Revival Begins With Me

REVIVAL BEGINS WITH ME

Opening Song: 292 Jesus I Come

Closing Song: 311 I Would Be Like Jesus

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 29:1-10

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.

The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.

The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be.

He began to speak and his statement was this: 'My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?'

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble. What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.' Psalm 55:23

Grape Hall Revival will not come to the church until it’s leadership is revived.

Introduction: Today, we begin the message about the revival that occurred under the leadership of King Hezekiah. This account is the most extensive account of a Biblical revival in the scriptures. And I believe we can learn a lot about revival from this account.

One thing that all revivals in the scripture have in common with each other is this. Every one of them began with the LEADERSHIP. A REVIVED LEADERSHIP WILL LEAD TO REVIVAL AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE. And, Revival will not come to the church until its leadership is revived.

King Hezekiah issued three calls to the leaders of the people that first, lead to their own renewal and refreshing, and then secondly, lead to revival among God’s people. I believe that God wants to issue these same three calls today to every MINISTER, DEACON, PROGRAM LEADER, SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER AND CHOIR MEMBER here today,

That does not mean that the rest of you can take a nap. Perhaps today, God will challenge you to join these leaders in revival, and in service! I believe some of you may need to consider taking a position of service in this church, or return to a position of service. So pay close attention and let God speak to your hearts.

1Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.

3He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.

4And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,

5And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

6For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.

7Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.