Revival is not about events or meetings but the return of the Holy Spirit to His rightful place in the Church and believers' lives. It is a renewed sense of God's presence and a transformation that begins with repentance and confession of sin. When the Holy Spirit returns, He brings a fresh awareness of God, leading to a profound spiritual awakening. This revival is not primarily about evangelism, though it often results in it, but about rekindling the spiritual fire that may have dimmed over time. The Holy Spirit's presence is essential for a vibrant and effective Christian life, and His return signifies a new obedience to God, where the desire to live a holy life becomes paramount. [02:39]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: What areas of your life need the Holy Spirit's renewal today? How can you invite Him to take His rightful place in your heart?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit's Essential Role
The Holy Spirit is essential for a vibrant and effective Christian life. He is the one who leads, guides, and empowers the Church, and without Him, Christianity is hopeless. The Holy Spirit, often less discussed than the Father and the Son, is central to the New Testament and the life of the Church. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a helper, and His presence is crucial for believers to live out their faith effectively. We must rely on His direction and promptings for a healthy church, as He brings clarity, purpose, and the power to live a life aligned with God's will. [07:49]
John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
Reflection: In what ways can you become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on His presence?
Day 3: Fire as a Symbol of the Holy Spirit
Fire represents the Holy Spirit's ability to penetrate, illuminate, and spread. It cuts through superficiality, reveals our true selves, and burns away what is unnecessary. The Holy Spirit's fire provides clarity and purpose, igniting others with passion for God. When the Holy Spirit's fire is present, believers are compelled to share the joy and peace they experience, naturally leading to evangelism. This fire is a powerful symbol of transformation, as it penetrates the core of our being, illuminates our paths, and spreads God's love and truth to others. [13:05]
Malachi 3:2-3 (ESV): "But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord."
Reflection: What unnecessary things in your life need to be burned away by the Holy Spirit's fire? How can you allow His fire to illuminate your path today?
Day 4: The Contagious Nature of Revival
When the Holy Spirit's fire is present, it naturally spreads to others. Believers are compelled to share the joy and peace they experience, leading to evangelism. The fire of the Holy Spirit makes the things of God so joyous that we cannot help but share them. This contagious nature of revival is not forced but flows naturally from a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. As believers experience the Holy Spirit's presence, they are filled with a passion and zeal for God that ignites others, spreading His love and truth throughout their communities. [20:44]
Acts 4:31 (ESV): "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit? How can you share His love with them today?
Day 5: Praying for the Fire of the Holy Spirit
We must pray for a revival of the Holy Spirit's fire, allowing Him to lead and guide our churches and lives. His fire can do more in moments than our efforts can achieve in years. Let us open our hearts to His transformative power, inviting Him to penetrate our hearts, illuminate our paths, and spread His love and truth to others. As we pray for the Holy Spirit's fire, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and our desire for His presence to transform us and our communities. [26:19]
Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"
Reflection: How can you make prayer for the Holy Spirit's fire a regular part of your spiritual practice? What specific areas of your life and community need His transformative power today?
Sermon Summary
Revival is a term that has been used in various contexts, but its true essence lies in the return of the Holy Spirit to His rightful place within the Church and the lives of believers. This is not about a series of meetings or events, but a profound spiritual awakening where the Holy Spirit's presence is renewed among us. Revival is characterized by a new sense of God, a fresh awareness of His presence, and a transformation in the lives of believers. It is not directly about evangelism, though it often results in it, but rather about rekindling the spiritual fire that may have dimmed over time.
The Holy Spirit, often less discussed than the Father and the Son, is central to the New Testament and the life of the Church. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a helper, and His presence is essential for a vibrant and effective Christian life. Revival begins with repentance and confession of sin, as believers get right with God and each other. This leads to a new obedience to God, where the desire to live a holy life becomes paramount. The Holy Spirit's return brings a renewed focus on holiness and a deep desire to align with God's will.
