2 Chron 7:12 - 22 The Cost Of Revival
14 I f 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. The word revival means" - To make alive again.
Dedication Of Temple David had prepared the material and his son erected the temple.
He preached to the people - He prayed - they celebrated - THEY OFFERED SACRIFICES {22,000 oxen & 120,000 sheep). This promise of God is an answer to Solomon's prayer.
I. THE PEOPLE OF REVIVAL: If my people, which are called by my name,
(a) Our Position If my people We are His By Right Of :-
Creation Ps 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Continuation Ac 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Correction Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 1Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Coronation Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Conversion Mt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Consecration Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(b) Our Privilige which are called by my name
What Riches, Re 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
What Rights, Our Father which art in Heaven
What Responsibilities 2Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
(c) Our Past 1Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
(d) Our Part shall humble themselves, and pray John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
II. THE PREVENTION OF REVIVAL 14 I f my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
(a) PRIDE (b) PRAYERLESSNESS (c) PREOCCUPATION
III. THE PROCESS OF REVIVAL: shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS A PROCESS:
A. It's A Challenge to Be Dependent – “Humble themselves and pray” –
This word “humble” means to “bend the knee, to bring down (low).”
When we humble ourselves, we are admitting that we have no faith in our own inability.
When we pray, we are proclaiming our faith in His ability.
(Ill. Henry Moorehouse, in Mission “O God, why is there no revival?” “Henry Moorehouse, the most famous of all British preachers!”
Girl - Pastor My Sin Beatiful Girl Not Sin Horrible Mistake.
B. It's A Challenge To Be Devoted – “Seek my face” –
Paul - “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10.
David – “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2
C. It's A Challenge To Be Different – “Turn from their wicked ways” –
The Idea pictures what repentance is all about. How can you be right when you’re wrong.
IV. THE PROMISE OF REVIVAL: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
A. He Will Hear Us – “Then will I hear from Heaven” –
a) The Promise Of Favour: v14 – “Then will I hear from Heaven” –
b) The Promise Of Forgiveness: v14 "and will forgive their sin”.
The word "hear" in this verse means 'to listen to a point where you are moved to action'.
Where there is a movement towards God there will be movement by God.
Coming he will answer your prayers. Luke 15:18 - 22 READ
ie. He didn't get finishing what he was going to say
c) The Promise Of Fruitfulness: v14“and will heal their land.”.
Revival not only purifies but prospers the land.
Psa. 84:11, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
B. He Will Help Us – “Then will I hear from Heaven” –
A. Prayers Responded To :- "then will I hear from heaven"
Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
B. Purity Restored "and will forgive their sin" 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
C. Parity Revealed "and will heal their land"
C. He Will Heal Us – There will be: (a) DIVINE INTERVENTION: " Then will I hear from heaven .... " (b) DIVINE ABSOLUTION:" And will forgive their sin .... " (c) DIVINE RESTORATION:" And will heal their land .... " ( 7:14 )
1. There Will Be Virtue
2. There Will Be Vision John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
3. There Will Be Victory
