Embracing Revival: Trust, Gratitude, and Spiritual Resilience
Summary
The sermon begins with a call to gratitude, urging the congregation to be thankful and to attend an upcoming event with special guests, Prophetes and Pastor Alicia PJ. The speaker then shifts to the theme of revival, emphasizing that it is not only for the unsaved but also for believers who need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Romans 8:18-25, the speaker reflects on the sufferings of the present time and the future glory that awaits believers, as well as the anticipation of creation for the manifestation of the sons of God.
The sermon continues with a message of trust in the Lord, encouraging the congregation to give thanks in all circumstances and to rely on God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ. The speaker reminds the listeners that they are not condemned but are called to grow in maturity with the Holy Spirit's help. The struggles and tests faced are seen as opportunities for growth, and the sermon concludes with a vision of a new world free from sorrow and pain, where believers will rule in the new Earth and Heaven.
Addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the speaker expresses concern over the destruction in Gaza and questions the strategy of Israel. They highlight the global protests and the need for hope and patience in waiting for the adoption and redemption of our bodies. The sermon then turns to the sweetness of the Lord, encouraging gratitude for life and the blessings of God, despite the current generation losing faith and forgetting the teachings of their forefathers.
The speaker acknowledges the reality of living in a fallen world, reassuring the audience that trials do not reflect on God's love but are a result of the world's brokenness. They share personal stories of overcoming trials with God's help and encourage the congregation to be honest about their struggles, communicating with God and trusting in His support.
The sermon emphasizes the need for a change in attitude and mindset, thanking Jesus for giving believers a new spirit and heart. The speaker urges the congregation to embrace redemption and worship God in all circumstances. They also stress the importance of enduring trials and tribulations, remaining steadfast, and pressing towards the mark of the highest calling.
The speaker discusses the importance of protecting Israel and the potential consequences for the United States, encouraging believers to trust God and remain thankful even in trials. They emphasize the need to praise God and boast about His goodness, sharing personal experiences of finding joy in the Lord despite the enemy's attempts to steal it.
Lastly, the sermon touches on the White House's statement about anti-Semitism, exploring the history of Semitic people and questioning the implications of Israel's actions. The speaker warns of the increase in anti-Semitism and the biblical significance of armies rising against Israel, cautioning the United States to be careful in their actions.
Key Takeaways:
- Revival is not limited to the unsaved; it is a continuous process for believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which empowers them to endure present sufferings with the assurance of future glory. This perspective shifts the focus from a one-time event to an ongoing journey of spiritual renewal and empowerment. [47:23]
- Trusting in God's plan and giving thanks in all circumstances, including trials and tribulations, is a testament to the believer's faith. This trust is not naive optimism but a deep-seated confidence in God's sovereignty and goodness, which provides a foundation for growth and maturity in the Christian life. [01:12:02]
- The sermon calls for an honest acknowledgment of the brokenness of the world and the believer's place in it. Recognizing that trials do not negate God's love but are a consequence of the Fall encourages believers to look forward to God's ultimate plan for restoration and healing. [01:08:31]
- Personal testimonies of overcoming adversity with God's help serve as powerful reminders of His faithfulness. These stories inspire believers to be open about their struggles, seek God's presence in their pain, and trust in His strength to carry them through. [01:01:41]
- The importance of maintaining a spirit of praise and gratitude, even in the face of life's challenges, is emphasized. This attitude is not a denial of difficulties but a choice to focus on God's blessings and provision, which sustains believers through their trials and leads to spiritual resilience. [01:27:06]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 8:18-25
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:18-25, what is the relationship between present sufferings and future glory?
2. How does the speaker describe the purpose of revival for believers? [45:40]
3. What are some of the global reactions mentioned in the sermon regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? [51:20]
4. How does the speaker suggest believers should respond to trials and tribulations? [57:08]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for creation to "wait for the manifestation of the sons of God" as mentioned in Romans 8:19? How does this relate to the believer's journey?
