Series: What is the Spirit Saying?
Opening thought: I received this insight – knowledge to do this series while I spent a week at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. I answered this question by asking many ministers, pastors, Bible teachers and by prayer “What they think the Spirit is saying today?” This is a combination of their answers and it will give you knowledge and even power if you apply these messages to your life.
Quote: from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/fiomascarenhas/scripturallyspeaking/30.asp
The expression, "what the Spirit says to the churches" occurs in each of the seven letters to the particular churches. In these letters, Christ refers to the merits and failings of each community, and offers appropriate encouragement or reproaches. The letters end with an exhortation, either for the church to change its ways (Ephesus, Pergamum, Sardis, and Laodicea) or to persevere in fidelity (Smyrna, Thyatira, and Philadelphia). The church that receives the most severe reprimand (Laodicea) is not accused of any grave fault but Christ condemns the existing state of tepidity and self-satisfaction ("neither hot nor cold"-3:15); this community enjoys material well-being and the absence of persecution. Such an enjoyment brings on pride which, in folding man in on himself, closes him to every gift from Christ. But Christ’s severe reproof is inspired by his love: for whoever will give attention to the call of Christ and will open to him ("Behold, I stand at the door and knock") will participate with the Lord in the joys of the banquet in the time that is to come.
Many churches across America today match one of the 7 churches addressed in Revelation. I do believe the Spirit of the Lord is speaking to His church today to prepare them for what is to come. If I were to pick a church which parallels us at Christian Hills I would choose Laodicea so let’s read what Jesus says to that church. So think carefully, meditate on this section of Scriptures as I read it to you today.
Revelation 3:14-22:
To the Church in Laodicea
14“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
T.S. - So what is the Spirit saying to today’s church, our church or even other churches? How is He speaking? What is He saying?
Introduction:
You could be wondering about the voice of the Spirit – What does it sound like? Is it a booming deep voice or a gentle whisper? How does He communicate? With whom will He communicate? Why does he communicate?
Here are some mediums that God uses so we can hear the voice of the Spirit today:
By prophetic words – like David Wilkerson’s, “The Vision,” He predicted back in 1973 some of the following: Economic confusion, drastic weather changes, rise in porn in the USA and on TV especially after midnight, pleasure palaces will rise in the USA, the sin of Sodom will sweep the nation of America, a great falling away will happen to the church, sexual immorality will be excused and even embraced in the clergy of many main line denominations, the deception of prosperity will sweep the church, the church will become addicted to watching sin as entertainment, there will rise a gossip war in the church against all ministers, “Every motive will be questioned and suspected. Every statement will be examined and cross-examined page 59,” there will be an increase in false doctrines, divorce will sky rocket in and out of the church, teens will be in to hatred of their parents, there will be a rise in drug use, a spirit of persecution will come on Christianity by the media and the watch dog groups, Hollywood will assault the value system of Christianity.”
Remember this was prophesied in 1973 by David Wilkerson.
We could look at another book “The Harvest” wrote in 1997 by Rick Joyner. He predicted, that there would be a polarization of the wheat and the tares in America, he predicted the Japanese earthquake and the current revival happening there and a financial melt-down worldwide.
We can see how prophetic books written by men of God can be used to communicate the voice of the Spirit.
It is also done by preaching! Message from ministers across the world are communicating a message from the Spirit to their audiences this morning.
by teaching through the Bible,
by Bible verses coming to your mind in specific moments, like it did for me when I felt called to come to Christian Hills Church about three years ago. The verse was Proverbs 14:4: “Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.”
This verse came at the right moment in time and I knew it was the voice of the Spirit communicating to my heart. It’s a promise to what God is doing and going to do in this congregation.
So does the Spirit speak by signs and wonders? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZBmp6mpgTY&feature=related)
Is it by supernatural things? Such as angels appearing, or a ghost like horse appearing in the riots of Egypt just recently -Some are calling it the pale horse one of the 4 horses of apocalypse. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j321v_3dwUM&feature=related),
Is it by genuine documented healings? Like from Fox News http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fwjvRE1vk&feature=related).
