Seven Days To Revival

SEVEN DAYS TO REVIVAL

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. It happened at an Amazon Call center. The manager was walking down a line of cubicles listening as the phone staff fielded orders for products.

2. He stopped when he overheard one say to a customer, “No ma’am, we haven’t had any for weeks now, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting any soon.”

3. Alarmed, he rushed over, grabbed the headset and said to the customer, “That isn’t true, ma’am. Of course we’ll have it soon. Please call back in a few hours and I’m sure some will be available. Thank you!” And he hung up.

4. Then he started his lecture to the salesman; “Never, never tell a customer that we don’t have something. If we don’t have it, say we’ve already ordered it and that it’s being shipped!” He continued, “By the way, what was the lady asking about?” The clerk answered, “Rain.”

5. Lord, send us some spiritual rain! Amen?

B. SEVEN DAYS TO REVIVAL

1. Many believe that some things are “acts of God” – beyond our control; there’s nothing we can do to make them happen. Examples of this are earthquakes, rainstorms, tornadoes, etc.

2. Many people think Revival is the result of a sovereign move of God; it’s an act of God. But revivalists such as Charles Finney denied that.

3. He stated that God is ALWAYS READY to have revival. He stated that “when the CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT, revival can, and will happen.” And unlike the weather, he said that WE CONTROL THE CONDITIONS! 2 Chronicles 7:14

4. So, we CAN have revival if we want it! It’s as certain as a farmer planting a crop and expecting it to come up.

C. WE ARE AT A TURNING POINT TODAY

1. A “TURNING POINT” is a point at which a significant change occurs. It can be for bad or for good. It’s a choice WE make and it effects our lives and our destinies.

2. We’re going to look at 3 turning points in the Bible, their results, and see if we need to make a decision that will bring us to a point of revival.

3. HUMOR: We can all make Excuses why we’re not Revived

a. A fire occurred in a church. Fire trucks arrived with sirens wailing. Firemen started dousing the blaze.

b. The minister recognized one of the men, “Hello Jim! I haven’t seen you at church for a long time!”

c. Jim said, “Well, it’s been a long time since there’s been any kind of fire here at the church!”

4. THAT’S WHAT WE ALL NEED TO GET BACK: THE FIRE!

5. TO “REVIVE” means “to live again; to rise from the dead; an awakening of God’s people; a stirring of the Spirit of God.” Church, that’s what we need, but the question is, “Do we want it?”

6. The title of this message is “Seven Days To Revival.”

I. THREE TIMES GOD’S PEOPLE WERE AT A TURNING POINT

A. ISRAEL, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

1. 19:16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 19 Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. 20:18 The people...said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Ex. 19:16-19; 20:18-19.

2. The people of Israel had a chance to develop a personal relationship with God, but they became afraid. I’m not saying there aren’t risks in getting close to the most powerful Being in the universe! There are! But the benefits far outweigh the risks. The blessing of the Lord is with them that fear Him! Instead, they opted to let Moses (the preacher) meet with God and tell them what God is saying.

3. This is so common that people don’t develop their own walk with God, but depend on someone else to be in touch with God – the pastor, grandma, their aunt, etc. WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THE ISRAELITES REJECTING A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

4. In Exodus 32:1 the Israelites ended up backsliding and going back to worship the idols of Egypt. Where there’s not a relationship, there’s no connection & it won’t last!

B. DANIEL’S DECISION TO PRAY

1. “2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over” Dan. 10:2-3. An angel was sent from God and said, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your