Fire is a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit, representing His ability to penetrate, illuminate, and spread. Fire cuts through superficiality, revealing the core of our being and burning away what is unnecessary. It illuminates, providing clarity and purpose, and it spreads, igniting others with the same passion and zeal for God. When the Holy Spirit's fire is present, believers are compelled to share the joy and peace they experience, naturally leading to evangelism.
In this time, we must pray for a revival of the Holy Spirit's fire, allowing Him to lead and guide our churches and lives. We need His fire to penetrate our hearts, illuminate our paths, and spread His love and truth to others. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to do what no human effort can achieve, and let His fire transform us and our communities.
Key Takeaways
1. Revival is the Return of the Holy Spirit: Revival is not about events or meetings but the return of the Holy Spirit to His rightful place in the Church and believers' lives. It is a renewed sense of God's presence and a transformation that begins with repentance and confession of sin. [02:39]
2. The Holy Spirit's Role in the Church: The Holy Spirit is essential for a vibrant and effective Christian life. He is the one who leads, guides, and empowers the Church, and without Him, Christianity is hopeless. We must rely on His direction and promptings for a healthy church. [07:49]
3. Fire as a Symbol of the Holy Spirit: Fire represents the Holy Spirit's ability to penetrate, illuminate, and spread. It cuts through superficiality, reveals our true selves, and burns away what is unnecessary. It provides clarity and purpose, and it spreads, igniting others with passion for God. [13:05]
4. The Contagious Nature of Revival: When the Holy Spirit's fire is present, it naturally spreads to others. Believers are compelled to share the joy and peace they experience, leading to evangelism. The fire of the Holy Spirit makes the things of God so joyous that we cannot help but share them. [20:44]
5. Praying for the Fire of the Holy Spirit: We must pray for a revival of the Holy Spirit's fire, allowing Him to lead and guide our churches and lives. His fire can do more in moments than our efforts can achieve in years. Let us open our hearts to His transformative power. [26:19] ** [26:19]
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Revival and the Holy Spirit
Bible Reading:
Matthew 3:11 - "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
John 14:16-17 - "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."
Acts 2:3-4 - "They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Observation Questions:
According to the sermon, what is the true essence of revival, and how does it differ from a series of meetings or events? [02:08]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer and the Church? [07:18]
What are the symbolic meanings of fire as related to the Holy Spirit, as discussed in the sermon? [11:15]
What are the steps mentioned in the sermon that precede revival? [04:49]
Interpretation Questions:
How does the promise of the Holy Spirit as a helper, as mentioned in John 14:16-17, relate to the concept of revival discussed in the sermon? [03:51]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the presence of the Holy Spirit can transform a believer's life and the Church community? [06:30]
How does the sermon explain the contagious nature of the Holy Spirit's fire, and what implications does this have for evangelism? [20:44]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between repentance, confession, and the onset of revival? [04:49]
Application Questions:
Reflect on your personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Are there areas in your life where you feel His presence has dimmed? How can you invite Him back to His rightful place? [02:39]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and confession. Is there someone you need to reconcile with or a sin you need to confess to experience personal revival? [04:49]
How can you actively seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your daily decisions and actions? What steps can you take to be more attuned to His promptings? [07:18]
The sermon describes fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit that penetrates, illuminates, and spreads. How can you allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate areas of your life that need change? [13:05]
Consider the contagious nature of the Holy Spirit's fire. How can you share the joy and peace you experience with others in your community? [20:44]
The sermon calls for prayer for a revival of the Holy Spirit's fire. How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine, and what specific areas of your life or community do you want to see transformed? [26:19]
Reflect on the idea that the Holy Spirit's fire can do more in moments than human efforts can achieve in years. How does this perspective change the way you approach challenges in your life or ministry? [26:19]
Sermon Clips
