Revival: Transforming Hearts and Reaching the Lost
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate Kingdom Builders Sunday, a special time where we not only bring our tithes but also give offerings to support ministries and missions around the world. We had the privilege of hearing from Pastor Yo, who leads Youth Alive in Arizona. This ministry focuses on establishing Bible study clubs in junior and senior high schools, empowering students to lead their peers to Christ. We are committed to supporting this impactful ministry and encourage everyone to give generously.
We also continued our mini-series on revival, emphasizing the importance of understanding what revival truly means. Revival is not about chasing after manifestations but seeking a sovereign move of God that brings Christians and churches out of spiritual indifference and worldliness. It involves a deep conviction of sin, a renewed passion for Christ, and a boldness in witnessing to others. True revival not only revives the church but also sparks a spiritual awakening in the community.
We explored the biblical foundation for revival, looking at examples from both the Old and New Testaments. In Jonah, we saw how the city of Nineveh repented and turned to God after Jonah's proclamation. In Acts 2, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost led to the salvation of over 3,000 people. These examples show that revival starts with an upward revelation of God, leading to an inward transformation and resulting in an outward activation to reach the lost.
We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, sharing the message of Christ with those around us. God has prepared good works for each of us to do, and we must step into our calling. As we pray for revival, we must seek a fresh encounter with God, allowing Him to transform our hearts and move us to action. Let us pray for the Spirit of God to rest upon our city, drawing people to Him and bringing about a true revival.
### Key Takeaways
1. Kingdom Builders Sunday: Today is a special day where we bring our tithes and offerings to support ministries like Youth Alive, which empowers students to lead Bible study clubs in schools. This ministry is crucial for reaching young people and spreading the gospel on campuses. Your generous giving helps sustain and expand these impactful efforts. [33:21]
2. Understanding Revival: Revival is a sovereign move of God that lifts Christians and churches out of spiritual indifference and worldliness. It involves a deep conviction of sin, a renewed passion for Christ, and a boldness in witnessing. True revival not only revives the church but also sparks a spiritual awakening in the community. [42:20]
3. Biblical Examples of Revival: The story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh, as well as the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, illustrate how God's Spirit can bring about massive transformations. In both cases, the Spirit of God rested upon the people, leading to widespread repentance and salvation. These examples remind us that revival starts with an upward revelation of God, leading to an inward transformation and resulting in an outward activation. [52:17]
4. Ministry of Reconciliation: Every believer is called to the ministry of reconciliation, sharing the message of Christ with those around them. God has prepared good works for each of us to do, and we must step into our calling. We are God's handiwork, created for a purpose, and we must not underestimate the impact we can have in our circles of influence. [01:11:28]
5. Praying for Revival: As we seek revival, we must pray for an upward revelation of God, an inward transformation of our hearts, and an outward activation to reach the lost. Let us pray for the Spirit of God to rest upon our city, drawing people to Him and bringing about a true revival. We must be united in our prayers and actions, believing that God can do great things through us. [53:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:21] - Introduction to Kingdom Builders Sunday
[34:17] - Pastor Yo and Youth Alive Ministry
[39:03] - Importance of Supporting Youth Alive
[40:28] - Prayer for Offering
[41:49] - Introduction to Revival Series
[42:20] - Defining Revival
[43:26] - Encouragement to Participate in Missions
[45:01] - Importance of Voting and Understanding Issues
[46:57] - Need for Revival in Our Nation
[48:25] - Definition of Revival
[49:45] - Example of Revival in Argentina
[51:08] - Reviving the Church and Community
[52:17] - Biblical Foundation for Revival
[53:52] - Three Aspects of Revival: Upward, Inward, Outward
[55:10] - Upward Revelation: Seeking God
[56:58] - Inward Transformation: Changing Hearts
[59:54] - Outward Activation: Reaching the Lost
[01:01:10] - Example of Jonah and Nineveh
[01:07:12] - Example of Pentecost in Acts 2
[01:09:05] - God Can Use You
[01:11:28] - Ministry of Reconciliation
[01:17:04] - Call to Action: Moving Beyond the Church Walls
[01:22:04] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[01:23:24] - Stepping into Your Calling
[01:24:48] - Prayer for Revival and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jonah 3:7-10 - The repentance of Nineveh.
