Revival: Glorifying God Through Spiritual Awakening

Devotional

Day 1: Revival's Ultimate Purpose: Glorifying God and Enjoying Him Forever

The ultimate purpose of revival is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This profound truth is rooted in the understanding that spiritual awakening draws people into a deeper relationship with God, leading to increased thanksgiving and worship. As grace extends to more people, it results in a collective outpouring of gratitude, which glorifies God. This is not just about individual transformation but a communal experience where the church becomes a beacon of light, drawing others to the glory of God. The joy and satisfaction found in God become the driving force behind genuine spiritual renewal, as believers are reminded of their chief end: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. [05:17]

2 Corinthians 4:15 (ESV): "For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally glorify God in your daily life today, and how can you cultivate a deeper enjoyment of His presence?

Day 2: God's Power in Weakness: Unlikely Instruments of Awakening

God often chooses the weak and ordinary to demonstrate His power, ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone. This is a reminder that our weaknesses can be the very means through which God works powerfully. Throughout history, God has used unlikely instruments to bring about spiritual awakening, showing that His strength is made perfect in weakness. This truth encourages believers to embrace their limitations, trusting that God can use them in extraordinary ways for His purposes. It is in our humility and dependence on God that His power is most clearly seen, as He uses us to extend His grace to others. [21:27]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life that you can offer to God today, trusting Him to work through it for His glory?

Day 3: The Centrality of Christ Crucified in Awakening

The message of awakening is centered on Christ crucified, which, despite being a stumbling block and folly to some, is the power and wisdom of God for salvation. This countercultural message humbles man and exalts Christ, leading to genuine spiritual renewal. In a world that often values human wisdom and strength, the cross stands as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive plan. It calls believers to a life of humility and dependence on Christ, recognizing that true wisdom and power are found in Him alone. This message challenges us to live counterculturally, embracing the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [29:57]

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (ESV): "But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Reflection: How can you more boldly proclaim the message of Christ crucified in your interactions with others today?

Day 4: True Repentance: The Hallmark of Awakening

True repentance is a hallmark of awakening, resulting in transformed lives. It is not a one-time event but a continual turning from sin to God, marked by a deep love for Christ and an abhorrence of sin. This transformation is evident in the way believers live and interact with others, as they seek to align their lives with God's will. Genuine repentance leads to a desire for restoration and reconciliation, both with God and with others. It is a process of ongoing renewal, where believers are continually conformed to the image of Christ, reflecting His love and grace to the world. [40:50]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: Is there a specific sin or area of your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and turn back to Him today?

Day 5: Church Transformation: A Beacon of Hope in Awakening

Awakening transforms the church community, leading to renewed devotion to the Apostles' teaching, fellowship, and worship. The church becomes a place where God's presence is tangibly felt, drawing others to the glory of God and serving as a beacon of hope in a broken world. This transformation is marked by a deep sense of unity and purpose, as believers come together to live out their faith in tangible ways. The church becomes a vibrant community of believers who are committed to living out the gospel, serving one another, and reaching out to the world with the love of Christ. [44:43]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the transformation of your church community, making it a place where God's presence is felt and His love is shared?

Sermon Summary

In our final session together, we turn to 2 Corinthians 4:13-15, reflecting on the profound truth that as grace extends to more people, it increases thanksgiving to the glory of God. This passage serves as a reminder of the ultimate purpose of revival and awakening: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Throughout this conference, we've explored various aspects of spiritual awakening, from the nature of awakening to the power of God's Word and the role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. We've also delved into the history of awakenings and the importance of prayer, evangelism, and holiness.

In this closing session, we focus on the chief end of revival, which is to glorify God and enjoy Him. Awakenings can be messy, as seen in the city of Corinth, where the gospel unearthed deep sinfulness. Yet, it was in this messiness that God's Spirit worked powerfully, leading to a significant awakening. Paul, despite his weaknesses and fears, preached not with eloquence but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, ensuring that the Corinthians' faith rested in God's power, not human wisdom.

