Getting Ready for Revival
Psalm 19:1-14
Sermon by Rick Crandall
McClendon Baptist Church - Sept. 21, 2008
*On Sept. 27, 1998, Philip Ozersky went to a baseball game and saw his life changed in a big time way. All it took was one swing of the bat, and Philip caught not just a baseball, but a gold mine.
*Lots of fans have caught home runs, but this was no ordinary home run. Lots of batters have hit home runs, but this was no ordinary batter. On that day, Mark McGuire came to the plate and hit his record-breaking 70th home run.
*The ball flew over Philip’s head, hit a wall and bounced into his lap. Before you could say: “I am rich,” this 26-year-old research scientist became an instant millionaire. On Jan. 13, 1999, an anonymous bidder paid a record $2.7 million for this ball, almost 22 times the previous record. (1)
*What a day! What joy! What unexpected treasure. What a change in his life! -- But Christians, it cannot touch the things God wants to do in our lives. God wants to pour down His infinite riches into our lives. God wants to revive our souls.
*You may be thinking, “I’d rather have the ball.” -- But that just shows how much you need revival, -- or how much you need the Lord.
*Our revival meetings with Greg Wilton start in 4 weeks. And we are praying for true, spiritual revival. But what does that mean?
*In the Old Testament revival means “to have life, sustain life, live forever or be restored to life or health.” The word picture is a person or military force completely surrounded by the enemy, with no way to escape. In the moment of greatest despair, God intervenes and rescues them completely.
*In the New Testament the best word picture for revival is a Christian waking up out of a deep sleep. God uses this same word over 40 times to talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But God also uses this word to speak to a Christian who has fallen asleep in his devotion to the Lord. God wants to wake us up! So in Rom 13:11 Paul tells Christians, “It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” (2)
*Another great New Testament word for revival is “renewal.” This word is talking about “a renovation, a complete change for the better.” As we see in Rom 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
*Do we need this renewal? David Dewitt says, “I’ve heard some people say that they are just fine and don’t need any spiritual renewal. Let me ask you a few questions:
-Are there still areas where you can grow? Then you need renewal.
-Are there areas of your life that you still struggle with? Then you need renewal.
-Can you remember a time when you were closer to God than you are right now? Then you need renewal.” (3)
*All believers need times of renewal and revival. -- How can we get there?
1. First: Take a new look at God’s world.
*Here in Psalm 19:1-6, David encourages us to take a new look at God’s world. In vs. 1 David said, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” And what a declaration! “Day unto day utters speech.” The idea is that the information gushes out. The knowledge of God’s glory pours out like a fountain all over the world.
*The sun (s-u-n) in vs. 4 is a reflection of the glory of the S-o-n in Heaven. And in vs. 5, Jesus is the real Bridegroom looking forward to His Heavenly marriage. Jesus is the strong man rejoicing as He runs a race He is sure to win.
*The glory of God is on display every day in the heavens. We just need to look up and get the message! -- Because the message of God’s glory will build up our faith, and revive our souls.
*We all need to see the glory of God. -- As Mike Yaconelli once said: “The most critical issue facing Christians is not abortion, pornography, the disintegration of the family, moral absolutes, MTV, drugs, racism, sexuality, or school prayer.
-The critical issue today is dullness. We have lost our astonishment.
-The Good News is no longer (seen as) good news, it is okay news.
-Christianity is no longer (seen as) life changing, it is life enhancing. (4)
*We need the message of the glory, power and wisdom of the Lord. We need the message that our God is the only true God! -- Awesome, almighty, the great Creator, Designer, and Keeper of this universe.
*God is in control -- And His name is Jesus Christ! The Word of God says that: “By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Col 1:16)
*When we take a fresh look at the wonders of God’s world, we will be reminded of the one who made it all. We will be reminded that He is infinitely bigger and better than we are. -- And this look will change our lives.
-If you want to get ready for revival, take a new look at God’s world.
2. But also take a new look at God’s Word.
*David tells us why in vs. 7-11:
7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
*President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.”
-Abraham Lincoln said, “All things desirable to men are contained in the Bible.”
*Author Chuck Colson gave this testimony about the Word of God: “The Bible: banned, burned, beloved; -- more widely read; more frequently attacked than any other book in history. Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it; dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into gentle saints.” (5)
*These men have all looked to the Word of God for wisdom, strength and renewal in life. David shows us why.
*In vs. 7 “The law of the Lord is perfect.” This means God’s Word is complete, perfectly free from corruption and filled with all good.
*“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” -- The NIV says it revives the soul. God’s Word turns us from sin to holiness, bringing us back to goodness and to God.
