Revival: A Call to Action and Spiritual Renewal

 

Summary

In our gathering tonight, we explored the profound need for revival within our hearts and our church community. Revival is not merely an emotional experience or a temporary uplift; it is a deep spiritual renewal that calls us back to the essence of our faith and mission. We often find ourselves complacent, especially when life seems stable and untroubled. Yet, there are those among us who are battling unseen struggles, and it is for them—and for us—that we must seek the presence and power of God. Even when we do not perceive it, God is at work, delivering us from dangers we are unaware of and preparing us for challenges we have yet to face.

We reflected on the passage from Luke 4, where Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares His mission to preach good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and set captives free. This mission is not just His but ours as well. We are called to be vessels of His love and power, reaching out to a world that is impoverished, broken, and in bondage to sin. Revival is not just for our personal edification; it is a call to action, a call to the harvest. The church must rise beyond its walls and engage with the world, bringing the message of hope and salvation to those who desperately need it.

We also discussed the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is not just for personal spiritual experiences but is essential for empowering us to fulfill our calling. The Holy Spirit equips us with the gifts and fruits necessary to minister effectively in a world that is blind and oppressed by sin. We need His discernment, His compassion, and His power to break through the darkness that surrounds us.

As we concluded, we were reminded that revival should drive us to the harvest. It should compel us to reach out to those who are lost, to those who are hurting, and to those who are in need of the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Let us not be content with just feeling good within the church; let us be moved to action, to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that is crying out for His love and truth.

Key Takeaways:

- Revival is a call to spiritual renewal and action. It is not just about feeling good but about being equipped and motivated to reach out to a world in need. We must seek God's presence and power to be effective in our mission. [49:45]

- Jesus' mission, as outlined in Luke 4, is our mission too. We are called to preach the gospel, heal the brokenhearted, and set captives free. This requires us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to step out in faith. [47:51]

- Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for our calling. It empowers us with the gifts and fruits needed to minister effectively. We need His discernment and compassion to reach a world that is blind and oppressed by sin. [01:10:50]

- The church must rise beyond its walls and engage with the world. We are called to be vessels of God's love and power, bringing hope and salvation to those who are impoverished, broken, and in bondage to sin. [01:03:44]

- Revival should drive us to the harvest. It should compel us to reach out to those who are lost and in need of the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Let us not be content with just feeling good within the church; let us be moved to action. [01:37:27]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[43:44] - Praise and Worship
[46:24] - Gratitude and Fellowship
[47:51] - Jesus' Mission in Luke 4
[49:45] - The Cry for Revival
[52:34] - The Necessity of Worship
[56:18] - The Harvest is Ready
[59:40] - The Call to Action
[01:01:40] - Challenges and Opportunities
[01:03:44] - Engaging Beyond Church Walls
[01:07:17] - Revival and Kingdom Work
[01:10:50] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
[01:14:27] - Addressing Sin's Damage
[01:19:45] - True Wealth in Christ
[01:37:27] - Revival's Purpose and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 4:14-21

Observation Questions:
1. What mission does Jesus declare in Luke 4:18-19, and how does it relate to the concept of revival discussed in the sermon? [47:51]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for their mission? [01:10:50]
3. What are some of the unseen struggles mentioned in the sermon that people might be facing, and how does this relate to the need for revival? [43:44]
4. According to the sermon, what is the two-fold benefit of revival for the church? [49:45]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the mission of Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 serve as a model for the church's mission today? [47:51]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for fulfilling our calling? [01:10:50]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between personal spiritual renewal and the church's outreach to the world? [49:45]
4. How does the sermon challenge the church to move beyond its walls and engage with the world? [01:03:44]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually complacent. What steps can you take to seek personal revival and renewal in your faith journey? [49:45]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. How can you actively seek His guidance and strength this week? [01:10:50]
3. Think of someone in your life who is struggling or in need. How can you be a vessel of God's love and power to them this week? [43:44]
4. What practical steps can you take to engage with your community and share the message of hope and salvation? [01:03:44]
5. How can you ensure that your pursuit of spiritual renewal leads to tangible actions that impact those around you? [49:45]
6. Consider the ways in which your church can rise beyond its walls to reach those who are impoverished, broken, and in bondage to sin. What role can you play in this mission? [01:03:44]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to action. What is one specific way you can contribute to the harvest and be the hands and feet of Christ in your community? [01:37:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Revival as a Call to Spiritual Renewal and Action
Revival is not just an emotional experience or a temporary uplift; it is a profound spiritual renewal that calls individuals and communities back to the core of their faith and mission. Often, people become complacent when life is stable, forgetting the unseen struggles that others may be facing. Revival is a call to seek God's presence and power, not only for personal edification but to be equipped and motivated to reach out to a world in need. It is a reminder that God is always at work, delivering us from unseen dangers and preparing us for future challenges. [49:45]

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV): "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.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life have you become complacent, and how can you actively seek God's presence to renew your spirit and mission today?


