Revival: Rekindling Our Hearts and Communities for God

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound need for revival, both in our personal lives and within our communities. Drawing from 1 Samuel 7, we examined the story of Israel, a nation that had sidelined the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence, for 20 years. This neglect led to a spiritual drought, a lamentation for the absence of God. Revival, as we discussed, is not merely an event but a rekindling of our hearts towards God, a return to living passionately for Him.

We identified three key aspects of revival: the need for revival, the recipe for revival, and the opposition to revival. Israel's story teaches us that revival is necessary when we find ourselves distant from God, when His presence feels absent, and when our spiritual practices have become routine or sidelined. The recipe for revival, as Samuel instructed, involves returning to God with all our hearts, putting away false idols, and serving Him only. This wholehearted devotion requires not just prayer but also fasting, a commitment to seeking God above all else.

However, as we strive for revival, we must be prepared for opposition. Just as the Philistines rose against Israel when they sought God, we too will face challenges when we decide to live fully for Him. Yet, the story of Samuel and Israel reminds us that God is faithful. When we cry out to Him, He hears us and delivers us, often in ways we cannot foresee.

Revival is not just about a personal spiritual awakening but also about impacting our communities and nation. As we seek God earnestly, we become vessels through which His power and presence can flow, bringing transformation to those around us. Let us commit to this journey of revival, trusting that God will meet us and work mightily in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Revival Begins with Acknowledging Our Need: Just as Israel lamented the absence of God's presence, we must recognize when our spiritual lives have grown cold. Revival starts with an honest assessment of our need for God's presence and power in our lives. [11:56]

- The Recipe for Revival Involves Total Commitment: Samuel's instructions to Israel highlight the importance of returning to God with all our hearts, putting away idols, and serving Him only. This requires a deep commitment, not just in prayer but also in fasting and wholehearted devotion. [15:56]

- Opposition Will Come When We Seek Revival: As we strive to live fully for God, we should expect challenges and opposition. The enemy seeks to distract and discourage us, but we must remain steadfast, trusting in God's deliverance. [27:59]

- True Repentance Leads to Lasting Change: Authentic repentance is not just about seeking forgiveness but also about making lasting changes in our lives. It involves a commitment to live differently, honoring God in both our public and private lives. [32:45]

- Revival Impacts Our Communities and Beyond: When we experience personal revival, it extends beyond us, affecting our families, communities, and even our nation. As we live passionately for God, we become agents of change, bringing His light to a world in need. [33:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:30] - When Revival Is Needed
- [04:14] - The Need for Revival
- [11:56] - Israel's Lamentation
- [13:16] - Sidelining God's Presence
- [15:56] - Recipe for Revival
- [17:56] - Returning with All Our Hearts
- [19:26] - Putting Away False Gods
- [21:55] - Serving God Only
- [23:59] - The Power of Prayer and Fasting
- [24:49] - Hindering God's Work
- [25:32] - Human Actions and Unbelief
- [27:59] - Opposition to Revival
- [29:34] - God's Deliverance
- [30:49] - The Lamb's Sacrifice
- [31:45] - Building a Legacy of Worship
- [33:40] - True Repentance and Change
- [34:18] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Revival and Its Impact

Bible Reading:
- 1 Samuel 7:1-14

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in Israel's spiritual life, and how did its sidelining affect the nation? [11:56]

2. According to the sermon, what were the three key instructions Samuel gave to Israel for revival? [15:56]

3. How did the Philistines react when Israel sought revival, and what was the outcome of their opposition? [27:59]

4. What role did Samuel play in leading Israel back to God, and how did he demonstrate his commitment to God both publicly and privately? [32:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why is it important for believers to recognize when their spiritual lives have grown cold, and how can this awareness lead to revival? [11:56]

2. How does the act of putting away idols and serving God only reflect a deeper commitment to faith, and what might this look like in a modern context? [19:26]

3. In what ways can opposition to spiritual revival manifest in a believer's life today, and how can one remain steadfast in the face of such challenges? [27:59]

