Who Needs Revival?

Disclaimer: Source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible. Please feel free to use this message as God’s Holy Spirit directs your heart.

WHO IS IN NEED OF REVIVAL?

Psalms 85:6 Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?

INTRODUCTION: If our church is to grow numerically and spiritually, if our church is to have any impact on the culture around us, if our church is to please God – we must have revival within the church! What does God see as He looks at our church? Who needs revival?

I. Those who used to serve but who now sit.

A. Galatians 5:7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

B. Revelation 3:1-2 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

C. When you come to the place in your spiritual life where you have to point back at what you used to do, instead of being able to see what you are currently doing, you are in deep spiritual trouble. Sadly, many believers are right there this morning! You hear things like, "I worked in Bible School for years, now it’s time for someone else to do it!" Or, "I taught that class for a long time, I need a break!" Or, "I used to go to church! I used to serve God! I used to be faithful!" What about today? What are you doing for God this morning?

D. James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

E. The Dead Sea is so salty that it contains no fish or plant life. What accounts for this unusual condition? There are absolutely no outlets! A great volume of water pours into this area, but nothing flows out. Many inlets plus no outlets equal a dead sea. This law of nature may also be applied to the child of God, and it explains why many believers are so unfruitful and lacking in spiritual vitality. It’s possible for some people to attend Bible conferences, listen to religious broadcasts, study the Scriptures, and continually take in the Word as it is preached from the pulpit, and yet seem lifeless and unproductive in their Christian lives. Such individuals are like the Dead Sea. They have several “inlets” but no “outlets.” To be vibrant and useful believers, we must not only “take in” all we can, but we must also “give out” in service to others! - Our Daily Bread, March-May, 1996

F. Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years.

II. Those who used to sing but who are now songless.

A. Psalms 96:1 Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

B. This true story happened in Galveston, TX. A lady was cleaning her bird’s cage with a canister vacuum cleaner. The bird’s name was Chippie. She had no attachment on the end of the tube, as she vacuumed out the bottom of the cage. When the phone rang, she turned to get it, and--you guessed it--she sucked Chippie into the vacuum cleaner. She opened the canister, ripped the bag open, and took Chippie out. He was stunned but still alive. Since he was covered with dust, she took him to the bathroom and put him under the faucet to give him a bath. When she finished with that, she took the hairdryer to dry him off. Can you imagine holding that bird in front of the blast of hot air from a hair dryer? A local newspaper published the story. Some time later, the reporter decided to do a follow-up story. He asked, "How’s Chippie doing?" The woman replied, "Chippie doesn’t sing much any more. He just sort of sits and stares," - copied

C. Too many like Chippie have lost their song.

D. Psalms 137:4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?

E. Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

F. How did Paul and Silas sing at midnight? They belonged to the Lord. He was their Lord and Savior, and they were His faithful servants!

G. Psalm 118:14 -- "The Lord is my strength and song, And he has become my salvation."

H. It is our relationship with God through Christ that allows us to sing and pray at midnight – no matter what happens in our lives. Why?