Video Illustration: of combined clips from the above references. I think yes the Spirit communicates to us through events like this too.
I believe the Spirit’s voice can also be heard through natural disasters, by changing mindsets in a our society, by riots, by war, by famine?
But you could be asking, “How do we know what the Spirit saying today? With so many mediums of communication, how do we know which voice or signs are from the Holy Spirit for us today?”
Even more personally, “How do I personally hear what the Spirit is telling me to do?”
Here is what I want to communicate very clearly to you with this new series:
Thesis for series: You will be unable to recognize the signs of the times or hear the Spirit’s voice without and intimate relationship with Jesus and His Word. I believe the Spirit is saying to us today “be ready – watch - get ready!”
T.S. - The first thing that I beleive the Holy Spirit is communicating to us the Body of Christ today is --- we are to--- “know the times!”
Sermon: Know the times!
Thesis: We need to recognize the voice of the Lord and know the times we live in. We also need to be willing to hear His instructions on what we are suppose to do at such a times as this. Then we must obey it and do it!
Introduction to Sermon:
There is an old saying from Sir Francis Bacon who said, “Knowledge is power.”
Meaning #1: If you have knowledge, then you will have power.
The concept here is that the acquisition of knowledge results in power in social settings, community settings, with others and within one self. The one "in the know" holds a certain power over those who do not know. The knower then becomes the person that others will go too for answers and insight.
But it also means
Meaning #2: If you have power, then you will have knowledge.
The basic idea here is that knowledge is really just power in disguise. For me I understand this thought like this, “Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world.” Another phrase illustrates this meaning as well: "the winners write the history." In other words, those who exert power, use their power have the influence to promote their view of what has happened in the past and therefore generate knowledge about what to do in the future.
It becomes important for us Christians to realize that “Knowledge is power” revivals happen because people encounter God – knowledge and power and put it into action in their lives and communicate that message to others, spiritual awakenings are the source of knowledge and power and these times of supernatural insight into our times change the course of people’s hearts if we share it and communicate it to others. But remember prayer (power) and the Bible (knowledge) combined together are the instruments the Spirit uses in giving us a vision or insight from God. The Spirit uses these two tools to give spiritual discernment.
T.S. – The first insight you need to understand today is that to have a spiritual awakening requires that you – personally are able to hear the voice of God in your heart and your mind. This also needs to be mixed with the knowledge of Scripture.
Matthew 22:29: “Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
I. You must know His voice to be able to know the signs of the times.
A. To hear the voice of God you must first be able to recognize His voice from all the false voices in this world and culture:
1. Point to make - You hear the voice of God by knowing Him intimately, studying the Word of God, by meditating on His truth, by fasting and by praying. Here are things we can do to hear God’s voice:
a. This action helps us to hear His voice: 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my name, will 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."
b. Jesus tells us to hear His voice, to listen to it, and obey it: Matthew 11:15: “He who has ears, let him hear!”
c. Why do many people not hear the voice of the Spirit? John 8:47: “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
d. Jesus said, “My sheep will know my voice” John 10:14-18: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
B. Jesus warned us in the Gospel of Mark to know the signs of the times or the seasons in Mark 13:28, 29 and He also told us to keep watch, be ready, be alert to the seasons – Mark 13:32-37.
1. You learn the voice of God by following the example of the Apostle John.
a. When John received His revelation for the book of Revelation he was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day – in other words he was praying-focused on the Lord.
1. When the Day of Pentecost came in Acts chapter 2 the people were in the upper room praying – prayer is a key component that we need today to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.
b. Revelation 1:9-20: One like a Son of Man: 9I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
10On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
11which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
20The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
c. John teaches us how important it is to be in the Spirit, especially on the Lords day.