4. How does true repentance lead to lasting change, and why is it crucial for both personal and communal revival? [32:45]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are there areas where you feel distant from God? What steps can you take to acknowledge and address this need for revival in your life? [11:56]

2. Consider the idols or distractions in your life that may be hindering your relationship with God. What practical steps can you take this week to put them away and serve God wholeheartedly? [19:26]

3. Have you experienced opposition when trying to deepen your faith or live more fully for God? How did you respond, and what can you learn from Samuel's example of steadfastness? [27:59]

4. Think about a time when you experienced true repentance. How did it change your actions and attitudes? What can you do to ensure that your repentance leads to lasting change? [32:45]

5. Revival is not just personal but also impacts communities. How can you be an agent of change in your family or community, bringing God's light to those around you? [33:40]

6. Identify one area in your life where you can commit to fasting and prayer this week. How do you hope this practice will draw you closer to God and bring about revival? [23:59]

7. Reflect on the balance between your public and private worship. Are there discrepancies between how you live your faith in different areas of your life? How can you work towards consistency? [32:45]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Recognizing Spiritual Apathy

Description: Revival begins with acknowledging our need for God's presence. Just as Israel lamented the absence of God's presence, we must recognize when our spiritual lives have grown cold. This recognition is the first step towards revival, as it prompts us to seek God earnestly. When we find ourselves distant from God, it is crucial to assess our spiritual condition honestly. This involves examining our hearts and identifying areas where we have sidelined God, allowing other priorities to take precedence. By doing so, we open the door for God to rekindle our passion and renew our commitment to Him. [11:56]

Bible Passage: "For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: 'Seek me and live; but do not seek Bethel, and do not enter into Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into exile, and Bethel shall come to nothing.'" (Amos 5:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What are the specific areas in your life where you feel spiritually apathetic? How can you begin to seek God's presence more earnestly today?

Day 2: Wholehearted Devotion

Description: The recipe for revival involves total commitment to God. Samuel's instructions to Israel highlight the importance of returning to God with all our hearts, putting away idols, and serving Him only. This requires a deep commitment, not just in prayer but also in fasting and wholehearted devotion. It is about prioritizing God above all else and removing anything that hinders our relationship with Him. This kind of devotion demands intentionality and perseverance, as it involves a daily choice to align our lives with God's will and purposes. [15:56]

Bible Passage: "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, ESV)

Reflection: What are the "idols" in your life that compete for your attention and devotion? How can you actively put them away and serve God wholeheartedly?

Day 3: Facing Opposition with Faith

Description: Opposition will come when we seek revival. As we strive to live fully for God, we should expect challenges and opposition. The enemy seeks to distract and discourage us, but we must remain steadfast, trusting in God's deliverance. Just as the Philistines rose against Israel when they sought God, we too will face spiritual battles. However, we are reminded that God is faithful and will hear our cries for help. Our response to opposition should be one of faith and perseverance, knowing that God is with us and will provide the strength we need to overcome. [27:59]

Bible Passage: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What specific challenges or opposition are you currently facing in your spiritual journey? How can you trust God to deliver you and strengthen your faith in the midst of these challenges?

Day 4: Embracing True Repentance

Description: True repentance leads to lasting change. Authentic repentance is not just about seeking forgiveness but also about making lasting changes in our lives. It involves a commitment to live differently, honoring God in both our public and private lives. This kind of repentance requires humility and a willingness to turn away from sin and towards God. It is a transformative process that aligns our hearts with God's desires and purposes, resulting in a life that reflects His character and love. [32:45]

Bible Passage: "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." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace true repentance? What specific changes can you make today to align your life more closely with God's will?

Day 5: Becoming Agents of Change

Description: Revival impacts our communities and beyond. When we experience personal revival, it extends beyond us, affecting our families, communities, and even our nation. As we live passionately for God, we become agents of change, bringing His light to a world in need. Our transformed lives serve as a testimony to God's power and love, inspiring others to seek Him as well. This ripple effect of revival can lead to a broader spiritual awakening, as individuals and communities are drawn to the hope and truth found in Christ. [33:40]

Bible Passage: "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." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you be an agent of change in your community today? What specific actions can you take to share God's love and light with those around you?

