Revival: The Ongoing Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Summary
In reflecting on the history and significance of the Holy Spirit's work within the church, it becomes evident that the events of Pentecost were not a singular occurrence but rather the beginning of a pattern that God has repeated throughout the centuries. The initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was a unique event, marking the first time such a divine act took place. However, the essence of that event has been replicated numerous times in the history of the church, as seen in various revivals and spiritual awakenings. These moments of divine intervention are characterized by a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, leading to renewed boldness, power, and a profound sense of God's presence among believers.
The book of Acts provides multiple accounts of the Holy Spirit filling believers, not just once but repeatedly, as seen in the experiences of Peter and John, and later in the household of Cornelius. These instances demonstrate that the Holy Spirit's work is not confined to a single moment in time but is an ongoing reality that can be experienced anew. Throughout church history, there have been periods of spiritual decline followed by powerful revivals, where God has poured out His Spirit afresh, reviving the church and empowering it for its mission.
The history of the church is marked by these cycles of decline and revival, where God intervenes to restore life and power to His people. From the early church to the Reformation, and through various revivals in the 18th and 19th centuries, the pattern is clear: when the church becomes complacent or worldly, God raises up individuals who seek His face, leading to a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This divine action is not something that can be manufactured by human effort but is a sovereign work of God, often occurring when least expected.
The call for the church today is to recognize its dependence on God and to earnestly seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The need for revival is as urgent now as it has ever been, and the hope lies in God's ability to once again pour out His Spirit, bringing new life and power to His people.
Key Takeaways:
- The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a unique event, but its essence has been repeated throughout church history. This repetition is seen in various revivals where God has poured out His Spirit afresh, leading to renewed boldness and power among believers. [25:02]
- The book of Acts provides multiple accounts of believers being filled with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that this is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality. The experiences of Peter and John, and the household of Cornelius, show that the Holy Spirit's work is continuous and can be experienced anew. [28:28]
- Throughout history, the church has experienced cycles of decline and revival. When the church becomes complacent or worldly, God raises up individuals who seek His face, leading to a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This pattern is evident from the early church to the Reformation and beyond. [30:16]
- Revivals are characterized by a profound sense of God's presence and power, often occurring when least expected. These divine interventions are not manufactured by human effort but are sovereign works of God, bringing new life and power to His people. [32:41]
- The call for the church today is to recognize its dependence on God and to earnestly seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The need for revival is urgent, and the hope lies in God's ability to once again pour out His Spirit, bringing new life and power to His people. [42:43]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [23:59] - The First Time and Repetition
- [25:02] - Filled with the Holy Spirit
- [26:11] - Prayer and Boldness
- [27:44] - Repetition of Pentecost
- [29:28] - Historical Evidence of Revivals
- [30:16] - The Church's Decline and Revival
- [31:21] - Unexpected Divine Interventions
- [32:41] - The Sovereign Work of God
- [33:25] - God's Way of Preserving the Church
- [34:13] - Examples from Church History
- [36:13] - The Great Reformation
- [37:33] - Revivals in the 18th Century
- [39:16] - 19th Century Revivals
- [42:43] - The Urgent Need for Revival Today
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:1-4 (The Day of Pentecost)
2. Acts 4:29-31 (Peter and John pray for boldness)
3. Acts 10:44-46 (The Holy Spirit falls on the household of Cornelius)
#### Observation Questions
1. What happened to the apostles on the day of Pentecost according to Acts 2:1-4?
2. In Acts 4:29-31, what did Peter and John pray for, and what was the result of their prayer? [26:11]
3. How did the Holy Spirit manifest in the household of Cornelius as described in Acts 10:44-46? [28:28]
4. According to the sermon, how does the history of the church reflect cycles of decline and revival? [29:28]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the repeated filling of the Holy Spirit in Acts suggest about the nature of the Holy Spirit's work in believers' lives? [27:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of human effort versus divine intervention in the occurrence of revivals? [32:41]
3. What might be the significance of the physical manifestations, such as the shaking of the building, during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? [27:44]
4. How does the sermon interpret the historical pattern of revivals as a means of God preserving the church? [33:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually complacent. What steps can you take to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life? [42:43]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing our dependence on God. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reliance on God in your daily life? [42:10]
3. Consider the role of prayer in seeking revival. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer for revival in your personal or group prayer times? [44:29]
4. The sermon mentions unexpected divine interventions. Have you experienced a moment when God intervened unexpectedly in your life? How did it impact your faith?
5. How can you encourage others in your church community to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit? What practical steps can you take to foster a spirit of revival in your church? [47:49]
6. The sermon discusses the cycles of decline and revival in church history. How can you remain vigilant against spiritual decline in your own life and community? [29:28]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need renewed boldness and power from the Holy Spirit. What specific action can you take this week to invite the Holy Spirit's work in that area? [26:43]
Devotional
Day 1: The Repeated Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a unique event, but its essence has been repeated throughout church history. This repetition is seen in various revivals where God has poured out His Spirit afresh, leading to renewed boldness and power among believers. The initial event at Pentecost marked the beginning of a pattern that God has continued to replicate, demonstrating His desire to empower His people continually. These moments of divine intervention are characterized by a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, leading to a profound sense of God's presence among believers. The church is called to recognize these patterns and seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their own lives. [25:02]
Acts 2:17-18 (ESV): "‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit? How can you actively seek this renewal today?
