“That is why the Lord says, ‘turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish … then, after doing all those things, I (the LORD) will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.” Joel 2:12-13, 28-29, NLT
A. PREPARING FOR REVIVAL
1. Thomas Road Baptist Church has a wonderful past – great days of evangelism, and revival.
a. Broke attendance records.
b. Evangelistic crusades with hundreds saved, dozens baptized.
c. Door-to-door evangelism. “And every day … house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message, ‘Jesus is the Messiah.’”
d. Baptism records.
2. Door-to-door doesn’t seem to work as in the United States as in the past, neither do big evangelistic meetings.
Methods are many,
Principles are few,
Methods may change,
But principles never do.
3. What still works:
a. You telling others that God saved you, i.e., witnessing.
b. Group prayer meetings and personal intercession.
c. Your faithfully serving God in your home, living godly, doing good deeds to others, attending, and serving in your church.
B. WHAT IS REVIVAL?
“Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” Psalm 85:6, NKJV
1. “Oh Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years” (Habakkuk 3:2, NKJV).
2. What does revival look like? “God pouring Himself on His people. “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28, NKJV).
3. What does revival do? “That times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
4. Dictionary definition: Restoration to life, i.e., consciousness, vigor, strength.
5. Christian definition: Return to New Testament life.
6. Your definition: Return to your original commitment to Christ after conversion, and the joy of your salvation.
C. WHAT REVIVAL IS NOT
1. Not a church or evangelistic crusade.
2. Not a church meeting.
3. Not your personal excitement or feelings.
D. THOMAS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH DEFINITION OF REVIVAL
God begins His work in our hearts where we repent of sin and poor testimony, renew our love to Christ, recommit ourselves to godly living, and meaning ministry – usually accompanied with prayer, witnessing, and renewed dedication to God.
E. SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF REVIVAL
1. Can be an individual or group (church or Christian college).
2. Can be spontaneous from God or you can initiate it.
3. Can involve a family, or total church, or area or denomination.
F. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BEGIN REVIVAL?
1. Draw an imaginary circle on floor, ask God to begin a revival in that circle. Then step in and yield to do what God tells you.
2. Extended time of prayer and Bible reading.
3. Fast. Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University called for a one day (24 hour) fast from sundown to sundown, which is called Yom Kippur Fast. “On the seventh month, on the tenth day (Yom Kippur) you shall go without eating” (Leviticus 16:29, AV).
4. Joint church fast from sundown on Sunday to sundown on Monday.
5. Individuals may fast for longer time (3, 7, 21, or 40 days).
6. In the revival days of Spurgeon’s ministry in England, a group of people called watchers would gather in the basement of the church under the pulpit. They would pray during each sermon. The only other church I know that did this was John Maxwell in his rapid growth days.
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.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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