KEYS TO A SPIRITUAL REVIVAL In vs)6 of this psalm, the psalmist prays for revival. I hope that as a member of the Body of Christ, you have been praying for and desiring a heaven-sent Holy Ghost revival here at Sharon Baptist Church. Our Thanksgiving Revival will begin on Wednesday, November 15th – Sunday, November 20th, with the Tidewater Baptist Youth Fellowship holding an area meeting on Saturday. As we look at this Psalm, would you pray with me that we may become burdened for God to send a Holy Ghost revival to our church? Would you be bold enough to pray, "Let it begin with me?" You may think, "Pastor, what are the keys to a spiritual revival?" We must confess our need for revival. The psalmist’s prayer was a confession of that need. It was only when he felt the need for revival that he prayed. Think of the need for revival not only in terms of the world but also in our church and our own lives. Remember, revival begins within first, then bursts outward to the church and the world. We must admit the possibility of revival. Do you believe that genuine revival is possible? The psalmist was! He reminded God of what He had done six times in vs)1-3. The fact that God has sent revival in the past demonstrates the possibility of revival coming again. Some people will not admit the possibility of revival coming in our day. But history and the promises of God prove the possibility of revival. We must recognize the source of revival. Where does revival come from? Verse 6 tells us, "Thou." It comes from God; it's not worked up but sent down, and therefore our eyes must not be upon men, methods, churches, or the evangelist but on Him. (Psalm 62:5) We must use the means for obtaining revival. What is the secret of revival? It's prayer, notice in vs)6 "Will thou not?" It takes passionate, faith-filled, and urgent prayer for God to send revival. There has never been a revival in the history of mankind that wasn't preceded by great prayer. (2 Chronicles 7:14) We must remove the obstacles to revival. In vs)6, the psalmist prays for revival "that thy people may rejoice in thee." This indicates fellowship, walking with God, and agreeing with God. The greatest obstacle to revival is our sin. Are you right with God? Is there sin in your life? Are you living in obedience to the Lord so you can walk with the Lord? (Amos 3:3) Many years ago, D. L. Moody heard Henry Varley say, "The world has yet to see what God will do with one man who is fully surrendered to Him." Moody said, "By God’s grace, I’ll be that man!" Will you begin to pray the same prayer for your church so that the world may see what God can do in and through you? We shall enjoy the results of revival. Read through the rest of the psalm and notice the results of revival that are mentioned. (Psalm 37:23) May each of us at Sharon Baptist Church begin to prepare our hearts now so that God will send revival to us individually and the church corporately.
0 Comments
Ephesians 5:16 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." All of us have become used to the name Daylight Savings Time, but there are only so many hours in a day, and changing the clock doesn't save time. But there is another type of Daylight Savings Time. Jesus said in John 9:4, "The night cometh when no man can work." The text tells us to literally "buy up" our opportunities. The only way we can save our working hours is to spend them in the service of God. The only money we save is the money we invest in the souls of men, and the only time we don't use it is the time we use it to the glory of God. The Psalmist prayed, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom." (Psalm 90:12). We sing that wonderful hymn, "Work For The Night Is Coming," but did you ever count up Him many hours in a day you spend on yourself and how little time for God and others? It's time to save time. We can run up a good bank account of hours knowing Christ better and making Him known. It's not time spent but time gained, an investment, treasure laid up in Heaven. I'm not just talking about "full-time Christian service." Every Christian is called to full-time service. Aren’t we all supposed to live for Him all the time? How much daylight have you saved by spending it on His glory? - Pastor Carroll |
Sharon Baptist church is an independent, fundamental Baptist church located in Hampton, VA.
Archives
November 2023
Categories
All
Showing People the Way to God - Personal Evangelism $3 plus Shipping |