Revival: Part 7 – Cost and Power – ‘O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years’

Memory Verse: Habakkuk 3:2 – “O Lord , I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord , revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Revival - a Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Revival – a Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Text: Revelation 2:4:5 – “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The texts say, we have gone astray from our faith (Jesus Christ) and as a result lost the revival power, however, if we can humble ourselves, go on our knees and ask for mercy, God will forgive and restore the revival power.

Introduction: The world is in serious need of the awesome, transforming power of Jesus Christ, however, the enemy fights tooth and nail to hide this reality from us.

One of the best cunning tools the enemy uses is to redirect our goals – this way, we get confused and ultimately frustrated.

Science and Technology – another set of tools the enemy deploys to make Christians channel less attention to God’s Power.

Do not misconstrue, Science and Technology are wonderful gifts from God, but, nothing should capture our attention away from God because he is a jealous God.

What is happening in Church today

  1. Many have departed from the faith
  2. The love of many dying off
  3. Many are now boasters
  4. Many are now proud
  5. Many are now disobedient
  6. Many are now lovers of themselves
  7. Ungratefulness/unthankfulness
  8. Covetousness
  9. Many are now false accusers
Spiritual Revival: This means the first love of Christians being renewed, leading to the awakening and return of sinners to God.
It is when the pillars of sin are completely destroyed and sinners are set loose from the captivity of sin.
It is a new beginning of obedience in God Almighty.
After taking time to observe happenings around, you will agree, there is serious need for Revival in our personal lives, in the Church as well as the world.
But, Revival has a price tag. The question is, are we ready to pay the cost to to have true revival?
Cost Of Revival
From our second text (2 Chronicles 7:14) above, to have true revival, there are requirements to meet – it has a price tag.
It is only when persons are revived that the entire Church can be revived.
Be Humble
Be Humble
  1. Acknowledge your sins: Sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:1-2 – “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
  2. Repent Wholly:  We need to cry out to God, confessing our sins and asking for His forgiveness. Psalm 32:5 – “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
  3. Be Humble: God distastes pride. 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
  4. Effectual Fervent Prayers: This kind of prayer yield(s) desired result(s). James 5:16 – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
  5. Be Ready To Make Sacrifices: We must be ready to let go so many things that make us happy (you will still experience happiness in life) like time, business, feeling etc. 2 Corinthians 1:7 – “And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”
  6. Agape Love: The Love of Christians towards one another will make way for Revival for the world. Galatians 5:14 – “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
The Power Of Revival
When the revived Church march into the world, the blessings are always great.
  1. Soul-winning prevails
  2. Powerful spiritual awakening
  3. Healing takes place
  4. Sin is defeated
  5. More grace for effectual fervent prayers, and a host of other blessings
Conclusion: Brethren, sin has made so many depart from their first love (Jesus Christ) and as a result, the power of revival is no more.
God can restore that revival power, only if we humble ourselves, pray, confess our sins and ask for forgiveness – according to his word in 2 Corinthians 7:14, God says, “I will hear from heaven and will heal their land”.
It begins with one person and then it spreads into the Church and into the world.
Prayer: First, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness
Father, revive me.
Feel free to share this Truth. The Word of God is nothing but the Truth, and only the Truth can set us free!

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