The message was brought by Rev. Rodger Castle.
II Chronicles 7: 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
What is revival? A lot of people are confused. It’s not what they think. Why do we think of church as something tiring? Why not see it as a place to get rejuvenated? Isn’t that what happens much of the time? Psalm 28:7 says the Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. In order to stay excited as Christians we need to be on fire. We need to keep fuel on the fire in order for that to happen. There are things we need to do daily. The devil will steal our joy if we aren’t careful.
David said wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Many of us need some Holy Ghost CPR to be revived. Revival is for the saved. Sometimes we need to know what revival is not in order to understand it. We can’t schedule it. God has to send it. A good week of meetings or a crusade is not a revival. It is also not church growth. You can have folks coming in if you offer certain things, but that doesn’t mean there is concern for the soul. The word revival says that something is struggling with life and needs awakening.
If you’re not a Christian, you don’t need revival; you’re dead. You need regeneration. You need to be saved. Christians will need several revivals throughout life. Life was brought to us when we got saved, and we need to add fuel to our lives. However, we don’t get concerned about it. We should not put things ahead of God’s house. We have six other days every week, yet many choose Sunday to go places and do things. Isn’t it amazing that so many school sports are on Wednesday’s now? We need to be excited about the house of God. When revival comes, we need to put other things aside. People used to do that. We’ve become so used to the subnormal that when normal happens it seems abnormal.
Revival is when God visits his people and awakens them. In the 1900’s a revival in Wales lasted for weeks. It started with a young girl who became concerned about herself then those around her. Revival turned into evangelism. People were saved. Bars closed. Courts closed for lack of crimes to try. That’s what happens when you meet Jesus. You become different. Acts 3:19 gives a good definition. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. We don’t hear God because we get too busy.
Revival is needed because we’re prone to let our love grow cold. The church at Ephesus had left its first love. Have you left yours? Would you rather do other things than come to the house of God? We need to listen to him and do what he wants us to do. Was there a time you loved God more than you do now? A time you were closer to God than you are now? If so, you need revival. The signs that you need it are: prayer is not a vital part of your life; you have grown content with your understanding of the Bible and don’t hunger after the Word; gathering in church isn’t eagerly anticipated—you should feel like you can’t wait to get there. Pointed spiritual discussions embarrass you. Divisions and quarrels in the church don’t bother you. Do lost people ever run across your mind? You have family and friends going to hell; do you think about it? You need to be concerned. When was the last time you felt God moving in your life? Do you have a strong desire to praise the Lord? Did you used to be happy?
Malachi says the remedy in part is this: return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. Do you want more of God in your life? You must have a thirsty heart. Does it bother you that you don’t? It’s time to pray. God will light the fire.
II Chronicles 7:14 tells us what to do. (1) Humble ourselves. (2) Pray. (3) Seek God’s face. (4) Turn from our wicked ways. Then God will hear from heaven and forgive sin. What is wrong that you need God to fix? He’ll do it.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 