Revival: Seeking the Outpouring of God's Spirit

 

Summary

In the heart of Isaiah's prophecy, we find a promise of revival, a divine assurance that God will pour out His Spirit upon the thirsty and dry ground, bringing life and blessing to His people. This promise is not just a historical event but a living reality that we, as a church, must fervently seek today. The current spiritual climate is one of longing and anticipation, as believers across the globe yearn for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit. This yearning is a sign of hope, a precursor to the revival that God is preparing to unleash.

The promise of the Holy Spirit is a covenant blessing, a gift that has already been given through the ascension of Christ and the day of Pentecost. The Spirit remains with us, a perpetual heritage of the church, yet we must continually seek His outpouring in our lives and communities. This is not a contradiction but a recognition of our ongoing need for His presence and power. We must acknowledge our spiritual barrenness and thirst, for it is upon the dry and thirsty land that God promises to pour His Spirit.

The result of this divine outpouring is the flourishing of spiritual life. Just as water brings life to parched ground, the Spirit brings vitality to the church, resulting in conversions and a vibrant community of believers. These new converts will be vigorous and lively, springing up like grass and willows by the watercourses, resilient and full of life. They will come from all walks of life, declaring their allegiance to God and joining His people.

To see this promise fulfilled, we must humble ourselves, confess our need, and earnestly pray for the Spirit's work among us. Our prayers must be accompanied by personal effort, as we engage in the work of evangelism and discipleship. We must also urge those who are not yet believers to recognize their spiritual condition and turn to Christ in faith. The promise of God is sure, and as we plead it, we can expect Him to fulfill it abundantly.

Key Takeaways:

- The promise of the Holy Spirit is a covenant blessing, already given but continually needed. We must recognize our ongoing need for His presence and power, acknowledging our spiritual barrenness and thirst. This acknowledgment is crucial for experiencing the fullness of God's promise. [06:56]

- Spiritual revival begins with a deep yearning and intercession among believers. This longing is a sign of hope and a precursor to the revival God is preparing. As we seek God earnestly, we can expect Him to move powerfully among us. [01:43]

- The outpouring of the Spirit results in vibrant spiritual life and numerous conversions. Just as water brings life to dry ground, the Spirit brings vitality to the church, resulting in a flourishing community of believers. [24:13]

- To see God's promise fulfilled, we must humble ourselves, pray earnestly, and engage in personal evangelism. Our prayers must be accompanied by action, as we work to bring others to Christ and disciple them in the faith. [41:18]

- Those who are not yet believers must recognize their spiritual condition and turn to Christ in faith. Understanding one's need for salvation is the first step toward receiving God's grace and becoming part of His people. [44:47]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Revival Promise
- [00:44] - Desire for Revival
- [01:28] - Signs of God's Work
- [02:40] - Edinburgh's Awakening
- [03:22] - Prayers for London
- [04:06] - Continuous Visitation
- [05:19] - Covenant Blessing
- [06:18] - Perpetual Heritage
- [07:27] - Need for the Spirit
- [08:33] - Promise of the Spirit
- [10:09] - God's Faithfulness
- [12:29] - Necessity of the Spirit
- [15:04] - Blessing on the Thirsty
- [18:12] - Effectual Working
- [22:26] - Promise to Offspring
- [24:13] - Result of Outpouring
- [29:51] - Abundance of Converts
- [33:06] - Dedication and Unity
- [39:31] - Conduct for Blessing
- [43:18] - Call to Unbelievers

