Embracing Hope: Joining God's Work in Revival

In a time when the world feels heavy with uncertainty—rising costs, political polarization, mental health struggles, and a sense of hopelessness—there is a profound hope breaking through. God is moving in ways we haven’t seen in decades, both in Canada and around the world. Stories abound of people from the most unlikely backgrounds—atheists, celebrities, and everyday neighbors—encountering Jesus in deeply personal ways. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a quiet revival, especially among the younger generations, who are more spiritually open than we might imagine.

Across Europe, churches are filling with young people, and in Canada, more people are exploring faith through Alpha than ever before. This is not the result of clever programs or strategies, but the unmistakable work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is already at work in the lives of those we love, stirring curiosity, prompting dreams, and drawing people to Jesus—even before we say a word. Our role is not to initiate, but to join the conversation the Spirit is already having with others.

This realization should liberate us from fear and inadequacy. We may feel unqualified or nervous about sharing our faith, but God simply asks for our availability, not our perfection. Like a master pianist who fills in the notes behind a child’s clumsy playing, the Holy Spirit takes our imperfect efforts and makes something beautiful. Our job is to be attentive, prayerful, and willing to step into the opportunities God provides.

Jesus models five ways we can join in this work: He prays, pays attention, listens, seeks, and invites. Prayer is foundational—asking God to move in the lives of those around us. Paying attention means noticing where God is already at work. Listening requires genuine curiosity about others’ stories and questions. Seeking involves pursuing relationships with those who may be far from faith. And inviting is simply extending the offer to “come and see”—to experience Jesus for themselves.

We are living in a post-secular age where spiritual hunger is real, especially among the young. Many are searching for meaning, goodness, and truth. The church’s call is to be present, intergenerational, and open to the Spirit’s leading. If we make ourselves available, God will use us in ways we never imagined, filling our churches and communities with new life and hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God is moving powerfully in unexpected places and among unlikely people, often outside traditional church settings. The Spirit is stirring hearts in ways that defy our expectations, reminding us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and grace. Our role is to recognize and celebrate these stories as evidence of God’s ongoing work in the world. [02:42]
• 2. The Holy Spirit is the true initiator of faith, already at work in the lives of those we care about—even when we see no outward signs. This truth frees us from the pressure to “make something happen” and invites us to join a conversation God has already begun. Our availability and willingness to participate are more important than our eloquence or expertise. [09:51]
• 3. Sharing faith is not about having all the answers, but about being present, listening deeply, and asking good questions. Jesus modeled a posture of curiosity and compassion, often asking far more questions than he answered. In a generation longing to be heard and understood, our listening can be a powerful witness to the goodness of God. [22:55]
• 4. Intergenerational ministry is vital in this season. Young people are not just looking to their peers for guidance; they crave wisdom, presence, and authentic relationship with those who have walked further in life. The church’s unique gift is to foster these connections, offering belonging and mentorship across generations. [23:51]
• 5. The most effective evangelism flows from prayerful dependence and daily availability to the Holy Spirit. Rather than striving to “get it right,” we are called to pray, pay attention, seek, listen, and invite. When we make ourselves available, God delights to use our ordinary moments for extraordinary impact, filling in our weaknesses with his strength. [30:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:42] - Hope in Dark Times: God Shines Brightest
• [04:30] - Unlikely Stories of Faith: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Russell Brand, and Taisha
• [05:52] - The Quiet Revival: Young People Returning to Church
• [07:10] - God’s Movement in Canada and the Role of Alpha
• [08:25] - The Holy Spirit: The True Evangelist
• [09:51] - The Mystery of God’s Work Before Us
• [12:07] - Testimonies of Transformation
• [13:23] - The Holy Spirit Fills in Our Weakness
• [14:41] - Our Job: Availability, Not Perfection
• [16:31] - Spiritual Openness Among Gen Z and Gen Alpha
• [18:35] - Crisis Precedes Renewal: A New Opportunity
• [19:26] - Five Ways Jesus Loves: Prayer
• [20:57] - Paying Attention to God’s Leading
• [21:57] - Listening and Asking Good Questions
• [23:51] - The Power of Intergenerational Ministry
• [24:48] - Jesus Seeks and Saves
• [27:11] - A Story of Supernatural Encounter
• [29:22] - The Power of Invitation: “Come and See”
• [30:10] - Daily Availability to the Holy Spirit
• [31:28] - Expecting Renewal and Praying for Power
• [32:52] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

John 15:26-27 (ESV) — > “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

John 16:7-8 (ESV) — > “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”

John 1:46 (ESV) — > “Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’”

Observation Questions

1. According to John 15:26-27, who is the primary witness about Jesus, and what is the role of Jesus’ followers in this process?
2. In John 16:7-8, what does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will do when He comes?
3. The sermon shared stories of people from very different backgrounds encountering Jesus. What are some examples given, and what do these stories have in common? [[04:30]]
4. What are the five ways Jesus models joining in God’s work, as described in the sermon? [[19:26]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Evangelism is joining a conversation the Holy Spirit is already having with another person.” What does this mean for how we approach sharing our faith? [[08:25]]
2. Jesus says the Holy Spirit will “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” How does this truth affect the pressure we might feel to “get it right” when talking about faith? [[09:51]]
3. The speaker describes a “quiet revival” among young people and a spiritual openness in unexpected places. Why might crisis or uncertainty make people more open to faith? [[18:35]]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of intergenerational ministry. Why do you think young people are seeking wisdom from older generations, and how is this a unique gift the church can offer? [[23:51]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon encourages us to pray for those who don’t know Jesus. Who is one person in your life you can start praying for regularly? What would it look like to make prayer the foundation of your efforts to share faith? [[19:26]]
2. Paying attention is one of the five ways Jesus models joining God’s work. Can you think of a recent moment when you sensed God might be at work in someone’s life around you? How did you respond, or how could you respond differently next time? [[20:57]]
3. The speaker says, “Our job is availability, not perfection.” What fears or feelings of inadequacy hold you back from sharing your faith? How might remembering the Holy Spirit “fills in the notes” change your perspective? [[14:41]]
4. Listening deeply and asking good questions is highlighted as a powerful way to witness. What is one practical way you can become a better listener to someone who is spiritually searching? [[22:55]]
5. The sermon shares the story of inviting people to “come and see.” Who could you invite to church, Alpha, or a spiritual conversation this month? What’s stopping you, and how can you take a step of faith? [[29:22]]
6. Intergenerational relationships are described as a gift. Is there someone younger or older than you in the church you could reach out to for friendship or mentorship? What would be a first step? [[23:51]]
7. The speaker prays each morning, “Holy Spirit, I’m available.” What would it look like for you to make yourself available to God each day? Is there a simple prayer or habit you could start this week? [[30:10]]