1. Warren states, “Being in the Spirit,” Being "in the Spirit" is a biblical phrase which means that a person has the Spirit of God. It is an illustration that God is working within this person via His Holy Spirit to will and to do of His own purposes. When God therefore would reveal things to his prophets in visions, dreams, etc., He would inspire it to be written that they were "in the Spirit". This signifies that the Holy Spirit of God was inside them moving them to have these visions. These Visions were not literal things that were happening, but spiritual pictures via God of what would happen. Before the scriptures were completed, God would sometimes come upon His prophets and give them information in allegorical or symbolic visions that became part of the scriptures. Being ’in the Spirit’ is a signification that the Spirit of God was the one revealing this vision to the prophets. Just as in the apocalypse of John he is giving the Revelation of Christ and says he was in the Spirit.
T.S. - For us to be able to know the signs of the times will require a heart which is in tune to God’s voice, the voice of His Spirit!
II. We need to discern the times and hear the Spirit’s voice above all the distracting voices.
A. False voices include: media, newspapers, textbooks, books, blogs, commentaries, articles and other sources based in and from secular thought.
1. School systems are promoting false teachings and immoral value systems, they are in opposition to Christian teachings and the Bible (Therefore they cannot teach true knowledge). Our school systems and society are becoming hostile to Christianity and its beliefs. Why? (They do not like the power that Christianity has in our culture and they want to take that power away from us and make sure others don’t tap into it!)
2. Many main line churches are teaching and promoting lifestyles contrary to God’s Word and teachings. This is not knowledge but is instead lies, evil thoughts, and deception.
3. God is very clear in the Bible about what is right behavior and wrong behavior. This is knowledge which leads to power!
a. Romans1: 18-32: God’s Wrath Against Mankind:
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,
30slanderers, God–haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
1. This teaching (knowledge) from the Bible prophecies to what is happening in our society today.
a. Many are approving of what they know is not natural nor godly but they do it anyway, the result is they block out the voice of the Lord when they reject His truths. (This action denies them the power of God).
B. God has not changed His mind on what is sin – sin is still sin! Always will be - this knowledge is what gives us Christians power to overcome the world.
1. Malachi 3:6: “I the Lord do not change…”
a. He has not changed His mind on tithing, giving, money matters, leadership nor what is right and wrong.
2. James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
a. God is the consistent entity in history and in a fast paced changing society.
3. I Samuel 15:29: “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.”
4. It’s the society we live which has changed its view on sin – not God. God’s voice is always consistent with His Word, His commandments and His holiness.
a. The Bible tells us to confess our sin and repent to God Why? So we can be forgiven and so he can bless us. This knowledge gives us power in this world. But many have rejected God’s Word (power) and truth (knowledge) to say sin is not sin (foolishness, evil) -- but it is prophesied that in the end times this will occur more and more (knowledge). People will not want to repent of sin but instead deny it is sin (ignorant).
1. James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
2. 1 Corinthians 1:18: “to us who are being saved it is the power…”
3. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
4. Acts 22:16: “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
a. This wed. night at 7pm we have a baptism class for those who want to be baptized next Sunday! I challenge you to take this information and use this knowledge to get more power in your life by being baptized!
C. Our society is polarizing and the world is moving toward major turmoil – knowledge from the Bible – insight by the Spirit.
1. It is obvious in the way the government is functioning and in the definition of what party you support that this is occurring.
a. The attacks on each party, even movements within parties reveals a battle for power!
2. The fiscal fiasco today is an example of opposite mind sets and a polarization of thought and purpose. Each fighting for power!
D. The Body of Christ is polarizing as well – it has been for years but it’s becoming more and more prominent if you use your insight, knowledge and spiritual power.
1. Jesus faced this issue in His day – John 8: 42-47: The Children of the Devil : 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.
43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.
44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
45Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
46Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?
47He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
a. The church today along with society is polarizing into two camps – extreme good (The light) – extreme evil (The darkness).
1. Isaiah 5:20: 20Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
b. We must preach the whole truth and nothing but the truth according to Scripture even if society is hostile to it.
