Reviving the Church: Clearing Spiritual Debris for Renewal
Summary
In Genesis 26:17-18, we find Isaac reopening the wells that had been filled with rubble by the Philistines. This act serves as a powerful metaphor for the church today. Just as Isaac had to clear the wells to access the life-giving water, the church must remove the spiritual debris that hinders the flow of God's Spirit. The Philistines' actions symbolize the forces that obscure essential Christian doctrines, and our task is to clear these obstructions to experience true revival.
Revival is not merely about prayer; it requires aligning ourselves with God's truth. The Holy Spirit honors truth, and we must ensure our beliefs and practices conform to His Word. Essential doctrines, such as the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, and the centrality of Jesus Christ, must be rediscovered and upheld. These truths are foundational and non-negotiable for genuine revival.
The person and work of Jesus Christ are central to our faith. He is the focus of both the Old and New Testaments, and His life, death, and resurrection are the core of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit's primary role is to glorify Christ, and any theology that diminishes His centrality is akin to the work of the Philistines. Revival history shows that when Christ is exalted, the church experiences renewal.
The atonement, particularly the blood of Christ, is another critical doctrine. In times of revival, there is a renewed emphasis on the cross and the blood of Jesus. This is not a relic of Old Testament religion but the heart of the Gospel. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins, and any attempt to downplay this truth is detrimental to the church's vitality.
Finally, the work of the Holy Spirit is crucial. Many today quench the Spirit by ignoring His personhood or denying His extraordinary work in revival. The Spirit's outpouring is not merely a historical event but a present need. We must pray for a fresh baptism of the Spirit, recognizing that His extraordinary work is essential for the church's renewal.
Key Takeaways:
- Revival requires more than prayer; it demands a return to foundational Christian doctrines. The Holy Spirit honors truth, and we must align our beliefs with God's Word to experience His outpouring. [01:39]
- The centrality of Jesus Christ is non-negotiable. Both the Old and New Testaments point to Him, and the Holy Spirit's role is to glorify Christ. Revival occurs when Christ is exalted in the church. [06:32]
- The atonement and the blood of Christ are vital to the Gospel. In times of revival, there is a renewed focus on the cross, emphasizing that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. [20:17]
- The Holy Spirit is a person, not merely an influence. Ignoring His personhood or denying His extraordinary work in revival quenches the Spirit and hinders the church's renewal. [27:22]
- We must pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Revival is not just about being filled with the Spirit but experiencing His extraordinary work, which has historically transformed the church. [44:05]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Introduction to Revival
[01:09] - Conditions for Prayer
[02:28] - The Spirit and Truth
[03:18] - Removing Spiritual Debris
[04:42] - Essential Doctrines
[06:10] - Centrality of Christ
[07:40] - Work of the Holy Spirit
[09:10] - Historical Revivals
[10:26] - Christ in the Church
[12:05] - Misunderstandings of Forgiveness
[14:31] - The Work of the Philistines
[19:38] - Emphasis on Atonement
[26:02] - Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
[30:11] - Outpourings of the Spirit
[35:28] - Misconceptions about Revival
[44:05] - Call for Revival
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 26:17-18
- John 16:13-14
- Hebrews 9:22
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#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Isaac take in Genesis 26:17-18, and how do they serve as a metaphor for the church today? [00:50]
2. According to the sermon, what are the essential doctrines that need to be rediscovered for true revival? [04:42]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in glorifying Jesus Christ? [07:40]
4. What emphasis is placed on the atonement and the blood of Christ during times of revival? [20:17]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of reopening wells in Genesis 26:17-18 symbolize the need for the church to remove spiritual debris today? [00:50]
2. Why is the centrality of Jesus Christ considered non-negotiable for revival, according to the sermon? [06:32]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit's extraordinary work is essential for the church's renewal? [27:22]
4. How does the sermon interpret the significance of the blood of Christ in the context of forgiveness and revival? [20:17]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal beliefs and practices. Are there any areas where you feel you need to realign with foundational Christian doctrines? How might you begin this process? [01:39]
2. Consider the centrality of Jesus Christ in your life. How can you ensure that He remains the focus of your faith and daily living? [06:32]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit's work in revival. How can you actively seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life and community? [44:05]
4. The sermon discusses the significance of the blood of Christ. How does this understanding impact your view of forgiveness and salvation? [20:17]
5. Identify any "spiritual debris" in your life that might be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take to clear these obstructions? [03:18]
6. How can you contribute to a culture of revival in your church or community by upholding essential Christian doctrines? [04:42]
7. Reflect on a time when you may have ignored or underestimated the personhood of the Holy Spirit. How can you change this perspective moving forward? [27:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning with God's Truth for Revival
Revival is not merely about prayer; it requires aligning ourselves with God's truth. The Holy Spirit honors truth, and we must ensure our beliefs and practices conform to His Word. Essential doctrines, such as the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, and the centrality of Jesus Christ, must be rediscovered and upheld. These truths are foundational and non-negotiable for genuine revival. When the church returns to these core beliefs, it opens the way for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully among us. [01:39]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: What specific doctrine or truth from Scripture do you need to realign with in your life today to allow the Holy Spirit to work more fully in you?
