OPENING ILLUSTRATION: A pastor asked his wife, “Should I put more fire in my sermon?” She said, “No! You should put your sermon in the fire.” Are we living out the fire of revival?
INTRODUCTION: As we gather together for this pastoral/leadership banquet, we are reminded of the high and sacred calling we bear as shepherds of God’s flock. Being entrusted with His sheep and charged to guide them in truth, righteousness, and faithfulness is no small task—nor is the responsibility of igniting and maintaining the fire of revival within their hearts and our own. This is a holy fire that must not be neglected. In the book of Leviticus 6:12-13, the Lord commands, “The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.” This divine command to the priests of old speaks directly to our hearts today. As pastors, we are called to be the spiritual caretakers, ensuring that the flame of revival in our congregations—and in our own hearts—never dims.
THE MANDATE FOR CONTINUOUS REVIVAL
• THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL VIGILANCE - Acts 20:28 reminds us, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Spiritual vigilance ensures that the fire of our faith remains alive and is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel we preach.
• PAUL’S EXHORTATION TO TIMOTHY - Revival begins in the heart of the pastor. Before we can lead our people into a deep and transformative relationship with God, we must ensure that we ourselves are continually renewed by His Spirit. Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul urges Timothy, “For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” As pastors, we are called to continuously fan into flame not only our gifts but also the revival God has started in our ministries.
• FIRE SHUT UP IN OUR BONES - Consider the prophet Jeremiah. He once cried out in frustration, feeling the weight of his prophetic mission: “But if I say I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9). Jeremiah’s fire came from a deeply rooted connection with God and His Word. Do you feel that fire still burning within you? If not, this is the moment to pause, reflect, and allow God to reawaken and reignite your soul.
EXAMPLES OF CONTINUOUS REVIVAL
• THE EARLY CHURCH’S DEVOTION - Acts 2 gives us a picture of what revival looks like within the early church. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). It was a church on fire for the Lord, alive with the power of the Holy Spirit. Because of their faithful prayers, active community, and bold proclamation of the Gospel, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). Revival spreads when the church models this vibrancy—a devotion to the Word, prayer, and the sharing of life together under the Holy Spirit. As pastors, it is both our privilege and our responsibility to inspire and lead our congregations in this PURSUIT OF SPIRITUAL REVIVAL.
• KING JOSIAH’S REFORMS - In 2 Kings 22-23, King Josiah discovers the Book of the Law and realizes how far Israel has strayed from God's commands. His immediate reforms and return to the covenant with God sparked a revival in Judah. Josiah's actions remind us that sometimes, reviving our congregations requires us to return to the very basics of our faith and to recommit ourselves to God's Word.
• REBUILDING THE BROKEN WALLS - Nehemiah offers us a powerful example of how revival is birthed and sustained. When Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem's broken walls, he wept, fasted, and prayed to the Lord for restoration (Nehemiah 1:4-11). His burden for God's people moved him to take action, mobilize the community, and work tirelessly to rebuild the walls of the city. Nehemiah's fire sparked revival among the people, leading them to repentance and recommitment to God’s covenant. As pastors, we are called to be like Nehemiah—leaders who see the brokenness in our communities and feel the burden of God's call to bring restoration. But revival doesn’t come through human effort alone. We must remain reliant on God, seeking His guidance through fervent prayer, and trusting Him to bring lasting transformation. Where are the "walls" in your ministry that need rebuilding? What burdens is God placing on your heart today?
STRATEGIES FOR KEEPING THE FIRE BURNING
1. PERSONAL REVIVAL - The fire of revival begins within. Our spiritual integrity and devotion to God serve as the bedrock upon which revival can spread in our congregations.
2. PERSISTANT PRAYER AND INTERCESSION - Like the priests who kept the fire on the altar burning, our prayers and intercessions fuel the fire of revival. Dedicate time for personal and corporate prayer.
3. DISCIPLESHIP AND MENTORING – Is a big part of our church ministry. We must encourage and mentor others in their faith journeys. Moses and Joshua’s relation in the OT and Paul’s relationship with Timothy in the NT serves as a model for discipleship that fosters spiritual growth and keeps the fire alive. Biblical discipleship within a broken society requires a return to the model laid out in the Scriptures—a model that emphasizes spiritual parenthood, authentic community, mutual submission to godly wisdom, sibling-like mentorship, and generous sharing. In doing so, the church becomes a beacon of hope and restoration, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel and the reality of God's kingdom on earth. Through these relationships and actions, we actively participate in the mending of lives and the nurturing of a new generation of disciples equipped to live out their faith amidst the challenges of a fractured world.
4. PREACHING WITH CONVICTION - Our preaching must stem from a heart ignited by God’s truth. Let us be like Ezra, who “devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). Let us be those who speak the truth of God’s Word with confidence and conviction, allowing the Holy Spirit to ignite change in your congregations.
CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINING REVIVAL
Revival is not a one-time event; it is a continuous movement of God that requires our vigilance and intentionality. We are warned in Romans 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Keeping the fire of revival burning is not easy; our own spiritual warmth can cool with time, fatigue, or discouragement. Ministry challenges, resistance, and conflicts can subtly wear us down. That is why we need to routinely look inward and upward, remembering Jesus' words in John 15:5: “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
The fire of revival cannot be maintained through human strength alone. We must remain in Christ: abiding in Him through prayer, worship, and immersion in His Word. The Holy Spirit is our source of life and power, and without Him, we labor in vain.
APPLICATION: As keepers of the flame, let us not grow weary. Let’s draw near to "our God [who] is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29) and ask for fresh fire to fall upon our hearts and ministries. May we leave this conference not only inspired but also better equipped to continue the work He has set before us, reviving our own hearts and those of our congregations.
In the spirit of Paul’s words to Timothy, I charge you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you (2 Timothy 1:6). May your ministries be beacons of His light and fire, drawing many into the warmth of His love and truth. May we each leave this banquet with renewed hearts, ready to stoke the flames of revival in our churches, our communities, and beyond.
May our lives be altars where Your fire burns continually, shining brightly to a world in need of You. Strengthen us to protect and nurture this flame, never letting it go out, for Your glory. Let us go forth in the strength of the Lord, keep the fire burning, and expect great things from God. Amen!
