A. WHAT IS REVIVAL?
1. Promised. “I will pour out My Spirit upon all people” (Acts 1:17, Joel 2:28, NLT).
2. Preparation. “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised” (1:4, NLT). “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer” (Acts 1:14, NLT).
3. Unity. “All the believers were meeting together in one place” (Acts 2:1, NLT).
4. Three signs. (1) Wind, “Suddenly, a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm” (Acts 1:2, NLT). A symbol of power, life, and movement. (2) Fire, “What looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and sat on each of them” (Acts 2:3, NLT). A symbol of purity, judgment, cleaning. (3) Tongues. “Everyone . . . began speaking in other languages” (Acts 2:4, NLT). Symbol of communication, Jesus the Word, evangelism.
5. Power. “Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, NLT). (1) Baptized of Holy Spirit. You are baptized by the Spirit. “All have been baptized into one body by one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13, NLT). (2) Filling of the Holy Spirit. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18, NLT). (3)Yielded to the Spirit. “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19, NLT).
6. Description of Revival. “God pouring His presence on His people.” (1) Old Testament illustration, Shekinah glory filling the temple. (2) Servants, Samson (Judges 13:25, 16:20), Joshua (Numbers 27:18), Othniel (John 3:16), Gideon (Judges 6:24).
7. Theological definition. (1) An extraordinary work of God. (2) Where a sense of God’s presence is experienced. (3) Believers give themselves to prayer, extended fellowship, testifying, and worship. (4) Significant ministry in the local church and evangelistic outreach as evidenced by a harvest of souls. (5) Believers make significant sacrifices and yielding to spiritual growth. New directions of ministry and church growth in numbers and ministry.
8. Produces. (1) Extraordinary believers and (2) exponential churches. Extraordinary means more than usual custom and exceedingly greater results. Exponential means rapid advance according to set formula.
B. RESULTS OF REVIVAL
1. Exponential conviction of sin. “Peter’s word pierced their hearts” (Acts 2:31, NLT).
2. Exponential results. “Added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all” (Acts 2:41, NLT).
3. Exponential testimony. “All the people had regard for them . . . more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women” (Acts 5:13-14, NLT).
4. Exponential harmony/unity of believers. “All believers met together . . . shared everything . . . shared their money with those in need. They worshiped together . . . shared their meals . . . enjoying the good will of all” (Acts 2:44-47, NLT).
5. Exponential influence. “Many heard . . . believed in Me for salvation” (Acts 4:4, BBJ).
6. Response to progressive persecution. (1) Absolutely astounded” (3:10, NLT). (2) “Disturbed” (Acts 4:2). (3) Questioned and ridiculed, “By what power . . . have you done this?” (4:7, NLT). (4) “Threatened” (Acts 4:21). (5) “Arrested . . . put them in public jail” (Acts 4:18, NLT). (6) “Had them flogged” (5:40, NLT). (7) “They stoned . . . Stephen” (7:59, NLT).
7. Exponential response. “They departed from the presence of the council rejoicing they were counted worthy to suffer” (Acts 5:41, KJV).
C. CAN WE INITIATE REVIVAL TODAY?
1. Great Apostles’ Argument. There will not be another great revival because we are in the end times.
2. God’s Sovereign Argument. They say humans cannot influence God’s pre-determined will.
3. Law of sowing and reaping. “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land (2 Chron. 7:14, NLT). (a) If we do 4 things, (1) humble, (2) pray, (3) time in God’s presence, (4) repent. (b) God will do 3 things, (1) Hear, (2) forgive, (3) restore.
4. Do you want another revival?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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