Awakening Through Revelation: Embracing God's Transformative Presence
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound concept of revelation, a spiritual awareness that God desires to impart to us. Revelation, derived from the Greek word "apocalypsis," signifies the unveiling of divine truths. We are in a season of awakening, marked by various prophetic signposts indicating God's movement within our church. These include prophecies from Chris Vallotton, David Thomas, Rory Dyer, and others, all pointing towards a transformative period for our community.
We delved into the idea of an "essential tremor," a metaphor for our necessary human response to divine encounters. This tremor is rooted in three foundational revelations: the name of Jesus Christ, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. These elements are the epicenter of our faith, causing us to tremble in awe and reverence.
The sermon highlighted the importance of trembling at the glory, word, sovereignty, and holiness of God. We examined biblical instances where God's presence caused physical and spiritual tremors, such as the Hebridean revival and the shaking of the early church in Acts 4. These events remind us that true revival and awakening are birthed in prayer and a deep reverence for God's majesty.
We were challenged to respond to God's presence with an essential tremor, reflecting a life of purity, repentance, and unwavering commitment to His word. This response is not just an emotional reaction but a profound, ongoing journey of working out our salvation with fear and trembling.
### Key Takeaways
1. Revelation and Spiritual Awareness: Revelation is a divine unveiling that brings spiritual awareness beyond natural understanding. It is God’s way of revealing His plans and purposes to us, and it requires an open heart and a posture of expectation. This spiritual insight is transformative and unforgettable, as it is directly imparted by God. [01:57]
2. The Essential Tremor: The concept of an essential tremor symbolizes our necessary response to God's presence. This tremor is rooted in the foundational revelations of Jesus' name, crucifixion, and resurrection. These truths should cause us to tremble in awe and reverence, recognizing the profound impact of Christ's sacrifice and victory over death. [15:49]
3. Trembling at God's Glory and Word: True worship and prayer are marked by a trembling at God's glory and His word. This reverence leads to a deeper understanding of His majesty and a commitment to live according to His scriptures. The Bible should instill a holy fear in us, driving us to seek God earnestly and honor His commands. [32:44]
4. Sovereignty and Holiness of God: Understanding God's sovereignty and holiness is crucial for a genuine spiritual awakening. We must recognize that God’s plans are sovereign and our response should be one of humility and repentance. This involves purifying ourselves from anything that contaminates our body and spirit, striving for holiness out of reverence for God. [36:03]
5. Revival Through Prayer: Historical revivals, such as those in the Hebrides and Azusa Street, were birthed in fervent prayer. We are called to pray for personal and corporate revival, believing that God can shake our community and bring about a transformative awakening. This requires a daily commitment to seek God's power and presence in our lives. [42:39]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [01:57] - Revelation and Expectation
3. [04:03] - Signposts of Awakening
4. [06:11] - Prophetic Words and Personal Experiences
5. [09:52] - Essential Tremor Introduction
6. [11:57] - Hebridean Revival and Acts 4
7. [14:03] - Theophanies in Scripture
8. [17:50] - Fear and Trembling in Salvation
9. [19:41] - Foundational Revelations: Name, Crucifixion, Resurrection
10. [24:04] - The Power of the Resurrection
11. [28:59] - Trembling at God's Glory
12. [32:44] - Trembling at God's Word
13. [36:03] - Sovereignty and Holiness of God
14. [39:04] - Call to Purity and Repentance
15. [42:39] - Revival Through Prayer
16. [49:39] - Response and Commitment
17. [53:47] - Final Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 4:31 - "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."
2. Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
3. Isaiah 6:1-5 - "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.' At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the term "revelation" mean according to the sermon, and how is it described in the New Testament Greek? [01:57]
2. What are the three foundational revelations that cause an "essential tremor" in believers? [19:41]
3. How did the early church in Acts 4 respond to God's presence, and what was the result of their prayer? [11:57]
4. What was the reaction of Isaiah when he encountered the glory of God in Isaiah 6:1-5?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "working out your salvation with fear and trembling" in Philippians 2:12-13 relate to the idea of an "essential tremor" discussed in the sermon? [17:50]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true revival and awakening are connected to prayer and reverence for God's majesty? [42:39]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of trembling at God's word and His glory? [32:44]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's sovereignty and our response of humility and repentance? [36:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a profound spiritual revelation. How did it impact your faith and actions? How can you cultivate a posture of expectation for future revelations? [01:57]
2. The sermon challenges us to respond to God's presence with an "essential tremor." What practical steps can you take to live a life of purity, repentance, and unwavering commitment to God's word? [09:52]
3. How can you incorporate a deeper sense of reverence and awe in your daily worship and prayer life? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this? [32:44]
4. The sermon mentions historical revivals birthed in fervent prayer. How can you commit to praying for personal and corporate revival in your community? What specific prayer practices can you adopt? [42:39]
5. Consider the areas of your life where you might need to purify yourself from anything that contaminates your body and spirit. What steps can you take this week to strive for holiness out of reverence for God? [39:04]
6. How can you better understand and embrace God's sovereignty in your life, especially during challenging times? What does humility and repentance look like for you in this context? [36:03]
7. The sermon calls for a response to God's presence with an essential tremor. How can you practically respond to God's movements in your life and community? What actions will you take to ensure you are not complacent in your faith? [49:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Unveiling of Truths
Revelation is a divine unveiling that brings spiritual awareness beyond natural understanding. It is God’s way of revealing His plans and purposes to us, and it requires an open heart and a posture of expectation. This spiritual insight is transformative and unforgettable, as it is directly imparted by God. In this season of awakening, we are encouraged to be attentive to the prophetic signposts and revelations that God is imparting to our community. These revelations are not just for intellectual understanding but are meant to transform our hearts and align us with God's divine purposes. [01:57]
Daniel 2:22 (ESV): "He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a posture of expectation and openness to receive divine revelations in your daily life?
