Embracing the Depths of True Worship and Revival
Summary
Beloved congregation, today we delve into the heart of our faith, the essence of our worship, and the purpose of our gathering. We stand at a crossroads, where the allure of entertainment and the comfort of complacency beckon us from the path of reverence and awe before our Holy God. In our time together, we have witnessed the miraculous, the transformation of lives, and the undeniable move of the Holy Spirit. Yet, we are called to a deeper, more profound encounter with the Divine.
We have become accustomed to a church experience that caters to our desires for comfort and entertainment. But where is the awe, the fear, the trembling before a Holy and Just God? Our services should not be about hooks and entertainment but about encountering the weight of God's glory, which brings us to our knees in recognition of our unworthiness and His majesty.
I believe there are those among us who hunger for more—more of His glory, more revival, a deeper awakening. God is calling us to a place of solitude, where we must walk alone to lead others to where we collectively have not been. It is a daunting journey, but it is the path to greater manifestations of His presence.
We have seen too much, heard too much, and prayed too long to be dissuaded by the enemy's attempts to undermine our faith. Our resolve is steadfast, and our commitment unwavering. We are preparing for greater things, for a move of God that will surpass all we have experienced before.
The Lord is seeking a people who are not transient, who are not swayed by the changing tides of religious fads, but who are anchored, steadfast, and committed to hosting His presence, come what may. We must be a people who are not deterred by the messiness that comes with genuine revival. When the outcasts, the broken, and the sinners come to our doors, we must be ready to embrace the mess for the sake of the Kingdom.
Our prayer meetings must transform into times of deep intercession, where we feel the pain of others and stand in the gap for them. We must be prepared to worship more, to travail deeply, and to stand against the darkness that seeks to infiltrate our society.
As we move forward, we are called to take the fire of revival beyond our walls, to the darkest places, to the prisons, and to the cities riddled with violence and despair. The North Georgia Revival is not about a personality; it is about His presence. We are to go to places like Chicago, where the need for the Gospel is great, and immerse those who are lost in the life-changing waters of baptism.
Key Takeaways:
- True worship is marked by a profound reverence and awe for God, transcending the superficial allure of entertainment. It is in the moments of overwhelming recognition of our unworthiness and God's holiness that we find the true essence of being in His presence. This is not about emotionalism but about a deep, spiritual encounter that changes us from the inside out. [35:10]
- God often calls us to walk a solitary path to lead others into uncharted spiritual territories. This journey, while daunting, is essential for personal growth and the collective advancement of the church. It is in the quiet solitude that we hear God's voice most clearly, directing us to greater works and deeper communion with Him. [37:23]
- Our past experiences with God's power and faithfulness fortify us against the enemy's attempts to shake our resolve. We must hold fast to what we have witnessed, allowing our faith to grow stronger in the face of opposition. The trials we face are not setbacks but confirmations that we are a threat to the kingdom of darkness. [21:39]
- Genuine revival is often messy and uncomfortable, challenging our preferences for order and predictability. We must be willing to embrace the chaos that comes with the transformation of lives, recognizing that God's work is not limited to the confines of our expectations. The move of God is not a sanitized, controlled event but a wild, untamed outpouring of the Holy Spirit. [33:45]
- The call to intercession is a call to share in the sufferings of others, to feel their pain as if it were our own. This level of empathy drives us to our knees, compelling us to pray with fervor and urgency. True intercession changes not only those we pray for but also us, as we become vessels of God's compassion and love. [40:59]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:1-4 - The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
2. Acts 4:29-31 - The believers' prayer for boldness.
3. Acts 16:25-26 - Paul and Silas in prison, and the earthquake that freed them.
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event happened in Acts 2:1-4, and how did it impact the early church?
2. In Acts 4:29-31, what did the believers pray for, and what was the result of their prayer?
3. Describe the situation in Acts 16:25-26. What was the immediate outcome of Paul and Silas's actions?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4 relate to the idea of experiencing God's presence in a profound way, as mentioned in the sermon? [19:18]
2. What does the believers' prayer for boldness in Acts 4:29-31 teach us about facing opposition and challenges in our faith journey? [20:03]
3. How can the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-26 inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith during difficult times? [24:08]
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the need for a deeper, more reverent worship experience. How can you personally cultivate a sense of awe and reverence in your worship? [35:10]
2. Reflect on a time when you felt called to walk a solitary path in your spiritual journey. How did that experience shape your faith, and how can you encourage others who might be on a similar path? [37:23]
3. The sermon mentioned that our past experiences with God's power should fortify us against the enemy's attempts to shake our resolve. Can you share a personal testimony of how a past experience with God has strengthened your faith? [21:39]
4. Genuine revival is often messy and uncomfortable. How can you prepare yourself and your church community to embrace the messiness that comes with true transformation? [33:45]
5. The call to intercession involves sharing in the sufferings of others. How can you develop a deeper sense of empathy and urgency in your prayer life? [40:59]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of taking the fire of revival beyond the church walls. What practical steps can you take to bring the message of the Gospel to the darkest places in your community? [45:54]
7. How can you support and participate in your church's efforts to reach out to those who are broken, outcast, and in need of God's love and transformation? [29:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Reverence Beyond Entertainment
True worship is not a passive experience but an active engagement with the divine, marked by a profound reverence and awe for God. It transcends the superficial allure of entertainment, inviting believers into moments of overwhelming recognition of their unworthiness and God's holiness. This encounter is not about emotionalism but about a deep, spiritual transformation that changes individuals from the inside out. Worship should lead to a palpable sense of God's majesty, where hearts are moved, and lives are altered in His presence. It is in these moments that the true essence of being in His presence is found, where the spirit is stirred, and the soul is awakened to the reality of the living God. [35:10]
Isaiah 6:1-3 ESV
"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe in your personal worship time, moving beyond the need for entertainment to truly encounter God's holiness?