God's glory is manifested in the instruments He uses, often choosing the weak and unlikely to demonstrate His power. This is evident in the history of awakenings, where God used ordinary individuals and unexpected circumstances to bring about extraordinary spiritual renewal. The message preached during awakenings is centered on Christ crucified, a stumbling block to some and folly to others, yet it is the power and wisdom of God for salvation.

The fruit of awakening is seen in transformed lives, marked by genuine repentance and a desire for restoration. This transformation extends to the church community, where there is a renewed devotion to the Apostles' teaching, fellowship, and worship. In seasons of awakening, the church becomes a beacon of light, drawing others to the glory of God.

Key Takeaways

1. The chief end of revival is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is the ultimate purpose of spiritual awakening, as it draws people into a deeper relationship with God and leads to increased thanksgiving and worship. [05:17]
2. God often uses unlikely instruments to bring about awakening. He chooses the weak and ordinary to demonstrate His power, ensuring that the glory belongs to Him alone. This is a reminder that our weaknesses can be the very means through which God works powerfully. [21:27]
3. The message of awakening is centered on Christ crucified. Despite being a stumbling block and folly to some, it is the power and wisdom of God for salvation. This countercultural message humbles man and exalts Christ, leading to genuine spiritual renewal. [29:57]
4. True repentance is a hallmark of awakening, resulting in transformed lives. It is not a one-time event but a continual turning from sin to God, marked by a deep love for Christ and an abhorrence of sin. This transformation is evident in the way believers live and interact with others. [40:50]
5. Awakening transforms the church community, leading to renewed devotion to the Apostles' teaching, fellowship, and worship. The church becomes a place where God's presence is tangibly felt, drawing others to the glory of God and serving as a beacon of hope in a broken world. [44:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Gratitude for the Conference
[01:22] - Testimony of Ligonier's Impact
[02:36] - Reading from 2 Corinthians 4
[03:13] - Themes of the Conference
[03:55] - The Chief End of Revival
[05:17] - Messiness of Awakening
[07:10] - Paul's Experience in Corinth
[08:51] - Demonstration of Spirit and Power
[10:13] - Light Shining in Darkness
[12:20] - Glory of God in Awakening
[15:09] - Instruments of Awakening
[19:26] - Message of Christ Crucified
[29:57] - Countercultural Message
[40:50] - Fruit of Repentance
[44:43] - Transformation of the Church
[52:06] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 4:13-15
- Acts 18:9-10
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

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Observation Questions:

In 2 Corinthians 4:13-15, what does Paul say is the result of grace extending to more people? How does this relate to the glory of God? [02:36]
According to Acts 18:9-10, what assurance did the Lord give Paul during his time in Corinth, and how did it impact his ministry there? [07:10]
In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, how does Paul describe his approach to preaching in Corinth, and what was the intended outcome of this approach? [08:51]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of awakenings and the types of individuals God uses to bring about spiritual renewal? [21:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of God using "jars of clay" in 2 Corinthians 4:7 relate to the idea of God choosing unlikely instruments for His glory? [19:52]
What does the sermon imply about the relationship between human weakness and the demonstration of God's power in ministry? [17:24]
How does the message of "Christ crucified" serve as both a stumbling block and the power of God, according to the sermon? [29:57]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that true repentance is evidenced in the lives of believers during a season of awakening? [40:50]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt weak or inadequate in your spiritual journey. How might God be using that weakness to demonstrate His power in your life? [17:24]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and increase your thanksgiving? [05:17]
Consider the message of "Christ crucified" as a countercultural truth. How can you share this message with someone who might find it a stumbling block or folly? [29:57]
True repentance involves a continual turning from sin. Identify one area of your life where you need to turn away from sin and towards God. What specific actions will you take to address this? [40:50]
The sermon highlights the transformation of the church community during awakenings. How can you contribute to fostering a renewed devotion to teaching, fellowship, and worship in your church? [44:43]
Think about a person in your life who might be considered an "unlikely instrument" for God's work. How can you encourage and support them in their spiritual journey? [21:27]
The sermon mentions the importance of asking, "What will tend most to the glory of God?" How can you incorporate this question into your decision-making process this week? [12:20]

