Hope and Renewal in Spiritual Barrenness

 

Summary

In the message delivered on September 10, 1865, the focus is on the profound hope and promise found in Isaiah 54:1, which calls the barren to sing and rejoice. This passage, though initially directed towards the Church of God, extends its relevance to individual believers and congregations experiencing spiritual desolation. Historically, the Church has faced periods of barrenness, such as before Christ's coming and during the Dark Ages, yet God has always intervened, transforming desolation into fruitfulness. The sermon emphasizes that even in times of spiritual decline or perceived barrenness, there is a divine promise of renewal and growth.

The message also addresses the state of individual churches, urging them to recognize their spiritual barrenness and seek God's intervention. It highlights the importance of earnest prayer and faith in God's promises, encouraging believers to labor for revival and spiritual vitality. The call is for believers to be conscious of their spiritual state, to pray fervently, and to trust in God's timing for renewal.

For individual believers, the message offers comfort and encouragement. It acknowledges the feelings of spiritual barrenness and desolation that many experience, yet it points to the sufficiency of Christ's atonement and victory over sin. Believers are encouraged to look to the cross, where Christ's sacrifice provides hope and assurance of spiritual renewal. The message concludes with a call to action, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and service, trusting that God will bring about a season of fruitfulness and joy.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Promise in Desolation: Even in times of spiritual barrenness, God's promise remains steadfast. The Church has historically faced desolate periods, yet God has always brought renewal and growth. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness, knowing that He will transform desolation into fruitfulness. [05:05]

2. The Power of Earnest Prayer: Believers are called to recognize the spiritual barrenness within their churches and to respond with earnest prayer. By gathering in small groups and seeking God's intervention, they can invite divine life and transformation into their congregations. This highlights the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's presence. [23:42]

3. Christ's Sufficiency for the Barren: For individuals feeling spiritually barren, the message points to the sufficiency of Christ's atonement. By looking to the cross, believers find hope and assurance that their sins are forgiven and that spiritual renewal is possible. This encourages believers to trust in Christ's victory over sin and to find strength in His sacrifice. [35:17]

4. Endurance in Spiritual Work: Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their spiritual work, even when immediate results are not visible. The message reminds them that spiritual fruit may take time to manifest, and they should continue to labor in faith, trusting that God will bring about a harvest in due season. [47:52]

5. Joy in Spiritual Renewal: The message concludes with a call to rejoice in the promise of spiritual renewal. Believers are reminded that their spiritual desolation is an opportunity for God's power to be displayed, and they are encouraged to sing and rejoice in anticipation of the fruitfulness that God will bring. [52:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Isaiah 54:1
- [00:31] - Historical Context of Barrenness
- [01:38] - The Church's Desolation Before Christ
- [05:05] - The Promise of Spiritual Renewal
- [07:03] - God's Intervention in Dark Ages
- [09:33] - Revival in England
- [12:57] - Current State of the Church
- [15:42] - Addressing Individual Churches
- [21:06] - Call to Earnest Prayer
- [25:23] - The Barren Heart's Hope
- [35:17] - Christ's Victory and Our Renewal
- [42:23] - Singing in Spiritual Barrenness
- [47:52] - Patience in Spiritual Work
- [52:46] - Conclusion and Call to Rejoice

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 54:1: "Sing, O barren, thou that did not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that did not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord."

#### Observation Questions
1. What historical periods of barrenness did the sermon mention that the Church has experienced? ([01:38])
2. How does the sermon describe the state of the Church during the time of Christ's ministry? ([02:12])
3. What examples from history were given to illustrate God's intervention during times of spiritual desolation? ([07:17])
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the barren woman being called to sing and rejoice? ([35:17])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise in Isaiah 54:1 apply to individual believers experiencing spiritual barrenness today? ([35:17])
2. What role does earnest prayer play in addressing spiritual barrenness within a church, according to the sermon? ([23:42])
3. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to feelings of spiritual desolation and barrenness? ([43:54])
4. In what ways does the sermon highlight the sufficiency of Christ's atonement for those feeling spiritually barren? ([35:52])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually barren. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of the sermon? ([35:17])
2. The sermon emphasizes the power of prayer in seeking God's intervention. How can you incorporate more earnest prayer into your daily routine to address areas of spiritual barrenness? ([23:42])
3. Consider the current state of your church. Are there signs of spiritual desolation, and how can you contribute to its renewal and growth? ([21:06])
4. The sermon calls for believers to trust in God's timing for renewal. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's promises during periods of spiritual dryness? ([14:34])
5. How can you find joy and hope in Christ's victory over sin, even when you feel spiritually desolate? What practical steps can you take to focus on this truth? ([35:52])
6. The sermon encourages believers to remain steadfast in their spiritual work. What specific actions can you take to persevere in your faith journey, even when immediate results are not visible? ([47:52])
7. How can you support others in your small group or church who may be experiencing spiritual barrenness, and what role can community play in fostering spiritual renewal? ([23:42])

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Promise in Desolation
In times of spiritual barrenness, God's promise remains unwavering. Throughout history, the Church has faced desolate periods, such as before Christ's coming and during the Dark Ages, yet God has always intervened, transforming desolation into fruitfulness. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness, knowing that He will transform desolation into fruitfulness. Even when circumstances seem bleak, God's promise of renewal and growth stands firm, offering hope and encouragement to those who feel spiritually barren. [05:05]

Isaiah 41:17-18 (ESV): "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually barren? How can you actively trust in God's promise of renewal today?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Earnest Prayer
Believers are called to recognize the spiritual barrenness within their churches and to respond with earnest prayer. By gathering in small groups and seeking God's intervention, they can invite divine life and transformation into their congregations. This highlights the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's presence. Through prayer, believers can experience a profound connection with God, inviting His transformative power into their lives and communities. [23:42]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more earnest prayer into your daily routine? Consider setting aside specific times to pray for your church and community.


