IS REVIVAL POSSIBLE TODAY?
Acts 2:1-8, 37-47
INTRO: The year was 1726. It began with two men. Frelingheysen and Gilbert Tennant. Later joined by Jonathan Edwards, revival spread across the whole New England area, until 150 communities were involved. Later, John Wesley, had a similar experience in Georgia. This was the first Great Awakening. Can this happen again today in our churches? It is possible. But if we are going to experience another Great Awakening, there are some things we must do. Is Revival Possible Today? IT IS:
I. WHEN WE ARE SPIRITUALLY PREPARED (v. 1).
It had been 50 days since Passover when the day of Pentecost came. The upper room was filled with 120 people, all in full accord.
All together (with one accord [KJV]) denotes the inner quality of a group of people engaged in an external similar action. With one mind is another good modern translation.
ILLUS: In Ponder, Texas, a very small community with a small school, where I pastored while in seminary, the major emphasis in the community is basketball. There were those on the School Basketball team who would play as individuals, taking the shot rather than passing the ball to the open man, etc.. As a result, they lost many games that they should have won, and could have won if they played as a team. A winning team must have a oneness of spirit.
If we are to experience revival, we must be spiritually prepared. We must all have a oneness of mind. We must all want revival to come. Until God’s people get on their knees and repent, revival is not possible. REVIVAL IS POSSIBLE TODAY:
II. WHEN WE HAVE A CONCERN FOR OTHERS (vv. 4-8).
After receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, the group present began to speak in different languages and dialects (different: of another kind).
People from around the region came because they heard something was happening and wanted to see for themselves.
ILLUS: People have a natural curiosity. Just watch how traffic backs up when there is an accident. People want to see what is happening.
When we are spiritually prepared, God will bring about in us such great joy and excitement, that people will hear that something is happening here. They will be curious and come to find out what is going on.
That happened in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Have you ever wondered how they were able to attract such a large crowd that day? People like to be where there is excitement. They want to be a part of something happening.
NOTICE THAT THE BELIEVERS WITNESSED TO THE SEEKERS—THEN THEY BROUGHT THEM TO THE CHURCH TO WORSHIP AND JOIN.
REVIVAL IS POSSIBLE TODAY:
III. WHEN WE ARE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE (vv. 43-47).
The great event of Pentecost didn’t stop with Peter preaching and 3,000 joining the church. This was only the beginning.
They continued steadfastly eating, praying, etc.. Incidentally, one commentator says that the selling of their possessions was to help each other during the economic boycott that the Jews placed upon the Christians.
Do you ever wonder why the dropout rate is so high in churches today? What do we offer to those who come seeking? What do we encourage them to do after they have received Christ in their lives?
ILLUS: People will pay any price for something they really want badly enough. Have you checked the prices of things lately?
Revival isn’t to bring the lost to Christ. That is a result of revival. Revival is what the word implies—REVIVING God’s people. When we become revived, we will honor God in other things.
CONC: Can revival come to our church today? It is up to us. God is waiting to bring about a spirit of revival if we will open up to Him. As the song states, can we say, “Lord send a revival, and let it begin in me.”
