Revival: Seeking God's Presence and Personal Accountability
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered with heavy hearts, reflecting on the tragic events in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the broader crises facing our nation and world. We prayed for our leaders, especially Donald Trump, asking God to grant them wisdom, strength, and integrity. We also prayed for unity and cooperation among all political leaders, and for comfort and guidance for the families affected by the recent tragedy.
The core of our message today was a call for revival. We examined Isaiah 64:1, where Isaiah prays for God to "rend the heavens" and come down, emphasizing that when God’s presence is with us, all obstacles and strongholds in our lives will bow before Him. We acknowledged that our world is in a deep crisis, from political instability and economic hardship to moral decay and personal struggles. This crisis is not new, but it has intensified, and it calls for a church that is alive and in revival.
We discussed the need for a revival that goes beyond superficial changes. It requires deep repentance, a turning away from sin, and a commitment to live according to God’s standards. We need to remove the "filters" we use to present ourselves better than we are and stand honestly before God. The American family is under attack, and the sanctity of marriage and proper child-rearing are being undermined. We need to return to God’s commandments and live by His moral code.
We also touched on the personal crises many face, such as the over-reliance on medication for anxiety and depression, which often stems from a lack of spiritual nourishment. True revival involves breaking these chains and turning to God for healing and strength. We need a revival of reality, recognizing that we cannot survive without God. It’s not by our might or power, but by His Spirit that we can overcome.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of personal accountability in bringing about revival. It’s not just the church or the pastor’s responsibility; each of us must seek God earnestly. We need to throw our sins into the fire and never return to them, allowing God to replace worldly pleasures with heavenly joy. Revival starts with deep repentance and a genuine commitment to God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prayer for Leadership and Unity: We must continually pray for our leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom, strength, and integrity. Unity and cooperation among political leaders are crucial for the common good, regardless of their political affiliations. [21:34]
2. Revival Through God’s Presence: True revival happens when God’s presence descends upon us. As Isaiah prayed, when God comes down, all obstacles and strongholds in our lives will bow before Him. This requires us to earnestly seek His presence and invite Him into our lives. [42:42]
3. Deep Repentance and Commitment: Revival requires more than superficial changes; it demands deep repentance and a turning away from sin. We must stand honestly before God, removing the "filters" we use to present ourselves better than we are, and commit to living by His standards. [48:54]
4. Personal Accountability in Revival: Each of us has a role in bringing about revival. It’s not just the responsibility of the church or the pastor. We must seek God earnestly, throw our sins into the fire, and never return to them, allowing God to replace worldly pleasures with heavenly joy. [53:10]
5. Revival of Reality: We need to recognize that we cannot survive without God. It’s not by our might or power, but by His Spirit that we can overcome. A revival of reality involves acknowledging our dependence on God and seeking His presence daily. [57:35]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:34] - Prayer for Leadership and Unity
[42:42] - Revival Through God’s Presence
[48:54] - Deep Repentance and Commitment
[53:10] - Personal Accountability in Revival
[57:35] - Revival of Reality
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 64:1 - "Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!"
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
3. Zechariah 4:6 - "So 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 Almighty."
### Observation Questions
1. What specific prayer did Isaiah make in Isaiah 64:1, and what was he asking God to do?
2. According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, what are the conditions for God to hear from heaven and heal the land?
3. In Zechariah 4:6, what does the Lord say is the source of true power and strength?
4. What recent events were mentioned in the sermon that prompted the congregation to pray for their leaders and nation? ([21:34])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Isaiah 64:1 reflect the need for God's presence in overcoming personal and societal obstacles? ([41:43])
2. What does deep repentance and turning from wicked ways look like in practical terms, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14? ([01:04:42])
3. How can the message of Zechariah 4:6 be applied to the current crises mentioned in the sermon, such as political instability and personal struggles? ([57:35])
4. Why is personal accountability emphasized as crucial for revival in the sermon? ([53:10])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Isaiah 64:1, what are some "mountains" or obstacles in your life that you need God to help you overcome? How can you invite His presence into these areas? ([41:43])
2. Considering 2 Chronicles 7:14, what specific steps can you take this week to humble yourself, pray, and turn from any known sins in your life? ([01:04:42])
3. How can you apply the principle of "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit" from Zechariah 4:6 in your daily challenges and decisions? ([57:35])
4. The sermon mentioned the over-reliance on medication for anxiety and depression. How can you seek spiritual nourishment and God's healing in these areas instead? ([52:29])
5. What are some practical ways you can support and pray for unity and wisdom among political leaders, as discussed in the sermon? ([21:34])
6. How can you remove the "filters" in your life and stand honestly before God, as the sermon suggests? What specific actions will you take to live more authentically according to God's standards? ([48:54])
7. Revival starts with personal accountability. What specific sins or habits do you need to "throw into the fire" and never return to, as mentioned in the sermon? How will you commit to this change? ([01:06:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Praying for Leadership and Unity
In times of crisis, it is essential to lift our leaders in prayer, asking God to grant them wisdom, strength, and integrity. Unity and cooperation among political leaders are crucial for the common good, regardless of their political affiliations. As we face political instability and economic hardship, our prayers can be a powerful force for change. By seeking God's guidance for our leaders, we can foster an environment where decisions are made with wisdom and compassion, ultimately benefiting the entire nation. [21:34]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: Think of a specific leader in your community or nation. How can you pray for them today, asking God to grant them wisdom, strength, and integrity in their decisions?
