third reason that many Christians don’t experience revival is Apathy & Contentment
A. When the apostle Paul said
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
1. He was speaking in terms of desires and wants --- Not in becoming content and apathetic in our
relationship or our service to God
B. Remember Jesus warning to the Church at Ephesus
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
1. Remember His strong reprimand to the church of the Laodiceans
Rev 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
C. Many Christians get satisfied with mediocre lives with half hearted service to the Lord
1. The get apathetic & unconcerned about the lost people dying & going to Hell
2. The get contented with the same faces in the church services every week and never witness or invite
anyone else to come
(a) After all --- We have a good group of people coming now --- Why do we need anyone else
D. Look at why David said that he wanted revival in his own life
Psa 51:12-13 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (13) Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
1. As we said last Sunday night
(a) Jesus Christ has given each of us individually and also the church a group a commission
(b) That commission is to win the lost to Christ and everything that we do as an individual of a church
should be to that end
2. David wants revival in his life so that sinners shall be converted unto thee.
3. Our purpose for revival in our lives serves 2 purposes
(a) First --- We can live in joy & happiness instead of lifelessness & misery
(b) Secondly --- We can see souls come to know Christ through our witness
E. Our alters should be full of Christians wanting to be revived this morning
1. What is it that is going to keep you from being revived
