Ezekiel 47:1-12
A Raging Trickle: Let the Water Flow
I. Introduction
-These two questions seem unrelated...
1. What kind of impact is God capable of in our world today?
2. What in the world is there to be thankful for?
-May I argue that they are connected.
-Today we have given God thanks for His impact in the life of Eula Lobb and the life of our church.
-Most of our T-giving tends to be self-centered.
1. Very little thanks is offered to God.
2. Mainly to the cook and the football coach, if your team wins.
-Ill. Instilling thanksgiving into my son
1. Bed time prayer...
2. "Thank you for Mommy, Hannah, Cat...."
3. "What about me?"
4. "And me?
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Chapter 1 is all about the fact that God’s glory/presence is what is really relevant... & now this!
-The last chapter (48) ends with "And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is there."
-I want to start at the end of this river and work my way back.
IV. Where the Water Ends Up
-It goes all the way to the Dead Sea.
-Dead Sea
1. aka- Salt Sea
2. Tributaries in bring salt water, but no way for the minerals to leave.
3. Dead- b/c no fish or life can live in such a high salt concentration.
4. The only value during this time was the salt deposits.
-But when the water from the temple hit the Dead Sea... it came alive.
1. Living creatures swarm
2. Dead water is made alive.
3. Salt water is made fresh.
4. In fact it becomes a place where fishermen can earn a living!
-v. 9b "everything will live where the river goes."
-I believe that everywhere God’s presence is, there is life & healing!
1. The dead become alive!
2. The enslaved become free!
3. The wounded become whole!
4. The lost are found.
5. The salty death is made fresh!
V. The Banks of the River
-But even on the way God is at work.
-Before the water even got to the Dead Sea it says...
1. v. 9 "And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live...so everything will live where the river goes."
2. v. 12 "And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, b/c the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."
-I think what we need is this river to run through our lives!
-Ill. Living in Eastern KY.
1. Hills & Hollers
2. A real fast, hard rain = a "gully washer"
3. The rain would land on the hill top and run down into the holler/gully and wash out leaves, dirt, debris, etc.
-We need a gully washer!
-Some of you need God in your...
1. ...marriage, family.
2. ...finances, workplace.
3. ...private place/behind closed doors
4. We’ll try everything but what brings real healing.
-The trees on the side of the river produce fruit every month!
-The leaves of the trees bring healing!
-Some have given God lip- service, when what He wants is your life.
-You can sit in a church on T-giving Sunday and say "thanks."
1. But some of you are thinking about your 401K (don’t you believe that God will take care of you?)
2. Some are thinking about your project at work.
3. Worrying about your grade at school.
4. Whether everyone will like the casserole you brought.
-Some of you won’t be in church next Sunday b/c...
1. ...you’ll be doing something "more important."
2. ..."on vacation"; working on a school assignment;
3. ..."tired" b/c you’re so busy;
4. ...etc.
-But look where this stream starts!
VI. The Door of the Temple
-It starts in the temple!
1. In the house of God.
2. In the sanctuary.
-Point: All healing starts with God.
1. All life begins in Christ!
2. All revival is introduced by the Holy Spirit!
-As short as our time is together, this could be (& is meant to be) the most important hour of your week!
1. Your feet should get wet!
2. The raging river should begin with a trickle right here!
-Someone said: "We need to remember that all renewal in the church or in the world flows by God’s grace from God’s presence and is not something we generate or control."
-Note: The river had no tributaries.. God doesn’t need anything else... So what are we waiting for?
1. No additives needed.
2. No need to add anything!
-It starts as a trickle in the temple and ends by bringing life to the Dead Sea!
VII. The Temple is Only the Beginning
-What happens "in church" is only the beginning!
-The water didn’t stay in the temple!
1. It flows out ward!
2. We are conduits & conductors of it!
-One commentator said it this way: "The imagery tries to state that the appearance of God in His sanctuary in the midst of His ppl does not create a self contained ‘holy place.’ All the preparation of the sacred place... is meant in the last resort to serve God’s intention to allow life & healing to flow out from there into the land. This life & this healing are to be effective precisely where unnatural disease & hostility [death & violence] are most obviously operative."
-The true Spirit of God cannot be contained here!
1. This may be where He starts His work... but it isn’t where it ends!
2. It leaves here with you!
-vv. 2b-5
-It just gets deeper from here.
1. Your walk with God can get deeper & fuller.
2. Broader and more intimate.
3. Richer and more divine!
-Ill. "He got in over His head."
1. Maybe this is one time that is a good thing.
2. Maybe too many are too timid to dive into the holiness of God!
-Point: Maybe sin doesn’t ‘snowball’ rather revival & renewal (from God’s glory) does!
1. In a thankless world...
2. In a world it may be hard to give thanks in...
3. Maybe God still holds His throne!
-Maybe I can truly be thankful!
-I am thankful for...
1. ...material blessings (house to live in, vehicles, bed, couches, food to eat, (but more than that))
2. ...a beautiful, talented, intelligent, Christian wife.
3. ...two healthy, perfect children.
4. ...a church family that truly cares for their pastor.
5. ...perfect health!
6. ...parents who love & pray for me, in-laws who love & pray for me (best in-laws a person could have)
7. ...two brothers who desire to serve the Lord, a grandfather who is a man of God.
8. ...a background/foundation in the church.
9. ...the opportunity to serve my Lord & Savior.
10. ...the ability to do this (take a breath)
11. ...the gift of speech to be able to say: "Hallelujah! Praise be to God!"
12. ...the agent of grace which is the Holy Spirit convicted me in a church service & I responded in obedience w/ repentance and was saved.
13. ...the fact that He has delivered [me] from the domain of darkness and transferred [me] to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Col. 1:13)
14. ...the joy, peace, and hope that wells up in my soul from Christ!
15. ...for the river of healing & cleansing that has washed over my heart, soul, & mind and created something new.
-What are you thankful for?
-This trickle has become a raging river.
1. And it’s bringing healing!
2. And it’s bringing life!
3. And it’s bringing wholeness!
4. It is the living God to who we give thanks this morning.
VIII. Conclusion
-Revelation 22:1-2 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
-My feet are wet!
-What about yours?
-He is worthy of our praise!
-Let’s give Him thanks this morning!
Response
Showing posts with label revival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label revival. Show all posts
Monday, March 2, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
At Ease in Zion
Amos 5:21-6:1a
At Ease in Zion: A Complacent People
I. Introduction
-God has blessed us!
-God has blessed our church!
-Greensburg started in 1985 in the basement of the Farm Bureau building.
1. It took some work to seek God's plan to this day.
2. Time, talent, and treasures of many people.
-Ill. Over 350 years ago a shipload of ppl landed on the NE coast of America.
1. First year they established a town site.
2. Second- elected a town government.
3. Third- government planned to build a road running five miles West out of town.
4. Fourth- the ppl tried to impeach their elected officials
5. "Who needs a road five miles West?"