Day 2: The Continuous Work of the Holy Spirit
The book of Acts provides multiple accounts of believers being filled with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that this is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality. The experiences of Peter and John, and the household of Cornelius, show that the Holy Spirit's work is continuous and can be experienced anew. This ongoing work of the Holy Spirit is essential for the life and mission of the church, providing believers with the boldness and power needed to fulfill God's purposes. The church is encouraged to remain open to the Holy Spirit's work, allowing Him to fill and empower them repeatedly. [28:28]
Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What practical steps can you take to invite His presence into your life?
Day 3: Cycles of Decline and Revival
Throughout history, the church has experienced cycles of decline and revival. When the church becomes complacent or worldly, God raises up individuals who seek His face, leading to a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This pattern is evident from the early church to the Reformation and beyond. These cycles remind believers of the importance of remaining vigilant and dependent on God, recognizing that revival is a sovereign work of God that cannot be manufactured by human effort. The church is called to seek God's face earnestly, trusting in His ability to bring about revival in His timing. [30:16]
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where complacency has set in? How can you actively seek God's face and prepare your heart for revival?
Day 4: The Sovereign Work of God in Revivals
Revivals are characterized by a profound sense of God's presence and power, often occurring when least expected. These divine interventions are not manufactured by human effort but are sovereign works of God, bringing new life and power to His people. The history of the church is marked by these unexpected moments of divine intervention, reminding believers of God's sovereignty and His desire to revive His people. The church is encouraged to remain open to God's sovereign work, trusting in His timing and purposes. [32:41]
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: How can you cultivate a heart that is open to God's sovereign work in your life? What steps can you take to remain sensitive to His leading?
Day 5: The Urgent Need for Revival Today
The call for the church today is to recognize its dependence on God and to earnestly seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The need for revival is urgent, and the hope lies in God's ability to once again pour out His Spirit, bringing new life and power to His people. In a world that is increasingly secular and challenging, the church must rely on the Holy Spirit's power to fulfill its mission and impact the world for Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek God earnestly, trusting in His ability to bring about revival in their lives and communities. [42:43]
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: What specific steps can you take to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life and community? How can you encourage others to join you in this pursuit?
Quotes
This it is once and for all in one sense only and there is that it was the first time it ever happened but it is not once and for all in any other sense as I'm now going to try to prove to you a thing that happens for the first time well you can't go on repeating the first time but you can repeat what happened on the first time. [00:23:54]
What we are told about those people there on the day of Pentecost was that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost that's the term that's used there appeared unto them clo tongues like as a fire and it sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues and all the rest that followed. [00:25:00]
And when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the word of God with boldness exactly the same thing as had happened on the day of Pentecost an exact repetition the same people and you notice the objectivity again the place was shaken it's something happening outside them. [00:26:40]
The church has become worldly the church has forgotten her true nature and has forgotten her commission the church has absorbed a lot of Greek philosophy and a lot of Roman law people like con INE decide politically to bring the empire into the church because it's going to help him and pay him in certain respects and the church becomes an institution. [00:30:10]
Suddenly something happened often when they least expected it when they were on the verge of utter despair, suddenly upon an assembled company the Holy Spirit falls again oh it's simply wonderful to read the accounts of these events sometimes they've described actually hearing a sound as if there were another rushing Mighty Wind not always but what does happen invariably is that they're aware of a presence and of a power. [00:31:18]
This is what has been happening in the church throughout the running centuries and the thing that I'm emphasizing of course is this that it is always the action of God it isn't meant man's done everything he's been surrendering he's been obedient he's done everything but nothing happens he may organize all nights of prayer and every night nothing happens and then suddenly something does happen and nobody understands and nobody can explain it. [00:32:41]
The Christian Church would have been dead and finished centuries ago and many times over were it not for revivals this is the true meaning of the word Revival it is God pouring out his Spirit on an assembled church or company or many churches or countries even at a time this has been God's way of preserving the church what he did at the beginning he has done again when the life is gone he sent it again when the power is vanished he sent it again. [00:33:47]
The church needs another Pentecost every Revival is a repetition of Pentecost and it is the greatest need of the Christian church at this present hour oh may God Open the Eyes of our understanding on this vital matter that we may look to him and wait upon him until in his infinite mercy and compassion he sends down from on high once more the power of the Holy Ghost Upon Us. [00:48:21]
The need today is much too great for that the need today is for an authentication of God of the supernatural of the spiritual of the Eternal and this can only only be answered by God graciously hearing our cry and shedding forth again his Spirit upon us and filling us as he kept on filling the early church here are men filled on the day of Pentecost again a day or two later the building shaken and the filling again and God has gone on filling the church in Revival. [00:42:39]
There is nothing so fatal as the Reliance upon man's ability to deal with the situation of the judge the first step is to realize that men having done everything has in a sense done nothing oh yes he can produce a number of converts thank God for that and that goes on regularly in Evangelical churches every Sunday but the need today is much too great for that. [00:42:20]
The teaching of the scripture plus the long history of the Christian Church shows this so clearly and that you and I are called upon this morning not only to believe this but to pray to God without ceasing for it to ask him to open the windows of heaven and to send down the spirit to pour him upon us that he may fall Upon Us in Mighty power. [00:44:03]
To me there is nothing that is more urgently important than this do you believe in Revival my friend are you praying for Revival what are you trusting are you trusting the organizing power of the church or are you trusting in the power of God to pour out his Spirit upon us again to revive us to baptize us a new and a fresh with his Most Blessed Holy Spirit. [00:47:40]
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