Revival Jesus Style
John 11:1-44
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] [5] Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. [14] Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. [17] Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. [20] Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. [21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. [23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. [24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
[27]She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. [28] And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. [29] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. [30] Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. [31] The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. [32] Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [33] When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, [34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. [35] Jesus wept. John 11:36-43
Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! [37] And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? [38] Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. [39] Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. [40] Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? [41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. [42] And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. [43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Revival can never happen in the life of a sinner. There can be no revival in the life of one who has never been alive, there has to be a death for there to be a resurrection or revival. The purpose of revival is to resurrect the church so that we can win the world. When sinners get saved that is new birth, but when the church gets revived there will be a an awakening.
“The rousing up and reviving of believers is not a small matter; it concerns the glory of God. If the lamps do not shine, it does not speak well for the oil, nor for the care of the keeper. And if the children of God do not testify for Him, it does not speak well for their High Priest in heaven, nor for the Holy Spirit within them”
Andre Bonar
If we are going to have a revival it will have to come from Jesus, and we Must Have a Revival!
I. V24. Martha’s idea of a revival was one like many today, it was futuristic at best. Some day we are going to see the former and the latter rain together. Some day my brother will arise.
A. At the last day.
1. There are many who can only dream about the future when you mention Revival. They are unable to see the one who stands in front of them today as the Now God, the God of resurrection power for this generation.
2. One of these days we will experience that which was prophesied by Joel, one of these days we will experience the former and the latter rain together.
II. Mary on the other hand remained in the house mourning over what use to be, back in Lazarus’ day.
A. Past Revivals: The days of Charles Finney, Dwight L Moody, Billy Sunday etc…
B. We must not allow ourselves to spend more hours reminiscing over past moves and shedding more tears over what use to be than the time we spend and tears we shed for a move of God Now!
C. Too many dear aged saints have looked through teary eyes and said, “I wish you could have been around back the fifties, in that great era of Revival.” Friend this is the greatest time of refreshing the world has ever known, Stop looking back and stop dreaming of someday and recognize today for what it is, “This is Resurrection day!”
III. Revival Jesus Style
A. “Where have you laid him?” What did you do with that which use to be full of power? What did you do with what Jesus loved? I think some of us need to go back to where we lost our life and where we laid what Jesus loved, because He’s going to come looking for what he loved!
B. “Come and See!” He didn’t come this far to look at what we have become, He’s here to do something about it!
C. “Take away the Stone!” Find what has been keeping him out of the resurrection, Revival business and get it out of the way! If we will roll away the stone He will bring life to what is on the other side of yesterday.
D. Lazarus come Forth!
E. Loose him and let him Go!
