Reviving the Church: Returning to Foundational Truths

 

Summary

In Genesis 26:17-18, we find Isaac re-digging the wells of his father, Abraham, which had been stopped by the Philistines. This act is symbolic of the urgent need for revival in the church today. Just as Isaac sought water for survival, the church must seek spiritual renewal to continue its mission as the Church of the Living God. The spiritual conflict we face is as desperate as ever, and we must not indulge in vain speculations but return to the foundational truths of our faith.

Throughout history, periods of spiritual decline have been marked by the neglect or denial of essential Christian truths. The Protestant Reformation, the Evangelical Awakening of the 18th century, and the Revival of 1859 all illustrate how the rediscovery of core doctrines led to spiritual renewal. These revivals were preceded by a return to the truths that had been obscured by the "rubbish" of false teachings and philosophies.

The church today must confront the modern "Philistines" who obscure the truth with rationalism, deism, and other philosophies that deny the sovereignty and transcendence of God. Revival cannot occur where these truths are denied. The authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, and the wrath of God are foundational doctrines that must be reclaimed. Without acknowledging our sinfulness and God's holiness, we cannot experience true revival.

Revival reveals the sovereignty of God and the helplessness of man in sin. It is not enough to merely profess belief in Jesus Christ; we must start with a recognition of God's sovereignty, submit to His revelation, and acknowledge our own sinfulness. Only then can we hope for revival. Let us examine our own lives for any evidence of the Philistines' work and return to these foundational truths.

Key Takeaways:

1. Urgency of Revival: The church today faces a desperate need for revival, akin to Isaac's need for water. Without spiritual renewal, the church cannot fulfill its mission. We must not waste time on speculations but return to the foundational truths of our faith. [01:43]

2. Historical Lessons: History shows that spiritual decline is marked by the neglect of essential truths. Revivals have always been preceded by a return to these truths, as seen in the Reformation and other awakenings. We must learn from history to address our current spiritual needs. [06:47]

3. Concealing Truths: The modern church is hindered by philosophies that obscure the truth of God's sovereignty and transcendence. Revival cannot occur where these truths are denied. We must confront and clear out these obstructions to experience spiritual renewal. [20:33]

4. Authority of Scripture: The authority of the Bible is crucial for revival. When human reason is placed above divine revelation, spiritual decline follows. We must return to the Bible as the ultimate authority to experience true revival. [33:23]

5. Acknowledging Sin: Revival requires a deep awareness of our sinfulness and God's holiness. The doctrines of sin and the wrath of God are often denied today, but they are essential for true spiritual awakening. We must humble ourselves before God to experience revival. [36:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Genesis 26:17-18
- [01:05] - The Urgent Need for Revival
- [02:39] - Isaac's Example: Returning to the Wells
- [03:29] - Learning from Church History
- [05:23] - The Problem of Obscured Truths
- [06:47] - Historical Periods of Decline
- [09:23] - The Impact of Deism and Rationalism
- [12:53] - The Absence of Revival in Certain Churches
- [15:32] - Identifying Hindrances to Revival
- [20:33] - The Sovereignty of God
- [30:42] - The Authority of the Bible
- [35:02] - The Doctrine of Sin and God's Wrath
- [40:31] - The Need for Humility and Repentance
- [44:50] - Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 26:17-18

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Observation Questions:

1. What action did Isaac take in Genesis 26:17-18, and why was it significant for his survival? [00:32]

2. How does the sermon describe the current state of the church in relation to Isaac's need for water? [01:25]

3. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate periods of spiritual decline and revival? [07:32]

4. According to the sermon, what are some modern philosophies that obscure the truth of God's sovereignty? [26:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the act of Isaac re-digging the wells symbolize the church's need for revival today? [01:05]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the neglect of foundational Christian truths leads to spiritual decline? [06:47]

3. Why is the authority of Scripture emphasized as crucial for experiencing revival, according to the sermon? [33:23]

4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between acknowledging sin and experiencing true revival? [36:52]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual life. Are there any "wells" or foundational truths that you need to revisit and re-dig for spiritual renewal? [22:05]

2. The sermon mentions the urgency of revival in the church today. What steps can you take personally to contribute to this revival in your community? [01:43]

3. Consider the historical lessons shared in the sermon. How can understanding past revivals help you address current spiritual challenges in your life? [06:47]

4. Identify any modern philosophies or beliefs that might be obscuring your understanding of God's sovereignty. How can you confront and clear these obstructions? [20:33]

5. The authority of the Bible is highlighted as essential for revival. How can you prioritize Scripture in your daily life to align with this principle? [33:23]

6. Acknowledging sin is necessary for revival. Is there a specific area of sin in your life that you need to confront and bring before God? [36:52]

7. The sermon calls for humility and repentance. What practical steps can you take to humble yourself before God and seek His guidance in your life? [40:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Urgency of Spiritual Renewal
The church today faces a critical need for revival, much like Isaac's need for water in Genesis 26:17-18. Without spiritual renewal, the church cannot fulfill its mission as the Church of the Living God. The spiritual conflict is as desperate as ever, and we must not waste time on vain speculations but return to the foundational truths of our faith. This urgency is not just a call to action but a call to return to the core of what it means to be followers of Christ. The church must seek spiritual renewal to continue its mission effectively. [01:43]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection: What is one foundational truth of your faith that you have neglected? How can you begin to re-embrace this truth in your daily life today?


