OPENING ILLUSTRATION: One of the most difficult things in the ministry of the church is to raise dead things to life. God gave us this opportunity in the heartland to do it. It can take years but it’s not impossible.
📖 INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS REVIVAL?
Beloved, the word "revival" resonates with power. It speaks of a reawakening, a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit, and a return to our first love. Revival is more than just emotion or temporary excitement; it is a divine intervention that transforms individuals, churches, and communities. It is God breathing life into weary hearts and stirring us to fulfill His mission.
Revival is not merely a series of emotional meetings or a spiritual high—it is a divine awakening. It is when God breathes life into dry bones, rekindles the fire of holiness, and restores His people to intimacy and purpose. Revival is heaven invading earth.
But what is the impact of revival? What happens when God steps into the dry spiritual valleys and brings His people back to life? Today we will examine the impact of revival through the lens of Scripture and see how it changes not only individuals but entire nations.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF REVIVAL?
🔥 1. REVIVAL AWAKENS THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD (Ezekiel 37:1–14)
In Ezekiel’s vision, the valley of dry bones represented Israel’s spiritual death. But when the Word of the Lord was spoken and the breath of God entered them, they stood up—a vast army.
• Revival brings life to what was dead.
• It restores hope to the hopeless.
• It reactivates purpose in the forgotten.
When revival comes, churches that were stagnant begin to move. Believers who were silent begin to speak. The dry bones rattle, and the Spirit breathes.
CHALLENGE: Revival begins with repentance—a willingness to confront sin and surrender completely to God. What areas of your life need spiritual renewal today?
🔥 2. REVIVAL IGNITES PASSION FOR HOLINESS (Isaiah 6:1–8)
When Isaiah encountered the glory of God, he was undone. He cried, “Woe is me!” Revival reveals the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man—not to condemn, but to cleanse.
• Revival leads to repentance.
• It produces purity.
• It births a desire to be sent.
Revival always begins with repentance—a turning away from sin and a renewed commitment to God. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Take, for example, King Josiah's reform. In 2 Kings 22, Josiah ordered the rebuilding of the temple, and during that process, the Book of the Law was rediscovered. Hearing God's Word sparked a revival in his heart and among the people of Judah. They turned away from idol worship and renewed their covenant with God. Revival brought them back into alignment with God’s holiness.
Revival doesn’t just make us feel better—it makes us live better.
REFLECTION: If we long for revival, we must be willing to examine our hearts and repent. God calls us to confront sin, surrender fully to Him, and commit to living lives of holiness. There is no revival without repentance.
🔥 3. REVIVAL REIGNITES WORSHIP AND PRAYER (Acts 2:42)
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
One of the greatest hallmarks of revival is a renewed passion for prayer and worship. We see this powerfully illustrated on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The early followers of Jesus gathered together in prayer, and suddenly, the Holy Spirit fell upon them with tongues of fire. The impact of that revival was evident: they were filled with boldness, unity, and devotion to God’s mission.
Acts 2:42 tells us that their lives were reoriented around prayer, teaching, fellowship, and worship. Revival creates a hunger for God’s presence and a desire to spend time communing with Him.
ILLUSTRATION: Major revivals, like the Asbury Revival or the Great Awakening, demonstrate the same pattern. Prayer meetings are packed. Churches overflow with worshipers. People, once complacent, wrestle with God in prayer and experience breakthroughs.
REFLECTION: Let us ask ourselves: Are we truly hungry for God’s presence? A revived church is a praying church—a church that sets aside everything to seek God's face in devotion and worship.
CHALLENGE: Is your worship alive, filled with passion for God? Revival reignites hearts that may have grown numb or distant. Seek the Lord in prayer and worship with expectation.
🔥 4. REVIVAL TRANSFORMS COMMUNITIES AND NATIONS (Jonah 3)
Revival goes beyond individuals—it touches entire communities and nations. When Jonah finally obeyed and preached to Nineveh, the entire city repented. From the king to the cattle, revival swept throughout the nation and God's mercy spared the city from destruction (Jonah 3:10).
• Revival changes hearts.
• It shifts culture.
• It brings justice, mercy, and healing.
Revival is not just personal—it’s corporate. It’s not just emotional—it’s ethical. It changes how we live, how we lead, and how we love. Revival doesn’t just stop at the individual or the church, its power spills over into the wider society. This revival not only saved Nineveh from destruction but also united the city with a heart for righteousness. Their genuine response moved God to have mercy on the city.
The Wesleyan Revival in England (led by John and Charles Wesley) is another example. It not only brought spiritual renewal but also led to social reforms. The Great Awakening in America also had far-reaching impacts, laying the spiritual foundation for a nation. Revival moves beyond the walls of the church; it changes homes, workplaces, and governments.
REFLECTION: Revival begins in our hearts, but its ripple effects touch everything around us. Imagine what could happen if our communities—our cities—experienced the same transformative power of God as Nineveh.
CHALLENGE: Imagine the impact of revival in your community. A spiritually awakened church can influence schools, workplaces, and governments. Are you praying for God to revive your neighborhood?
🙌 HOW TO LIVE IT OUT?
Revival is not a distant dream—it is a present possibility. But it begins with you. With your humility, your hunger, your heart.
Let us cry out for revival—not just for excitement, but for transformation. Let us be the dry bones that rise, the temples that burn, the voices that proclaim.
As we ponder the impact of revival through the lens of Scripture, we realize that its effects are both deeply personal and expansively communal. It's about the heart that turns back to its first love, embracing God's grace and forgiveness. But it's also about the joyous collective worship in streets and homes, where God's presence is tangibly felt.
Revival reflects God's longing to dwell among His people, guiding them towards righteousness and peace. It's a divine reminder that no situation is too dire, no heart too cold, and no community too lost for the transformative power of God's Spirit.
Let's seek God earnestly for revival, starting within our own hearts. May our prayers mirror that of the Psalmist in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." As we humbly approach our loving Father, let's anticipate the cascading effects of revival to flow through us—reviving our love, our devotion, and our witness to the world around us.
🛐 CALL TO ACTION
• Pray like never before.
• Repent of hidden sins.
• Seek God’s face daily.
• Expect the Spirit to move.
• Live as revival carriers.
