Revival: Seeking God's Presence and Power Today
Summary
In the book of Exodus, chapter 33, verse 17, we find a profound moment where God responds to Moses, promising to do what Moses has requested because Moses has found grace in God's sight. This passage serves as a powerful illustration of the church in its moments of weakness and impotence, crying out for a manifestation of God's presence, glory, and power. This is the essence of revival—a divine response to the earnest prayers of God's people, a pouring out of His Spirit, and a renewal of His church.
Revival is not a relic of the past, nor is it a one-time event confined to the day of Pentecost. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as seen in Acts, is a pattern that has been repeated throughout history whenever the church has earnestly sought God. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, which first occurred at Pentecost, was not a singular event but the beginning of a series of divine interventions. This same Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his household, as Peter recounts, demonstrating that the power of Pentecost is available to all who seek it.
The church today often finds itself in a state of spiritual lethargy, failing to recognize its desperate need for revival. Instead of turning to God in prayer and fasting, many churches resort to human strategies and commissions to address their challenges. However, the true solution lies in a return to the power of the Holy Spirit. When God pours out His Spirit, the church experiences a profound sense of His presence, a renewed assurance of the truth, and a boldness in proclaiming the gospel. This divine intervention leads to a transformation not only within the church but also in the surrounding community, as people are drawn to the light of Christ.
The call is clear: we must pray for revival, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and for a renewed sense of God's presence and power in our midst. This is the supreme need of the hour, and it is through prayer and seeking God's face that we will see His glory manifested once again.
Key Takeaways:
- Revival is a divine response to the earnest prayers of God's people, characterized by a manifestation of His presence, glory, and power. It is not a one-time event but a pattern that has been repeated throughout history whenever the church has sought God earnestly. [02:24]
- The baptism of the Holy Spirit, as seen on the day of Pentecost, is not confined to that singular event. It is a series of divine interventions available to all who seek it, as demonstrated by the outpouring of the Spirit on Cornelius and his household. [06:29]
- The church today often relies on human strategies to address its challenges, failing to recognize its need for the power of the Holy Spirit. True transformation comes from a return to the power of the Holy Spirit, not from human efforts. [13:28]
- When God pours out His Spirit, the church experiences a profound sense of His presence, a renewed assurance of the truth, and a boldness in proclaiming the gospel. This leads to a transformation within the church and the surrounding community. [21:45]
- The call to pray for revival is urgent. It is through prayer and seeking God's face that we will see His glory manifested once again, leading to a renewed sense of God's presence and power in our midst. [41:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Exodus 33:17
- [01:25] - God's Promise to Moses
- [02:06] - The Essence of Revival
- [03:15] - The Pattern of Pentecost
- [04:49] - Repetition of Pentecost's Power
- [06:00] - The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
- [07:40] - Revival in Acts and Beyond
- [11:00] - The Church's Need for Revival
- [13:28] - Human Strategies vs. Divine Power
- [17:27] - The Impact of Revival on the Church
- [21:45] - Assurance and Boldness in Truth
- [24:53] - Joy and Praise in Revival
- [29:35] - Proclamation of the Gospel
- [32:09] - Revival's Impact on the World
- [41:17] - The Urgent Call to Pray for Revival
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 33:17
- Acts 2:1-4
- Acts 11:15-17
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Observation Questions:
1. In Exodus 33:17, what specific promise does God make to Moses, and why does He make it? How does this reflect God's relationship with Moses? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, how is the event of Pentecost described in Acts 2:1-4 a pattern for revival throughout church history? [03:15]
3. What was Peter's defense in Acts 11:15-17 regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and his household, and how does it relate to the events of Pentecost? [04:49]
4. How does the sermon describe the church's current reliance on human strategies instead of seeking the power of the Holy Spirit? [13:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest is the true essence of revival, and how does it differ from a one-time event? [02:24]
2. How does the sermon interpret the repeated outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts as a model for the church today? What implications does this have for modern believers? [06:29]
3. In what ways does the sermon argue that the church's reliance on human strategies is insufficient compared to the power of the Holy Spirit? [13:28]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs within the church and the surrounding community when God pours out His Spirit? [21:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually lethargic. How can you actively seek a personal revival through prayer and the Holy Spirit's power? [11:18]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer for revival. What specific steps can you take to incorporate more intentional prayer for revival in your daily routine? [41:17]
3. Consider the ways in which your church currently addresses its challenges. How can you encourage a shift towards seeking the Holy Spirit's power rather than relying solely on human strategies? [13:28]
4. How can you personally contribute to creating an environment in your church that is open to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as described in the sermon? [21:45]
5. The sermon mentions the boldness in proclaiming the gospel that comes with the Holy Spirit's power. Identify one person in your life with whom you can share your faith this week. [29:35]
6. Reflect on the joy and praise that accompany revival. How can you cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude in your personal worship and community gatherings? [24:53]
7. The sermon calls for a renewed sense of God's presence. What practical steps can you take to become more aware of God's presence in your daily life? [20:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Revival as a Response to Earnest Prayer
Revival is a divine response to the earnest prayers of God's people, characterized by a manifestation of His presence, glory, and power. It is not a one-time event but a pattern that has been repeated throughout history whenever the church has sought God earnestly. [02:24]
"And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.'" (Exodus 3:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need to earnestly pray for God's presence and power to manifest? How can you dedicate time today to seek Him in prayer for this?