2. Acts 2:1-4, 37-41 - The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and the resulting conversions.
3. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's promise to heal the land if His people humble themselves and pray.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the message Jonah proclaimed to the city of Nineveh, and what was the city's response? (Jonah 3:7-10)
2. Describe the events that took place on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4. How did the people respond to Peter's message? (Acts 2:37-41)
3. According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, what are the conditions God sets for healing the land? How does this relate to the concept of revival discussed in the sermon? [55:52]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the city of Nineveh responded so dramatically to Jonah's message? What does this tell us about the power of God's word and the readiness of people's hearts? (Jonah 3:7-10)
2. In Acts 2, what role did the Holy Spirit play in the transformation of the people? How does this compare to the revival described in the sermon? [52:17]
3. How does the promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 apply to the modern church's pursuit of revival? What steps must believers take to see this promise fulfilled? [55:52]
#### Application Questions
1. Kingdom Builders Sunday: How can you personally contribute to ministries like Youth Alive that aim to spread the gospel in schools? What steps can you take to support these efforts financially or through other means? [33:21]
2. Understanding Revival: Reflect on your own spiritual life. Are there areas where you feel spiritually indifferent or worldly? What practical steps can you take to seek a deeper conviction of sin and a renewed passion for Christ? [42:20]
3. Biblical Examples of Revival: How can the stories of Nineveh and Pentecost inspire you to pray for and seek revival in your own community? What specific actions can you take to be part of this movement? [52:17]
4. Ministry of Reconciliation: Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the message of reconciliation. How can you share the love and grace of Christ with them this week? [01:11:28]
5. Praying for Revival: Commit to praying for an upward revelation, an inward transformation, and an outward activation. What specific times and methods will you use to ensure you are consistent in this prayer? [53:52]
6. Personal Calling: Reflect on Ephesians 2:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20. What good works has God prepared for you to do? How can you step into your calling and make a difference in your circle of influence? [01:09:53]
7. Community Impact: How can you and your small group work together to bring about a spiritual awakening in your community? What are some practical ways you can serve and witness to those around you? [51:42]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of revival, personal calling, and community impact as discussed in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and encourage actionable steps towards spiritual growth and community transformation.
Devotional
Day 1: Empowering Youth for Christ
Description: Kingdom Builders Sunday is a special occasion where the congregation brings tithes and offerings to support various ministries, including Youth Alive. This ministry is dedicated to establishing Bible study clubs in junior and senior high schools, empowering students to lead their peers to Christ. By supporting Youth Alive, the church plays a crucial role in reaching young people and spreading the gospel on campuses. Generous giving helps sustain and expand these impactful efforts, ensuring that more students can be reached and transformed by the message of Christ. [33:21]
Bible Passage: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a young person in your life who could benefit from spiritual guidance. How can you support or mentor them in their faith journey today?
Day 2: The True Meaning of Revival
Description: Revival is a sovereign move of God that lifts Christians and churches out of spiritual indifference and worldliness. It involves a deep conviction of sin, a renewed passion for Christ, and a boldness in witnessing. True revival not only revives the church but also sparks a spiritual awakening in the community. Understanding revival means seeking a genuine encounter with God that transforms hearts and leads to action. It is not about chasing after manifestations but about experiencing a profound change that impacts both the individual and the community. [42:20]
Bible Passage: "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalm 85:6, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on areas of your life where you feel spiritually indifferent. What steps can you take today to seek a deeper encounter with God?
Day 3: Biblical Foundations for Revival
Description: The Bible provides powerful examples of revival, such as the story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh, and the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. In both cases, the Spirit of God brought about massive transformations, leading to widespread repentance and salvation. These examples remind us that revival starts with an upward revelation of God, leading to an inward transformation and resulting in an outward activation. By studying these biblical accounts, we can understand the dynamics of revival and be inspired to seek a similar move of God in our own lives and communities. [52:17]
Bible Passage: "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them." (Jonah 3:5, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you experienced a significant spiritual transformation. How can you share that experience with someone who needs encouragement today?
Day 4: Ministry of Reconciliation
Description: Every believer is called to the ministry of reconciliation, sharing the message of Christ with those around them. God has prepared good works for each of us to do, and we must step into our calling. We are God's handiwork, created for a purpose, and we must not underestimate the impact we can have in our circles of influence. By embracing our role as ministers of reconciliation, we can bring the message of Christ to those who need it most, fostering healing and restoration in our communities. [01:11:28]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the message of reconciliation. How can you share Christ's love and message with them today?
