Revival: A Divine Call for God's Glory
Summary
In this sermon, I explore the theme of revival through the lens of the biblical account in Joshua 4:21-24, where God commands the Israelites to set up a memorial of stones to commemorate their crossing of the Jordan River. This act serves as a reminder of God's miraculous power and His faithfulness to His people. The sermon draws a parallel between this historical event and the revivals that have occurred throughout church history, emphasizing that God's methods and principles remain constant.
Revival is not merely a historical curiosity but a divine intervention that serves a greater purpose. It is a manifestation of God's mighty hand, intended to demonstrate His glory to the world and to remind His people of His presence among them. The primary reason for seeking revival is not for personal experiences or church growth, but for the glory of God. Revival serves as a powerful testimony to the world, silencing skeptics and drawing attention to the reality of God's power.
For the church, revival brings a renewed consciousness of God's presence and power. It reminds believers that the church is not just a human institution but a dwelling place for God. This realization leads to a deeper reliance on God's power rather than human efforts, scholarship, or organization. Revival humbles the church, removing self-reliance and instilling a godly fear that drives believers to depend solely on God.
The sermon also addresses the timing of revival, noting that God often acts after periods of great trial and discouragement. It is in moments of utter hopelessness and helplessness, when the church is brought to its knees, that God intervenes. This pattern is evident in the biblical accounts of the Red Sea and the Jordan River crossings, as well as in the history of revivals. The church must reach a point of desperation, recognizing its impotence, before God will act.
Ultimately, the call is for believers to pray earnestly for revival, seeking God's glory above all else. The sermon concludes with a challenge to the church to cease relying on human efforts and to look solely to the living God for a mighty demonstration of His power.
Key Takeaways:
- Revival is a divine intervention that serves to demonstrate God's glory to the world and remind His people of His presence. It is not sought for personal experiences or church growth, but for the glory of God. [06:29]
- For the church, revival brings a renewed consciousness of God's presence and power, reminding believers that the church is a dwelling place for God, not just a human institution. This leads to a deeper reliance on God's power rather than human efforts. [19:28]
- Revival humbles the church, removing self-reliance and instilling a godly fear that drives believers to depend solely on God. It shifts the focus from human achievements to God's mighty acts. [29:08]
- God often acts after periods of great trial and discouragement, when the church is brought to a point of utter hopelessness and helplessness. It is in these moments that God intervenes with revival. [42:28]
- The call is for believers to pray earnestly for revival, seeking God's glory above all else. The church must cease relying on human efforts and look solely to the living God for a mighty demonstration of His power. [46:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to the Theme
- [00:29] - Historical Context of Revival
- [01:23] - The Memorial Stones
- [02:26] - God's Unchanging Methods
- [03:47] - The Miraculous Element
- [04:38] - Purpose of Revival
- [06:29] - God's Glory and Revival
- [09:00] - Misguided Motivations
- [11:27] - Revival in the Psalms
- [13:31] - The Day of Pentecost
- [15:03] - The Need for God's Action
- [17:23] - Revival's Impact on the Church
- [19:28] - God's Presence Among Us
- [22:02] - Reliance on God's Power
- [29:41] - Fear of Men Removed
- [34:12] - The Supreme Need for God
- [37:26] - Timing of Revival
- [42:28] - Desperation Before Revival
- [46:58] - Conclusion and Call to Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Joshua 4:21-24
- Acts 2:1-12 (Day of Pentecost)
- Psalm 46:10
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#### Observation Questions
1. What specific event in Joshua 4:21-24 is used as a memorial for God's power and faithfulness? How does this event serve as a reminder for future generations? [01:55]
2. According to the sermon, what is the primary purpose of revival as demonstrated in the biblical accounts of the Red Sea and Jordan River crossings? [06:12]
3. How does the sermon describe the church's condition before God intervenes with revival? What are the signs that the church is in need of revival? [42:28]
4. What role does prayer play in seeking revival, according to the sermon? [46:58]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the memorial of stones in Joshua 4:21-24 symbolize the importance of remembering God's past works in our lives? What might be the consequences of forgetting these works?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that revival serves as a testimony to the world? How does this align with the events of the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2? [13:31]
3. The sermon mentions that revival often follows periods of great trial and discouragement. Why might these difficult times be necessary for revival to occur? [42:28]
4. How does the sermon challenge the church to shift its focus from human efforts to reliance on God's power? What are the potential dangers of relying on human efforts alone? [29:08]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a personal "revival" in your faith. What circumstances led to this renewal, and how did it change your relationship with God?
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's glory above all else. How can you prioritize God's glory in your daily life and decisions? [09:00]
3. Consider the current state of your church or community. Are there signs of self-reliance or a lack of awareness of God's presence? How can you contribute to fostering a deeper reliance on God? [19:28]
4. The sermon calls for earnest prayer for revival. What specific steps can you take to incorporate this kind of prayer into your routine? How can you encourage others to join you in this prayer? [46:58]
5. Think about a situation in your life where you feel hopeless or helpless. How can you invite God into this situation and trust in His power to bring about change? [42:28]
6. How can you create "memorials" in your own life to remember and celebrate God's faithfulness and power? What form might these take, and how can they serve as a testimony to others?