1. This compromise is seen through certain books which try to get rid of the concept of Hell.
a. The book is called “Love Wins.”
2. Some pastors, preachers, ministers are changing the Bible to please men/women who disagree with it.
3. They are attacking the truth with lies to get rid of God’s knowledge so that they can disable the power of the church.
a. Get rid of anything offensive.
b. Anything goes mindset
c. Water down the Word
d. Change major teachings of Jesus
e. Rewrite the Bible
• 2 Timothy 3:1-7: “Godlessness in the Last Days
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self–control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak–willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,
7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.
T.S – Discern the times with the insight from the voice of the Spirit through prayer and understand that the Bible is the voice of the Spirit of God. These two concepts must be linked together to hear His voice correctly.
III. Signs of the times are spoken about in Scripture.
A. Signs of the times are spoken about in the Bible and if you study them you will see the hour glass more clearly.
B. Mark 13 read it through and see the similarities spoken of there and look around at our world today.
1. This year has produced some of worst weather patterns in our national history especially for tornados, snow storms, floods, earthquakes, wild fires and the like all spoken of as end time signs.
2. The signs of the times seem to be all around us today, we have large missions organization predicting that in the 2020’s all the world will be reached with the Gospel. This is huge!
C. We hear about hot spots of revival in the church and there is the church which is also compromising the Word totally.
1. All of this polarizing is spoken of in the Bible.
2. David Wilkerson in His book “The Vision” prophesied this too. There is great revival and a great falling away spoken about in the Bible all happening at the same time. There is a sifting of the wheat and the tares I believe in accordance with the Bible.
3. We have watched some of the Great revivals going on from the Transformation series, Finger of God series, Furious Love clips, IHOP’s success and persecution – The International House of Pancakes is suing this organization for using the acronym IHOP, the rise of the Jesus Culture generation, the rise of Spirit empowered young people.
D. We must take the time to study the Bible and discover how it speaks to our day and hour.
1. This is critical if you want to be able to recognize God’s voice and know what’s happening around you!
Mike Bickle’s thoughts on how to read-pray and study the Bible: See http://www.mikebickle.org.edgesuite.net/MikeBickleVOD/2011/20110708B_How_to_Pray-Read_the_Word.pdf
How to “Pray-Read” the Word
• PRAY-READING THE WORD: It is not enough to study the Bible—we must talk to God as we study. Bible study is meant to lead us to conversation with God by giving us the “conversational material” for our prayer life. It provides the language we use as we talk to Him. Using the Bible and speaking the Word back to God makes prayer easy and enjoyable. It “turns up the volume” in our conversation with God.
• John 5:39-40: “You search the Scriptures [Bible study], for in them you think you have…life; these are they which testify of Me. You are not willing to come to Me [talk to Me] that you may have life.”
Jesus called us to abide in Him. The foundation of this reality means talking with Him. We do this best as we pray-read the Word, which is simply speaking its truths back to Him as we read it.
John 15: 5-7: “He who abides in [talks to Me] Me, and I in him [I abide or talk to you], bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing…7If you abide in [talk to Me] Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
• We offer the following suggestions as a method of “prayer-reading.” As you read through the Bible or teachings notes on the Bible, we suggest that you pray the Bible passages back to God. This will help you to practically give your heart to God and to receive from Him.
• Two broad categories of truth related to pray-reading the Word (meditating on Scripture):
Scriptures that focus on promises “to believe” in God’s Word. For example, use Scriptures that declare that God loves, forgives, leads, protects, or provides for us, etc.
Scriptures that focus on exhorting us “to obey” God’s Word. For example, use Scriptures that command us to bridle our tongue, serve others and give time and money to God, etc.
• We actively dialogue with God by praying promises from His Word that we are to believe.
First, we thank God for a particular truth. We turn these truths into simple declarations of thanksgiving or trust. For example, say: “Thank you that You love me, that you forgave me.” Or declare: “I trust that You will lead, provide, and protect me.” When the Lord says in Song 4:9, “You have ravished My heart,” we respond by thanking Him for this.
