5 Questions You Must Answer Concerning Revival

We as believers must recognize that their is a major difference between a spiritual awakening and a spiritual panic. Bible Christianity which truly is Fundamentalism, is on spiritual life support. Don't believe me, compare the crowd size to Sunday morning and the midweek prayer service.

If the size and decorations within the sanctuary mattered, we would of seen revival by now. If the size and distinguished credibility of our pastoral staff and their education had anything to do with revival, we would of seen it by now. If the size of our church budgets mattered, we would of seen revival by now.

Beloved, we have gotten it backwards. When concerning a man who exclaimed that he would follow Christ wherever he went, Christ responded by saying, The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.

I wonder if the development of a multi-million dollar church campus impresses Christ as much as our humble submission before Him, considering their is a major epidemic of heroin and meth in our country and child prostitution is scattered abroad.

I'm all for being educated and I believe that our clergy should have some common sense as well as a sure and strong Bible foundation. Yet lets not forget what the Apostle Paul said in

1 Corinthians 2:15 And I brethren came not with excellency of speech or of t=wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear and much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of Mans wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and Power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Why are we holding onto the victories of the past when we should be picking up our Sword and shield today? Doctrinal purity, the King James Bible, holiness, righteousness, soul winning and the power of prayer need to be fought for harder today than they ever been fought for before.

1 Peter 3:15- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be always ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

#1 What good does it do for you to desire revival, but you truly don't fear God?

Real, lasting repentance is centered upon you turning away from your sin. Does your idolatry only bring you a bit of remorse or does it drop you to your knees in subjection and humility, begging God for forgiveness. Does your repentance drive you to a pure and undefiled obedience? Charles Finney said Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance- followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God- it is giving up ones will to God in deep humility.

Humility is the trademark of a person who lacks pride. If you wont or refuse to repent, it's due to your pride and lack of fear for the things of God. We've become experts on everything concerning our traditions, standards and convictions. However, we have failed at being what God wants us to be. Davis said in the Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit; a broken and a contrite heart thou wilt not despise.

If we aren't willing to sacrifice an extra dollar or two for tithes and offerings to give above what we are commanded, why would God bless? If we aren't willing to sacrifice an extra day a week for soul winning or prayer meeting, why should God anoint us?

#2 What good does it do if you own a Bible if it doesn't own you?

Each year thousands of books are printed in defense of Christianity, or about Christ. every state has a seminary, and every decent size city has at least one not-so- Christian book store.

However Bible literacy is down, and the average person in the pew and pulpit as well couldn't recite the Ten Commandments if they tried. The only way to be consumed with the absolute perfect mind of God is to be absolutely consumed with His perfect Word.

We need to begin treating the Bible as a gold mine of spiritual treasure. the deeper we dig, the more spiritual treasures we will consume and the richer we get.

Why should the we Let the Bible own us? I suggest you open up Psalm 119 and study it for a while. Let the Word of God speak to you and drive you into a desire for it's hidden riches.

#3 What good does it for you to go to church when your heart isn't prepared to go?

The great psalmist and King of Israel David said in Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

• What does your church mean to you?

• Is it just another building where you and your Sunday service friends show up? Or is this God's house where your real family is?

• Do you come to each and every service in hopes and expectations of seeing God move, or is your hand out expecting receive. but never willing to lay your all on the altar during the services?

I hope your desire is to see souls saved and added to Gods Kingdom. What a great responsibility we have as believers to win the lost and see lives transformed through discipleship. We should never play the part of church member just because it is expected of us.

Hebrews 10:24-25- And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.

When you refuse to attend services, your essentially leaving the other church members on the battlefield to fight alone without your sword and shield handy.

America is in a spiritual downslide, and we need a spiritual awakening that this world hasn't seen since the book of Acts. Yet it's up to you too make the decision that as if the whole battle is up to you alone and this church alone. If Revival is going to come, it has to start somewhere.

#4 What good does it do to pray, but not enter into Gods presence?

Hebrews 4:14-16-Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all ways tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I wonder, what ever happened to weeks of prayer and fasting?

I've actually heard preachers say that their was no need for fasting and prayer, though Christ himself even said When ye fast..... It's expected of us.

What has happened to being a prayer warrior and an intecessor on behalf of your friends, neighbors, church and family?

Do you want fresh oil?

What has happened to coming to the altar as a church and simply crying out. Have we become to rigid in our services for the Holy Spirit? Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know notwhat we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he searcheththe hearts and knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God are the called according to his purpose.

You should be scared to death of a Christianity that limits the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. I'm afraid we have focused too much on vs 28 of the aforementioned scripture and not enough upon vs's 26-27.

#5 What does it do to look the part, but not be real?

Beloved, there is a major difference between being religious and being saved. Being religious means you know all the answers and have the rules and regulations down to a science. yet you've never eternalized it. you've never trusted Christ as your savior. Many good religious people fill our pews and have a for of godliness about them. They are trusting their baptism, church membership and goodness to send them to heaven.

Are you one of those that the Apostle Paul warned young Timothy about in 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Coming to church week in and week out and blatantly ignoring the gospel call of Christ is just as wicked as the apostates who preach a false doctrine. The only difference is that your promoting it with your lifestyle and not your words and ideology.

Harsh words and tough questions that must be answered by you and other Christians in order for us too see another great awakening.

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