-Ironically they had come over three thousand miles across the Atlantic, but lost sight of what was five miles out of town.
-Same problem I think the Israelites had.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-The kings of the day were Uzziah (Southern kingdom) and Jeroboam II.
-Times were good!
1. There was peace!
2. There was wealth, prosperity, and great times!
-People were religious!
1. They had religious festivals
2. They even had solemn assemblies (boring services).
3. They performed the sacrifices they were suppose to.
4. Even paid their tithe.
5. They sang praise to God.
-But for all the good things, God says He hates, rejects, refuses all of this from them.
-Why? Amos 6:1 "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria."
IV. Lack of Urgency
-When times are good, we tend to lose our sense of purpose/ urgency.
-Ill. Pain in my foot.
1. If is continues I'll see the doctor.
2. But if it suddenly goes away the urgency is gone.
-We identify spiritual need today by bad circumstances.
1. Economic troubles.
2. Relational troubles.
3. Emotional, family, job.
4. If you have those troubles, you must have spiritual trouble.
-But that's not who Amos is talking to.
-He speaks the comfortable!
1. To a ppl who feel no urgency to act on anything.
2. There is nothing so important to them that needs their attention.
3. Nothing that demands their actions change.
-He speaks to you and I today!
V. Been Through the Wilderness
-The Israelites had been through the wilderness.
1. Through attacks, and wars, and famines, and hardship.
2. Finally they come to a point in their history were there is a little peace.
-And they grow at ease in Zion (ie. Jerusalem)
1. The stronghold.
2. Feel safe on the Mountain of Samaria (N. kingdom capitol).
-Amos proclaims God's truth to them.
-Ill. Geese call to ducks.
1. Ronald Meredith, an author, writes about a night he awoke to the call of geese overhead.
2. He ran to the window and watched them fly over in formation calling.
3. He noticed the tame ducks that lived in the pond next to his house.
4. As the geese honked the tame ducks fluttered a little bit, but the temptation of the corn that Ronald through out was too much.
5. They stayed.
-Amos' call was little more than the geese flying overhead.
-They reject his message.
VI. Ease and Complacency
-Their complacency restricts their ability to do right over time.
-Ill. Dandelions in the garden.
1. Gardner tried everything to get rid of the weed.
2. Nothing worked so he wrote the department of Agriculture.
3. "What shall I try next?"
4. Their response: "Try getting used to them."
-Unfortunately that is the advice Christians tend to take concerning sin in their life.
VII. Greensburg History
-Started in 1985 in the basement of the Farm Bureau building.
-Now in this beautiful building.
1. We can pay our bills.
2. We have a pastor.
3. We are blessed with all kinds of talents.
-I wonder... have we become at ease in Zion?
-The cornerstone of this building says ‘1987' have we been at ease since then? (Church is nice.)
1. Since January when we got a new pastor?
2. Since there haven't been any problems?
3. Since there haven't been any difficulties?
-Praise God for what He has done in our past!
1. We wouldn't be here today if God was not in it!
2. He has blessed us with this building.
3. With resources and talents to continue in ministry, but...
-Are we at ease? ...do we feel comfortable and secure?
-Are we preoccupied with keeping the status quo?
-Are we blinded by yesterday's accomplishments?
1. Garbage Can
2. Awards thrown away.
-What we did yesterday is in the past?
-What Amos asks us, is what we are going to do today?
VIII. Amos Today
-I wonder if our scripture could read for us today?
-"I hate, I reject your revivals, I do not delight in your special services.
Even though you offer up to me elaborate prayers and beautiful songs, I will not accept them.
And I will not even look at your offerings...
-Are you willing to lay down your reputation in this community for Christ?
-Willing to roll up your sleeves and get dirty.
-You know what made the difference in the early church?
1. They never became at ease in Zion.
2. They never came to a point where they were coasting. (Even after Pentecost and the thousands of ppl who became Christians.)
3. They were willing to rock the boat.
-Every great movement of God in history is accompanied by people unwilling to waver from God's Will.
1. Unwilling to be influenced by culture.
2. But fervently seeking God's will in the world.
3. Biblically defined vs. culturally defined Christians
-We need some people who are willing to rock the boat!
-Let's see the vision of what God wants to do...
1. Not grow the Greensburg Church.
2. Build His kingdom in Green county.
3. You could account that to
IX. Conclusion
-You would think that the people, after hearing Amos, would have repented and loosed themselves from the apathy and ease.
-Not the case.
-Amaziah, the priest!, rejected Amos and his message.
-He even went so far as to pursue and attempt to destroy him.
-Will you leave here still at ease in Zion?
Response
At Ease in Zion: A Complacent People
I. Introduction
-God has blessed us!
-God has blessed our church!
-Greensburg started in 1985 in the basement of the Farm Bureau building.
1. It took some work to seek God's plan to this day.
2. Time, talent, and treasures of many people.
-Ill. Over 350 years ago a shipload of ppl landed on the NE coast of America.
1. First year they established a town site.
2. Second- elected a town government.
3. Third- government planned to build a road running five miles West out of town.
4. Fourth- the ppl tried to impeach their elected officials
5. "Who needs a road five miles West?"
-Ironically they had come over three thousand miles across the Atlantic, but lost sight of what was five miles out of town.
-Same problem I think the Israelites had.
II. Scripture
III. Background
-The kings of the day were Uzziah (Southern kingdom) and Jeroboam II.
-Times were good!
1. There was peace!
2. There was wealth, prosperity, and great times!
-People were religious!
1. They had religious festivals
2. They even had solemn assemblies (boring services).
3. They performed the sacrifices they were suppose to.
4. Even paid their tithe.
5. They sang praise to God.
-But for all the good things, God says He hates, rejects, refuses all of this from them.
-Why? Amos 6:1 "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria."
IV. Lack of Urgency
-When times are good, we tend to lose our sense of purpose/ urgency.
-Ill. Pain in my foot.
1. If is continues I'll see the doctor.
2. But if it suddenly goes away the urgency is gone.
-We identify spiritual need today by bad circumstances.
1. Economic troubles.
2. Relational troubles.
3. Emotional, family, job.
4. If you have those troubles, you must have spiritual trouble.
-But that's not who Amos is talking to.
-He speaks the comfortable!
1. To a ppl who feel no urgency to act on anything.
2. There is nothing so important to them that needs their attention.
3. Nothing that demands their actions change.
-He speaks to you and I today!
V. Been Through the Wilderness
-The Israelites had been through the wilderness.
1. Through attacks, and wars, and famines, and hardship.
2. Finally they come to a point in their history were there is a little peace.
-And they grow at ease in Zion (ie. Jerusalem)
1. The stronghold.
2. Feel safe on the Mountain of Samaria (N. kingdom capitol).
-Amos proclaims God's truth to them.
-Ill. Geese call to ducks.
