Sermon Central
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Revival, Prayer, And The Word Of God
Contributed by Charles Lane Iii on Feb 16, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Someone has observed that no significant revival has ever occurred without first having these three factors prevalent: (1) attention to the Word of God, (creating a hunger and thirst for righteousness), (2) repentance, and (3) prayer.
Psalm 119:25-32 NKJV
25 My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
Signs of need for revival: verses 25 & 28, dryness and heaviness.
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17).
26 I have declared my ways,
and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Elements of prayer: confession, repentance.
Confession, "to agree with God" (1 John 1:9).
Repentance, "turning away from" and "turning toward".
Contrast "my ways" / "Thy ways" (Isaiah 55:8-9).
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.
The critical importance of "divine revelation".
Wisdom from God, not wisdom of the world.
28 My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
Put on the "garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" (Isaiah 61:3).
It is Christ Who strengthens (Philippians 4:13).
29 Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
Contrast "the way of lying" / "the way of truth".
Lying ways of others which deceive us; our own lying ways in which we deceive ourselves.
Note: law and grace working together to revive, strengthen, enlarge. The law a "tutor" to lead us to Christ Who gives grace abundantly (Galatians 3:24-25 NIV).
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
"Your word is truth" (Psalm 119:160).
Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6).
31 I cling to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
Contrast verse 25 "cling to the dust" / verse 31
"cling to Your testimonies".
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).
"For the Scripture says, ’Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame’" (Romans 10:11).
32 I will run in the way of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.
Repentance: run from sin, run toward God.
"Enlarge my heart" -- "set my heart free" (NIV).
REQUIREMENTS FOR REVIVAL:
(1) The Word of God (the Law and the Prophets and the Gospel, the whole counsel of God).
(2) Repentance.
(3) Prayer.
RESULTS OF REVIVAL:
(1) Understanding.
(2) Strengthening.
(3) Life and joy.
Complete dependance upon God. Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord..."
Responsibility to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Matthew 6:33 "Seek ye first..."
Jesus said to him, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
Conclusion:
Life situation -> seek God -> God’s response -> our response to God -> God’s continued work in us -> God blesses us -> we bless others ->
-> praise & glory & thanksgiving unto God!
Isaiah 57:15 NKJV
For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy"
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
