Sun. July 11/93 I Co. 1 & Ps. 85
REVIVAL IS LIFE
- Are you happy with the way things are with you?
- Do you have enough of what you want?
- What would it take to make you content?
- How about the things of the Lord, is it good?
- Are we as a church where we should be?
- What would it take to bring us to the point that we should be?
- All of these questions could be answered in one
word JESUS
- I Cor. 1:1-9 of what we have in Christ
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (KJV)
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Next two verses everything changes (v.10-11)
1 Corinthians 1:10-11 (KJV)
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
- These are talking about the group, lets take
it to the 1st person (personally)
- v.10 - (divisions)
Having a double standard for myself
- v.11 - (contentions)
a variance, struggle, warfare that is going on.
Prov. 22:10
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
Is. 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
- This is where v. 27-28 come in.
1 Corinthians 1:27-28
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
(KJV)
- God works in unexpected ways.
- All the way through scripture we see this happening
- Joseph -- Gideon -- David -- Nehimah
-- John The Baptist -- Paul
- Not only with individuals but groups of people
-- Israel -- Disciples
- Outside of Scriptures
- Ex. THE WELSH REVIVAL
It began at a Youth Meeting in a tiny Welsh town. A timid young girl arose. She was so nervous that she could only utter one sentence: "O I do love Jesus". Than she sat down The Lord used that earnest testimony to fulfill His own purpose Sp. fire came down on that young peoples meeting which spread to the church than
the small village & on into the country.
Its influence was felt around the world.
JONATHAN EDWARDS - In North America
Sermon - “Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God”
He had the manuscript held up so close to his face that they could not see his face. He went on and on until the people in that church were moved almost beyond control. One man sprang up, rushed down the aisle and cried, "Mr. Edwards have mercy!" Others caught hold of the backs of pews lest they slip into hell. Most thought the day of judgment had come.
- If we are not satisfied in the place I am at I need to look at what I really need.
WHAT I REALLY NEED
1. I Need a Life That Will Cause Me To Recognize
The Abiding Presence Of God.
- God is Creator, Sovereign, Holy, Just -- He will be my judge
2. I Need A Life That Will Cause Me To See The
Lordship Of Christ
- Jesus is Lord because of who He is.
- Jesus is Lord because of what He has done.
- Jesus is Lord because of what He can do.
3. I Need A Life Of Faith
- Faith that reshapes me
- Faith is more than just a belief in God
- Genuine faith express itself in faithfulness
4. I Need A Life That Is 100% Devoted To Christ
- Not serving Christ because of duty but because of love
- My only goal is to be obedient to Him
5. I Need Life Of Passion
- For the people of God ---- For the lost
6. I Need A Life That Knows The Power Of Prayer
- Christ sought and used prayer
- The early church was brought about by prayer
Ps. 85 tells us the same thing
GYPSY SMITH
Was once asked how to start a revival. He answered: "Go home, lock yourself in your room. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer the revival will be on
R. A. TORREY
Gives a prescription that will bring a revival to any church
1. Let a few Christians (they need not be many) get thoroughly right with God. This is most important
2. Let them bind themselves together in prayer until God’s blessing comes
3. Let them put themselves at the disposal of God for Him to use as He sees fit.
This is sure to bring a revival to any church. I have given this prescription around the world, and all that have used it have never failed.
- Not unless I choose Christ
- Not unless I decide for Him will I be truly
satisfied
Jos. 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the
LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;
whether the gods which your fathers served that
[were] on the other side of the flood, or the
gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:
but as for me and my house, we will serve the
LORD.