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Quotes

1) "Growing up in, not all, not growing up really in the sense of a young person, growing older, but growing up as a young Christian in churches, it was always impressed on me that revivals were the special time of the year where the church would bring in some special speaker, and everybody would invite the lost friends, and we would see, we would, everybody would get saved. And that was revival that I grew up with, this term revival. But really, revival is for the children of God. The revival of the sins to rekindle, what was once there." [00:01:20] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "And this is what I want to impress upon you if you're taking notes or using your bulletin as a sermon outline. The sermon title today is When Revival Is Needed. When Revival Is Needed. Of course, we would all agree after the last few weeks, of studying Israel and 1 Samuel, poor Israel needed a revival. They were hurting. They lost the Ark of the Covenant, the Ark of the Lord. They lost their entire spiritual administration." [00:02:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "So the first aspect of revival, of course, that we find in the first two verses of chapter seven is the need for revival. We see when revival is needed and boy, does Israel need revival. Look with me here in verse number one in chapter number, seven, as we have our Bibles open today and look there, it says, then the men of Kirjoth and Jerom came and took the ark of the Lord. If you remember, they went to a place, the ark went to a place called Beth Shemesh last Sunday." [00:05:08] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "I wonder if you and I today, just thinking out loud as I was reading that, as children of God, have we ever benched the physical tokens of God and found ourselves lamenting the apparent absence of Christ? I mean, boy, those Israelites had it rough. They couldn't go into the Holy of Holies. They couldn't sacrifice right there in the Ark of the Covenant. They couldn't even dare touch it because they just remembered that literally tens of people, maybe hundreds, if not thousands, lost their lives by misplacing that." [00:12:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Sometimes the need for revival Is not more preaching but better reading Not more powerful on the higher voice But a more heartfelt and deeper study Well Israel needed revival And I got to keep my word The second aspect here and I love this Old Samuel comes around The first time he's in the church He's in the picture now Finally after two chapters He's a little two chapters too late But he's finally here And he gives Israel what I would call The recipe for revival The recipe for revival Look with me here in verse number three Down in verse number six As Old Samuel talks to the Lord" [00:15:07] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "And so Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, maybe after the 20 years, maybe through the 20 years, however, that structures look like we're not for sure, but somewhere in that time, Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel saying, if you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Astros from among you and prepare your hearts for the Lord and serve him only. And he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines. So the children of Israel put away the Biles and the Astros and serve the Lord only." [00:17:30] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "lord to work in your life you need to put away the false gods that you have created in your life bible tells us in the new test in the new testament that the temple of the lord is no longer going to be a building but going to be the body of which christ has paid for in the spirit of christ that dwells inside of us and we become that new temple the temple that the spirit of god the spirit of christ now the holy spirit lives in and dwells in and works through and how you treat that temple and how you serve that temple is a great marker of how the presence and the work of the lord will work in your life" [00:21:55] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "You want to see revival in your life? I don't need to go out there and pay a preacher $3 ,000 to come over here. You want to see revival in your life? That's the recipe for revival. Save this church a few thousand dollars and let's see revival in the house of the Lord today. Following these things, the Lord God will hear us, answer us, and deliver us. And that's exactly what happened in verse number 9. When Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel and they did these things, the Lord answered Samuel." [00:24:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "It's always interesting to me, and I've happened to it more often than not. You'd think I'd get wiser, but oftentimes I don't. That sometimes the best days of my life come from spiritual victories I see on Sunday. And then by Monday, I'm just down and distraught. Usually. In preachers, they call that the Monday blues, but there's some truth to it. If you're not careful. You can see the Lord answer your prayers and think, man, this is great. I'm glad that we're back on fire for the Lord." [00:29:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "You see, when revival is needed, God will answer if we go before him with true repentance. And the sign of authentic repentance is not only the manner of how we approach God before he answers, but also much the same in how we treat God after he answers. Sometimes we can be just like a little kid and say, Mommy, I'm not going to do that no more. Daddy, I won't do that no more. If you just give me what I want, I won't do that no more. We get what we want, and then the next day we go back to doing what we promised we won't do no more." [00:32:33] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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