Call 2 Fall
Introduction: Today we are joining with thousands of other churches across the country to pray for revival to breakout in our Nation. The only way that is possible is for us to humble ourselves before Almighty God, repent of our sins, and recommit ourselves to live for His Son Jesus Christ. That is that whole focus behind today’s emphasis: Call 2 Fall.
Franklin Graham
We need another great awakening, a fresh revival that puts us on our knees, brings us to repentance for our sins, and turns our hearts back again to worship and obey God. There is no other way for America to be great again...
Before we actually spend time in prayer, I want to share with you some reasons that I believe this call is so important.
A Call 2 Fall is Taught in the Scriptures
Our theme verse is 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.
The first requirement on the path to renewal is to “humble ourselves,” to fall on our knees and faces before the Lord in repentant prayer. Over and over the Scriptures teach this. Let me offer you three simply perspectives from scripture on why I think the idea of Call 2 Fall is so important.
It reminds us of the importance of a Proper Attitude:
Humility and Dependence Upon God
Motives matter. God looks at our hearts, He knows what is driving our lives. God requires genuine humility before He will intervenes on our behalf. That is why I think the key word in our theme text is: humble. The Hebrew word for humble refers to a proud or arrogant person being brought into subjection. It is a picture of spiritual submission to the sovereignty of God. The Call to Fall must begin with an attitude of humility before God, an admission our need for God’s mercy and grace. If we remain self-sufficient in our attitudes, we cannot expect God to give us the help we so desperately need.
It reminds us of the importance of putting Prayer into Action:
Kneeling Together Before the Lord
The Call 2 Fall is a call for God’s people to publicly, to humble ourselves by bending our knees before Almighty God. In Scripture, bending the knee is an act of humility, reverence and submission. Some of God’s greatest leaders demonstrated their deep humility by bending their knees in prayer before Almighty God.
Abraham: Then Abraham fell on his face, and God talked with him... (Gen. 17:3)
Moses: Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. (Exod. 34:8)
The Psalmist: Oh come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psalm 95:6)
Elijah: And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down to the ground, and put his face between his knees. (1 Kings 18:42)
Ezra: At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9:5)
Daniel: …in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, [Daniel] knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. (Daniel 6:10)
Paul: “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
It reminds us to live in Anticipation of God’s Promise:
God will Answer
We believe that God Himself is the originator of the “Call to Fall.” If we will do our part, we can surely anticipate that He will do His. In fact, Scripture is filled with promises for those who humble themselves before the Lord. The verse that follows our theme verse reminds us of this truth. God promised…
2 Chron. 7:14-15
…I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place.
Psalm 149:4
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
1 Peter 5:5-6
…all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.
God desires for His people to humble themselves before Him and His Word clearly reveals that truth. So what applications can we make for us a Nation?
II. A Call 2 Fall is Part of our National History
Our founding fathers sensed the need for a “Call 2 Fall” in view of the monumental struggle we were engaged in with Britain. The First Continental Congress called for a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout the Colonies on July 20th, 1775 just after war broke out. James Warren wrote Samuel Adams:
“Three millions of people on their knees at once, supplicating the aid of Heaven, is a striking circumstance, and a very singular one in America. May the blessings of Heaven follow in answer to our prayers....”
In addition, colonial America and the early years of our republic experienced what observers have called Great Awakenings, which began with God’s people humbling themselves in repentant prayer and led to others becoming followers of Christ. Throughout our history, when the people of God humbled themselves before the Lord there was a great outpouring of spiritual revival. What God did before He can do again…if we are willing to once again humble ourselves before Him.
So what should WE do?
III. Our Nation Needs to See The Church Respond to a Call 2 Fall
How can we expect revival to come to America if it doesn’t first come to the Church? With all the challenges that our on Nation has faced in recent years, we need to step back and ask, “What has the Church done during these difficult times?” Think about the last 10 years—from 9/11 to war to natural disasters to devastating financial and moral collapse, we are witnessing what happens when a nation turns away from God. Given the monumental challenges of our times, I think we find ourselves in a similar situation as that of ancient Israel. We need to realize that if we want to survive we must humble ourselves before God—and that must begin with us.
Listen to these powerful assessments by some of the great men and women of faith in our own day:
David Jeremiah
REVIVAL and a return to the moral and spiritual principles of Scripture in which America’s greatness is rooted are the only things that can save our land... We’re living in perilous times, but God is our refuge and strength. He rules in the kingdoms of men. Humble yourself, pray, seek His face, turn from sin, and God will grant healing and holiness. Thank God for our heritage, and pray that He will grant America revival. May He bless us with spiritual awakening and moral courage before it’s too late.
Beth Moore
Make no mistake. We are not powerless. We are not too remote and removed to make a difference. And we are not a few. If we would but get over our own quarrels and come together on our knees, seeking forgiveness for ourselves first and our country second, dust would fly. Change would come. And to us first.
Chuck Colson
We can change the course of events if we go to our knees in believing prayer. To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.
IV. Conclusion
So where do we go from here? Coming to church is not enough. A sermon on humility is not enough. We need to both sense, and respond to this call. Here are some things we need to reflect upon today:
God is Sovereign, His Son is Lord, and His Holy Spirit is still at work today!
We are sinners—and without Jesus Christ we are destined for an eternity in Hell.
Even though we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we have far too often been disobedient, and we need to repent.
The pathway back must begin with:
1. A Desperation for God.
2. Humility and Brokenness before the Lord.
3. A Sincere Desire to change.
4. The Resolve to do so.
