Awakening to God's Presence: The Path to Revival

 

Summary

Revival is a powerful and transformative experience that begins in the heart of an individual and spreads to the community. It is not a scheduled event or an emotional high, but a deep, personal awakening to the presence of God. Revival starts with a hunger for more of God, not because He withholds Himself, but because we need to make room for Him by emptying ourselves of self. This process begins with repentance, a turning away from sin and a turning towards God. It is a call to wake up from spiritual slumber, to be alert and engaged in our faith journey.

Revival is a sovereign move of God that brings renewal and a fresh outpouring of His presence. It transforms individuals and entire churches, creating a deep hunger for God and a renewed excitement for worship. It is marked by a significant number of people turning to God, seeking salvation, and experiencing life change. Revival cannot be manufactured or scheduled; it is a divine appointment that God has on His calendar.

To experience revival, we must first recognize our need for it. This requires a spiritual assessment of where we are in our faith journey. We must prepare our hearts, much like preparing a home for a guest, by cleaning up and making room for God's presence. This preparation involves humility, prayer, and a willingness to turn from our wicked ways. It is about being ready and expectant for God's move, much like the anticipation of a bride waiting for her groom.

Revival also requires unity among believers. The early church experienced revival because they were united in prayer and purpose. We must guard our words and seek reconciliation with others to maintain unity. Walking in expectation and faith, we must be open to God's move and ready to experience His presence in our lives.

Ultimately, revival is about experiencing God personally and deeply. It is not about living off second-hand experiences or the words of others, but about having a face-to-face encounter with God. It is about being transformed by His presence and allowing that transformation to impact those around us. Revival is not for the complacent; it is for those who are prepared and hungry for more of God.

Key Takeaways:

- Revival begins with a personal awakening to God's presence, requiring us to empty ourselves of self to make room for Him. This process starts with repentance, a turning away from sin and towards God. [02:37]

- Revival is a sovereign move of God that brings renewal and a fresh outpouring of His presence, transforming individuals and entire churches. It is marked by a significant number of people turning to God and experiencing life change. [06:39]

- To experience revival, we must recognize our need for it and prepare our hearts by cleaning up and making room for God's presence. This involves humility, prayer, and a willingness to turn from our wicked ways. [14:34]

- Unity among believers is crucial for revival. We must guard our words, seek reconciliation, and maintain unity to experience God's move. Walking in expectation and faith, we must be open to God's presence in our lives. [34:30]

- Revival is about experiencing God personally and deeply, not living off second-hand experiences. It requires a face-to-face encounter with God, transforming us and impacting those around us. [28:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:37] - The Catalyst for Revival
- [06:39] - Signs of Revival
- [10:03] - Hunger for God's Presence
- [12:21] - Anticipation and Expectation
- [14:34] - Recognizing the Need for Revival
- [19:21] - Preparing for Revival
- [21:35] - Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
- [25:39] - Breaking Up Hardened Hearts
- [28:40] - Personal Encounter with God
- [30:24] - Repentance and Change
- [34:30] - Unity and Expectation
- [36:26] - Prayer for Revival

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Revival

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2. Hosea 10:12 - "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
3. Acts 2:1-4 - "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the catalyst for revival, and how does it begin in an individual's heart? [02:37]
2. What are some signs of revival mentioned in the sermon, and how do they manifest in a church community? [06:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of unity among believers in experiencing revival? [34:30]
4. What personal experiences or historical examples of revival were shared in the sermon, and what impact did they have? [12:21]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does 2 Chronicles 7:14 relate to the concept of revival as described in the sermon? What steps are necessary for revival according to this passage?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal repentance and humility are crucial for experiencing revival? [19:21]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of preparing one's heart for revival, and what practical steps are suggested? [14:34]
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of spiritual complacency, and how can believers guard against it? [25:39]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are there areas in your life where you need to "empty yourself of self" to make room for more of God? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [02:37]
2. Consider the role of unity in your small group or church community. How can you contribute to fostering unity and reconciliation among believers? [34:30]
3. Identify any distractions or "worldly snacks" that might be dulling your hunger for God. What changes can you make to prioritize spiritual nourishment? [21:35]
4. Think about a time when you experienced a personal revival or spiritual awakening. What factors contributed to that experience, and how can you cultivate a similar environment now? [12:21]
5. How can you incorporate regular spiritual assessments into your life to ensure you are not spiritually asleep or complacent? What specific actions will you take to stay alert and engaged in your faith journey? [14:34]
6. What practical steps can you take to prepare your heart for a fresh encounter with God, much like preparing a home for a guest? [19:21]
7. How can you actively seek a personal, face-to-face encounter with God rather than relying on second-hand experiences? What changes in your spiritual practices might facilitate this? [28:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Awakening to God's Presence
Revival begins with a personal awakening to God's presence, requiring us to empty ourselves of self to make room for Him. This process starts with repentance, a turning away from sin and towards God. It is a call to wake up from spiritual slumber, to be alert and engaged in our faith journey. This awakening is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of seeking more of God. It involves a deep hunger for His presence, recognizing that He is always near, but we must make room for Him by letting go of our self-centered ways. [02:37]

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to empty yourself to make room for God's presence today?


