Strategy For Revival

Sun. July 18/93 I Sam. 7:1-14

STRATEGY FOR REVIVAL

The Atlantic Fleet was holding maneuvers. On a

destroyer the call to general quarters had the whole crew running to their stations, while already reports of simulated damage were being recorded by damage control. On deck an officer, crayon in hand surveyed the hurrying men, then stooped and traced out a rough

circle several feet in diameter extending from the rail to superstructure, and scrawled in the middle of the area, “BOMB HIT, DECK GONE." Then he stood by to watch.

A belated seaman, running to his post, reached the artificial wound and stopped. He gazed wistfully at the far side of the circle, then his face lighted. Plucking the crayon from the hand of astounded officer he quickly drew two straight lines through the center of the circle, scribbled in the middle ,"SIX-INCH PLANK" -- and hastened on his way.

I Sam.

- As believers we are holding maneuvers with our faith

- We are looking for crayons to draw imaginary

planks around what we think we need.

- We are really pretending with our spiritual battles

- Our day has not changed much with I Sam. days

- Ch. 1 people wanting and having families

- Ch. 2 The church in a mess v.12

--- Its leaders have v.17 no standards

v.22 immoral

- Ch. 3 seems like only one ministering to the Lord v.1

- Ch. 4 nothing but defeat v. 10

--- v.21, 22 God’s glory has departed

- Ch. 5-6 the enemy having his day

- Ch. 7 A real plank across a real gulf

- v.2 sick of the whole mess they were in

1 Samuel 7:2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

- v.3 came before the Lord

And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, .........

- v.3 listened to His word

then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

- v.4 obeyed His word

1 Samuel 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

- v.6 repented

1 Samuel 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

- v.8 believed

1 Samuel 7:8 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

- v.9-10 God answered

1 Samuel 7:9-10 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

- v.12 people remembered

1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

- v.13-14 peace (a contentment)

1 Samuel 7:13-14 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

14 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

(KJV)

THE WELSH REVIVAL {last week}

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 to the country.

Its influence was felt around the world.

The Welsh Revival 1904-1910

The impact was astounding. For example, Judges

were presented with white gloves -- not a case to try: no robberies, no burglaries, no rapes, no murders and no embezzlements, nothing ....Drunkenness was cut in half. There was a wave of bankruptcies but nearly all bars.... The illegitimate birth rate dropped.