1. Ronald Meredith, an author, writes about a night he awoke to the call of geese overhead.
2. He ran to the window and watched them fly over in formation calling.
3. He noticed the tame ducks that lived in the pond next to his house.
4. As the geese honked the tame ducks fluttered a little bit, but the temptation of the corn that Ronald through out was too much.
5. They stayed.
-Amos' call was little more than the geese flying overhead.
-They reject his message.
VI. Ease and Complacency
-Their complacency restricts their ability to do right over time.
-Ill. Dandelions in the garden.
1. Gardner tried everything to get rid of the weed.
2. Nothing worked so he wrote the department of Agriculture.
3. "What shall I try next?"
4. Their response: "Try getting used to them."
-Unfortunately that is the advice Christians tend to take concerning sin in their life.
VII. Greensburg History
-Started in 1985 in the basement of the Farm Bureau building.
-Now in this beautiful building.
1. We can pay our bills.
2. We have a pastor.
3. We are blessed with all kinds of talents.
-I wonder... have we become at ease in Zion?
-The cornerstone of this building says ‘1987' have we been at ease since then? (Church is nice.)
1. Since January when we got a new pastor?
2. Since there haven't been any problems?
3. Since there haven't been any difficulties?
-Praise God for what He has done in our past!
1. We wouldn't be here today if God was not in it!
2. He has blessed us with this building.
3. With resources and talents to continue in ministry, but...
-Are we at ease? ...do we feel comfortable and secure?
-Are we preoccupied with keeping the status quo?
-Are we blinded by yesterday's accomplishments?
1. Garbage Can
2. Awards thrown away.
-What we did yesterday is in the past?
-What Amos asks us, is what we are going to do today?
VIII. Amos Today
-I wonder if our scripture could read for us today?
-"I hate, I reject your revivals, I do not delight in your special services.
Even though you offer up to me elaborate prayers and beautiful songs, I will not accept them.
And I will not even look at your offerings...
-Are you willing to lay down your reputation in this community for Christ?
-Willing to roll up your sleeves and get dirty.
-You know what made the difference in the early church?
1. They never became at ease in Zion.
2. They never came to a point where they were coasting. (Even after Pentecost and the thousands of ppl who became Christians.)
3. They were willing to rock the boat.
-Every great movement of God in history is accompanied by people unwilling to waver from God's Will.
1. Unwilling to be influenced by culture.
2. But fervently seeking God's will in the world.
3. Biblically defined vs. culturally defined Christians
-We need some people who are willing to rock the boat!
-Let's see the vision of what God wants to do...
1. Not grow the Greensburg Church.
2. Build His kingdom in Green county.
3. You could account that to
IX. Conclusion
-You would think that the people, after hearing Amos, would have repented and loosed themselves from the apathy and ease.
-Not the case.
-Amaziah, the priest!, rejected Amos and his message.
-He even went so far as to pursue and attempt to destroy him.
-Will you leave here still at ease in Zion?
Response
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Have You Been With God Lately?
Exodus 34:27-35
Have You Been With God Lately?: Revival & God
I. Introduction
-What brings revival?
-As much as we'd like to believe it, we do not.
1. No formula/ no 10-steps to revival
2. "Drink a Ski!"??
-God's presence brings revival/renewal
II. Scripture
III. Getting With God
-Moses fasted 40 days & nights w/ God on the Mt.
-Fasting in the Bible....
1. Esther & Mordecai
2. Jesus, Paul, Anna (prophetess)
3. Cornelius, John's disciples.
-Fasted for 40 days...
1. Elijah, Jesus, Moses...
2. Daniel (3 weeks)
-Fasted during...
1. ...public/private calamities.
2. ...approaching danger.
3. ...ordaining/commissioning.
4. ...in times of sorrow.
5. ...before major decisions.
-But Fasting isn't the solution.
-But Moses, in v. 28, fasted
1. He fasted and communed w/ God
2. The focus was on God
-We don't believe God can handle revival anymore.
1. That's why churches have gotten away from it.
2. "It doesn't work."
3. Like it's an old beat up car.
-We are more focused on being good singers, entertaining preachers, & enlightening teachers, that we are no longer spirit filled.
1. We spend less & less time in the presence of God.
2. Communing w/ God?
-Bring in the right preacher/ singer/ program, etc. & we'll have revival.
IV. Our Focus
-Our focused is dominated with our reputation in the community.
-We want to accomplish what we want to do and what is best for us.
-We have a worldly preoccupation (not spiritual).
-There is very little difference between what we want & what the world wants.
-Query: Do you remember when we still thought "worldly" was a bad thing?
-How do we get the worldliness out of the church?
1. "Beat the Devil out of ‘em."
2. Do good to cancel out evil?
3. No, only the Savior can cleanse.
-Point: The only solution for worldliness and sinfulness in the church is being with God on the mountain of intimacy!
V. Worldly
-In Ch. 32 Moses is up on the Mt. w/ God and he comes back down to see the ppl dancing around the golden calf.
1. Aaron was dumb-founded!
2. Moses was angry.
-Point: If you spend a little time on the mt. w/ God you'll come back down and view things differently!
-How do I know that intimacy w/ God is a problem in the church today?
1. If it weren't I might see it in your face!
2. Being w/ God is powerful.
3. You cannot be the same.
-Biblical illiteracy is an epidemic in the church.
1. "Preacher, I know about Moses, Esther, & the Passion of Christ."
2. "No, you just saw the movie!"
-Parties, picnics, & potlucks have taken the place of prayer meeting!
-Sports, clubs, pageants, jobs, vacation, etc. have all taken precedent over church attendance.
-Feasting has replaced fasting
-Sin has become irrelevant.
1. Last I checked sin was still the problem!
2. We've turned sin into a mistake...
-Ill. A young girl once confessed to her priest that she thought she was guilty of the sin of pride.
1. "When I look in the mirror, I think I am beautiful."
2. Priest: "That's not a sin, that's a mistake."
-My goal is not to get you to read the Bible more or pray more...
1. That's another sermon.
2. You are missing the point.
-Query: Can the world tell you've been with God?
1. No: Have you been with God?
2. The world will be able to tell.
VI. Running from Intimacy
-I think we're running from intimacy.
1. TV, radio, computer, job, family, chores, ‘to-do' list, etc.
2. "So much to do; so little time."
-We are church shopping rather than God seeking.
-Seeker friendly church?
1. We are to seek the lost.
2. They don't care about God.
3. Problem: we're too friendly w/ sin and to foreign to holiness.
-Seeker friendly church = a church where you will be at home if you are seeking God.
-Ill. Somewhere in Acts after Pentecost the Bible says:
1. "One of the members saith unto Peter after the 3000 were baptized: ‘As surely as the Lord liveth thou hast not fed me today. Thou hast not encouraged me and my feelings are sorely oppressed because I have felt the Spirit of the Living God and He hath called me unto repentance. Therefore I have set my face to findth a church where by I might grow strong in the Lord without having to repent or worketh in the harvest."
2. "I'm not being fed."
