Acts 4:21-31
Prelude to Revival: Four ‘C's of Revival
I. Introduction
-There is only one expert on revival.
-There are vast libraries of books written on the subject.
1. We read them as prescription.
2. Do this, do that, and you will have revival.
-But revival has to do with the heart.
1. Revival does not begin with an evangelist, program, or schedule.
2. It begins in the hearts of real people.
-It is not what you create, but what you are.
-Revival is best summed up in the early church.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Pentecost in Ch. 2 (revival)
-Ch. 3- Peter & John heal lame beggar
1. They commence to preachin'
2. Revival service!
-Ch. 4- they are arrested.
1. Trial before the High Priest
2. Threatened never to speak of Jesus again or further punishment.
3. Revival! (v. 21)
-It would seem like Revival is over.
1. Everyone goes home.
2. They talk for weeks/years afterwards of the great revival they had.
-No, revival breaks out again!
-Let me share with you four scary words that I believe are a prelude to revival...
IV. Change
-Change, Conversion, etc.
-Scary Word!
-Not change for the sake of change.
-Conversion will bring revival.
1. There is nothing that brings the presence of God and blessings of the Spirit more than someone becoming a Christian.
2. Conversion can set the church on fire!
-The Church is a living organism, b/c it is the body of Christ.
-Ill. Sometimes we over-spiritualize ourselves.
1. If you don't like me, it's b/c you don't like God.
2. If you don't like the way I preach, it's b/c you don't like God.
3. ...or could it be that I am ineffective?
-Ill. Dying churches point their fingers at the world and claim the problem lies with the world.
1. They say: "People just aren't the same anymore."
2.Sin is the problem.
3. But maybe some churches are not willing to do what it takes to minister to people.
4. They are not willing to change.
-We believe b/c we are saved, now everyone else must do the changing.
1. So we're not open to God doing anymore in our lives.
2. We are not finished products!
3. Maybe we're too at home in the world.
4. Too many Christians living in sin!
-Maybe we're too busy changing the wrong things.
1. Even in the church we tend to make spiritual things second-rate.
2. God is always plan B.
3. Don't talk prayer, talk programming!
-Before revival happens there are spiritual changes that must occur.
1. Peter & John go back to pray for more boldness!
2. Never content with the good of the present.
-Leonard Ravenhill in ‘Why Revival Tarries' says: "The church began with these men in the ‘upper room' agonizing– and today is ending with men in the supper room organizing. The church began in revival; we are ending in ritual. We started virile; we are ending sterile. Charter members of the church were men of heat and no degrees; today many hold degrees, but have no heat! Ah, brethren, flame-hearted men are the crying need of the hour!"
-Why is there no difference between the church & the world?
1. Families are the same.
2. Lifestyles are the same.
3. Choice of entertainment the same!
4. Where is the difference?
5. Is the church not the "called out"?
6. Are believers not to be "set apart"?
7. The world doesn't want/ need what it already has!
-Ill. Prayer in school
1. "In God We Trust" in the pledge & on the new gold dollars
2. We throw a fit about the Bible & prayer being taken out of schools
3. But you can't find those things being used in Christian's homes!
4. You can even go into some churches and find that those things are not being used!
-Change is going to have to come to the church before revival ever gets here!
-"Change my heart O God."
V. Commitment
-This one is almost a bad word in the church: commitment.
-I believe before revival will ever occur in the church today we must have ppl committed to the Lord & His work!
-Scary ‘C' word!?
-I'm not really asking whether you are committed.
1. You are committed.
2. What I am asking is, are you committed to the right things?
-Ill. We are committed to all kinds of things.
1. Our Job- that's okay, but is placed above our heavenly father?
2. Our family- that's great, but is it placed above God?
3. Our money, our stuff, etc.
4. All comes down to my commitment to myself.
-Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act."
-Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
-Christians today are not committed.
1. Example: Going over time in church vs. ball game.
2. Everything comes before church. (More important?)
3. Committed to so many things we don't have time for devotions or prayer.
4. Can't do anything for they body of Christ, but you can do everything else?
5. Sick, so I skip church, but back to work on Monday.
6. Involved in so many things, that we rarely mention God.
7. You will be known for what you are committed to!
-Americans spend more money than any other nation in the world on entertainment.
1. Movie stars, sports stars, musicians, & entertainers = millionaires!
2. Entertainment is the substitute for Christian joy!
-Bob Pierce said: "My single greatest concern is the growing inertia I see, inertia born out of our luxury and materialism. People are fooling themselves when they say the job is done... The vast body of people in the world today have never been given enough information to know if they accept or reject Jesus... Most people think what the gospel needs is more clever, skilled people, when what it needs is more people who are willing to bleed, suffer, and die in a passion to see ppl come to Christ."
-Are you really committed to Jesus Christ and His Work?
-We need some to commit to...
1. ...prayer, witness, inviting,
2. ...His Word, holiness, etc.
-Peter & John committed their lives to the cause of Christ!
-We don't like it, but we must respond to it!
-If we want revival, I think we're going to need to see commitment!
VI. Calling/Commission
-Before revival ever becomes a reality there is a calling.
-Peter & John had the calling.
1. They had been commissioned.
2. They received a calling from the Lord!
C. But we're talking more than a mission statement!
D. Ill. Blakemore board meeting
1. Honest about our situation.
2. DS wanted to close the church
3. I don't want to invest in a losing project.
4. A board member said: "I was called to this church."
5. Even in this difficult time he maintained his call.
-Ill. We talk about ppl being called to preach.
1. What are you called to do?
2. We rarely ask anyone else that important question!
-Ill. Board member with a God-given vision for Blakemore.
1. "Open, free sanctuary"
2. It became a reality.
3. I walked home from church, he said: ‘I saw our pastor walking the sidewalks in our community.'
-Ill. Samuel the prophet.
1. He heard the voice of God.
2. God called Him!
-Do you know that what you are doing has been commissioned by God?
1. What is your calling?
2. Have you heard the voice of God?
-Too many churches have no calling/purpose/meaning!
VII. Consecration
-Consecration is another prelude ro revival.
-Do not confuse this with commitment.
-Commitment has to do with things.
1. Time, talents, treasures.
2. They are impersonal.
-Consecration has to do with you
1. It's about who you are.
2. It's a living sacrifice.
3. (Consecration includes commitment, but is not limited to commitment.)
-Sometimes it may be difficult to put some stuff on the altar, but the most difficult thing you will ever do is put yourself on the altar!
-Why is consecration so difficult for us today?
1. Consecration = ownership in the church
2. More than attending, participating, or witnessing.
3. ownership = responsibility
4. ownership = Putting yourself on the line.
-Committing your resources, services, etc. is safer than consecration.
1. Military general can send troops into battle.
2. Its different to make the decision to enter the battle yourself.
-Is your all on the altar?
1. That's commitment
2. Are you on the altar?
3. That's consecration.
VIII Conclusion
-Prelude to Revival...
1. Change/Conversion
2. Commitment
3. Calling/Commission
4. Consecration
-What is the church to you?
1. Some say it should be like a refrigerator.
2. The church should seek to preserve the saints.
3. We have a lot of formaldehyde Christians!
4. Cold, stiff, & dead; but they sure are preserved!
-Some say the church should be like a fire burning stove.
1. A fire burning stove is used to prepare the meal.
2. They believe the church should seek to prepare ppl for eternal life!
3. That kind of church needs fire (the Holy Spirit) and fuel for the fire (you & I).
-Are you ready for revival?
-Query:
1. Are there any changes you need to make?
2. What is your level of commitment?
3. Do you have a calling from God?
4. Have you consecrated all to God?
Response:
