Reviving the Church: Re-digging Wells of Faith

 

Summary

In Genesis 26:17-18, Isaac re-digs the wells of his father Abraham, which had been stopped by the Philistines. This act serves as a metaphor for the current state of the Christian church, which is in dire need of the living water of the Spirit. The church faces modern-day Philistines—hindrances to revival that must be addressed. Revival is a divine blessing, but certain conditions must be met for it to occur. The first obstacle is a failure to believe essential truths, followed by a dead orthodoxy that lacks the life and power of the Spirit. True orthodoxy is vital, but it must be alive and active, not merely a set of beliefs.

A significant issue is the failure to apply the truth. Many Christians are content with hearing the truth but do not apply it to their lives. This leads to a superficial Christian life, where disturbances are felt but not acted upon. Meditation and self-examination are crucial practices that have been neglected. The art of meditation allows for deep reflection and understanding, while self-examination helps identify areas needing growth and repentance. However, self-examination must be balanced; it should lead to conviction and transformation, not to morbid introspection.

Another manifestation of dead orthodoxy is the failure to realize the glorious possibilities of the Christian life. The Apostle Paul speaks of being filled with the fullness of God and knowing the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. These are not just future promises but present possibilities. Yet, many Christians are unaware of their spiritual poverty and are content with a superficial faith. The focus should be on knowing God deeply, not just on personal happiness or solving minor issues.

Finally, a lack of true concern for God's glory and the souls of the lost is evident. True revival begins with a thirst for God and a desire to see His glory manifested. This leads to a burden for souls and a life of prayer. The church must move beyond superficial activism to a deep, transformative relationship with God.

Key Takeaways:

- Revival and Hindrances: Revival is a divine blessing that cannot be manufactured, but certain conditions must be met for it to occur. Hindrances like unbelief and dead orthodoxy must be addressed. True orthodoxy is essential, but it must be alive and active, not merely a set of beliefs. [01:43]

- Application of Truth: Many Christians hear the truth but fail to apply it, leading to a superficial faith. Meditation and self-examination are crucial practices that have been neglected. These practices allow for deep reflection and transformation, moving beyond surface-level disturbances. [04:19]

- Glorious Possibilities: The Christian life offers glorious possibilities, such as being filled with the fullness of God and knowing the love of Christ. These are present realities, not just future promises. Christians must realize their spiritual poverty and seek a deeper relationship with God. [17:11]

- Concern for God's Glory: A true concern for God's glory and the souls of the lost is essential. Revival begins with a thirst for God and a desire to see His glory manifested. This leads to a burden for souls and a life of prayer, moving beyond superficial activism. [33:25]

- Prayer and Revival: True prayer is born out of a deep relationship with God and a burden for His glory and the souls of the lost. It is not about organized activities but a heartfelt cry for God's intervention. Revival is preceded by a thirst for God and a longing for His presence. [39:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Isaac's Wells
- [01:07] - Hindrances to Revival
- [01:57] - The Danger of Dead Orthodoxy
- [03:01] - Contentment and Quenching the Spirit
- [04:04] - Failure to Apply the Truth
- [06:57] - Neglect of Meditation
- [09:53] - Importance of Self-Examination
- [12:24] - Faulty Self-Examination
- [16:39] - Realizing Christian Possibilities
- [22:41] - Spiritual Poverty and Blindness
- [25:03] - Knowing God vs. Personal Happiness
- [29:36] - The Role of Experience in Faith
- [33:25] - Concern for God's Glory
- [39:12] - The Power of Prayer and Revival

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 26:17-18
- Ephesians 3:16-19
- Revelation 3:17

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Observation Questions:

1. What actions did Isaac take in Genesis 26:17-18, and how do these actions serve as a metaphor for the current state of the Christian church? [00:13]

2. According to the sermon, what are some modern-day hindrances to revival that the church faces today? [01:07]

3. How does the sermon describe the difference between true orthodoxy and dead orthodoxy? [02:26]

4. What role does meditation and self-examination play in the Christian life according to the sermon? [06:57]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of re-digging wells in Genesis 26:17-18 symbolize the need for spiritual renewal in the church today? [00:13]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a failure to apply the truth leads to a superficial Christian life? [04:19]

3. How does the sermon interpret the Apostle Paul's message in Ephesians 3:16-19 about the possibilities of the Christian life? [17:11]

4. What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between a concern for God's glory and a burden for souls? [33:25]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual life. Are there any "wells" that you need to re-dig to experience the living water of the Spirit? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [00:13]

2. Consider the truths you have learned in your faith journey. Are there any areas where you have failed to apply these truths? How can you begin to apply them more effectively in your daily life? [04:19]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of meditation and self-examination. How can you incorporate these practices into your routine to deepen your relationship with God? [06:57]

4. The sermon speaks of the glorious possibilities of the Christian life. What steps can you take to move beyond a superficial faith and seek a deeper relationship with God? [17:11]

5. Reflect on your concern for God's glory and the souls of the lost. How can you cultivate a genuine burden for souls and a life of prayer? [33:25]

6. The sermon mentions the danger of dead orthodoxy. How can you ensure that your faith remains alive and active, rather than becoming a mere set of beliefs? [02:26]

7. How can you develop a thirst for God and a longing for His presence in your life? What specific actions can you take to nurture this desire? [39:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Revival Requires Active Faith
Revival is a divine blessing that cannot be manufactured by human efforts alone. It requires a living and active faith that goes beyond mere belief in doctrines. Many Christians face hindrances such as unbelief and dead orthodoxy, which prevent the Spirit from moving freely. True orthodoxy is essential, but it must be vibrant and dynamic, not just a static set of beliefs. To experience revival, believers must address these obstacles and cultivate a faith that is alive and engaged with the Spirit. [01:43]

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV): "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"

Reflection: What specific beliefs or practices in your life might be hindering the Spirit's work? How can you actively engage your faith to overcome these obstacles today?