3. You don't complain about that at the potlucks!
-Lots of churches are built around big personalities, charismatic leaders, gifted preachers, popular/ prestigious people.
1. It's hard to run a PR campaign for God.
2. Fewer & fewer churches are bringing people to Mt. Calvary to look upon the crucified Lord.
VII. Been with God?
-Being w/ God always makes you more like Him.
-v. 29b Moses didn't realize how different he really was b/c he was still focused on God
-Every service, every time God comes, we should leave reflecting the glory of God.
-Conviction is a good thing to us, b/c we want to be as close to God as we possibly can get!
-Some like to hear preaching on murder and homosexual, but do not talk about unsanctified attitudes and w/ words instigating hurt feelings.
1. Don't be proud about the fact you have hurt someone.
2. Ill. Board meeting fist fights
3. Note: "that's just the way I am" is the same excuse homosexuals use!
-Growing in grace does not make you more cranky & hard to get along with!
1. Closer to God = more loving.
2. Growing in grace is not becoming more prideful.
3. It is more humility.
-No sanctified person keeps track of their ‘holiness factor.'
1. Moses was not aware of the skin on his face shining.
2. He was still focused on God!
-Query: What has God done in your life lately?
1. B/c you're not doing a lot of things bad, doesn't mean you're growing/reflecting His glory.
2. Has anyone made a not of how much like Christ you look?
VIII. Cost of Discipleship
-We need to get back to the place where being a Christian cost you something!
-D. Bonhoeffer "Cost of Discipleship"
1. "Well, what's the draw in that?"
2. Hard to market Christianity as it is!
3. The HOLY SPIRIT is the draw!
-Virginia Owens: "Bible bookstores are now papered with announcements of Christian concerts instead of revival meetings."
1. Why is that?
2. B/c we can put on a concert ourselves, but a revival requires a coming of the Holy Spirit!
-Dr. G. Campbell Morgan: "The church patronized is the church paralyzed , therefore the church in peril. The church persecuted is the church prayerful, and thus powerful."
1. Why is that?
2. B/c they have had to be with God.
-Free, free, free salvation?
-It is free, but it will cost you everything!
IX. Christianity Isn't Easy...
-If we continue to proclaim that, we will continue to produce wimpy Christians! (delusion)
-There is peer pressure to conform to the world:
1. Reporters interviewing a 104 year-old woman:
2. "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked.
3. "No peer pressure," she said
-Just b/c you're a Christian doesn't mean you won't...
1. ...ever get fired, you will have perfect health,
2. ...or your business will be successful, or you will be rich.
-That's not why you sacrifice and commit to God.
-Point: You commit to Him b/c He is God!
-Ill. From Moses' perspective, the glamor of the world faded.
1. He turned his back on the shallow/easy/worldly but chose desert trial/ wandering with God.
2. He chose reproach of Christ over all the world had to offer. (Heb. 11)
3. It's called sacrificial.
X. Conclusion
-The sin of the church is not...
1. ...that we murdered, lied, committed adultery,
2. ...coveted, stole, worshiped an idol, gossipped, looked at pornography, slandered, cussed, etc.
-Point: The sin of the church today is that we have not been with God!
-2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
1. That's not a formula for revival.
2. Those are all about getting into the presence of God!
-Leonard Ravenhill: "The more men pray the less worldly the become. The less men pray the more worldly they become."
-The sin of the church is that we have never (or rarely ever) been so close to God that it was reflected in our daily lives.
-The preacher preaches Sunday after Sunday... no change.
1. SS. Teacher... no change.
2. Service after service.
3. Bible study after bible study.
-v. 30 others were afraid of Moses b/c of how close he was to God.
1. The world does not know what to do with someone who has been w/ God.
2. Neither does the Devil!
-I fear that most of us have never experienced the kind of spiritual power at work in Moses.
-A real church service has lasting effect on our lives and lives of pppl we come in contact with!
-Point: Getting closer to God isn't preparation for revival... it is revival!
Response:
Have You Been With God Lately?: Revival & God
I. Introduction
-What brings revival?
-As much as we'd like to believe it, we do not.
1. No formula/ no 10-steps to revival
2. "Drink a Ski!"??
-God's presence brings revival/renewal
II. Scripture
III. Getting With God
-Moses fasted 40 days & nights w/ God on the Mt.
-Fasting in the Bible....
1. Esther & Mordecai
2. Jesus, Paul, Anna (prophetess)
3. Cornelius, John's disciples.
-Fasted for 40 days...
1. Elijah, Jesus, Moses...
2. Daniel (3 weeks)
-Fasted during...
1. ...public/private calamities.
2. ...approaching danger.
3. ...ordaining/commissioning.
4. ...in times of sorrow.
5. ...before major decisions.
-But Fasting isn't the solution.
-But Moses, in v. 28, fasted
1. He fasted and communed w/ God
2. The focus was on God
-We don't believe God can handle revival anymore.
1. That's why churches have gotten away from it.
2. "It doesn't work."
3. Like it's an old beat up car.
-We are more focused on being good singers, entertaining preachers, & enlightening teachers, that we are no longer spirit filled.
1. We spend less & less time in the presence of God.
2. Communing w/ God?
-Bring in the right preacher/ singer/ program, etc. & we'll have revival.
IV. Our Focus
-Our focused is dominated with our reputation in the community.
-We want to accomplish what we want to do and what is best for us.
-We have a worldly preoccupation (not spiritual).
-There is very little difference between what we want & what the world wants.
-Query: Do you remember when we still thought "worldly" was a bad thing?
-How do we get the worldliness out of the church?
1. "Beat the Devil out of ‘em."
2. Do good to cancel out evil?
3. No, only the Savior can cleanse.
-Point: The only solution for worldliness and sinfulness in the church is being with God on the mountain of intimacy!
V. Worldly
-In Ch. 32 Moses is up on the Mt. w/ God and he comes back down to see the ppl dancing around the golden calf.
1. Aaron was dumb-founded!
2. Moses was angry.
-Point: If you spend a little time on the mt. w/ God you'll come back down and view things differently!
-How do I know that intimacy w/ God is a problem in the church today?
1. If it weren't I might see it in your face!
2. Being w/ God is powerful.
3. You cannot be the same.
-Biblical illiteracy is an epidemic in the church.
1. "Preacher, I know about Moses, Esther, & the Passion of Christ."
2. "No, you just saw the movie!"
-Parties, picnics, & potlucks have taken the place of prayer meeting!
-Sports, clubs, pageants, jobs, vacation, etc. have all taken precedent over church attendance.
-Feasting has replaced fasting
-Sin has become irrelevant.
1. Last I checked sin was still the problem!
2. We've turned sin into a mistake...
-Ill. A young girl once confessed to her priest that she thought she was guilty of the sin of pride.
1. "When I look in the mirror, I think I am beautiful."
2. Priest: "That's not a sin, that's a mistake."
-My goal is not to get you to read the Bible more or pray more...