2. The speaker emphasizes the importance of giving thanks in all circumstances. How does this practice impact a believer's faith and trust in God? [57:08]
3. How does the sermon address the brokenness of the world and the believer's role in it? [01:08:31]
4. In what ways do personal testimonies of overcoming adversity with God's help serve to strengthen the faith of the congregation? [01:01:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did you respond, and how might you incorporate a spirit of gratitude in similar future situations? [57:08]
2. The sermon calls for a continuous filling of the Holy Spirit. What practical steps can you take to seek this ongoing spiritual renewal in your daily life? [45:40]
3. Considering the global protests and conflicts mentioned, how can you actively pray for peace and justice in the world while maintaining trust in God's sovereignty? [51:20]
4. The speaker encourages honesty about struggles. How can you create a habit of communicating openly with God about your challenges and seeking His support? [01:16:26]
5. Think about a time when you felt God's presence during a difficult period. How can you share this testimony with others to encourage their faith? [01:01:41]
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a change in attitude and mindset. What specific attitudes or mindsets do you need to change to align more closely with God's will? [01:12:42]
7. How can you cultivate a habit of praising God and boasting about His goodness, even when facing life's challenges? Share a specific instance where you can practice this in the coming week. [01:21:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Continuous Spiritual Renewal
Revival is a journey, not a destination. Believers are called to continually seek the Holy Spirit's filling, which sustains them through present sufferings and fuels their hope for future glory. This ongoing process is essential for spiritual growth and empowerment. [47:23]
Isaiah 40:31 - "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's renewal in your daily walk with God?
Day 2: Trusting God in Every Circumstance
Acknowledging God's sovereignty means giving thanks in all circumstances. This deep-seated trust is a testament to faith, recognizing God's goodness as the foundation for growth and maturity, even when faced with trials and tribulations. [01:12:02]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 - "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life where you need to trust God more? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in this situation?
Day 3: Anticipating God's Restoration
The brokenness of the world is a reality, but it does not diminish God's love. Believers are encouraged to look forward to the restoration and healing that God promises, understanding that trials are a consequence of the Fall, not a reflection of God's affection. [01:08:31]
Romans 8:22-23 - "For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."
Reflection: How does the hope of God's future restoration influence your perspective on current struggles?
Day 4: Finding Strength in God's Faithfulness
Personal testimonies of overcoming adversity highlight God's unwavering faithfulness. These stories inspire believers to be open about their struggles, seek God's presence in their pain, and trust in His strength to carry them through. [01:01:41]
Psalm 34:17-18 - "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: What trials have you faced where you've experienced God's faithfulness? How can you use your story to encourage others in their walk with God?
Day 5: Cultivating a Heart of Praise
Choosing to focus on God's blessings and provision, even in the face of life's challenges, leads to spiritual resilience. This spirit of praise and gratitude is not a denial of difficulties but a deliberate choice to worship God in all circumstances. [01:27:06]
James 1:2-4 - "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What are some ways you can maintain a spirit of praise and gratitude during difficult times?
Quotes
"Boast how good he's been, boast how yet he still is sustaining you through the storm and through the rain, boast how he has blessed you without a shadow of doubt, boast how he kept you when you should have been cut off from the face of this Earth, boast that God has made ways that you couldn't even imagine." [01:24:34]
"We ought to thank him that we have breath in our hearts and that our living hearts are beating, that's more than enough to give him thanks." [01:27:57]
"Thank God for the cloud of witnesses that are in heaven, cheering us on. Hallelujah, they taught us how to live right, they taught us how to suffer, they taught us how to be abased and they taught us how to abound." [01:03:06]
"Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not to thy own understanding in all thy ways...acknowledge Him and He shall direct our path." [01:09:16]
"We will never become perfect, but we grow with the Holy Spirit unto maturity to the fullness of Christ." [01:10:43]
"Revival is not for those that need to be saved but Revival is for what those who are saved is for the people of God Amen for the Saints amen." [45:40]
"There's coming a day when there will be no more sickness Hallelujah no more death and he will wipe away every tear from my eyes until then there's nothing wrong with being honest about your hurt hallelujah oh blessings don't hide it Hallelujah God already knows don't shove it underneath the rock God already knows what you're going through all he wants you to do is communicate with him uh all he wants you to do is tell him all about it." [01:16:26]
"I've been through the storm, through the rain, but through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in you Hallelujah." [59:31]
"This is not our home hallelujah thank you Jesus oh bless his name I wouldn't want to live here and particularly what's going on now and knowing what's about to come praise the Lord in the future." [01:06:49]
"That's why he gives us a new spirit, a new heart, a new mind, a new understanding. David said a new song, did he put in my mouth. How many got a new song? How many determined that you got a new way of thinking, a new way of looking at life, a new way of handling things?" [01:12:42]