Day 2: Embracing Jesus' Mission as Our Own
In Luke 4, Jesus outlines His mission to preach good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and set captives free. This mission is not solely His but is also entrusted to His followers. Believers are called to be vessels of His love and power, reaching out to a world that is impoverished, broken, and in bondage to sin. This requires stepping out in faith and being filled with the Holy Spirit, who empowers and equips believers to fulfill this calling. The mission is a call to action, urging the church to rise beyond its walls and engage with the world. [47:51]

Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn."

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of the good news, healing, or freedom that Jesus offers, and how can you be a vessel of His love to them today?


Day 3: The Essential Filling of the Holy Spirit
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is crucial for believers to fulfill their calling. This filling is not just for personal spiritual experiences but is essential for empowering believers with the gifts and fruits needed to minister effectively. The Holy Spirit provides discernment, compassion, and power to break through the darkness that surrounds the world. Believers are called to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and equip them as they engage with a world that is blind and oppressed by sin. [01:10:50]

Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill and empower you today, and how might this change the way you interact with those around you?


Day 4: Engaging Beyond Church Walls
The church is called to rise beyond its walls and engage with the world, bringing the message of hope and salvation to those who are impoverished, broken, and in bondage to sin. Revival is not just for personal edification but is a call to action, urging believers to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that is crying out for His love and truth. This engagement requires stepping out in faith and being vessels of God's love and power. [01:03:44]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to engage with someone outside of your church community and share the hope and love of Christ with them?


Day 5: Revival Driving Us to the Harvest
Revival should compel believers to reach out to those who are lost, hurting, and in need of the transformative power of Jesus Christ. It is a call to the harvest, urging believers not to be content with just feeling good within the church but to be moved to action. The church is called to be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing hope and salvation to a world that is crying out for His love and truth. [01:37:27]

John 4:35-36 (ESV): "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the harvest today, and who is someone you can reach out to with the message of hope and salvation in Jesus Christ?