Day 2: Learning from Historical Revivals
History shows that periods of spiritual decline are marked by the neglect or denial of essential Christian truths. Revivals, such as the Protestant Reformation and the Evangelical Awakening, were preceded by a return to these truths. These historical lessons teach us that spiritual renewal is possible when we rediscover and embrace the core doctrines of our faith. By learning from history, we can address our current spiritual needs and seek a revival that is grounded in truth. [06:47]

Psalm 85:6-7 (ESV): "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation."

Reflection: Reflect on a historical revival that inspires you. What specific truths were rediscovered during that time, and how can you apply them to your spiritual journey today?


Day 3: Confronting Modern Philosophies
The modern church is often hindered by philosophies that obscure the truth of God's sovereignty and transcendence. Rationalism, deism, and other ideologies can cloud our understanding of God's nature and His authority. Revival cannot occur where these truths are denied. The church must confront and clear out these obstructions to experience spiritual renewal. By doing so, we can return to a faith that acknowledges God's rightful place in our lives and the world. [20:33]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: Identify a modern philosophy or belief that has influenced your thinking. How can you confront this influence and realign your beliefs with the truth of God's sovereignty?


Day 4: Upholding the Authority of Scripture
The authority of the Bible is crucial for revival. When human reason is placed above divine revelation, spiritual decline follows. The church must return to the Bible as the ultimate authority to experience true revival. This return to Scripture is not just about reading the Bible but about allowing it to shape our beliefs, actions, and understanding of God. By upholding the authority of Scripture, we can experience a revival that is rooted in truth and transformative power. [33:23]

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: How can you prioritize the authority of Scripture in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to ensure that the Bible guides your decisions and actions?


Day 5: Acknowledging Sin and God's Holiness
Revival requires a deep awareness of our sinfulness and God's holiness. The doctrines of sin and the wrath of God are often denied today, but they are essential for true spiritual awakening. We must humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our need for His grace and forgiveness. By recognizing our sinfulness and God's holiness, we open ourselves to the transformative power of revival. This humility and repentance are the starting points for a renewed relationship with God. [36:52]

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV): "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your sinfulness and seek God's forgiveness? How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's holiness in your daily walk with Him?

Quotes

Isaac was looking for water and without water you can't live and the problem confronting the church today is the whole question of her life her continuance her real being and existence as the Church of the Living God we are not interested in secondary and Third Rate matters the spiritual conflict that is going on in the world at the present time is desperate. [00:01:31]

The essence of wisdom for the church at a time like this is to look back into her own history and as she does so she will see very clearly that there have been similar periods of declension, sometimes as I say as bad as the present, sometimes not as bad as the present but there have been periods of declension and it is important we should go back and read them and study them. [00:03:18]

The concealing and the neglect of certain truths and certain aspects of Christian truth has always been the chief characteristic of every period of declension in the long history of the church. There is my first proposal, my first principle. You read the history of the church and look at these periods of declension when the church was marburn and didn't seem to count at all. [00:06:31]

No Revival has ever been known in the history of churches which deny or ignore certain essential truths. Now I regard that as an astoundingly important point. You have never heard of a Revival in churches soall which deny the Cardinal and fundamental articles of our Christian faith. [00:12:46]

Without a single exception it is the rediscovery of these Cardinal doctrines that has always LED ultimately to Revival. There is always a preliminary to Revival. A Revival appears to come to to come suddenly and in a sense it does but if you look carefully into the history you will always find that there was something going on quietly. [00:15:54]

The truth concerning the Sovereign Transcendent Living God who acts and who intervene and erupt into the history of the church and of individuals. I must start with that. It is the foundation of all doctr look at the Apostle writing there to Timothy ah things were difficult Timothy was troubled he was losing hope he was wondering what was what the future was going to hold. [00:23:10]

The authority of this book The Authority of the Bible the work of the Philistines is invariably this. I've got to speak generally because there are groups and divisions even amongst the Philistines but I've got to put it generally to save time otherwise this will occupy us for months and we must hurry on. [00:30:33]

The whole case of the Bible is that God is searching for men and that God has revealed himself to men because Men by searching cannot find God that's its fundamental proposition but that you see is being denied everything today is being governed and controlled by the philosophers and the thinkers it's what they think about God and they Define God and they make God after their own image. [00:31:54]

Man in sin and under the wrath of God here is a doctrine that the natural man hates, detests, abominates he feels it's insulting to him he has always been like that you go back again I say and read these histories and you'll find in all those periods of deadness and of declension people didn't believe in sin in that way they didn't believe in the wrath of God. [00:35:12]

Men and women in the midst of Revival are conscious above everything of two things at first one their own unutterable sinfulness when you ever Revival you see men and women groaning agonizing under conviction of sin they are so conscious of their unworthiness and their foulness and their vess that they feel they cannot live they don't know what to do. [00:36:59]

Until men and women in the Christian church are humbled and abased and fall to the Earth before this holy righteous y to use the term of Jonathan Edwards Angry God I see no hope of Revival it is our arrogance it is our pride it is this tendency to set ourselves up and to define God after our own image instead of falling and prostrating ourselves before him. [00:41:00]

Revival reveals above everything else is the sovereignty of God and the iniquity the helplessness the hopelessness of man in sin may God give us Grace to meditate upon these things how do you think of God how do you approach God what's your attitude in his presence let us start with ourselves this is personal it's for every one of us in Revival God takes hold of unknown men. [00:43:32]

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Transcript
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