Second, we ask God to reveal (release) particular truths to us. Ask God to release a spirit of revelation (Eph. 1:17). For example, pray: “Father, reveal to me the certainty of Your provision; how much You love me, forgive me; how I have ravished Your heart.” Or, “Father, release Your promised guidance, provision, and protection,” etc. When Lord says in Song 4:9, “You have ravished My heart”, we respond by asking for more insight.
• We actively dialogue with God by praying truths back to Him that exhort us to obey His Word.
First, we commit ourselves to obey God in the specific way set forth in a biblical passage. Make declarations of resolve to obey the Word as you read passages about obedience. For example, declare: “I set my heart to love You and obey You with my speech, time, money, etc.” Or “I set my heart to love you like David, to endure hardship like Paul.”
• 37You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart… (Mt. 22:37)
• 2If anyone does not stumble in word, he is…also to bridle the whole body. (Jas 3:2)
• When the Lord exhorts the bride in Song 2:8-10 to arise in order to follow Him to the mountains, leaving the comfort zone behind. Take time to speak the intent of your heart to obey this passage. These sweet resolutions to obey will strengthen our heart.
• “I set my heart to pray like Daniel or do miracles like Paul in the Book of Acts.”
Second, we ask God to empower us to obey a particular truth seen in Scripture. Ask God for help to give you wisdom, motivation, and power to obey in specific areas. For example, pray: “Father help me to love You, to bridle my speech, to use my time and money in full obedience.” “Father, strengthen me by your grace to love you like David.
• When the Lord exhorts the bride in Song 2:8-10 to arise in order to follow Him to the mountains, leaving the comfort zone behind. Take time to specifically ask the Lord to empower your heart to obey this passage.
• “Father, lead me away from temptation” (Mt. 6:13), or “deliver me from the works of the evil one” (Jn. 17:15).
• Two ways to focus our mind in seeking God: God on His Throne (Rev. 4) and God in our spirit.
14The love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Cor. 13:14, NAS)
38Out of his heart [belly, KJV] will flow rivers of living water… (Jn. 7:38)
• Linger in God’s presence: in dialoging with God in the Word. Take time to linger as you speak slowly to God (include declaring your love and praise, praying with your spirit and being quiet).
• Journaling: take time to record thoughts and prayers as you “pray-read” through Scripture. This helps us capture the truths that the Spirit gives us and to grow in our prayer dialogue with God. The anointing of the Spirit in you is your best teacher. When you pray the Word in spirit and truth, you and the Spirit work together to provide you with a tailor made teaching in the Word.
• 27 The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things… (1 Jn. 2:27)
EXAMPLES OF PRAYER-READING THE WORD
Jesus promises to reveal the Father’s personality to us as the way to impart love in us for God.
• 26 I (Jesus) have declared to them Your name (Father’s), and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. (Jn. 17:26)
• Pray: “I thank You for Your commitment to declare (reveal) the Father’s heart to me, release more.
• Pray: “I thank You for imparting Your love to my heart, please release more.
God promises to show His power to those who are loyal to Him. Pray: “I thank You committing to show Yourself strong in me, release it. I set my heart to be loyal to the Spirit’s leadership in all that I do with my speech, eyes, actions, time and money. Help me to walk this out.”
• 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chr. 16:9)
Jesus promises to manifest His presence to those who obey His commandments.
• 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him… (Jn. 14:21)
• Pray: “I thank You for committing to manifest Your presence to my heart, release it more. I set my heart to keep (obey) Your Word in my speech, time, money, etc. Holy Spirit, help me to do this.”
Note: the Father loves everyone in the sense of valuing, caring for and pursuing them. However, He only loves the lifestyle, choices, sacrifices and fruit of those who pursue100-fold obedience.
We are called to obey the Holy Spirit’s leadership in what we look at. Pray: I set my heart to not look on anything that quenches the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, help me to do this with consistency.
