2 Chron 7:14
14 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. (KJV)
Jim Cymbala began at the Brooklyn Tabernacle as an ill-equipped, under-educated, time-strapped preacher who led a second congregation in New Jersey. The Brooklyn church had no money to pay him, a ramshackle building, and barely enough attendance to bother with weekly meetings. Today, the Tabernacle hosts around 6,000 spirit-filled worshipers. The difference came when Jim, in a moment of desperation, set aside his planned message and called the church to pray. The weekly prayer meeting, not the Sunday worship, became the focal point of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Jim’s belief that "God can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him" guides his work. It is Prayer, not preaching that brings Revival.
In this passage there are 4 essential keys for true revival.
Title: ~~~
Before I get to the four keys, it is important to point out that the Lord is talking to His own people. He isn’t talking to the sinner in this passage, but to the Church. He said, “If my people, which are called by my name…” He is specifically talking to Christians.
The first key we see is…
I) Humble Themselves.
Matt 23:12
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (KJV)
James 4:6
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (KJV)
1 Peter 5:5
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (KJV)
James 4:10
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
(KJV)
1 Peter 5:6
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (KJV)
It is important to remember that we as God’s people must remain humble. The opposite of being humble is having pride. Pride is one of the seven things that God hates. As long as there is a prideful spirit in God’s people, there can be no revival!
II) Pray
Volumes have been written about prayer. Prayer is the believer’s open line of communication with the Lord. It’s not just asking God to meet our needs & wants. Have you ever called up a friend just to talk with them? We have a, as the old song says, “telephone to glory, O what joy divine. I can feel the current moving on the line. Built by God the Father for the one & own. I can talk to Jesus on this royal telephone.”
Jer 33:3
3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (KJV)
Prayer brings revival!!!
III) Seek My Face
When Moses stood on the mountain, his heart’s desire was, “show me thy glory.” In other words, he wanted to see the face of the Lord, His fullness. Moses was allowed to see only a portion of the Glory. However, I thank God that the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom thereby giving me full access to the fullness of his Glory. I can seek His face & find it.
1 Chron 16:11
11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.
(KJV)
Ps 105:4
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
(KJV)
IV) Turn From Their Wicked Ways
Repentance is the fourth key to revival. Repentance bring about change.
James 4:8-10
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (KJV)
Lord give us clean hands & a pure heart.
When we get these four keys working for us, The Lord will hear, forgive & heal.
When God heals our land, He brings cleansing with it.
Jer 33:6
6 Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. (NKJV)
Sin is driven out when healing comes to the land. Drugs, alcoholism, homosexuality, prostitution, & corruption must go. Why? Because the ones that do these things are the ones that are getting saved & delivered.
(Close)
God wants to bring healing to the land!