7. The sermon suggests that revival humbles the church and removes self-reliance. In what areas of your life do you need to let go of self-reliance and trust more fully in God? [29:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Revival as a Manifestation of God's Glory
Revival is a divine intervention that serves to demonstrate God's glory to the world and remind His people of His presence. It is not sought for personal experiences or church growth, but for the glory of God. Revival is a powerful testimony to the world, silencing skeptics and drawing attention to the reality of God's power. It is a reminder that God is actively involved in the world and desires to reveal His glory through His people. The ultimate purpose of revival is to glorify God and to make His presence known among His people. [06:29]
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek to glorify God in your daily life, and how can you be a vessel for His presence to be known in your community?
Day 2: The Church as a Dwelling Place for God
For the church, revival brings a renewed consciousness of God's presence and power, reminding believers that the church is a dwelling place for God, not just a human institution. This realization leads to a deeper reliance on God's power rather than human efforts. When revival occurs, it shifts the focus from human achievements to God's mighty acts, emphasizing that the church's true strength lies in its connection to God. This understanding encourages believers to seek God's presence and to rely on His power in all aspects of church life. [19:28]
"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your life and in your church community, and what steps can you take to rely more on His power than on human efforts?
Day 3: Humility and Dependence on God
Revival humbles the church, removing self-reliance and instilling a godly fear that drives believers to depend solely on God. It shifts the focus from human achievements to God's mighty acts. This humility is essential for the church to experience true revival, as it acknowledges that human efforts are insufficient without God's intervention. By recognizing their dependence on God, believers are encouraged to seek His guidance and strength in all areas of life, trusting that He will provide what is needed for His purposes to be fulfilled. [29:08]
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." (1 Peter 5:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own strength, and how can you begin to shift that reliance to God?
Day 4: God's Timing in Revival
God often acts after periods of great trial and discouragement, when the church is brought to a point of utter hopelessness and helplessness. It is in these moments that God intervenes with revival. This pattern is evident in the biblical accounts of the Red Sea and the Jordan River crossings, as well as in the history of revivals. The church must reach a point of desperation, recognizing its impotence, before God will act. This understanding encourages believers to trust in God's timing and to remain faithful even in difficult circumstances, knowing that He is working behind the scenes to bring about His purposes. [42:28]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing, especially during periods of trial and discouragement?
Day 5: Prayer and Seeking God's Glory
The call is for believers to pray earnestly for revival, seeking God's glory above all else. The church must cease relying on human efforts and look solely to the living God for a mighty demonstration of His power. Prayer is a vital component of revival, as it aligns the hearts of believers with God's purposes and invites His presence into their lives. By prioritizing prayer and seeking God's glory, believers can create an environment where revival can occur, allowing God's power to be displayed in their midst. [46:58]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more central part of your daily routine, and in what ways can you seek God's glory in your prayers?
Quotes
Revival is not merely a historical curiosity but a divine intervention that serves a greater purpose. It is a manifestation of God's mighty hand, intended to demonstrate His glory to the world and to remind His people of His presence among them. The primary reason for seeking revival is not for personal experiences or church growth, but for the glory of God. [00:04:38]
God does this thing from time to time, God sends Revival blessing upon the church in order that he may do something with respect to those that are outside even. He is doing something that is going to arrest the attention of all the people of the earth. Here is we must always realize the first reason forever considering this matter at all. [00:06:29]
We shouldn't seek Revival in order that we may have experiences. I've been describing to you experiences that do take place in Revival, but we don't seek Revival primarily for that reason. There are people who do, of course. There are people who always rush to meetings where any kind of experience is promised. [00:09:00]
The primary thing is the glory of God and the power of God and the name of God and the honor of God. So let us be perfectly clear about that. There are people who are ready to jump at anything that will solve their problem or the problem of the church. [00:09:28]
Revival is of Great Value to the church as well as all it does for the world that you might know that you might fear the lord you are God forever. Now then, what does it do for the church? Let me enumerate some of the things that are taught here quite plainly. [00:17:23]
The first thing it does is to give the church an unusual consciousness of the presence and the power of God that you, the children of Israel, might fear the lord. Now in the 10th verse of the previous chapter, the third chapter, it is put much more explicitly and powerfully. [00:19:28]
The church is this institution, this body in which God dwells. He's promised that I will be in you, I will dwell in you, I will walk among you. That's what he says. That is what he said to these children of Israel. That is what is transferred in exactly the same way to the Christian Church. [00:22:02]
When God acts in Revival, everybody present feels and knows that God is there. Of course, we believe this by faith, yes, but we should know it. We should have a realization of it. We should be conscious of his nearness, and that is what Revival does. [00:29:41]
Revival always humbles men, abases them, casts them to the floor, makes them feel they can do nothing, fills them with a sense of reverence and of Godly fear. Oh, how absent it is amongst us, how men are standing forward, but when Revival comes, men are pushed back. [00:29:41]
God seems to do this always after a period of great trial and great discouragement. Note what I'm saying. When does he do this? Well, the text reminds us of two occasions: the crossing of the Red Sea, the crossing of the river of Jordan. When does he do it? [00:37:26]
It is always the moment at which God acts, and that is what I confess troubles me and discourages me today. The Christian church is still so healthy, so confident in herself, so sure that she only needs to organize yet another effort, still some further activity. [00:42:28]
May God bring us to that realization. May he so reveal his own glory and Holiness to us. May he reveal unto us our utter impotence and helplessness. May we see these things in such a way that we shall cease from Men and look only to the Living God. [00:46:58]
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