Day 2: Trembling in Awe of Christ's Sacrifice
The concept of an essential tremor symbolizes our necessary response to God's presence. This tremor is rooted in the foundational revelations of Jesus' name, crucifixion, and resurrection. These truths should cause us to tremble in awe and reverence, recognizing the profound impact of Christ's sacrifice and victory over death. The essential tremor is not just a physical reaction but a deep spiritual response that acknowledges the magnitude of what Jesus has done for us. It calls us to live in a state of reverence and gratitude, continually reflecting on the significance of His sacrifice. [15:49]
Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
Reflection: Reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. How does this foundational truth impact your daily life and decisions?
Day 3: Reverence for God's Glory and Word
True worship and prayer are marked by a trembling at God's glory and His word. This reverence leads to a deeper understanding of His majesty and a commitment to live according to His scriptures. The Bible should instill a holy fear in us, driving us to seek God earnestly and honor His commands. When we tremble at God's word, we acknowledge its authority and allow it to shape our lives. This trembling is a sign of our deep respect and love for God, recognizing His supreme authority and the power of His word. [32:44]
Psalm 119:120 (ESV): "My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments."
Reflection: How can you develop a deeper reverence for God's word in your daily Bible study and prayer time?
Day 4: Humility Before God's Sovereignty and Holiness
Understanding God's sovereignty and holiness is crucial for a genuine spiritual awakening. We must recognize that God’s plans are sovereign and our response should be one of humility and repentance. This involves purifying ourselves from anything that contaminates our body and spirit, striving for holiness out of reverence for God. Acknowledging God's sovereignty means trusting His plans and submitting to His will, even when we do not fully understand it. It calls us to live in a state of humility, continually seeking to align our lives with His holy standards. [36:03]
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV): "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
Reflection: What areas of your life need purification and alignment with God's holiness? How can you take practical steps towards this today?
Day 5: Revival Through Fervent Prayer
Historical revivals, such as those in the Hebrides and Azusa Street, were birthed in fervent prayer. We are called to pray for personal and corporate revival, believing that God can shake our community and bring about a transformative awakening. This requires a daily commitment to seek God's power and presence in our lives. Revival is not just an event but a sustained movement of God's Spirit that transforms lives and communities. It begins with a heart of prayer, seeking God earnestly and persistently for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit. [42:39]
James 5:16b (ESV): "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: How can you incorporate fervent prayer into your daily routine to seek personal and corporate revival? What specific prayers can you start with today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It may be that you're in this auditorium or listening online and, to be honest, you've never ever had a personal revelation, a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. It may even be a churchgoer. But if I asked you at the end of this service, do you know Jesus? You'd have to say, well, I know about Him, but I don't know Him. Well, He knows you and He wants to get to know you." [54:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus, and Jesus only, must be the centre of everything we stand for. Acts 4.11, same chapter, they said, salvation is found in no one else. There is no other name under heaven given to mankind, by which we must be saved. No place for universalism here. No place for any other idols, or any other gods. No place for any other philosophies. Jesus, and Jesus only." [21:48] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I believe in Jesus. I believe that he died on the cross for my sins, for your sins. And that was the greatest shaking of the world order. And I believe that God has raised him from the dead. And he is alive today to change your heart and life. And though my body is perishing, though it's trembling, I have a glorious hope that one day a voice will come from heaven. Arise, you dead." [27:48] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you're in this auditorium or listening online and you want that relationship, or maybe you've used to serve God, but you've drifted and you no longer have that relationship, I would love to include you in a prayer. So could everybody just close your eyes for a minute. Think about your personal journey. Do you have a personal, real, current relationship with Jesus Christ?" [55:21] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Let's get back to some basics here. Jesus, the cross and the resurrection. It was before the shaking that that was their central mandate. And then they came to this chapter four that we've read. And after they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. I would just encourage you to read the whole passage." [28:59] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Our church is in a new season, season of awakening. And when God leads us in a new direction or on a new path, we see signposts. And if you've been part of this church for the last few years, you will have noticed some of these signposts. So I'm just going to share a few with you and then share one that you don't know." [04:03] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Putting your hand up at the end of a service is the first tiny step on a long and often painful pilgrimage to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. And as someone who has served God for 50 years, I know it's not always easy. So, this essential tremor is based on three foundational revelations. If we're going to respond correctly, we need to know what these revelations are." [18:50] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to have a recapturing of the solemnity of what took place on the cross. And then we come to the resurrection. I'm rushing through this because I want to spend time at the end challenging you to pray. But I could spend a good couple of hours on each of these points. Resurrection. Again, Jesus arose from the dead." [24:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "This book should frighten the life out of you. How can we possibly not read it? Every day, I've been preaching for 50 years. I have students, been preaching, teaching our students for 35 years. And sometimes they turn up, you know, I love speaking, I'm looking forward to preach. And I say, are you frightened? And they say, no. And I say, like Yoda, you will be." [33:40] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Revivals always start with a suddenly and always should respond with an immediately from us. We're going to sing this song together. And if your answer to those three questions, is yes, I want you to just come out from your seat and stand with me at the front. And let's believe for an essential tremor in this place." [44:59] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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