Day 2: Revival Through God’s Presence
True revival happens when God's presence descends upon us. As Isaiah prayed, when God comes down, all obstacles and strongholds in our lives will bow before Him. This requires us to earnestly seek His presence and invite Him into our lives. In a world filled with crises, from political instability to personal struggles, we need a revival that brings God's transformative power into every aspect of our lives. By seeking His presence daily, we can experience the profound changes that only He can bring. [42:42]
Isaiah 64:1-2 (ESV): "Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!"
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God's presence in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to invite Him into your personal struggles and challenges?
Day 3: Deep Repentance and Commitment
Revival requires more than superficial changes; it demands deep repentance and a turning away from sin. We must stand honestly before God, removing the "filters" we use to present ourselves better than we are, and commit to living by His standards. This involves acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking God's forgiveness and guidance. By embracing deep repentance, we can experience true transformation and align our lives with God's will, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling spiritual journey. [48:54]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: What are the "filters" you use to present yourself better than you are? How can you remove these filters and stand honestly before God, seeking deep repentance and commitment to His standards?
Day 4: Personal Accountability in Revival
Each of us has a role in bringing about revival. It’s not just the responsibility of the church or the pastor. We must seek God earnestly, throw our sins into the fire, and never return to them, allowing God to replace worldly pleasures with heavenly joy. Personal accountability means taking ownership of our spiritual growth and actively pursuing a deeper relationship with God. By doing so, we contribute to the collective revival of our community and experience the transformative power of God's love and grace. [53:10]
James 4:8-10 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to hold yourself accountable in your spiritual journey? How can you actively seek God and contribute to the revival of your community?
Day 5: Revival of Reality
We need to recognize that we cannot survive without God. It’s not by our might or power, but by His Spirit that we can overcome. A revival of reality involves acknowledging our dependence on God and seeking His presence daily. In a world where self-reliance is often celebrated, it is crucial to remember that true strength and victory come from God alone. By embracing this reality, we can experience the fullness of His power and grace in our lives, leading to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Him. [57:35]
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: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength instead of God's Spirit? How can you shift your focus to depend more on God and experience His power in overcoming challenges?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "America is the land of freedom. However, the rise of violent crime leaves us afraid of the man that's across the street. On a more personal level, inflation is destroying our economy. And when your money gets tight, stress all of a sudden begins to rise." [45:37] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need revival when we live in an age that subtracts faith and multiplies fear. We need a revival when we demand education for our children. But we decline discipline for ourselves. We need revival when we have time for sin. Time for money for pleasure. Time that we sleep in comfortable beds. And we neglect time for our necessity and our need of our salvation." [48:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Friend, you need to start feeling better about yourself. Because God. Feels better about you. Than you feel about who you are. And who you've become. God created you in His image. But He also created you for His purpose. And our only desire today should be, Lord, let me yield to what You would have me to do in this life." [49:40] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We need a revival of not only repenting but we need a revival of forsaking sin when we repent of our inconsistency. Oh if I feel like it I'll serve him if I don't well it's just not my day when we repent of our inactivity. Well I'll show up and bless God they ought to be gone glad that I'm there when we repent of our insincerity." [01:05:42] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's time that we stop pursuing things and start pursuing the glory. He's going to give us a love that we can't explain. He's going to give us a peace that we don't understand. And he's going to give us happiness that only he can provide. A spirit-filled life is not something that you lose. It's something that you gain." [01:14:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What Isaiah was saying, Lord, if you come down in the room, every mountain that I have will melt and flow at your feet. Amen. Anybody going through trouble today, anybody have mountains in their lives, obstacles in their lives, things that are hindering you from really living life the way that God called you, if you could get heaven to come down, to get God to come down into your life, all of those mountains bow at him." [42:42] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We need a revival when the American family has become under attack from hell. Twenty years ago. Twenty years ago. One in twenty marriages ended in divorce. Today the ratio of one out of two marriages end in divorce. There's not only an attack of evil upon the home. But there's an attack of evil upon the sanctity of marriage. Upon raising children right. Leading your family toward God and not toward evil." [50:35] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need a revival of reality. Reality is I can't survive without the God. We need a revival of that reality. I'm joining Zechariah today in Zechariah 4 and 6. It's not by might nor by power but my spirit saith the Lord of hosts. It's not anything that I can do by my strength but it's everything that God can do by his strength." [01:07:17] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When prayer ceases to be vital in your life, backsliding is present in your life. When the Bible is left closed in your life, backsliding is present in your life. When church service are no longer a delight in your life, backsliding is present in your life. When you can watch degrading movies and TV shows and reels on Facebook and social media, backsliding is present in your life." [01:13:04] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When your world is in crisis, you need a church that's in revival. If you consider yourself a church member, God's calling you to get more involved. This church needs your involvement. It needs your commitment. And we need you to find your place today and your purpose in this church." [01:18:09] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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