Day 2: The Sovereign Move of God
Revival is a sovereign move of God that brings renewal and a fresh outpouring of His presence, transforming individuals and entire churches. It is marked by a significant number of people turning to God and experiencing life change. This divine appointment cannot be manufactured or scheduled; it is a moment when God chooses to move powerfully among His people. Our role is to be ready and open to His move, recognizing that revival is not about our efforts but about God's timing and purpose. [06:39]

"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation." (Psalm 85:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you position yourself to be open and ready for God's sovereign move in your life today?


Day 3: Preparing Our Hearts for Revival
To experience revival, we must recognize our need for it and prepare our hearts by cleaning up and making room for God's presence. This involves humility, prayer, and a willingness to turn from our wicked ways. Just as we prepare a home for a guest, we must prepare our hearts for God, ensuring that there is space for Him to dwell. This preparation is an intentional act of seeking God, acknowledging our shortcomings, and inviting Him to transform us from the inside out. [14:34]

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prepare your heart for God's presence?


Day 4: Unity Among Believers
Unity among believers is crucial for revival. We must guard our words, seek reconciliation, and maintain unity to experience God's move. The early church experienced revival because they were united in prayer and purpose. Walking in expectation and faith, we must be open to God's presence in our lives and work towards unity with others. This unity is not just about agreement but about a shared commitment to God's mission and a willingness to support one another in love. [34:30]

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." (1 Peter 3:8, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to reconcile with today to foster unity in your community?


Day 5: Personal Encounter with God
Revival is about experiencing God personally and deeply, not living off second-hand experiences. It requires a face-to-face encounter with God, transforming us and impacting those around us. This personal encounter is an invitation to know God intimately, beyond what others have told us or what we have read. It is about seeking His presence daily and allowing His love and grace to change us from within, so that we can be a light to those around us. [28:40]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you seek a personal encounter with God today, beyond what you have experienced before?

Quotes

"Revival is something that happens in your heart. It means to revive. It means something that was dead or asleep is woken up. And we can experience revival as a church together. But to experience it together, you and I have to first experience it as an individual. Revival always starts in the heart of one person. An individual." [00:02:12] (25 seconds)


"See, the thing is, it's not that God is going to give you more because he gave it to you in stages. It's because he needs you to empty yourself of self so that you can make more room for him in your life. That's the key. That's what starts revival is less of me, more of him because I made room for more of him." [00:03:16] (19 seconds)


"but can I tell you what the key element ingredient for revival is first and foremost repentance it's a word we don't talk a whole lot about in the church makes people uncomfortable but repentance honestly it means to turn in the other direction do 180 degree turn to turn from what you're heading for and go to something different I was headed for hell I was headed away from God I was headed towards the world he grabbed a hold of my heart turned me around and I started heading for Jesus that's revival turning towards God" [00:03:47] (34 seconds)


"It awakens us up through renewal. If you're already saved, he renews your heart. and a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation of coming into church. And it creates a deep hunger for him. It's a fresh outpouring of God's presence. It transforms individuals and it transforms entire churches and then it'll start bleeding over into our city. But when revival hits, how do you know it? Because we start having a lot of church. People start showing up." [00:06:06] (32 seconds)


"Because if I'm not going to experience revival, if we're going to just go here on Sundays and go through the motions and not come here to experience God, do yourself a favor. Sleep in next week. Your body probably needs the rest. But I came expecting something. I came expecting a move of God." [00:10:36] (24 seconds)


"So how do we get from the verge of revival to experiencing it? I want to give you some steps that you need to take. Number one, recognize you need revival. Because you can't go after what you don't know you need. We have to be honest with ourselves and with God as to where we are in our life spiritually. Where are you at? It's kind of a spiritual assessment, a spiritual checkup of where you're at. Not where you want people to think you are, but where you actually are in your life spiritually." [00:13:15] (29 seconds)


"when they were in the desert they had a thing called a tent of meeting and they would set it up and that's where the presence of god dwelt during that time and they would go in there and basically tell god their needs and then they would leave but not joshua son of none it says he lingered in the tent he didn't want to leave guys i don't want to rush in and rush out i don't want to be in a hurry to leave the presence of god" [00:15:51] (23 seconds)


"step number two if you want revival prepare your heart for revival we can pray for revival all we want but if we didn't prepare for revival i don't think it's going to show up how many what do you do when you're preparing for a guest to come to your house besides yell at your kids to get the stuff up what do you do when you're preparing for for company to come over you clean up you you expect their visitation so you get your house ready you prepare a meal you do what you need to do to welcome them in did we get our house our heart ready for god to come in today" [00:18:28] (34 seconds)


"Every great revival in history started with a deep hunger for God. A dissatisfaction with status quo. A desperation for him. I don't want normal. Normal's overrated. Kelly and I didn't risk everything 16 years ago to have normal church. Amen? And I'm not normal. Don't amen that. But I didn't start normal church. Now listen, I love me a good sermon. I love a good podcast." [00:28:02] (33 seconds)


"Because revival doesn't come to the complacent. It comes to those that prepare for it. So, church, let's get ready. Amen? Bow your heads with me. God, we don't want to be content with being on the verge of revival. We want to step into it. And, Lord, we believe that revival can happen here. So we pray, bring revival to our hearts." [00:36:15] (29 seconds)


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Transcript
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