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 44:3-6

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the promise given in Isaiah 44:3-6, and how does it relate to the concept of spiritual revival? [00:12]
2. According to the sermon, what are some signs that indicate God is about to work among His people? [01:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and individual believers? [06:18]
4. What imagery is used in the sermon to describe the effect of the Holy Spirit's outpouring on the church? [24:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of the Holy Spirit as a "covenant blessing" impact the way believers should view their spiritual lives? [05:19]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual barrenness and thirst are prerequisites for receiving God's promise? [15:04]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between prayer, humility, and the fulfillment of God's promises? [40:03]
4. How does the sermon interpret the diverse backgrounds of new converts as a sign of the Holy Spirit's work? [30:51]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual thirst. In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually dry, and how can you seek the Holy Spirit's outpouring in those areas? [15:04]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and humility. How can you incorporate more earnest prayer into your daily routine to seek God's revival in your life and community? [40:15]
3. Consider the role of personal evangelism in your life. What specific steps can you take this week to share your faith with someone who does not yet believe? [41:18]
4. The sermon calls for believers to recognize their spiritual condition. How can you create a habit of self-reflection to better understand your spiritual needs and growth areas? [44:19]
5. Think about the diversity of new converts mentioned in the sermon. How can you actively welcome and support new believers from different backgrounds in your church community? [30:51]
6. The sermon suggests that the Holy Spirit's work results in vibrant spiritual life. What practical changes can you make to cultivate a more vibrant spiritual life in your church or small group? [24:13]
7. How can you encourage others in your church to join you in praying for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a revival in your community? [03:22]

Devotional

Day 1: The Ever-Present Need for the Holy Spirit
The promise of the Holy Spirit is a covenant blessing that has been given to us through the ascension of Christ and the day of Pentecost. However, this gift is not a one-time event but a continual necessity in our lives and communities. We must recognize our ongoing need for His presence and power, acknowledging our spiritual barrenness and thirst. This acknowledgment is crucial for experiencing the fullness of God's promise. The Spirit is our perpetual heritage, and we must continually seek His outpouring to bring life and vitality to our spiritual walk. [06:56]

Isaiah 44:3 (ESV): "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually barren or thirsty? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill those areas today?


Day 2: Yearning for Revival as a Sign of Hope
Spiritual revival begins with a deep yearning and intercession among believers. This longing is not just a desire for change but a sign of hope and a precursor to the revival God is preparing. As believers across the globe yearn for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit, we are reminded that this yearning is a divine invitation to seek God earnestly. When we do, we can expect Him to move powerfully among us, bringing about transformation and renewal. [01:43]

Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV): "O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy."

Reflection: What specific areas in your community or church do you long to see revived? How can you actively participate in interceding for these areas?


Day 3: The Spirit's Outpouring Brings Vibrant Life
The outpouring of the Spirit results in vibrant spiritual life and numerous conversions. Just as water brings life to dry ground, the Spirit brings vitality to the church, resulting in a flourishing community of believers. This divine outpouring leads to the growth of new converts who are vigorous and lively, springing up like grass and willows by the watercourses. They will come from all walks of life, declaring their allegiance to God and joining His people. [24:13]

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: How have you experienced the Spirit's vitality in your own life? Who in your life might be ready to experience this transformation, and how can you support them?


Day 4: Humility and Action in Seeking God's Promise
To see God's promise fulfilled, we must humble ourselves, pray earnestly, and engage in personal evangelism. Our prayers must be accompanied by action, as we work to bring others to Christ and disciple them in the faith. This involves recognizing our own need for the Spirit and actively participating in the work of evangelism and discipleship. As we humble ourselves and seek God's promise, we can expect Him to fulfill it abundantly. [41:18]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to engage in evangelism or discipleship? How can you ensure that your efforts are rooted in humility and prayer?


Day 5: Recognizing the Need for Salvation
Those who are not yet believers must recognize their spiritual condition and turn to Christ in faith. Understanding one's need for salvation is the first step toward receiving God's grace and becoming part of His people. This recognition involves acknowledging one's spiritual barrenness and thirst and seeking the outpouring of the Spirit to bring life and transformation. As believers, we are called to urge those around us to recognize their need and turn to Christ. [44:47]

Acts 3:19 (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."

Reflection: Who in your life might be ready to hear about their need for salvation? How can you lovingly and effectively communicate this message to them?

