Revival: Clearing Spiritual Debris for God's Flow

 

Summary

In Genesis 26:17-18, we find Isaac reopening the wells that had been filled with rubble by the Philistines. This act serves as a powerful metaphor for the church today. Just as Isaac had to clear the wells to access the life-giving water, the church must remove the spiritual debris that obstructs the flow of God's Spirit. The Philistines' actions symbolize the forces that deny or obscure essential Christian doctrines, which are crucial for revival. Revival is not merely about prayer; it requires a return to foundational truths and a commitment to living in accordance with God's Word.

Prayer, while essential, must be grounded in truth. The Holy Spirit honors truth, and revival cannot occur where truth is compromised. The church must reaffirm the transcendence and sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the reality of sin. These doctrines are rediscovered in every revival, emphasizing humanity's dependence on God and the centrality of Jesus Christ. The person and work of Christ are pivotal; He is the focus of both the Old and New Testaments. The Holy Spirit's primary role is to glorify Christ, and historical revivals have always centered on Him.

The work of the Holy Spirit is often misunderstood or neglected. Some deny His active role, reducing Him to an influence rather than acknowledging Him as a person. Others dismiss the idea of outpourings of the Spirit, viewing them as historical anomalies or mass hysteria. Yet, revivals are marked by extraordinary movements of the Spirit, which cannot be explained away by human psychology. The church must recognize the Spirit's direct and immediate action, which includes both His ordinary work and extraordinary revivals.

The church must also confront the erroneous teachings that hinder revival. Some argue that the Spirit's work is complete, negating the need for further outpourings. Others claim that prophetic teachings preclude the possibility of revival. These views quench the Spirit and contribute to the church's current state of spiritual drought. A true understanding of the Holy Spirit includes both His ongoing work and His extraordinary interventions, which have historically revitalized the church.

Key Takeaways:

- Revival requires more than prayer; it demands a return to foundational Christian doctrines. The Holy Spirit honors truth, and revival cannot occur where truth is compromised. The church must reaffirm the transcendence and sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the reality of sin. [01:24]

- The centrality of Jesus Christ is crucial for revival. He is the focus of both the Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Spirit's primary role is to glorify Him. Historical revivals have always centered on Christ, emphasizing His person and work. [06:28]

- The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood or neglected. Some deny His active role, reducing Him to an influence rather than acknowledging Him as a person. The Spirit's direct and immediate action includes both His ordinary work and extraordinary revivals. [27:15]

- Erroneous teachings hinder revival. Some argue that the Spirit's work is complete, negating the need for further outpourings. Others claim that prophetic teachings preclude the possibility of revival. These views quench the Spirit and contribute to the church's spiritual drought. [35:00]

- A true understanding of the Holy Spirit includes both His ongoing work and His extraordinary interventions. Revivals are marked by extraordinary movements of the Spirit, which cannot be explained away by human psychology. The church must recognize and seek these outpourings. [44:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:23] - Introduction to Revival
- [01:06] - The Work of the Philistines
- [01:24] - Conditions for Prayer
- [02:25] - The Spirit and Truth
- [03:16] - Clearing the Rubbish
- [04:05] - Essential Doctrines
- [05:32] - Rediscovering Truths in Revival
- [06:28] - Centrality of Christ
- [07:35] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
- [10:21] - Hindrances to Revival
- [14:29] - The Work of the Philistines Today
- [19:32] - The Atonement and the Cross
- [26:11] - The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
- [35:00] - Misunderstandings of the Spirit's Work
- [44:05] - The Need for Revival

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 26:17-18

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the immediate problem Isaac faced with the wells, and how does this relate to the church's current spiritual state? [00:37]

2. According to the sermon, what are the "conditions attached to prayer" that must be observed for it to be effective? [01:37]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in relation to truth and revival? [02:46]

4. What are some of the erroneous teachings mentioned in the sermon that hinder revival? [35:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of Isaac reopening the wells serve as a metaphor for the church's need to return to foundational Christian doctrines? [00:50]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the centrality of Jesus Christ is crucial for revival? [06:28]

3. How does the sermon explain the misunderstanding or neglect of the Holy Spirit's role in the church today? [27:15]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between erroneous teachings and the church's spiritual drought? [35:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal prayer life. Are there any "conditions" or truths you need to reaffirm to ensure your prayers align with God's will? [01:37]

2. The sermon emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ. How can you make Christ more central in your daily life and spiritual practices? [06:28]

3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. Do you view Him as a person or merely an influence? How might this perspective affect your spiritual growth? [27:15]

4. Identify any "spiritual debris" in your life that might be obstructing the flow of God's Spirit. What steps can you take to clear these obstacles? [00:50]

5. The sermon discusses erroneous teachings that hinder revival. Are there any teachings or beliefs you hold that might need reevaluation in light of Scripture? [35:00]

6. How can you actively participate in seeking a revival within your church community? What role can you play in encouraging a return to foundational Christian doctrines? [00:50]

7. Reflect on a time when you may have quenched the Spirit in your life. What changes can you make to be more open to the Spirit's extraordinary work? [35:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Revival Demands a Return to Foundational Truths
Revival is not just about fervent prayer; it requires a return to the foundational truths of Christianity. The church must clear away the spiritual debris that obstructs the flow of God's Spirit, much like Isaac reopened the wells filled by the Philistines. This involves reaffirming the transcendence and sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the reality of sin. These doctrines are essential for revival, as the Holy Spirit honors truth, and revival cannot occur where truth is compromised. The church must be vigilant in rediscovering these truths to experience genuine revival. [01:24]

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: What foundational Christian truth have you neglected in your life, and how can you begin to re-embrace it today?


