Our need in this present day for REVIVAL
The priority of God’s presence has been lost in the modern church. We are like bakeries that are open, but have no bread. And we are not interested in selling bread. We just like to the chit-chat that goes around cold ovens and empty shelves.
There is much more of God available than we even can imagine.
I say often here at Central we have just started to tap into what God has for us and wants to do through us.
I am afraid if we are not careful we will become so satisfied with where we are and what we have that we will not press in for all God has for us.
It is true that God is moving among us and working in our lives, but we can not be content to comb the carpet for crumbs as opposed to having the abundant loaves of hot bread God has prepared for each of us in the ovens of heaven.
The signs are still up and we take people into our churches and show them the ovens where we used to bake the bread. The ovens are still in the same place, but all you can find is crumbs from last year’s revival.
We are constantly toying with the thoughts and ideals of Revival, what does it mean, how can we experience it? Who can we bring in to set the fire, to stoke the coals to get us excited once again about servicing the Lord and living daily in His presence?
We must understand that revival is not just a word that means we are having a guest speaker or special singers
It is and must be our longing and desire to be revived in our hearts, our souls and yes our minds for a daily experience of God’s presence
We must have a heart that truly burns when we know God is near
We must seek Revival in our personal lives and then
LISTEN….God can and will
Revive the Church and the community in which we live
It will spill out of our overflowing souls onto the pews and floors of this Sanctuary
No one will be able to deny the very presence of God in this place
We will not be preoccupied with the day nor the hour
We will be overwhelmed as we receive God in this place
And there is more
When we become Gods Revived children
And God’s Revived Church-On fire for the Lord
Gathering around the spiritual hot coals of a consecrated life for the Lord
Placing the dry wood of commitment, devotion and true love for Jesus on our spiritual fire.
Then and only then will we experience what we have only imagined God could do.
CHURCH
A REVIVAL will happen
The very presence of God will pour out on the sidewalks and roadways of this community, calling the unsaved into His house to receive the fresh bread only He can make available.
A REVIVAL will not be a word spoken about a church service but a new refreshed beginning, a walk with God you never thought possible
We can be Revived, Refreshed, Renewed and yes we can experience a relationship, a closeness with God almighty that has always seemed to only occupy the pages of His Holy Word.
God is REAL and He wants us to Become His people and Seek His face and Receive all He has for each one of us as His precious children.
Are WE ready to allow God to move in our lives, in the life of this Church?
Are WE ready to step out of our comfort zones?
Are we ready to lay aside the preoccupations that keep us from completely coming into His presence?
Do WE long for our hearts, our lives to be revived?
Psalm 85:6 says, Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
This Scripture tells us that our desire to pray for revival pleases God
This is a heart cry of one who wants to see a move of God
So powerful and penetrating that the people could again rejoice about His work among them.
WE MUST Rejoice in our hearts knowing
No matter the situation we find ourselves in....
We Rejoice Because of our FAITH and the hope we have through our relationship with Jesus Christ
We rejoice because we know THAT OUR GOD WILL
comfort us, embrace us, love us and see us through no matter the circumstances
In our heart of hearts as God’s children and as a God’s Church
WE MUST LONG
WE MUST DESIRE
AND EVEN ACHE IF YOU WILL
FOR GOD’S PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES....
IN THIS PLACE
WE MUST BE WILLING TO STEP ASIDE AND
LET GOD WORK
2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that if we the people of God will humble themselves and PRAY and seek the face of God…and watch this- and Turn from their wicked ways.
God says, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.
This one verse addresses our need and desire to be revived
This one verse also tells us what we need to do to allow God to work in our midst.
Listen
We are the people called by the name of God...
We are His children who have accepted His Son as our Lord and Savior.
We must know that as God’s children
We have privileges and Blessings that we have yet to experience....
WHY HAVE WE NOT EXPERIENCED?
WHY HAVE WE NOT RECEIEVED?
Is it because we have shut the door to the very blessings of God?
We have turned off the ovens where the bread was once prepared and we have become content to come in and go out unchanged.
