THE AUSTRALIAN CHURCH'S GREATEST NEED
In my last blog I wrote about the “forgotten message, I could have put it another way, saying that because of certain “toxic” emphases and imbalance the awesome truth of holy living is forgotten or totally obscured because of these emphases.
So, I ask the question, “What is the Australian Church’s greatest need? I believe it is revival. Immediately some people misinterpret that word, and see tens of thousands of people coming to faith WRONG, this is the fruit or by-product of revival.
REVIVAL IS WHEN THE CHURCH RETURNS TO ITS RIGHTFUL STATE OF WALKING IN HOLINESS, AND IN THE BLESSING AND POWER OF GOD.
We will be looking closely at Psalm 85. May I suggest you get your Bible and follow with me.
In verse 6 the psalmist cries out “Revive us again. THIS MUST BECOME OUR HEART CRY EVERY DAY.
Revival has been defines as “like a heart massage”, returning to God’s standard of normality, to quicken, to recover, to repair.
R.A. TORREY says “UI have a theory, and I believe it is true, that there is not a church, or chapel, or mission on earth,, where you cannot have revival, providing there is a nucleus of people who will hold onto God until it comes”.
CHARLES FINNEY SAYS “Revival is no more a miracle than a crop of wheat, in any community a revival can be secured from heaven, when heroic souls enter into conflict, determined to win or die, or if needs be win and die.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS THAT LEAD TO SUCH A REVIVAL?
- WE MUST CONFESS OUR NEED OF REVIVAL
(a) In our lives
(b) In the Church
(c) In the Church world at large
2. Psalm 85:7 DESPERATION “Sow us your mercy”
3. WE MUST ADMIT THE POSSIBILITY OF REVIVAL
In verses 1-3 The Psalmist reminds God of His mighty works
They are favourable
He offers forgiveness
He covers their sin
He takes away His wrath
He is a God of restoration (Hallelujah)
4. HISTORY AND THE PROMISES OF GOD PROVE THAT REVIVAL IS POSSIBLE TODAY.
2 Chron. 7:14 If my people who are called my Name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, than I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Malachi 3:10 God wants to open the windows of heaven, and pour out such a blessing, that there will not be room to receive it.
WE MUST RECOGNISE THE SOURCE OF REVIVAL
It is not worked up, but it is SENT DOWN.
ALL REVIVALS HAVE THEIR BASIS IN PRAYER
In the secret place, with our heavenly Father, we find
Relationship
Reverence Is. 57:15
Reality (we stop being hypocrites)
Reliance Heb.11:6
Reward (now and in the future)
WE MUST REMOVE ALL THE OBSTACLES SIN
Disobedience, unbelief, unconcern, pride
HENRY VARLEY SAID ” The world has yet to see what God can do with a man who is fully surrendered to Him, D.L.MOODY said, “By God’s grace I will be that man.
THIS IS A PERSONAL MATTER “LORD WILL YOU REVIVE ME AGAIN?
We know the tendency of fire is to go out, IT IS UP TO US TO KEEP THE FIRE BURNING BRIGHTLY.
WHAT WILL BE THE RESULTS?
Verse 7 Salvation
Verse 8 Peace
Verse 9 Glory
Verse 10 Harmony
Verse 11 Truth increase
Verse 12 Increase
Verse 13 Righteousness.
Naturally speaking we look at the church and our nation, and say, it can’t be done, we must repent, come back to God and His Word, and let the Lord DO IT AGAIN AMEN.
Do you agree ?
