Isaiah 64 Boy, "God, we had a great time at church today. Wish you had been there.
I. THE DEFINITION OF REVIVAL v.1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down,
(a) The Problem God's Coming Judgement On Sin (Nation Backslidden) (b) The Prayer "Oh" It Was Intense, "that thou" It Was Intentional, It Was Intrusive "rend the heavens" Violently that the mountains might quake and flow down at Your presence (c) The Presence that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
Revival is the presence of God among His people once again. It Is The :- Revelation Of God's Power "rend the heavens" Visitation Of God's Presence, Gen.28 v 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. Manifestation Of God's Person the mountains might flow down at thy presence II. THE DESCRIPTION OF REVIVAL v.2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
When God does make His presence known, There Is :-
1) Force, "the mountains might flow down at thy presence, that the mountains might quake and flow down at Your presence. When God shows up things are shaken up. (a) When God gave the law at Sinai the earth quaked. Ex.19 v 18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. (b) When God gave the Spirit at Pentecost the earth quaked Acts 2 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (c) When Christ returns the stars will be shaken out of the heaven. Matt 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. "What are mountains?" A mountain is a large earthen fixture that we can do nothing about. people climb mountains "because they're there." It can’t be moved.
God does things His way not ours.
2) Fire, "As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil" What is the significance of fire.
a) Fire For Wrath - Sodom and Ghommora were destroyed by fire. b) Fire For Washing - Malachi 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Once careless Christians begin to be concerned about even the slightest of inconsistencies as God’s presence refines. Sin Becomes exceeding Sinful
c) Fire For Witnessing - The Holy Spirit is Fire- Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 3) Fear v.2, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
(a) The Nature Of This Fear Psalms 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. (b) The Need For This Fear to make thy name known to thine adversaries Rev. 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (c) The Nurture In This Fear Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. III.THE DIRECTIVE FOR REVIVAL v.7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
I. THE REALIZATION OF THE PRESCENCE THAT PRODUCES REVIVAL
(Is. 64:1-5) Our text tells us that “mountains will melt” (vv. 1-2), “sinners will shake” (vv. 3-4), and the “righteous will rejoice” (vv.4-5).
II. THE RECOGNITION OF THE PROBLEMS THAT PREVENT REVIVAL
(Is. 64:6-8) We are Corrupted by Sins (v. 6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. We are Complacent in Sins (v. 7). And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: We are Consumed by Sins (v. 7). for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. III. THE RECONNECTION TO THE PRAYER THAT PRECEEDS REVIVAL
(Is. 64:8-12)
(a) Prayer That Recognizes God’s Sovereignty (v. 8). But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (b) Prayer That Remembers God’s Mercy (v. 9). Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people (c) Prayer That Respects God’s Glory (vv.10-12). Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. 11 Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