Holding onto the all the world has for us, grabbing at God’s little finger just in case we find ourselves in need.
Careful not to grab to much or hold on to tight
We wouldn’t want to enter all the way in and find ourselves face to face with our true loves and desires
Do we want to be Revived or do we just want a crumb now and then so we know that God exists here in the church house?
We cannot attend a True Revival and expect to receive God without giving something of ourselves
The Bible says, we are to love God with all of our
heart, soul, mind & strength
This leaves nothing for speculation
WE must come and completely live for Him in order to walk in His glorious presence.
With all this said, the question would be
*Do you really want to be revived?
*Do you really want to sense?
*Do you really want to feel?
*Do you really want to LIVE in God’s very presence?
*Do you really want to receive all that God has for you?
IF you said yes then the word says:
Then you must seek Him, you must turn from your sin and God will forgive you God will heal you
In order to receive the blessings we as Gods people
Must humble ourselves and long to be in His presence yet in this place
Church WE must acknowledge our need for God’s intervention by laying aside our pride and self-sufficiency.
If you did not leave your self and pride at the door I pray right now you WILL go to the door lay it down and then come to the alter of God
CHURCH IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!
Can we say this with our hearts?
Its all about Him
LORD IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!
WE MUST BE WILLING TO ADMIT WE NEED GOD in all areas of life
CAN YOU DO THAT right here right now?
Can you admit that you cannot even walk without Him holding your hand?
DO YOU NEED JESUS?
In the Old Testament people who humbled themselves usually expressed their need publicly by doing such things as putting on sackcloth, fasting, weeping, and acknowledging they did not deserve God’s love and intervention.
Wow if we could get a glimpse of that passion
The good news is this
WE CAN!
It requires something of each of us
We all must humble ourselves before God almighty....
We know that we need to Be still and know HE is God
What does God see when He looks at our hearts?
What does God see when He looks at His Church?
Does He see a true desire to know HIM
Or a heart that is content just to KNOW OF HIM....
There is a difference and we must understand that God has so much more for each of us
Knowing of Him is the church attendee who is casual about their attendance and never has time for Bible study or prayer they simply want to come to church and feel better because good people go to church
Knowing Him personally is the church attendee who is so inflamed with their love for Christ that their burning desire is to be in His very presence every minute of the day whether in the Church house or at work or at home.
They know that God sent His only begotten Son to die in their place
So that they could have a relationship with God Almighty and even call Him Father., Daddy
Their desire with each passing day is to come closer to their Lord so that they may live for Him.
You know what else?
They have eternal vision not worldly vision, their treasures are in heaven.
They see clearly the promises before them as a Child of the KING
They long for that day when He shall come and gather all of His children
When we will all become one church and be received as His good and faithful servants.
Come on Church this can be a day of new beginnings or just another church service
Which will it be for you?
How will you walk away today?
Will you be empty or will you know
YES I HAVE BEEN IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD....
It is up to YOU!
Are you seeking or are you content to paddle along hoping life’s storms do not overwhelm you or swallow you up
Church we do not have to be the Victims
With the Promises of God we can be the Victors
The time is now Church to seek God in the midst of the world that has lost its direction
A world that is sinking fast in a sin sick ocean of the devils lies and deceit.
God’s people....
WE must be praying and it should not be a burden or an effort....
Instead it is something we must do as if we where drawing a breath
(It should come that natural)
God help us to pray through humility and Yes brokenness
Knowing that without God we are just a shipwreck waiting to happen....
We know who is on our side...
We know who is greater than the devil and all his ways
We know that with the strength and ability of our Savior we can do all things!
The Psalmist writes: God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble.
Jesus said: With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Listen I believe....
That God is there for me
I believe all things are possible with and through our God.....
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Then come with me
Step out and believe on the very Word of God
Let us desire to be in His awesome presence
Let us desire that God may set our hearts afire with eternal love for His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ
Jeremiah 29:13 SAYS
ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Are you seeking this morning with your heart?
Do you desire to be in His presence?
The very Word of God says
If we do we will find Him
Let us as individuals seek Revival
That we may experience revival in the midst of HIS Church
COME