Quotes



In the Christian church at this moment there is a very general desire for a Revival of religion, you may go where you may among Christian people and you will find that they are mourning over the present state of things and saying one to the other when will a greater blessing come how can we obtain it when shall we make some impression upon the masses of the ungodly when shall our houses of prayer be filled with attentive hearers when will the Lord's Kingdom Come and his right arm be made bare in the eyes of all the people. [00:44:49]

May the movement among the saints continue and deepen till it brings forth a movement among Sinners far and wide, at this time also there are manifest the most pleasing signs that God is about to work among his people, a very notable Gathering of converts has taken place in the town of Newcastle and the two brothers whom God honored to be the means of it have now moved to the City of Edinburgh, they're the Ministers of all denominations are united in helping them and in earnestly imploring the divine blessing. [01:57:19]

We must never underrate the importance of the Ascension of our Lord and the gift of the spirit which followed, God forbid that we should think lightly of Pentecost the Holy Spirit then descended and we have no record that the spirit has since ascended and departed from the church, he is the church's Perpetual Heritage and abides with us always, I like to sing the holy spirit is here where Saints in prayer agree as Jesus Parting Gift he's near each pleading company not far away is he to be by prayer brought near but here in present Majesty as in his courts on high. [06:57:36]

We want the Holy Spirit poured upon those who have him not upon the dead in sin that they may be quickened upon the desponding that they may be consoled upon the ignorant that they may be illuminated and upon Seekers that they may find him who alone is our peace, we being evil give good gifts unto our children and therefore we are persuaded that our heavenly father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, we do but enlarge upon the prayer of the apostolic benediction when we cry for the blessing peculiar to the Holy Spirit. [07:30:00]

Without the spirit of God we can do nothing we are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds like branches without sap we are withered like colds Without fire we are useless as an offering without the sacrificial flame we are unaccepted, I desire both to feel and to confess this fact whenever I attempt to preach I do not wish to get away from it or to conceal it nor can I for I am often made to feel it to the Deep humbling of my spirit. [13:39:00]

The certain result of the outpouring of the spirit is the upspringing of spiritual life, wherever the water comes in Palestine as I said before the grass will be sure to follow it and vegetation becomes Lively at once, wherever the spirit of God comes there will be life in the church and life in the ministry life in prayer life in effort life in Holiness life in brotherly love, the next effect will be seen in the calling out of numerous converts by the Holy Spirit. [24:13:00]

These conversions will come from all quarters the text says one shall say and another shall call and another shall subscribe, here is one who is the son of a deacon we expected him to give his heart to Jesus, there is another but he is not the child of a religious Professor but comes right out from an ungodly family, ah here is another he had grown up and come to ripe years having followed after Folly and confirmed himself in sin yet he comes forward for the grace of God has called him. [29:51:00]

One memorable thing about the conversions wrought by the Holy Ghost is this that these converted people shall be led to avow their faith, they shall not like Nicodemus come to Jesus by night they shall not hope to go to heaven creeping all the way behind the Hedge but they shall avow their allegiance, one shall say I am the Lord's and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord and surname himself by the name of Israel. [33:06:00]

If we would obtain these floods of blessing we must confess how dry how thirsty how Wilderness like we are, humble yourselves therefore under the hand of God and he will exalt you in due time, he hath filled the Hungry with good things but the rich he hath sent empty away, oh for the spirit of humiliation throughout the church, next to that let us cultivate prayer for this will I be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them. [39:31:00]

Next to that if we want the blessing we must put forth our own personal effort, it would be a most absurd thing for a man to pray for a harvest and neither plow nor sow, I cannot conceive anything more insulting to the Majesty of God than for us to pray and meanwhile fold our arms, it is not thus that we prove our sincerity, I desire to preach to you as if the conversion of these Sinners around us depended wholly upon me. [41:18:00]

O beloved ones who are not saved all our concern is about your salvation, we are always preaching and praying about you, how can you obtain saving faith, I would urge you to labor after a clear idea of your real position, oh unconverted people try to know where you are and what you are, in my perhaps arouse you from your present indifference, if you would really and distinctly understand that you are out of Christ condemned already an enemy to God by Wicked works with the wrath of God abiding on you and in danger of Eternal petition. [43:18:00]

Remember the gospel command is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved, every minute you remain an unbeliever you are adding to your sin you are increasing your iniquity and confirming yourself in condemnation, oh that you would believe the Divine testimony concerning Jesus for that is the object of faith, what you are asked to believe is true, he whom you are commanded to trust in is able to save you and the promise that you shall be saved if you trust is assure and certain one. [44:47:00]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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