ISAIAH 64:1-9 "A LONGING FOR REVIVAL!" 1. A REAL NEED FELT 1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, There Is A Need For: A. A REVIVAL OF GOD'S PEOPLE. Matt 6:33“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" Col 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. THERE IS: A CHOICE TO BE MADE. (Joshua 24:15). And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. A COMMITMENT TO BE MADE. (1 Kings 18:21). And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. B. A REVIVAL OF GOD'S PRESENCE 1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, Jesus said in Matt 18:20“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The key phrase in that passage is"In MY Name". ILLUS: A man went to an asylum for the criminally insane. There were three guards to take care of a hundred inmates. "Aren't you afraid that the inmates will unite, overcome you, and escape?" The guard said "Lunatics never unite." Locusts do. Phil 1:27 stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel C. A REVIVAL OF GOD'S POWER that the mountains might flow down at thy presence Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. When the Lord is not preeminent in our lives then we lack His power! 1 Cor 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”
2. A REQUIRED WORK DONE that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, 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! 3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
IT IS: A MELTING WORK. 1 that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, (a) Mountains of Inability (Philippians 4:13). I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
(b) Mountains of Indecision (Prov 3:5- 6). Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (c) Mountains Of Indifference John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: IT IS: A MOULDING WORK. as when the melting fire burneth…”.
“…our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). (a) God’s fire can burn-up: Our Vain Thoughts. 1 Cors 3:20“…The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”
(b) Self-Confidence. Gal 6:3“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."
(c) Flesh Energy - All these are powerless substitutes for the POWER of God!
1 Cors 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. IT IS: A MOVING WORK 2 the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! David said in Psalm 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Luke warmness cannot exist where this fire is! Where the fire is: Then Our Prayers Will Be HOT! Then Our Testimony Will Be HOT!
Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. When our hearts are aflame, we will be ready, willing, and able to do His Will! Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 3. A RESULT SOUGHT 2 to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! A. A RESPONSIBILITY SEEN. 2 to make thy name known to thine adversaries Matt 28:19; Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: :20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Psa 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
B. A REVERENCE SHOWN. that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