1. That's another sermon.
2. You are missing the point.
-Query: Can the world tell you've been with God?
1. No: Have you been with God?
2. The world will be able to tell.
VI. Running from Intimacy
-I think we're running from intimacy.
1. TV, radio, computer, job, family, chores, ‘to-do' list, etc.
2. "So much to do; so little time."
-We are church shopping rather than God seeking.
-Seeker friendly church?
1. We are to seek the lost.
2. They don't care about God.
3. Problem: we're too friendly w/ sin and to foreign to holiness.
-Seeker friendly church = a church where you will be at home if you are seeking God.
-Ill. Somewhere in Acts after Pentecost the Bible says:
1. "One of the members saith unto Peter after the 3000 were baptized: ‘As surely as the Lord liveth thou hast not fed me today. Thou hast not encouraged me and my feelings are sorely oppressed because I have felt the Spirit of the Living God and He hath called me unto repentance. Therefore I have set my face to findth a church where by I might grow strong in the Lord without having to repent or worketh in the harvest."
2. "I'm not being fed."
3. You don't complain about that at the potlucks!
-Lots of churches are built around big personalities, charismatic leaders, gifted preachers, popular/ prestigious people.
1. It's hard to run a PR campaign for God.
2. Fewer & fewer churches are bringing people to Mt. Calvary to look upon the crucified Lord.
VII. Been with God?
-Being w/ God always makes you more like Him.
-v. 29b Moses didn't realize how different he really was b/c he was still focused on God
-Every service, every time God comes, we should leave reflecting the glory of God.
-Conviction is a good thing to us, b/c we want to be as close to God as we possibly can get!
-Some like to hear preaching on murder and homosexual, but do not talk about unsanctified attitudes and w/ words instigating hurt feelings.
1. Don't be proud about the fact you have hurt someone.
2. Ill. Board meeting fist fights
3. Note: "that's just the way I am" is the same excuse homosexuals use!
-Growing in grace does not make you more cranky & hard to get along with!
1. Closer to God = more loving.
2. Growing in grace is not becoming more prideful.
3. It is more humility.
-No sanctified person keeps track of their ‘holiness factor.'
1. Moses was not aware of the skin on his face shining.
2. He was still focused on God!
-Query: What has God done in your life lately?
1. B/c you're not doing a lot of things bad, doesn't mean you're growing/reflecting His glory.
2. Has anyone made a not of how much like Christ you look?
VIII. Cost of Discipleship
-We need to get back to the place where being a Christian cost you something!
-D. Bonhoeffer "Cost of Discipleship"
1. "Well, what's the draw in that?"
2. Hard to market Christianity as it is!
3. The HOLY SPIRIT is the draw!
-Virginia Owens: "Bible bookstores are now papered with announcements of Christian concerts instead of revival meetings."
1. Why is that?
2. B/c we can put on a concert ourselves, but a revival requires a coming of the Holy Spirit!
-Dr. G. Campbell Morgan: "The church patronized is the church paralyzed , therefore the church in peril. The church persecuted is the church prayerful, and thus powerful."
1. Why is that?
2. B/c they have had to be with God.
-Free, free, free salvation?
-It is free, but it will cost you everything!
IX. Christianity Isn't Easy...
-If we continue to proclaim that, we will continue to produce wimpy Christians! (delusion)
-There is peer pressure to conform to the world:
1. Reporters interviewing a 104 year-old woman:
2. "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked.
3. "No peer pressure," she said
-Just b/c you're a Christian doesn't mean you won't...
1. ...ever get fired, you will have perfect health,
2. ...or your business will be successful, or you will be rich.
-That's not why you sacrifice and commit to God.
-Point: You commit to Him b/c He is God!
-Ill. From Moses' perspective, the glamor of the world faded.
1. He turned his back on the shallow/easy/worldly but chose desert trial/ wandering with God.
2. He chose reproach of Christ over all the world had to offer. (Heb. 11)
3. It's called sacrificial.
X. Conclusion
-The sin of the church is not...
1. ...that we murdered, lied, committed adultery,
2. ...coveted, stole, worshiped an idol, gossipped, looked at pornography, slandered, cussed, etc.
-Point: The sin of the church today is that we have not been with God!
-2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
1. That's not a formula for revival.
2. Those are all about getting into the presence of God!
-Leonard Ravenhill: "The more men pray the less worldly the become. The less men pray the more worldly they become."
-The sin of the church is that we have never (or rarely ever) been so close to God that it was reflected in our daily lives.
-The preacher preaches Sunday after Sunday... no change.
1. SS. Teacher... no change.
2. Service after service.
3. Bible study after bible study.
-v. 30 others were afraid of Moses b/c of how close he was to God.
1. The world does not know what to do with someone who has been w/ God.
2. Neither does the Devil!
-I fear that most of us have never experienced the kind of spiritual power at work in Moses.
-A real church service has lasting effect on our lives and lives of pppl we come in contact with!
-Point: Getting closer to God isn't preparation for revival... it is revival!
Response:
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Spiritual Recession
2 Peter 2:17-22
Spiritual Recession: Going the Wrong Way
I. Introduction
-One month from revival.
-Revival is upon us.
-The opposite of revival is recession.
-Are you in the midst of spiritual recession?
-What direction are you heading with God?
1. Forward, deeper, higher?
2. Backward, shallowness, weakness?
-Peter describes a frightening spiritual condition...
II. Scripture
III. Disconcerting State
-The politicians are talking about economic recession.
1. Economy is troubled.
2. Jobs, taxes, money.
3. Since they know everything, I won't deal w/ that this morning.
-There is a state even more disconcerting: spiritual recession.
-What is spiritual recession?
1. Spiritual recession = spiritual retreat.
2. It is spiritual sickness.
3. It leads to spiritual lostness/ death.
4. It is moving in the wrong direction.
5. Sometimes called backsliding.
-I'm not talking about those who have never been saved
1. Their's is a sad state.
2. Spiritual recession is worse.
-More prevalent than we realize today.
-Maybe you are affected.
IV. Spiritual Sickness
-Ill. There are observable things that happen when Jacob gets sick.
1. He doesn't act the same (being still & sitting in lap).
2. Take his temperature (high)
3. Vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
4. Excessive crying.
5. When older; he can tell me something is wrong.
-From a pastor's heart let me share with you some indicators of spiritual recession.
-Drop in Attendance
1. Are you in the house of the Lord less than you have been?
2. Are you consistent in your attendance?
3. Hit & miss?
-Drop in enthusiasm/passion
1. You use to be passionate about serving the Lord.
2. You loved to talk about God.
3. You use to do all you could to live for Him.
4. Study your Bible, pray, devotional time w/ Him.
5. Ppl commented about how much you loved the Lord.
-Drop in involvement
1. You use to be involved in God's Work through His church.
2. You did things in the church, you might have been a leader, you helped do things.
3. You were more involved than you are today.
-Drop in priority
1. The thing that usually proceeds the rest is a drop in priority.
2. The things of God use to be important to you.
3. Being at church, involved in church, and passionate about the Lord's Work use to be at the forefront of your list of priorities.