Day 2: The Power of Applied Truth
Hearing the truth is not enough; it must be applied to transform lives. Many Christians are content with superficial faith, hearing the truth but failing to act on it. This leads to a stagnant spiritual life where disturbances are felt but not addressed. Meditation and self-examination are crucial practices that have been neglected. These practices allow for deep reflection and transformation, moving beyond surface-level disturbances. By applying the truth, believers can experience a more profound and meaningful relationship with God. [04:19]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: What is one truth you have heard recently but have not applied? How can you take a concrete step today to live out this truth in your daily life?


Day 3: Embracing the Fullness of God
The Christian life offers glorious possibilities, such as being filled with the fullness of God and knowing the love of Christ. These are not just future promises but present realities that many Christians overlook. Often, believers are unaware of their spiritual poverty and settle for a superficial faith. The focus should be on knowing God deeply, not just on personal happiness or solving minor issues. By seeking a deeper relationship with God, Christians can experience the fullness of His presence and love. [17:11]

Ephesians 3:19 (ESV): "And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: In what ways have you settled for a superficial faith? How can you pursue a deeper relationship with God and embrace the fullness He offers?


Day 4: A Heart for God's Glory
A true concern for God's glory and the souls of the lost is essential for revival. It begins with a thirst for God and a desire to see His glory manifested. This leads to a burden for souls and a life of prayer, moving beyond superficial activism. Christians must cultivate a deep, transformative relationship with God that prioritizes His glory above all else. By doing so, they can become instruments of revival and witness the power of God in their lives and communities. [33:25]

Psalm 115:1 (ESV): "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from personal concerns to a genuine desire for God's glory? What steps can you take today to cultivate a heart for the lost?


Day 5: The Transformative Power of Prayer
True prayer is born out of a deep relationship with God and a burden for His glory and the souls of the lost. It is not about organized activities but a heartfelt cry for God's intervention. Revival is preceded by a thirst for God and a longing for His presence. By engaging in sincere and fervent prayer, believers can invite God's transformative power into their lives and communities. This kind of prayer moves beyond routine and becomes a vital expression of faith and dependence on God. [39:12]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you deepen your prayer life to reflect a genuine thirst for God and His presence? What specific prayer can you offer today that aligns with God's glory and the needs of the lost?

Quotes


It is not that we can produce Revival but the history of revivals as the teaching of of the Bible indicate very clearly that this is our work it is for God to grant us the blessing but it seems clear that in the presence of certain things we have no right even to expect Revival nor even to pray for it. [00:01:24]

To be Orthodox is essential but to be Orthodox alone is not enough there is a less such a thing as a dead Orthodoxy which is not only useless but is even an obstacle and we are be considering this condition and its manifestations and we've considered so far a general state of contentment. [00:02:38]

There is this dread possibility that we may be content with just listening to the truth or reading the truth and never rarely applying it to ourselves we've done so initially otherwise we wouldn't be Christians at all but it is possible possible for us once we have done the initial thing to go on I say just listening or reading and never applying the truth to ourselves. [00:04:11]

Meditation played such a big part in their lives they would spend hours thinking meditating ruminating if you like upon the word but this is is something that has almost disappeared and our statement of course is that we're all too busy and we are too busy our whole lives are cluttered up with things that finally won't matter at all. [00:07:17]

Self-examination is not popular there are those who would even teach that self-examination is wrong no no they say you mustn't do that you must always be looking to the Lord and they say that in a wrong way of course our whole life ultimately is a life of looking to the Lord but not at the expense of self-examination. [00:10:01]

There is a wrong way of examining ourselves as well as a right way the right way of course is the one that's indicated in the scriptures and that always leads to a good result but there is the wrong way of examining ourselves which does not lead to a good result but leads rather to morbidity and leads to a false introspection. [00:12:43]

I mean the kind of thing that the Apostle Paul writes about you remember there in the third chapter of the epistle to the Ephesians that we were once considering together towards the end of that great chapter this is the sort of thing I'm referring to let me read to you some of these great verses the Apostle says that he's praying for these Ephesians. [00:17:22]

The test of a Christian is not his business and his activity it is his knowledge of God it is his knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ it's not difficult to be busy but you try and realize his presence and you'll soon discover that you've got to give time to it ah there it is it is this leodan condition. [00:24:32]

Seek God seek to know God seek to know his love seek to be filled with this knowledge and all the fullness of God no no not the experience itself but to experience him and to know him these men of the Bible they knew him they spoke to him they realized his presence so of all the others whose lives I've been quoting to you. [00:28:51]

Have we a true concern for the glory of God in this Godless age now I'm not asking are you irritated by the sin of the age that's not my question it's a simple thing to be irritated and to be annoyed by the blasphemy and the sin and the vice and the loudness and the perversions and all that we see on Earth streets and in the newspapers. [00:33:32]

The inevitable preliminary and the constant preliminary to Revival has always been this a thirst for God a thirst a living thirst for a knowledge of the Living God and a longing and a burning desire to see him acting manifesting himself and his power and rising and scattering his enemies. [00:41:18]

To what extent do you know God to what extent can you say honestly that you are forgetting the things that are behind and that you are pressing forward toward the mark that your Supreme desire is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death if by any means you might attain unto the resurrection from among the dead. [00:41:51]

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Transcript
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