Day 3: Finding Sufficiency in Christ's Atonement
For individuals feeling spiritually barren, the message points to the sufficiency of Christ's atonement. By looking to the cross, believers find hope and assurance that their sins are forgiven and that spiritual renewal is possible. This encourages believers to trust in Christ's victory over sin and to find strength in His sacrifice. The cross serves as a powerful reminder of God's love and the promise of spiritual renewal for all who believe. [35:17]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What does it mean for you personally to find sufficiency in Christ's atonement? How can you live out this truth in your daily life?


Day 4: Enduring in Spiritual Work
Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their spiritual work, even when immediate results are not visible. The message reminds them that spiritual fruit may take time to manifest, and they should continue to labor in faith, trusting that God will bring about a harvest in due season. Patience and perseverance are essential in the journey of faith, as believers trust in God's perfect timing for growth and renewal. [47:52]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual life do you need to practice more patience and perseverance? How can you remain steadfast in your spiritual work today?


Day 5: Rejoicing in Spiritual Renewal
The message concludes with a call to rejoice in the promise of spiritual renewal. Believers are reminded that their spiritual desolation is an opportunity for God's power to be displayed, and they are encouraged to sing and rejoice in anticipation of the fruitfulness that God will bring. Joy and gratitude are vital components of the Christian life, as believers celebrate the transformative work of God in their lives and communities. [52:46]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "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: How can you cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude in your life today, even amidst challenges? What are some specific ways you can rejoice in God's promise of spiritual renewal?

Quotes



The text shall first of all be taken in its reference to the Church of God for a long season before the coming of Christ the Church of God was desolate few were her sons and daughters her solemn feast days were attended by a multitude of Hypocrites and her courts were crowded with formalists. [00:01:38]

Rejoice O Zion sing you Baron you that did not bear for 3,000 are your children in one day and there are multitudes yet to come there are added to the church daily of such as shall be saved and the multitude increases persecution scatters them but as they scatter they grow in every land. [00:05:39]

It ought not to be passed over without a little thought because it is very pleasant to recollect that at all seasons when the church has been desolate and has become Barren God has appeared to her in the Dark Ages When the Children of the church were a little and hidden flock. [00:07:03]

Doubt not but that the Lord will appear for his church even yet let not your gloomy apprehensiveness cause your hands to hang down for in your darkest night God will suddenly light a candle it may be that he will let wickedness grow ripe and not send forth the reaper the ordained man with the sickle to cut it down till it is ripe. [00:14:22]

Let us hope and labor let us lament our desolation let us expect the gracious visitation and it shall yet come and we shall sing together even we the waste places of Jerusalem I now intend to use the text as God helps me in reference to any one church. [00:15:42]

Labor to be conscious of the sad barrenness of the church to which you belong has the pool of baptism not been stirred for the last five or six years will you be easy about that have there been no additions to the church for many months can you be satisfied about that. [00:21:06]

We ought to have great faith in the power of the twos and threes for where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them says the Lord the long Thin Red Line which has often won the battle will yet win it in England. [00:23:42]

What can the barren woman do what can she that is desolate do why she can make this promise before God and say you have said sing O Baron Lord make me sing you have said the children of the desolate shall yet be many Lord make our children many yet the desolate woman can do this. [00:25:23]

Sing O Baron thou that did not bear Break Forth into singing and cry aloud thou that did not travail with child do you see the drift of it Jesus has taken the sinner's sin upon himself and made a complete atonement therefore sing O Baron the mighty Redeemer has come out of his dwelling place and has fought the enemy and won the victory. [00:35:17]

I will go to the cross again come my soul heavy laden you were once and you did lose your burden there come again come again once you did wash in Yonder Fountain and you were clean oh my poor bespattered Spirit come and wash again a prodigal I once returned he fell upon my neck and kissed me then I will go to Jesus yet once more. [00:42:23]

You do not expect to see fruit at once do you cast thy bread upon the waters and thou shalt find it tomorrow is that the text if I read rightly it is Thou shalt find it after many days you have not had your or many days to wait yet the farmer when he plants corn May plow in October or November but he does not expect to have a harvest in January. [00:47:52]

Sing O Baron thou that did not bear Break Forth into singing and cry aloud thou that did not travail with child for more are the children of the Des olate than the children of the married wife sayeth the Lord the Lord grant it may be so to us for Jesus Christ's sake amen. [00:52:46]

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Transcript
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