4. It just isn't important like it use to be.
-Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?
-Jerry Vines said: "Are you back slidden now? I'm going to help you answer that question. A backslidden Christian is any Christian who is not as close to Jesus as he use to be. Was there ever a time in your life when you were closer to the Lord than you are now? Was there ever a period in your life when you felt the presence of God more than you feel it now? Was there a moment in your life when your love for Jesus Christ was more real than it is this minute? If so you need a revival!"
V. Immunity to the Holy Spirit
-There is a way to mask this sickness from yourself.
-There is a vaccine against the Holy Spirit, many have.
-Ill. Many years ago small pox was a scary thing.
1. For most it was a death sentence.
2. Maybe some of you remember those times.
3. They eventually developed a vaccine against it.
4. They noticed that many individuals who had cow pox (a similar disease) did not contract small pox.
5. They started giving an injection of cow pox to individuals and found out it built up their immunity against small pox.
-Have you found yourself immune to the Holy Spirit?
1. That isn't b/c you are a mature Christian.
2. You might be in recession.
3. Have you spoken intimately with Christ of late?
-Or have you taken a vaccine?
1. Have you injected yourself with religion & religious stuff?
2. So that the Holy Spirit is drowned out.
-I fear we have become so religious that we have ceased to be holy!
1. We have "In God We Trust" on our money, but we don't.
2. Our constitution speaks of God, but our conscious has closed Him out.
3. Oprah, Dolly Parton, presidential candidates all speak of their service to God, but they have missed him.
-I fear we have become too religious for God!
-I fear our hearts have led us astray!
-Hebrews 3:12 "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God."
VI. Counterfeit Christianity
-Have we settled for a counterfeit?
-I sometimes wonder as I read God's Word: Have we missed it?
1. Have we made Christianity a sedative to help us sleep at night?
2. Have we deceived ourselves into thinking everything is okay?
-Have we bought into some kind of cheap therapeutic Christianity?
-Have we reasoned God out of the equation?
-Someone said: "We have been so deprived of real and true Christianity that we cannot identify the holy from humanistic; we cannot differentiate God's glory from the world's garbage; we cannot tell righteousness from rottenness!"
-v. 20 "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first."
-Ill. Mike Yaconelli in "The Wittenburg Door"
1. He writes of his upbringing in a small rural town.
2. Lot's of cattle farmers.
3. Asked a farmer how the cows would get lost.
4. "See a nice green patch of grass and go to nibble on it."
5. "Then they'd see another patch and go to it, then another. Before long they would look around and realize they were lost."
6. So it is with the church today.
7. We have wandered away from the truth of God, it has become foreign to us.
-I know there are some things you just cannot preach on in today's church w/out offending or shocking ppl.
1. Hell, Sex, Gossip,
2. Tithing, Divorce, etc.
3. I know it. "Lord Help Me"
VII. Retreat or Revival!
-Christians are in spiritual retreat.
-We are giving up ground to the forces of darkness.
1. We are surrendering to defeat.
2. We are signing treaties of surrender to the evil one.
-We are in spiritual recession.
-Ill. The African impala can jump more than 10 ft high & a distance of over 30 ft.
1. But they can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall.
2. Why? They will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.
-Many Christians in spiritual recession are that way.
1. They cannot see the solution to the problem.
2. They cannot see it so they will not jump.
-Retreat or Revival?
-The answer to spiritual recession is spiritual revival!
VIII. Conclusion
-Ill. Robert Robinson the author of "Come Thou Fount"
1. He was saved out of a life of deep sin through George Whitfield's ministry in England.
2. Shortly afterwards at the age of 23 he wrote the hymn.
3. At some point Robinson became a prodigal son, who wondered away from the Lord.
4. One day he was traveling by stagecoach w/ a young woman engrossed in her book.
5. She came across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked what he thought of it.
6. She read: "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love."
7. Crying he said: "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then."
-vv. 21-22 "For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. [22] What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in th mire.'"
-Are you were you use to be?
-Some......are affected.
1. ...couples...
2. ...families...
3. ...churches...
4. ...individuals...
-Some of us are in recession b/c we've never really been shown what true Christianity looks like.
-The only response to spiritual recession is spiritual revival!
Response
Spiritual Recession: Going the Wrong Way
I. Introduction
-One month from revival.
-Revival is upon us.
-The opposite of revival is recession.
-Are you in the midst of spiritual recession?
-What direction are you heading with God?
1. Forward, deeper, higher?
2. Backward, shallowness, weakness?
-Peter describes a frightening spiritual condition...
II. Scripture
III. Disconcerting State
-The politicians are talking about economic recession.
1. Economy is troubled.
2. Jobs, taxes, money.
3. Since they know everything, I won't deal w/ that this morning.
-There is a state even more disconcerting: spiritual recession.
-What is spiritual recession?
1. Spiritual recession = spiritual retreat.
2. It is spiritual sickness.
3. It leads to spiritual lostness/ death.
4. It is moving in the wrong direction.
5. Sometimes called backsliding.
-I'm not talking about those who have never been saved
1. Their's is a sad state.
2. Spiritual recession is worse.
-More prevalent than we realize today.
-Maybe you are affected.
IV. Spiritual Sickness
-Ill. There are observable things that happen when Jacob gets sick.
1. He doesn't act the same (being still & sitting in lap).
2. Take his temperature (high)
3. Vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
4. Excessive crying.
5. When older; he can tell me something is wrong.
-From a pastor's heart let me share with you some indicators of spiritual recession.
-Drop in Attendance
1. Are you in the house of the Lord less than you have been?
2. Are you consistent in your attendance?
3. Hit & miss?
-Drop in enthusiasm/passion
1. You use to be passionate about serving the Lord.
2. You loved to talk about God.
3. You use to do all you could to live for Him.
4. Study your Bible, pray, devotional time w/ Him.
5. Ppl commented about how much you loved the Lord.
-Drop in involvement
1. You use to be involved in God's Work through His church.
2. You did things in the church, you might have been a leader, you helped do things.
3. You were more involved than you are today.
-Drop in priority
1. The thing that usually proceeds the rest is a drop in priority.
2. The things of God use to be important to you.
3. Being at church, involved in church, and passionate about the Lord's Work use to be at the forefront of your list of priorities.
4. It just isn't important like it use to be.
-Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately?
-Jerry Vines said: "Are you back slidden now? I'm going to help you answer that question. A backslidden Christian is any Christian who is not as close to Jesus as he use to be. Was there ever a time in your life when you were closer to the Lord than you are now? Was there ever a period in your life when you felt the presence of God more than you feel it now? Was there a moment in your life when your love for Jesus Christ was more real than it is this minute? If so you need a revival!"
V. Immunity to the Holy Spirit
-There is a way to mask this sickness from yourself.
-There is a vaccine against the Holy Spirit, many have.
-Ill. Many years ago small pox was a scary thing.
1. For most it was a death sentence.
2. Maybe some of you remember those times.
3. They eventually developed a vaccine against it.
4. They noticed that many individuals who had cow pox (a similar disease) did not contract small pox.
5. They started giving an injection of cow pox to individuals and found out it built up their immunity against small pox.
-Have you found yourself immune to the Holy Spirit?
1. That isn't b/c you are a mature Christian.
2. You might be in recession.
3. Have you spoken intimately with Christ of late?
-Or have you taken a vaccine?
1. Have you injected yourself with religion & religious stuff?
2. So that the Holy Spirit is drowned out.
-I fear we have become so religious that we have ceased to be holy!
1. We have "In God We Trust" on our money, but we don't.
2. Our constitution speaks of God, but our conscious has closed Him out.
3. Oprah, Dolly Parton, presidential candidates all speak of their service to God, but they have missed him.
-I fear we have become too religious for God!
-I fear our hearts have led us astray!
-Hebrews 3:12 "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God."
VI. Counterfeit Christianity
-Have we settled for a counterfeit?
-I sometimes wonder as I read God's Word: Have we missed it?
1. Have we made Christianity a sedative to help us sleep at night?
2. Have we deceived ourselves into thinking everything is okay?
-Have we bought into some kind of cheap therapeutic Christianity?
-Have we reasoned God out of the equation?
-Someone said: "We have been so deprived of real and true Christianity that we cannot identify the holy from humanistic; we cannot differentiate God's glory from the world's garbage; we cannot tell righteousness from rottenness!"
-v. 20 "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first."
-Ill. Mike Yaconelli in "The Wittenburg Door"
1. He writes of his upbringing in a small rural town.
2. Lot's of cattle farmers.
3. Asked a farmer how the cows would get lost.
4. "See a nice green patch of grass and go to nibble on it."
5. "Then they'd see another patch and go to it, then another. Before long they would look around and realize they were lost."
6. So it is with the church today.
7. We have wandered away from the truth of God, it has become foreign to us.
-I know there are some things you just cannot preach on in today's church w/out offending or shocking ppl.
1. Hell, Sex, Gossip,
2. Tithing, Divorce, etc.
3. I know it. "Lord Help Me"
VII. Retreat or Revival!
-Christians are in spiritual retreat.
-We are giving up ground to the forces of darkness.
1. We are surrendering to defeat.
2. We are signing treaties of surrender to the evil one.
-We are in spiritual recession.
-Ill. The African impala can jump more than 10 ft high & a distance of over 30 ft.
1. But they can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall.
2. Why? They will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.
-Many Christians in spiritual recession are that way.
1. They cannot see the solution to the problem.
2. They cannot see it so they will not jump.
-Retreat or Revival?
-The answer to spiritual recession is spiritual revival!
VIII. Conclusion
-Ill. Robert Robinson the author of "Come Thou Fount"
1. He was saved out of a life of deep sin through George Whitfield's ministry in England.
2. Shortly afterwards at the age of 23 he wrote the hymn.
3. At some point Robinson became a prodigal son, who wondered away from the Lord.
4. One day he was traveling by stagecoach w/ a young woman engrossed in her book.
5. She came across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked what he thought of it.
6. She read: "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love."
7. Crying he said: "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then."
-vv. 21-22 "For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. [22] What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in th mire.'"
-Are you were you use to be?
-Some......are affected.
1. ...couples...
2. ...families...
3. ...churches...
4. ...individuals...
-Some of us are in recession b/c we've never really been shown what true Christianity looks like.
-The only response to spiritual recession is spiritual revival!
Response
Monday, October 6, 2008
Prelude to Revival
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:
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:
Monday, May 26, 2008
Filled With the Spirit or Wine?
Ephesians 5:18
The following is a sermon that I preached on May 18th at the community worship service before the local vote on the sale of alcohol. As the Lord led I realized there was little use in trying to convince those present that alcohol would have a negative effect... that was why they were there. The following sermon ensued...
I. Introduction
-In two days an important vote will take place: Should we sell alcohol?
-However, I believe that the problem our community faces is much deeper than this vote.
-In other words, even if the vote is ‘no,’ our community will still have problems.
-I am against alcohol, but we must ask ourselves what we are for!
II. Scripture
III. More than Anti-Drunkenness
-Drunkenness is sin; the Bible is clear on that. (Galatians 5:21)
-What we could mistakenly read into that passage, and all of scripture is this: "If I am sober, I am saved."
-But that is not true; it is not sobriety that saves us.
-It is not the lack of alcohol that defines the church.
-It is not an absence of alcohol in our body that makes us a Christian.
-There is something more to being a Christian!
IV. Filled with the Spirit
-Often the church has attempted to define itself as simply "anti" something.
-But the void of things/sins removed from our lives must be filled with something else!
-Being Christian is not defined by sobriety, but a filling of the Holy Spirit!
-What are you filled with?
-I’m not talking about...
1. ...association w/ the Spirit.
2. ...acquaintance w/ the Spirit.
3. ...just having the Spirit.
-I’m talking about being filled with the Spirit.
-When you are filled w/ the Spirit, the Spirit comes out when you are knocked about by life.
-When you are filled with the Spirit, it spills out at work, at home, at church, at the ballfield, at school, etc.
-Are you filled with the Spirit? (Those filled with the Spirit are not drunkards!)
V. A Little Church History
-The church only exists in a place where it is receiving (& transmitting) the Holy Spirit!
-What place is that?- Revival
-Let me give you a little church history...
-First Great Awakening (1730-1740's)
1. Jonathon Edwards (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God).
2. George Whitfield (methodist)
3. Many congregational style churches (Baptist) emerge
4. Separate Baptists came out of this. (Their verse was: 2 Corinthians 6:17 "Come out from among them, and be ye separate.")
5. It was an awakening/revival of the church!
-There is a need of revival when the church isn’t what it should be!
1. Church lacks power today!
2. The church needs revival!
3. The devil/world cannot stop revival in the church, only you & I (the church) can do that!
-Second Great Awakening (1800-1840's)
1. Presbyterian pastor organized a revival in Cane Ridge, KY.
2. Thousands came out.
3. Baptists and Methodists joined in as it spread across KY and the US.
4. Cumberland Presbyterian Church emerges from the 2nd great awakening!
5. Focused on saving the lost.
6. Pushed controversial issues like temperance, women’s rights, & slavery.
7. Spiritual leaders...
8. Alexander Campbell- Christian Church
9. Methodist Church needs more people like Francis Asbury & Peter Cartright
10. Presbyterian Church needs more people like Charles Finney, Lyman Beecher (temperance),
-There is a need of revival when there are lost people!