Day 2: Solitude for Spiritual Leadership
God often calls individuals to walk a solitary path to lead others into uncharted spiritual territories. This journey, while daunting, is essential for personal growth and the collective advancement of the church. In the quiet solitude, away from the noise and distractions of daily life, one can hear God's voice most clearly. It is here that believers are directed to greater works and deeper communion with Him. The solitary path is not one of isolation but of preparation, where the soul is shaped and readied to guide others to a place of deeper spiritual experience and understanding. [37:23]
Hosea 2:14 ESV
"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her."
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to find solitude and listen for God's guidance on how you can lead others in your community to a deeper spiritual experience?
Day 3: Fortified by Past Encounters
The past experiences with God's power and faithfulness serve as a fortress against the enemy's attempts to shake one's resolve. Holding fast to what has been witnessed allows faith to grow stronger in the face of opposition. The trials faced are not setbacks but confirmations that believers are a threat to the kingdom of darkness. These experiences are a testament to God's unchanging nature and His ability to work mightily through those who are steadfast in their faith. [21:39]
Psalm 77:11-12 ESV
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Recall a time when you experienced God's power or faithfulness. How can this memory serve as an anchor for your faith when facing current challenges?
Day 4: Embracing the Messiness of Revival
Genuine revival is often messy and uncomfortable, challenging preferences for order and predictability. Believers must be willing to embrace the chaos that comes with the transformation of lives, recognizing that God's work is not limited to the confines of human expectations. The move of God is not a sanitized, controlled event but a wild, untamed outpouring of the Holy Spirit that disrupts the status quo and brings about radical change. This willingness to accept the messiness is a sign of readiness to participate in the true work of revival. [33:45]
Acts 2:2-4 ESV
"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Reflection: What are some ways you can prepare your heart to embrace the unpredictable nature of revival and be open to the changes it may bring in your church and community?
Day 5: Intercession as Shared Suffering
The call to intercession is a call to share in the sufferings of others, to feel their pain as if it were one's own. This level of empathy drives believers to their knees, compelling them to pray with fervor and urgency. True intercession changes not only those being prayed for but also the intercessors, as they become vessels of God's compassion and love. It is through this deep, empathetic prayer that the church can truly stand in the gap for those in need, reflecting the heart of Christ to the world. [40:59]
Colossians 1:9-10 ESV
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: Who in your life or community is in need of intercession, and how can you commit to standing in the gap for them this week with empathy and love?
Quotes
- "I've come to make a prophetic announcement today that as the enemy tries to push against us, our resolve will be fixed, our commitment is steadfast. We will become a greater people, more anointed, more consecrated, more disciplined." [21:39] ( | | )
- "God is just trying to find a people that will not back up, slow up, or shut up, but that we will simply continue to look up and move up and pray up." [23:24] (Download clip | | )
- "The glory of God is not attracted to entertainment. Oh, the crowds may come, the people may laugh...but what about the moment that you walk into the building and you can't help but cry?" [35:10] (Download clip | | )
- "God spoke to me clearly the other day, he said, 'Todd, you got to walk alone.' Where I'm calling you, you have to go to a place where you've not been in order to lead others to a place that we collectively have not been." [37:23] ( | | )
- "Prepare yourself to pray more, cry more, to travail more, to shake more. Prepare yourself to feel the pain of others more...for true intercession is when you feel the pain of someone else and you intervene." [40:59] ( | | )
- "I embrace the mess, I welcome it, for it shall come but may his glory be so heavy and so beautiful that it matters not." [43:25] ( | | )
- "The last thing the devil wants is for Christ's Fellowship to experience greater glory. He hates it when a church is in Revival." [24:53] ( | | )
- "I've watched God use water...I've watched God meet children in the water, seniors in the water, couples in the water. I watch barren couples...within nine months of an encounter with Jesus in the water, they have a new child." [26:22] ( | | )
- "We're too busy with the King, we're too busy preparing a table in the presence of our King. We're not deterred by the messiness that comes with genuine revival." [27:59] ( | | )
- "When God's kingdom comes...it infringes upon territory and that territory has a legal right to be there. When a force comes and rubs up against it, it startles the enemy and then that enemy responds in like." [17:38] ( | | )
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