Day 2: The Ongoing Power of Pentecost
The baptism of the Holy Spirit, as seen on the day of Pentecost, is not confined to that singular event. It is a series of divine interventions available to all who seek it, as demonstrated by the outpouring of the Spirit on Cornelius and his household. [06:29]
"And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah." (1 Samuel 16:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit in your life today? What steps can you take to be open to His divine interventions?
Day 3: Beyond Human Strategies
The church today often relies on human strategies to address its challenges, failing to recognize its need for the power of the Holy Spirit. True transformation comes from a return to the power of the Holy Spirit, not from human efforts. [13:28]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 17:5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one challenge you are currently facing. How can you shift your reliance from human strategies to seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and power?
Day 4: Transformation Through the Spirit
When God pours out His Spirit, the church experiences a profound sense of His presence, a renewed assurance of the truth, and a boldness in proclaiming the gospel. This leads to a transformation within the church and the surrounding community. [21:45]
"And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord." (Acts 11:21, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be a vessel for God's Spirit to bring transformation in your community? What practical steps can you take to boldly proclaim the gospel today?
Day 5: The Urgent Call to Pray for Revival
The call to pray for revival is urgent. It is through prayer and seeking God's face that we will see His glory manifested once again, leading to a renewed sense of God's presence and power in our midst. [41:17]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: What specific time can you set aside today to pray for revival in your life and community? How can you encourage others to join you in this urgent call to prayer?
Quotes
Revival after all is nothing but God hearing the people and having mercy upon them and answer in them by giving this manifestation of his glory and his strength and his power that is that is really what Revival means and it is important therefore for us to understand it and to know something of what at inate we should be anticipating and what we should be seeking in our prayers. [00:02:22]
Every Revival of religion that the church has ever known has been in a sense a kind of repetition of what happened on the day of Pentecost it has been a return to that origin to that beginning it has been a riving now there is a great deal it seems to me of very loose and dangerous talk and writing about what happened on the day of Pentecost. [00:03:04]
The baptism of the Holy Ghost took place in the day of Pentecost but it also took place later upon Cornelius and his household that's exactly Peter's argument but then I remember the word of the Lord how he said John indeed baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost for as much then as God gave them the like gift the same gift you see as he did unto us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:06:27]
Revival it is God pouring forth his Spirit filling his people again it's not the thing that's talked of in Ephesians 5:18 which is a command to us go on being filled with the spirit that is something you and I do but this is something that is done to us it's the spirit falling upon us being poured out upon us these are the terms I will pour forth my spirit God Alone can do that. [00:09:17]
The church today often relies on human strategies to address its challenges, failing to recognize its need for the power of the Holy Spirit. True transformation comes from a return to the power of the Holy Spirit, not from human efforts. [00:13:28]
The church becomes conscious of a presence and a power in her midst when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one Accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a mighty rushing wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting and there appeared unto them clo tongues like as a fire and it sat upon each of them. [00:18:04]
The church is given as the result of this great Assurance concerning the truth she doesn't have to investigate the truth set up a commission to look into it she's given an absolute certainty about it that's the thing that comes out so clearly you see in this story now take these men these apostles you remember how a few weeks before after the crucifixion they'd been very shaken they had been most uncertain. [00:21:37]
The church is filled with great joy and a sense of Praise did you notice the terms there towards the end of the chapter and they continuing daily with one Accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart praising God and her having favor with all the people you know that's how the Christian church is meant to be great joy great praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:24:53]
When the church is in a state of Revival you don't have to exalt people exalt them to praise you can't stop them they're so filled with joy their very faces sh they're transfigured there is a hly look that even comes upon their very faces which is expressive of This Joy this praise can't you see my dear friends that this is the need of the church today the people are outside why are they outside they say well it's because I know you miserable Christians. [00:26:36]
The power and the boldness that is given in the proclamation of the truth look at this man Peter it's but a few weeks before that he was so fearful and so much the victim of a craven spirit that he even denied the Lord Jesus Christ to that servant made in order to save his life and here he is now preaching in Jerusalem he knows the authorities are watching him and listening to him and he tells them quite plainly and in no uncertain language what they have done in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:29:35]
The world outside becomes attracted by curiosity and there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout men out of every nation under heaven now when this was noised abroad the multitude came together and were confounded a great crowd gathered they said what's this you see the problem confronting the church today is what can we do with these masses that are outside the church and you see their way of solving it is let us set up commissions to investigate. [00:32:09]
Pray to God without ceasing go on with all your activities if you you like go on with your work I'm not saying that you should stop doing everything and just wait no no go on if you like doing all you're doing but I do say this make certain that you leave time to pray for Revival and to see that that has more time than anything else because when the Holy Ghost Falls more happens in an hour then will happen as the result of your exertions and mine in 50 years or even 100 years. [00:41:17]
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