Day 5: Praying for Revival
Description: As we seek revival, we must pray for an upward revelation of God, an inward transformation of our hearts, and an outward activation to reach the lost. Let us pray for the Spirit of God to rest upon our city, drawing people to Him and bringing about a true revival. We must be united in our prayers and actions, believing that God can do great things through us. By committing to prayer and seeking God's presence, we can be catalysts for revival in our communities, witnessing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. [53:52]
Bible Passage: "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." (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV)
Reflection: Set aside time today to pray specifically for revival in your community. What specific areas or people will you lift up in prayer?
Quotes
1. "What could God do? As he begins to touch high school after high school. Junior high after junior high. He could shake our state. we get to be a part of it. We get to be involved in the process. And so, I just want to encourage you. Continue to be faithful with your giving. When you give to Kingdom Builders, you're giving to help support this ministry. And so, as I said, we already support Yo-Yo. We're going to up what we're doing. We're going to give even more." [39:03] (23 seconds)
2. "Because what I know about scripture is when the church comes together in unity. And begins to cry out and pour out their heart to God. In unity, God responds. And God moves. And so, I want us to be unified. All asking and praying and believing and prophetically singing and declaring these songs. For the same thing. Are you with me? For the same thing." [42:49] (22 seconds)
3. "A sovereign work of God where Christians and churches are lifted out of spiritual indifference and worldliness into a deep conviction of sin. An earnest desire for more of Christ and His Word. Purity in lifestyles. A boldness in witness. And a renewed passion for reaching the lost. You want a definition? What are we talking about, Pastor? There you go. Right there. A sovereign move of God. Where God begins to stir our hearts in such a way that there's a fresh fire. A fresh stirring in us. A fresh desire to seek Him. To be in His presence. To be in prayer. To be in His Word. That changes us." [48:25] (44 seconds)
4. "We need to reset our eyes on Jesus. So often we get stuck chasing after all the different things that the world wants us to chase after. And our desire for the things of God begins to melt away. We kind of get cold and indifferent and apathetic. And what we need to do is have this upward, fresh encounter. A new perspective. A new passion. A new zeal. A new love for Jesus." [54:22] (30 seconds)
5. "Draw an eye to God and he'll draw an eye to you. It doesn't say God will draw close to you and then if you decide, do you want to, you know, draw close to you? No, he says you draw near. You start. You go first. I'm ready. I'm ready to work. I'm ready to move. But you draw near and he'll draw near to you." [55:52] (22 seconds)
6. "The church needs a defibrillator of the Holy Ghost. Right? We need to bring it back. We need the breath of God to be breathed back in us again. We need some fresh life. The church needs to be revived. And then the second part of a true revival is a spiritual awakening in the community. You have to have both. If you just have God stirring and moving within a church, that's fabulous. That's great. But that's not revival. That's renewal. It's renewal. Revival, true revival is when it breaks out beyond the walls to a community. And that's what we need. That's what we're praying for, right?" [51:42] (36 seconds)
7. "We need to have an anointing of God. That would stir us to move us. But then also that would rest upon people's hearts. I just really believe that God wants to do. Those same type of things through you and through me. And I want to ask this question. What could God do through you? What could God do through you?" [01:09:05] (24 seconds)
8. "For we are God's handiwork. Created in Christ Jesus. To do good works. Which God prepared in advance for us to do. Do you see that? You are the handiwork of God. So please. I just. I strongly. Want to encourage you. I'm not scolding you. But I want to encourage you. Don't say. I don't have anything to offer. Wrong. You do. You are the handiwork of God. You are the handiwork of God. And you're in the kingdom for a purpose. You're in the kingdom for a reason." [01:09:53] (33 seconds)
9. "You've been hanging out in the church long enough. You've been hanging out. Oh, but God, that's where we gather and we worship. We come to the altar and we pray and people, you know, needs are met and people are healed. And oh, it's just, we love just gathering. And I'm glad that we gather. I'm glad. But we're not called just to hang out here. I haven't brought you out of Egypt. I haven't brought you out of your bondage. I haven't brought you out of your slavery of sin just to hang out here. You've been here long enough. It's time for you to go to your world." [01:18:38] (43 seconds)
10. "Stop saying it can't be me. It is you. I don't know. I've done so many things. Don't dismiss the power of the grace of God over your life. Stop saying sin has disqualified me. No, God's grace has qualified you to be a minister of reconciliation. And today God is saying, come on church, I need you. I've put a circle of influence in your life. There are family members that need to know what I can do to help you. I need you. And There's a coworker or two or three that need to know. There's a neighbor that needs to know." [01:20:19] (47 seconds)