The Key To Survival Is Revival!

THE KEY TO SURVIVAL IS REVIVAL!

Ps. 107:4-31

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: How Secret Identity Can Benefit You

1. A student in a large freshman college class was taking his final exam. The professor announced, “Time is up!” Students began walking to the front with their papers, but still the student kept writing.

2. In a few minutes the professor looked at him, "Hand in your exam now or I'm not going to accept it." The student kept on writing. The professor shook his head and started gathering his books and papers.

3. Ten minutes later the student brought his exam to the professor, who said, "I’m not going to accept your paper. It is late".

4. The student looked at the professor and said; "Do you know who I am?" He replied "No, and I don't really care!"

The student replied, "Good!" He lifted the stack of exams, and shoved his into the middle, shook them, and ran out of the room!

B. THE IMPORTANCE OF SURVIVAL

1. Practically everywhere you look these days you see someone wearing a mask — and rightly so. Masks are a symbol of the pandemic era.

2. The thought behind the mask is SURVIVAL. In fact, many health experts have said, “a mask is one of the keys to survival.” I question that statement! I believe the KEY TO SURVIVAL IS REVIVAL!

3. If there ever was a time the Church needed revival, it’s now! Churches have been closed in many countries. One-third of Christians who used to watch services online no longer do. Millions have gotten out of the habit of going to church and may never come back. This slide isn’t new, but it’s accelerating.

4. PUT UP SLIDES ON DECLINING CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA

https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/

5. THE SITUATION IS DESPERATE BUT THE SAINTS ARE NOT! George Barna, the pollster, said, “This new America we see emerging is radically different.” Belief in the existence of God is down from 86% to 46% (1991-2021). The number of U.S. adults who “Don’t Believe” has tripled to 34% in 2021. 43% of Millennials (ages 18 to 36) reject the existence of God; only 2% believe in Hell. [“Declining Christianity Leads to Dramatic US Religious Realignment, Jun 8, 2021 | American Worldview Inventory, Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.]

6. At the current dropout rates, only about 4% of American teens will end up as Bible-believing adult churchgoers. Do we care? [www.barna.org/churchless and www.barna.com/research/10-facts-about-americas-churchless]

7. If we care about God or lost souls, these statistics should bother us! The churches of America ought to be fasting instead of feasting, praying instead of playing, and weeping instead of sleeping! If God doesn’t send revival, our kids and grandkids may end up in a country hostile to Christianity!

8. There is always hope; God has a way of getting people’s attention! Read with me in Ps. 107:4-31.

C. TEXT & TITLE

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands…5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. 10 Some sat in darkness…prisoners suffering in iron chains, 11 because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. 12 [They were] subjected to bitter labor…and there was no one to help. 13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness…and broke away their chains. 23 Some went out on the sea in ships…on the mighty waters. 25 [The Lord]….stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. 26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. 27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Ps. 107:4-6;10-14;23-29;31.

TITLE: “The Key to Survival is Revival!”

I. WE GET OURSELVES INTO ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE

A. REASONS WE BECOME LAX IN FAITH

1. We humans have a way of getting ourselves into all kinds of hot water for various reasons:

a. because we think we’re invincible – “nothing bad can happen to me.” Ricky behavior, from driving motorcycles to sexual dalliances.

b. We think we’re in control of our environment;

c. We suppose we’re the masters of all the variables of our life.

2. So we do things we shouldn’t – we take risks, we mouth-off, we violate some of God’s standards. Psalm 107 talks about 3 situations where people were venturing into risky territory – and all 3 got into trouble.