Quotes

1. "I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you, you might not be going through it right now, but even though you don't see it, he's working. Some of y 'all don't have a clue what the Lord is delivering you from and that you don't even know that's going on in your life right now. Some of y 'all don't know who's about to be fired from the church. Some of y 'all don't know who's about to contract an illness that they can't get rid of. Some of y 'all don't realize what's about to happen in your very own family." [00:39:56] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "The cry for revival many times for us, in the position that we are in, is a cry for an outpouring of the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost. It's a cry for life, new life. A cry for renewal. A cry for refreshing. Friday night, I believe, we sang the old song, Revive Us Again. Oh, hallelujah, thine the glory. Hallelujah, amen. Hallelujah, thine the glory. Revive us again. We cry for revival because we feel the need in our heart for revival to do a work inside of us." [00:49:45] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "But I believe that the need for revival has a two -fold goal. The need for revival has a two -fold benefit for the church. Number one, we know that a revival is, that revival is a spiritual renewal in the people of God. During these times of refreshing, we are reminded of the power and the glory of God. In fact, we've spent the last three services talking about the Lord and those kinds of things. Friday night, we talked about Isaiah chapter 5. Isaiah chapter 6. And reminded ourselves that the Lord is still seated on the throne. Do you believe that? Say amen. He is high and lifted up. His strength still fills the temple. His authority and power still fills the temple. He is a holy God. He is a holy God." [00:50:30] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "He is a holy God. And the whole earth is full of His glory. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. He is high and lifted up. Saturday night, we talked about the long and need for the presence of God to be manifested in us. We need His presence. We need to long for His presence. Not just to come together and have church or have meetings or even to pray, but that His presence would manifest Himself amongst us and come and be with us because in His presence, He ministers and He touches and there's healing and there's direction and help. We need the presence of God. Amen? We need the presence of God. This morning, we talked about worship as a necessity because worship helps us to refocus our minds on who He is, no matter what's going on in our life. It refocuses our attention back to the God who is the Waymaker, the Miracle Worker, the Promise Keeper, the Light and the Darkness." [00:51:24] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "Worship is a necessity among the people of God. One more time. Worship is a necessity among the people of God. Worship has to happen amongst us. If it doesn't happen amongst us, where will it happen? Other than all creation. All creation will show forth the glory of the Lord, but He has called us to show forth His glory. Amen? To raise a Hallelujah in the presence of our enemies. To raise a Hallelujah in the presence of adversity. In this world that we're living in, this is a moment and a time right now with what we are dealing with for the church to rise up with a Hallelujah and a Glory to God and a pointing to the only One who is our true help in times of trouble. Amen. Amen. Amen. Worship is the thing that will help us to do that. So revival for us is a spiritual renewal for the people of God. How many of you feel like the Lord has been renewing you this weekend? Amen?" [00:52:43] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Have you failed to renew it? Now listen, if you hadn't, please don't blame me because, you know, I've got pockets, I've got suitcases, but I didn't bring what you need in my stuff. We get what we get when we open ourselves up and allow the Lord to do that. So I'm praying that the Lord has been doing a renewal in you and that the Lord has been ministering to you. Why? Because the second fold of the need for revival and the benefit for revival amongst the people of God is that it will cause us to have a turning back to the harvest. A turning back to the harvest. You know, the Lord doesn't just bless us so that, you know, we can walk around just feeling good. I mean, that's really, that's what we're satisfied with. You know, we want to come to church and worship the Lord because we like the good feeling. We, we like to, we like the feeling of the presence of the Lord. We like the feeling of, of when the Holy Ghost begins to, we like, some of us like to shout. Amen? I've always liked to shout. Got the Holy Ghost when I was seven. I've been shouting ever since. With or without you. Amen?" [00:53:39] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "I mean, I, I enjoy the presence of the Lord. But, but, but revival is not just to pump us up so that we can feel better, so that we can feel good. The Lord does what He does in our lives because He's renewing us and refreshing us and, and, and moving on us because the Lord has called us to a work in this world. When we leave this place, when we leave this place, how many of you have the praise team follow you every day to work? Well, that would be a little weird, wouldn't it? No. You don't have, the praise team don't follow you to work every day. The preacher don't follow you around every day carrying his Bible behind you. No. But we get what we get while we're here in the presence of God and amongst one another because, God is preparing us, God is moving on us because we have a work to do in this world. He is encouraging us and strengthening us and empowering us so that we can do the work that we've been called to do in this world. The reason why the church needs revival is because there is a call on our lives. Every one of you that knows and names the name of Christ, you have a call on your life." [00:54:57] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "And that call is an unrepentant call. In other words, He don't take it back. It's an unrepentant, it's not something you can escape. It's not something that you can bypass. It's not something that you can avoid. It is unavoidable. It is a call to this harvest in the last days that we're living in. There is a work that has been laid out before us as the people of God and we need revival and the times are refreshing to do the work in us so that we can go out and do the work He's called us to do in this world. Amen, Pastor. Amen. John chapter 4. Jesus, I understand y 'all been in John chapter 4 so I don't want to redo what Pastor's been working on. But John chapter 4, I want to go to verse 31 through 38. In this particular chapter, you remember, Jesus has been ministering and I love, I really love this chapter. I really do. So much in it." [00:56:32] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "The very beginning of it, Jesus tells us He tells the disciple, I must needs go through Samaria. I love that. I love that. Samaria was always a place that Jews avoided. You know, they'd go around the world to avoid having to go through Samaria. But Jesus said, I must needs go through Samaria because He understood that there was someone who was going to be at a well at a particular time of day who was going to be instrumental in witnessing in town who would bring others out to outside of town so they could hear the message so they could receive. Y 'all with me now? He said, I must needs go through Samaria. And He's been sitting at this well having this conversation with a woman that starts with a conversation about water. You know, give me the drink. She says, why are you asking me for something to drink? You a Jew. I'm a Samaritan. We're not even supposed to be talking to each other. He said, girl, if you want, now you know this is Chuckie's version, right? He said, girl, if you only knew who was sitting on the well, you'd be asking me for water. She said, how are you going to give me some water? You ain't got no bucket." [00:57:38] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "He said, I got water that if you drink from my water, you'll never thirst again. She says, give me that water then. You know, not cause she was wanting something spiritually. She doesn't want to have to come back to the well no more. Jesus began to minister to her life, minister to layers of her life. And the disciples have gone to town to get food and they come back and they find him ministering to this woman. Give me that scripture in John chapter 4, verse 31, 4 and 31. In the meanwhile, his disciples prayed him, saying when they came back, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that you don't know about. Therefore, said the disciples one to another, has any man brought him to eat?" [01:01:52] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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