Day 2: Christ-Centered Revival
The centrality of Jesus Christ is crucial for revival. He is the focus of both the Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Spirit's primary role is to glorify Him. Historical revivals have always centered on Christ, emphasizing His person and work. The church must ensure that Christ remains at the heart of its teachings and practices, as revival is impossible without Him. By focusing on Jesus, the church can experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, leading to a renewed and vibrant faith community. [06:28]

"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you make Jesus the center of your daily life and decisions today?


Day 3: Recognizing the Holy Spirit's Active Role
The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood or neglected, with some reducing Him to an influence rather than acknowledging Him as a person. The Spirit's direct and immediate action includes both His ordinary work and extraordinary revivals. The church must recognize and embrace the Holy Spirit's active role in its life and mission. By doing so, believers can experience the fullness of God's presence and power, leading to personal and communal transformation. [27:15]

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30, ESV)

Reflection: How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in your life today?


Day 4: Confronting Erroneous Teachings
Erroneous teachings hinder revival by quenching the Spirit and contributing to the church's spiritual drought. Some argue that the Spirit's work is complete, negating the need for further outpourings, while others claim that prophetic teachings preclude the possibility of revival. The church must confront these false teachings and embrace a true understanding of the Holy Spirit, which includes both His ongoing work and extraordinary interventions. By doing so, the church can experience the revitalizing power of the Spirit. [35:00]

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1, ESV)

Reflection: What false teachings or beliefs have you encountered, and how can you seek the truth in Scripture to counter them?


Day 5: Seeking the Spirit's Extraordinary Movements
A true understanding of the Holy Spirit includes both His ongoing work and His extraordinary interventions. Revivals are marked by extraordinary movements of the Spirit, which cannot be explained away by human psychology. The church must recognize and seek these outpourings, as they have historically revitalized the church. By being open to the Spirit's extraordinary work, believers can experience a deeper and more vibrant relationship with God, leading to personal and communal renewal. [44:05]

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek and be open to the extraordinary movements of the Holy Spirit in your life today?

Quotes

"Prayer, while essential, must be grounded in truth. The Holy Spirit honors truth, and revival cannot occur where truth is compromised. The church must reaffirm the transcendence and sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the reality of sin. These doctrines are rediscovered in every revival, emphasizing humanity's dependence on God and the centrality of Jesus Christ." [00:01:24]

"The centrality of Jesus Christ is crucial for revival. He is the focus of both the Old and New Testaments, and the Holy Spirit's primary role is to glorify Him. Historical revivals have always centered on Christ, emphasizing His person and work." [00:06:28]

"The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood or neglected. Some deny His active role, reducing Him to an influence rather than acknowledging Him as a person. The Spirit's direct and immediate action includes both His ordinary work and extraordinary revivals." [00:27:15]

"Erroneous teachings hinder revival. Some argue that the Spirit's work is complete, negating the need for further outpourings. Others claim that prophetic teachings preclude the possibility of revival. These views quench the Spirit and contribute to the church's spiritual drought." [00:35:00]

"A true understanding of the Holy Spirit includes both His ongoing work and His extraordinary interventions. Revivals are marked by extraordinary movements of the Spirit, which cannot be explained away by human psychology. The church must recognize and seek these outpourings." [00:44:05]

"The way to Revival is not just to say let's pray about it. Of course, we've got to pray, and I hope to emphasize that tremendously. But what I am saying is this: there is something we have to do before we pray because there are certain conditions attached to prayer." [00:01:41]

"The first task is to get rid of the rubbish of the Philistines. It's a painful process. I admit freely that I would prefer not to have to do this. It would be much simpler to say let's pray and organize prayer meetings, but if we believe the Bible, we can't do that." [00:03:27]

"Revival above everything else is a glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is the restoration of Him to the center of the life of the church. You get this warm devotion, personal devotion to Him. It leads to your hymns, your anthems of Praise." [00:18:37]

"The very heart of Our Gospel is that God has made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Listen to what the greatest preacher the church has ever known liked to say about himself: God forbid that I should Glory save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ." [00:22:54]

"Revival requires more than prayer; it demands a return to foundational Christian doctrines. The Holy Spirit honors truth, and revival cannot occur where truth is compromised. The church must reaffirm the transcendence and sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the reality of sin." [00:01:24]

"The church must also confront the erroneous teachings that hinder revival. Some argue that the Spirit's work is complete, negating the need for further outpourings. Others claim that prophetic teachings preclude the possibility of revival. These views quench the Spirit and contribute to the church's current state of spiritual drought." [00:35:00]

"The work of the Holy Spirit is often misunderstood or neglected. Some deny His active role, reducing Him to an influence rather than acknowledging Him as a person. Others dismiss the idea of outpourings of the Spirit, viewing them as historical anomalies or mass hysteria." [00:27:15]

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Transcript
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