Sermon Clips

"Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what was written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God." [00:02:15]

"And the chief end of awakening is that God may be glorified and that He also may be enjoyed. And those, so often in the past in post-apostolic history have been the hallmarks of an awakening. God has been glorified and God has also been enjoyed, but we have seen all the way through this conference that an awakening can be a messy business." [00:05:19]

"And that was what effected the awakening in Corinth. There was a demonstration, there was a proving, there was a visible manifestation of the power of God's Word in the power of the Spirit, and the result was that the Corinthians' faith rested not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." [00:09:11]

"And this is why awakenings have this magnetic pull towards the glory of God, because they are manifestations of the glory of God, and they lead people to contemplate, adore, yield to, worship, and love the glory of God. The very question that is so infrequently raised in churches today about all kinds of things becomes paramount when people are spiritually awakened and that question is, 'What will tend most to the glory of God here?'" [00:12:01]

"The treasure came to you in Corinth in jars of clay so that the surpassing power might be seen to belong to God and not to us. So we are afflicted in every way but not crushed. We are perplexed, we are persecuted, always carrying around in our bodies, literally, the dying of Jesus." [00:19:46]

"God using the most surprising instruments because He is determined that no flesh will ever be able to say, 'You know, I was the instrument in that awakening.' So God is glorified in the instruments He uses. He chooses the weak things, says Paul, and the foolish things, not the strong things. You're looking for a strong minister. You need to look for a weak vessel, a clay pot in whom God is going to be glorified." [00:28:31]

"And we need to understand, therefore, that the message that we preach is so countercultural. Why? Because God is going to get the glory, because He uses the weak things and the despised things in order to show that the glory doesn't belong to those who preach, nor can glory belong to those who listen. It belongs to this amazing way of salvation that He has designed that will ultimately bring us to glory in response to Jesus' prayer, 'Father, I want them to be with Me to see My glory that You gave Me before the foundation of the world.'" [00:32:30]

"And the result is that men see good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven, because lives are different. Isn't that what all the sociological statistics done by Christian people tell us about our world, that there is this phenomenal number of evangelicals, and by and large their lifestyles are no different? Lives are transformed because affections and desires are transformed." [00:42:01]

"And this is why, when you read about seasons of awakening and those who have been the preachers in those seasons, if they ever reflect on what were the emphases that God seemed most pleased to use in the awakening, they keep coming back to this, that the preaching God uses in awakening is always preaching that humbles man in the dust and exalts God in Jesus Christ in His glory." [00:36:24]

"And this is what they all experience, they experience what Thomas Chalmers so famously called 'the expulsive power of a new affection' that is a strange combination, a heavenly elixir that includes both an overwhelming sense of love for the Lord Jesus Christ and along with it, co-relative to it, an increasing abhorrence of sin because it offends the heavenly Father." [00:43:03]

"And so you find these are seasons -- the ministers cannot control the appetite of the people. Most of these ministers are very uncomfortable with people falling down and crying out, very uncomfortable. I mean, after all, most of the ones I've mentioned are Presbyterian ministers, and they don't like extended meetings that go on and on." [00:45:30]

"It comes down in the majesty of the Holy Spirit, and our worship is transformed in absolutely glorious ways. And if you've ever tasted it, if you've ever tasted the fruit of preaching in the power of the Spirit that's had an awakening impact, then you know if you're a preacher, 'Oh God, just give me another taste of it,' or if you've been there, 'Give me another taste of it when at the end of the preaching of the Word.'" [00:50:29]

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