• 1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; why should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1) 3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes… (Ps. 101:3)
• We are called to obey the Holy Spirit’s leadership in our speech. God promises that our whole body (our human passions) will be bridled as we obey the Spirit in our speech. Pray: “I set my heart to keep (obey) Your Word in my speech. Holy Spirit, help me to do this with consistency.”
3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Ps. 141:3)
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit…. (Eph. 4:29-30)
T.S – We need to know the Words of God, the Bible to clearly hear his voice among the many false voices ringing in our ears today and we should also read and research church history to also gain insight into our times.
IV. Study Church history and the Great Awakenings to gain insight – Learn about the History Makers those who used the knowledge and the Power of the Spirit to change their society.
A. Christian History Magazine put out by Christianity Today - Notes the following about spiritual awakenings, moves of God in America, from Volume VIII, NO. 3, Issue 23:
1. “The Scriptures show us that God’s people go through periods of spiritual renewal, and periods of spiritual decline…During a renewal, or awakening, there will be not only a great reviving of Christians, but also a large impact on the problems of society” (page 6).
2. Patterns of Spiritual Renewal page 7 (highlight to the congregation and read from handout).
3. Great Awakenings: Of North America
a. The first Great Awakening: 1730-1740
1. Most of the popular denominations are now straying from Biblical Christianity but were birthed during the 1st Great Awakening.
2. Of the nine colonial colleges in America, six were born as a result of the First Great Awakening – among them Harvard and Princeton.
3. Solomon Stoddard, Theodore Frelinghuysen, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Wesley brothers were some of the famous ministers among this spiritual revival.
4. This spiritual awakening occurred right before the Revolutionary War.
b. The 2nd Great Awakening 1790-1840 birthed the modern foreign Missions Movement.
1. Charles Finney’s time
2. This awakening helped emerge the anti-slavery movement, prison reform in America, child labor laws were instituted as a result, women’s rights were placed front and center, inner city missions started, and much more social reform.
3. This movement emerged just prior to the Civil War in America.
c. The 3rd Great Awakening 1857-1859
1. This time is marked by a divine call for people to pray.
2. During this awakening 10,000 people gathered in New York City alone daily to pray. This same call to prayer was going on in small towns as well all over the nation.
3. Phoebe Palmer one of the main preachers during this time and then Dwight L. Moody emerged onto the scene I the wake of this 3rd Spiritual Awakening.
4. David Mains stated, “Revival and prayer always go together. They are inseparably linked.”
d. The 4th Great Awakening – is coming if not already emerging its head in the USA.
1. Many believed it started a few years ago.
2. But the key to all these awakenings was God was manifesting himself to many people, people were hearing the voice of God and responding to His call to change, to repent, to forsake sin and embrace forgiveness and mercy, to pray for their lost society so God could transform it.
B. Others I suggest you read about to discover their stories and see how God used them to facilitate revival in their times:
1. Charles Finney
2. John G lake
3. Smith Wiggelsworth
4. David Branham
5. John Wesley
6. Jonathan Edwards
7. D.L. Moody
8. Rhinehart Bonkke’s story
9. Billy Graham’s story
10. Mike Bickle’s story of IHOP
11. Azusa Street Revival
Conclusion:
The Spirit today is saying to know the signs of the times and this will only happen in your life when you really know God’s Word and study it to recognize and discern His voice over the many false voices ringing out in this day.
Being able to know the times is only accomplished by knowing the Spirit’s voice and then responding to it: We should respond to the Spirit…
By repenting of sin.
By deciding to accept Jesus as your Savior.
By prayer.
By knowing His Word - the Bible.
By obedience to His teachings.
By dying to the flesh and yielding to the Holy Spirit.
You will be unable to recognize the signs of the times or hear the Spirit’s voice without and intimate relationship with Jesus and His Word. I believe the Spirit is saying to us today “be ready (get the power) – watch (know the times) - get ready!”
Application: So we need to get focused on His Word and Prayer! We need to tap His knowledge and gain His power so we too can become History Makers in our generation.