-Third Great Awakening (1880's-1900's)
1. AKA- Holiness Movement
2. Church of the Nazarene came from 3rd awakening
3. Salvation Army came from this revival too.
4. Focused on life change after revival services were over!
5. Eventually birthed the Pentecostal movement.
-There is need of revival when lives do not match professions.
VI. Just Momentum?
-Are we running the church on momentum from years past? (past revivals? past generations?)
-Ill. It is said that out west on level, straight track a train going 40-50 mph will go for 15 or more miles on momentum.
-Are we preaching, singing, & testifying on yesterday’s blessings?
-The church has truth on its side!
1. It has the Gospel!
2. It has the Holy Spirit!
3. But I am afraid we haven’t utilized any of that.
-Ill. A train on its tracks came to a stop away from any station.
1. Passengers: "Haven’t you got any water for the boiler engines?"
2. Engineer: "Yes, but we don't have a fire."
-The church needs fire again!
VII. A Divided Church?
-Some have said: "Alcohol has brought division in our community."
-Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."
-But in the accusation of division it is implied that the church is divided on this issue... not true.
-Truth is: No church or pastor in Green County is in support of selling alcohol.
-The church of green county stands in one accord on the issue of alcohol sales; it says: NO!
-Do you see what’s happening here? (We are in one accord!)
VIII. The Point?
-The Point: The church only exists when lives are being changed and disciples being made by the Spirit!
-We need an awakening today!
-We need a Pentecost!
-Acts 2:1 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
-The second great awakening began in little Cane Ridge, KY. Anyone know where that is?
-Critic: "We’re just a little county.What can we do?"
-Few people may have Greensburg, KY on their map, but few people had Cane Ridge, KY on their map until God broke out among the people!
-All of the ingredients are right for another Pentecost!
IX. Conclusion
-If all we ever accomplish in ministry is keeping alcohol out of Green County we will have failed.
-The ministry of the church is to bring about a spiritual awakening to God’s truth.
-I believe it is coming!
-Maybe not tonight, maybe not tomorrow, but it is coming!
-God is going to reveal himself to our community!
The following is a sermon that I preached on May 18th at the community worship service before the local vote on the sale of alcohol. As the Lord led I realized there was little use in trying to convince those present that alcohol would have a negative effect... that was why they were there. The following sermon ensued...
I. Introduction
-In two days an important vote will take place: Should we sell alcohol?
-However, I believe that the problem our community faces is much deeper than this vote.
-In other words, even if the vote is ‘no,’ our community will still have problems.
-I am against alcohol, but we must ask ourselves what we are for!
II. Scripture
III. More than Anti-Drunkenness
-Drunkenness is sin; the Bible is clear on that. (Galatians 5:21)
-What we could mistakenly read into that passage, and all of scripture is this: "If I am sober, I am saved."
-But that is not true; it is not sobriety that saves us.
-It is not the lack of alcohol that defines the church.
-It is not an absence of alcohol in our body that makes us a Christian.
-There is something more to being a Christian!
IV. Filled with the Spirit
-Often the church has attempted to define itself as simply "anti" something.
-But the void of things/sins removed from our lives must be filled with something else!
-Being Christian is not defined by sobriety, but a filling of the Holy Spirit!
-What are you filled with?
-I’m not talking about...
1. ...association w/ the Spirit.
2. ...acquaintance w/ the Spirit.
3. ...just having the Spirit.
-I’m talking about being filled with the Spirit.
-When you are filled w/ the Spirit, the Spirit comes out when you are knocked about by life.
-When you are filled with the Spirit, it spills out at work, at home, at church, at the ballfield, at school, etc.
-Are you filled with the Spirit? (Those filled with the Spirit are not drunkards!)
V. A Little Church History
-The church only exists in a place where it is receiving (& transmitting) the Holy Spirit!
-What place is that?- Revival
-Let me give you a little church history...
-First Great Awakening (1730-1740's)
1. Jonathon Edwards (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God).
2. George Whitfield (methodist)
3. Many congregational style churches (Baptist) emerge
4. Separate Baptists came out of this. (Their verse was: 2 Corinthians 6:17 "Come out from among them, and be ye separate.")
5. It was an awakening/revival of the church!
-There is a need of revival when the church isn’t what it should be!
1. Church lacks power today!
2. The church needs revival!
3. The devil/world cannot stop revival in the church, only you & I (the church) can do that!
-Second Great Awakening (1800-1840's)
1. Presbyterian pastor organized a revival in Cane Ridge, KY.
2. Thousands came out.
3. Baptists and Methodists joined in as it spread across KY and the US.
4. Cumberland Presbyterian Church emerges from the 2nd great awakening!
5. Focused on saving the lost.
6. Pushed controversial issues like temperance, women’s rights, & slavery.
7. Spiritual leaders...
8. Alexander Campbell- Christian Church
9. Methodist Church needs more people like Francis Asbury & Peter Cartright
10. Presbyterian Church needs more people like Charles Finney, Lyman Beecher (temperance),
-There is a need of revival when there are lost people!
-Third Great Awakening (1880's-1900's)
1. AKA- Holiness Movement
2. Church of the Nazarene came from 3rd awakening
3. Salvation Army came from this revival too.
4. Focused on life change after revival services were over!
5. Eventually birthed the Pentecostal movement.
-There is need of revival when lives do not match professions.
VI. Just Momentum?
-Are we running the church on momentum from years past? (past revivals? past generations?)
-Ill. It is said that out west on level, straight track a train going 40-50 mph will go for 15 or more miles on momentum.
-Are we preaching, singing, & testifying on yesterday’s blessings?
-The church has truth on its side!
1. It has the Gospel!
2. It has the Holy Spirit!
3. But I am afraid we haven’t utilized any of that.
-Ill. A train on its tracks came to a stop away from any station.
1. Passengers: "Haven’t you got any water for the boiler engines?"
2. Engineer: "Yes, but we don't have a fire."
-The church needs fire again!
VII. A Divided Church?
-Some have said: "Alcohol has brought division in our community."
-Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."
-But in the accusation of division it is implied that the church is divided on this issue... not true.
-Truth is: No church or pastor in Green County is in support of selling alcohol.
-The church of green county stands in one accord on the issue of alcohol sales; it says: NO!
-Do you see what’s happening here? (We are in one accord!)
VIII. The Point?
-The Point: The church only exists when lives are being changed and disciples being made by the Spirit!
-We need an awakening today!
-We need a Pentecost!
-Acts 2:1 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
-The second great awakening began in little Cane Ridge, KY. Anyone know where that is?
-Critic: "We’re just a little county.What can we do?"
-Few people may have Greensburg, KY on their map, but few people had Cane Ridge, KY on their map until God broke out among the people!
-All of the ingredients are right for another Pentecost!
IX. Conclusion
-If all we ever accomplish in ministry is keeping alcohol out of Green County we will have failed.
-The ministry of the church is to bring about a spiritual awakening to God’s truth.
-I believe it is coming!
-Maybe not tonight, maybe not tomorrow, but it is coming!
-God is going to reveal himself to our community!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)