*This word “convert” or “revive” is the same word translated as “restore” in the 23rd Psalm. David said, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.” -- Believers, we need that restoration. We need that revival. I need it. And the Bible is the place to get it.
*Also in vs. 7, “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” This reminds us that we can rely on everything God says. His testimony will give us a sure foundation for today and forever.
*Then in vs. 8, “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” Following God’s rules will surely bring joy to your heart.
*Also in 8, “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. God’s Word will shine the light of truth for our lives. It can clear your vision. The Word of God opens our eyes to see what is really good and true, what is important and what will last forever.
*In vs. 9, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.” David is talking about the Godly fear or reverence that comes from the Word of God. It will cleanse us forever!
*Then, in vs. 9&10, “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” They are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey!
*The Bible is a priceless message to us from God. It is a message that can change our lives in amazing ways! -- If we will take the time to look, listen to its warnings and seek its great rewards.
-Have you done that? Have you ever taken a good look into the Word of God?
*Notice back up in vs. 7, “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” God’s Word turns foolish people into wise people. And this Book is the only place where we can find the wisdom of salvation, because this book is the Word of God! 430 times the Old Testament tells us, “Thus saith the Lord.”
*This book is the sure testimony of God. -- In both the Old Testament and the New you will find testimony about Jesus Christ...
-Testimony that Jesus is God, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
-Testimony that Jesus loves us beyond measure.
-Testimony that He was born as a man to die on the cross for our sins.
-That He rose from the dead.
-And that He will forgive our sins and give us eternal life -- if we will receive Him as Savior and Lord.
*If you want to find God, take a good look. You can find Him right here in the pages of this Book. -- And anybody who has ever truly found God, has found Him in the pages of this book.
*This is the Word of God! These words have the power to save your souls and give you everlasting life. That’s why 1 Pet 1:23-25 tells believers:
23. You have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
24. As the prophet says, "People are like grass that dies away; their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers. The grass withers, and the flowers fall away.
25. But the word of the Lord will last forever." And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
*Look to the Word of God for salvation. Then keep looking for spiritual growth and revival. As E. T. Harris once said, “No one ever graduates from Bible study, until he meets the author face to face.” (6)
*If you want to get ready for revival, take a new look at God’s Word.
3. But also look at God’s will.
*In vs. 12-14, David was greatly concerned about God’s will, and he began to pray:
12. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
13. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
*It’s as if King David was saying, “Lord, Your glory in the heavens is great, -- but that’s not enough for me. And Your Word is perfect, -- but that’s not enough for me. Lord, I need you! I need you to lead me, guide me, change me.”
*This is what Jesus will do for us when we receive Him as our Savior and Lord. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, but He rose again!
-Now the Risen Christ can save you and change your life, if you know Him as Savior and Lord. -- Do you know Him?
*Notice the close relationship David had here with the Lord:
-In vs. 12 he is saying, “Lord, you know me better than I know myself. Please cleanse me!”
-In vs. 13, “Lord, I am your servant. Please keep me from evil!”
-In vs. 14, “I really want to please you God, because you are my Strength and my Redeemer! -- You are the One who paid the price to save me!”
*This is exactly the kind of prayer we need for revival: “God help me to do your will!” -- But first you have to know Him as Savior and Lord.
*Do you know Jesus as your Redeemer, Savior and Friend?
-Why don’t you put your trust in the Lord right now?
-No one else can save you. No one else can forgive your sins.
-But Jesus will forgive you and give you His eternal life, if you will receive Him today.
*There will be hills and valleys in your new life, times when you need revival from the Lord, times like we are seeking for ourselves, our families, our church and our country.
*In those times we can pray as David prayed in vs. 12-14. Let’s do that right now, as we go to God in prayer:
*Lord, Thank you for these great words of prayer from David. May they be the cry of our hearts today:
12. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
13. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
(Prayer for salvation)
1. ChristianGlobe.com sermon “There’s God In Them There Hills” by James Merritt - Psalm 19:1-14
2. Adapted from SermonCentral sermon “Revival: What Is It Really?” By Robbie Boyd - 2 Chron 7:14
3. SermonCentral sermon “Reclaiming the Wastelands” by David DeWitt - 2 Chron 7:14 - 11/13/05
4. Adapted from Michael Yaconelli, “Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith” (Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 1998) - Found in 10/06/02 email from sermons.com
5. Source: The Bible Illustrator: Roosevelt & Lincoln Quotes: Topic: Bible / Index: 414-434 - Date: 10/1995.10162 / Title: Bible - Colson Quote: Topic: Bible / Index: 414-434 - Date: 10/1995.10185 / Title: Bible
6. Source: The Bible Illustrator: Topic: Bible / Index: 414-434 - Date: 10/1995.10175 / Title: Bible