Revival is the return of the Holy Spirit to his rightful place in the Church of Jesus Christ and in the lives of his followers. Revival is a new sense of God. Why are things changing? Why? Because the Holy Spirit has come. Remember, the Father sent the Son, but before Jesus left this Earth, before even doing his work on the cross of dying for our sins, he said it's good for you that I go because I'm going to send the helper, the Holy Spirit. [00:02:52]
Revival is not evangelism. It's not going door to door telling people about Jesus. We need that, but Revival doesn't mean that. It comes from revivify, revive. Something was alive, something was burning, it's going out now, and now it blazes again. So prayer, confession of sin, making right with other people that you're fussing with, that were ING with, has to precede that because how can God come and bless when there's discontent, gossip, slander, lying, stealing, all those things, hatred, prejudice? [00:04:49]
The Holy Spirit is the key to a healthy Church, a vibrant Church, effective evangelism, vibrant Christians, Victorious Christians. Without the Holy Spirit, as Samuel Chadwick said, Methodist preacher of a long time ago, Christianity is hopeless without the Holy Ghost. Did you hear it? Christianity is hopeless. You can have correct Doctrine, you go to church, you can sing hymns, oh no, we're not into hymns, we're into new choruses, sing new choruses, sing hymns, it doesn't matter unless the Holy Spirit comes and does his work in us and Among Us. [00:07:49]
Fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has several symbols in the Bible. One is wind. In fact, the same word for wind and Spirit in the Greek. So wind, remember what Jesus said, the wind blows where it wants and you don't know when it's coming, going, so is everyone who's born of the spirit, capital S. So there's power in that wind, there's unpredictability, you can't confine the wind. Then there's oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. [00:11:15]
Fire penetrates. See this Bible, if I pour water on it, it'll be a wet Bible. If I pour oil on it, it'll be an oily Bible. If the wind blows on it, it might move it or flip the pages, but you set this Bible on fire, in Fuego, you take a match and set these pages on fire, fire penetrates. It cuts down to the essential. In other words, in the sense of this Bible, there'll probably be nothing left but ashes. [00:13:05]
When Revival comes, people stop talking Baba and stop talking about nonsense. They start talking about spiritual things. Read about every Revival that ever occurred, Finny's revivals in Upstate New York in Utica and those other places. The fire of God so burnt in the city, spiritually speaking, that people would meet in the street and start to cry and pray for each other in the street. Why? The fire had burnt away everything Superfluous, and now they were like, oh God, I need God, I want more of God. [00:15:18]
Fire is contagious. Fire sets other things on fire. Water doesn't do that. Water could seep and drip to other things, and oil can make some other things close by a little bit oily maybe, but fire, I'm sitting in a beautiful church, God forbid this, this whatever happen would ever happen, it won't, but if nobody was in this building and the fire alarms didn't work, just start this set one Pew on fire, get it going, all right, so you burn a Pew. [00:20:44]
When the fire of the Holy Spirit comes, you don't have to energize and give people a kick in the back end to go out and share Christ. Did you ever notice that? I've noticed that since I went in the ministry. In the New Testament, there is so little admonition and encouragement like, come on guys, what are you doing, come on, we got to win souls, come on, let's go door too, let's hold Mass meeting. It's mentioned, do the work of an evangelist is given to Timothy, and we're all workers for the gospel. [00:21:31]
The Holy Spirit makes the things of God so joyous and full with peace, you got to tell people about it. You know, I talked to someone the other day who went to a store and they got something on sale, tremendous price on something. No one had to tell them, now listen, go out and share with everyone how you got a % off on that. No, they did it because they were excited. The Holy Spirit makes us so excited about Jesus, we're going to talk. [00:22:56]
Your fire does more in five minutes than our efforts could do in 5 years. So Lord, we say humbly, help us to repent, turn away from anything you convict us about, take it out of our lives, and we humble ourselves before you, and we confess that we are hopeless and helpless without the fire of God. We cannot do it, we cannot do it, we humble ourselves, we cannot do what needs to be done on our own. [00:26:19]
We need his fire to penetrate our hearts, illuminate our paths, and spread his love and truth to others. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing him to do what no human effort can achieve, and let his fire transform us and our communities. [00:27:39]
Lord, send the fire. I know, but there might be excesses. Yeah, there always are excesses, and we got to teach and be patient with that, but I'd rather have the fire with problems than no fire, and then what do we have? Same old, same old, boring church. I was bored with church when I was 10 or 11. I was like, same old, same old, this thing so predictable. [00:24:18]