January 21: Nehemiah 1:1-11
What Is Revival?
The NEED for Revival
When in the course of human events there lies such a heavy sense of injustice and despair over the proliferation of evil and the failure of any forces for good or righteousness to carry the sentiment of the day, there remains only one answer: revival. This has been the experience of men and women throughout history, as the biblical record testifies.
While thousands pray for revival throughout the world, in western nations few understand it, either its nature or its true effects. Yet western nations are presently experiencing a moral bankruptcy rarely, if ever, seen in our history. Spiritual life in the churches is the only answer to the free fall of our society.
Kaiser Jr., Walter C.. Revive Us Again. Christian Focus Publications. Kindle Edition.
The DEFINITION of Revival
- It is NOT just a series of religious services, although it may occur during those services
- It is NOT just a renewed focus on evangelism and outreach, although these may be the result of revival
“Revival is the sovereign act of God, in which He restores His own backsliding people to repentance, faith and obedience”
– Stephen Olford
“It presupposes that the Church is sunk down in a backslidden state, and revival consists in the return of the Church from her backslidings and in the conversion of sinners”
– Charles G. Finney
Revival is a reanimating of those who already possess life…. It revives spiritual life which is in a state of declension”
– C. E. Autrey
A revival is a time when believers witness an extraordinary work of God enlivening, strengthening, and elevating the spiritual life and vitality already possessed, but which life is now in a state of decline and is feeble, mediocre, and dull in its outworkings. Revivals come as “times of refreshing from the Lord” (Acts 3:19)…
– Kaiser Jr., Walter C.. Revive Us Again . Christian Focus Publications. Kindle Edition.
Some Thoughts about Revival
- We pray for revival, but only God can send it.
- God sends revival in response to certain conditions: humility, prayer, earnest seeking, repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14; along with James 4:7-10).
- Revival is for the CHURCH; evangelism may come as a result, but the emphasis is upon God’s people returning to their first love.
- When the CHURCH is revived, God will use her to change the world.
When God’s Spirit speaks, we must listen.
Revelation 2 & 3, messages to the seven churches
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”
REVDANS 