Day 2: Exalting Christ in All Things
The centrality of Jesus Christ is non-negotiable. Both the Old and New Testaments point to Him, and the Holy Spirit's role is to glorify Christ. Revival occurs when Christ is exalted in the church. When Jesus is the focus, the church experiences renewal and transformation. The life, death, and resurrection of Christ are the core of the Gospel, and any theology that diminishes His centrality is akin to the work of the Philistines, obstructing the flow of God's Spirit. [06:32]
Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."
Reflection: In what areas of your life is Christ not currently preeminent, and how can you begin to exalt Him in those areas today?
Day 3: Embracing the Atonement and the Blood of Christ
The atonement, particularly the blood of Christ, is vital to the Gospel. In times of revival, there is a renewed focus on the cross, emphasizing that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. This is not a relic of Old Testament religion but the heart of the Gospel. The cross and the blood of Jesus are central to our faith, and any attempt to downplay this truth is detrimental to the church's vitality. [20:17]
Hebrews 9:22 (ESV): "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: How does the reality of Christ's atonement and the shedding of His blood impact your understanding of forgiveness and grace today?
Day 4: Recognizing the Personhood of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a person, not merely an influence. Ignoring His personhood or denying His extraordinary work in revival quenches the Spirit and hinders the church's renewal. The Spirit's outpouring is not merely a historical event but a present need. We must pray for a fresh baptism of the Spirit, recognizing that His extraordinary work is essential for the church's renewal. [27:22]
John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, acknowledging His personhood and role in your life today?
Day 5: Praying for a Fresh Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
We must pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Revival is not just about being filled with the Spirit but experiencing His extraordinary work, which has historically transformed the church. The Spirit's work is essential for renewal, and we must seek His presence and power in our lives and communities. This involves not only prayer but also a willingness to be open to His leading and to remove any obstacles that hinder His work. [44:05]
Acts 4:31 (ESV): "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to invite a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit into your life and community?
Quotes
The trouble still as it always has been at such times of declension is due entirely to the work of the Philistines and the immediate task of the church therefore if she is genuinely and truly concerned about Revival is to understand this and to get rid of this rubbish and Earth which have been poured into the wells and which are choking the supply of water. [00:54:23]
The way to Revival is not just to say let's pray about it of course we've got to pray and and I hope to emphasize that and emphasize it tremendously but what I am saying is this that there is something we have to do before we pray because there are certain conditions attached to prayer. [00:87:15]
The Holy Spirit cannot honor a lie he cannot honor a negation of the truth it is the same Spirit who is poured out in Revival who led these people who wrote the books of the Bible it is he was given the truth safeguarded its writing in an infallible manner it's his own truth this is the truth of the spirit. [00:163:23]
The person of the Lord Jesus Christ he is Central he is crucial you read your Bible and you find that he's everywhere he's in the Old Testament it's all looking forward to him it's a book of promises concerning him and his coming and what he's going to do when he comes. [00:375:63]
The Supreme work of the holy spirit is to focus attention on and to point to and to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and then if you go back again to your historical evidence go back and read the accounts of all the revivals that have ever been known in the long history of the church and you will find it. [00:488:08]
There is nothing more characteristic than this well the Apostle has put it again there for us in that first chapter of the epistle to the Colossians having made peace how did he make peace by the blood of his crown but of course I know perfectly well when I say a thing like that I'm saying something that is unusual and highly unpopular at the present time. [00:1238:72]
The very nerve and center and heart of the Christian Gospel is this that God has set him forth publicly as the propitiation for for our sin what for will that he might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus in whom we have Redemption through his blood the Forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. [00:1340:24]
Revival above everything else is a glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ the son of God it is the restoration of him to the center of the life of the church you get this warm devotion personal Devotion to him it leads to your hymns your anthems of Praise Christ the center of the life of the church. [00:1112:44]
The Phil Ines are always concerned about concealing the person and the work of the Holy Spirit if you like it in other terminology they are guilty in various ways of quenching the spirit how do they do so well here are some of the ways one is to forget him and to ignore him altogether and there are many people who ignore him and forget him all together. [00:1620:00]
What a Revival means is an outpouring of the spirit of God the spirit of God coming in power upon a person or a number of persons at the same time read the stories of revivals and that is what you'll find but now the work of the Philistines of course is to deny that and to dispute that and it is being done by many people in many ways. [00:1828:60]
The spirit coming directly as it were and controlling and leading and guiding and giving orders and IND indicating what was to be done the spirit descending upon that's what you've always got in Revival but that is the thing that seems to have gone entirely out of the minds of men and women as I close I would end with putting effect to you. [00:2483:52]
The Holy Spirit not only has what we may call his ordinary work he has his extraordinary work and that is Revival of course we must evangelize of course we must preach about God and being filled with the spirit yes but over and above that we must cry un God to pour out his Spirit upon the whole church and that is Revival. [00:2620:20]
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