TRETS 3OCT2019 SETTING
THE STAGE FOR REVIVAL
Text: Ps. 85. 1-7, 1 Kings 18.21-24, Habakkuk 3.2,
Ephesians 5.14.
Revival
is the full restoration of God’s people back to the will, word, the work and
the lifestyle of the almighty God. It is should be the ultimate goal of every
believer to be in full intimate relationship with His maker but when things had
turned otherwise and Christians are looking at the other direction from the
will and the word of God, then God looked down in disappointment upon His
people. This estranged relationship with God brings devastation, disaster and
sometimes destruction upon them. Then God’s people need revival. As we look
around us today, every indices within and without signify that we need revival
as individual, as a church and as a nation. As we see the worldliness creeping
into the church, don’t we need revival? How about the lethargy towards
evangelism, does it not concern you?. Think about the fear among God’s people
of the ragging waves from the enemy. We need revival. How about our sleeping
when we ought to be fervent in prayer. All these and many more shows we need
revival. True scriptural revival brings us back to God and His purpose. This
in-turn brings His benevolence upon us and the evidence is peace, power,
prosperity and in deed posterity. Failure to embrace revival could be
devastating as continuation in the state of indifference to God may lead to
total abandonment by God which makes His people vulnerable to the attack of the
enemy.
Series of Condemnable Practices calling
for Timely Revival. Rev.
3.15-19, 1Kings 18.19-21, 1sa. 1.11-17, Ps. 78.41, Amos 5.11, Isa. 40.31
God
doesn’t abandon His people without a reason. When we see dryness and poverty in
the land, and the land of plenty becomes a place of penury, then there is need
to examine the characters and practices in the land, and in deed in ourselves
conducts and relationship with God and with our fellow man. Today a thorough
examination reveals (i) Lukewarmness to God and His word (Rev. 3.15-17), (ii)
Indifference and “I don’t care attitude” to God’s work (Judges 5.23), (iii)
Worldliness and ungodly friendship (James 4.4), (iv) Oppression of the
poor (Amos 5.11), (v) Pride and arrogance of achievements (Lk.
12. 16-20), (vi) Blood letting
of the innocent (Isa. 1.11-15).
Scriptural Conditions and preparation
for True Revival. Hosea 10:12; Joel 2.12-13, Psalms
138:6-8, Isa.40.39-31,
“sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in
mercy, break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord till He
come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12)
In
preparation for God’s visitation, we must return fully to righteousness in every
area of our lives. We must show mercy and forgiveness to all others. “blessed
are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Pride and
self- defence must be replaced by humility and
contrition. God has promised to revive our spirits and hearts if we yield them
to Him ((Isaiah 57:15, Hosea 14:7, Acts 3:19-20). The New Testament
affirms that times of refreshing and renewal shall come from the presence of
the Lord. “Faithful is He that calleth you who will also do it”.(1 Thessalonians
5:24). The scriptures states clearly that the preparation that God
recommends for revival is purely from the heart. Is your heart free from haughtiness and pride and full of humility and lowliness?,
Does it tremble in contrition at the word of God? Do you accept your faults and
make amends or Do you explain it away? Are
you determined in heart to do and to teach the whole will of God? We must be
ready to lead a holy and pleasant life and maintain good focus on heaven Rom 12.1-2.
Supernatural Components and proofs
of Transcending revival Joel 2.18-21, Psalm 85.8-13, Mal. 3.11, Psalm 84.11, Isa. 6.1
When
God bring a transcending revival upon the land, everyone will be partakers of
its transforming effect. It is a sign of God’s favour and mercy outpoured upon
His people and it results into peace, protection and prosperity in the nation.
The following are some of the proof of God’s happiness upon His children. (i)
There will be express answer to our prayers (Isa.65.24), (ii) There will
be joyful workforce in the church among God’s people, (iii) Increase and
prosperity in the land (Ps. 85.9-12), God will shield His
people and prevent them from the attack of the enemy (Ps. 84.11). Vibrant
congregation and happy fellowship. God begin to speak with His people again.
Miracles and endless supernatural performance amongs Gods people (Rom. 8.19)
