THE REVIVAL WE NEED

 

Introduction

The Bible speaks about several types of spiritual awakenings.  In this study we will focus on four such references: 1) Revival 2) Reform 3) Refreshing
4) Restoration.

 

Illustration: Chinese observation, “It is amazing what the American church can do without God!  What we fear most is your materialism and unbelief.”

 

Main Body

I.                  Revival

          A. Definition: Hebrew-to bring back life, revive, resuscitate (life

               support).

B.   Psalms 85:6 “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people

    may rejoice in Thee?”

C.   Habakkuk 3:2 “Revive thy work(past miracles)in the midst of

     the years(in our time).”

 

II.               Reform

A.    Definition: Hebrew-to make thoroughly right, through and

      through.

B.     Hebrews 9:10 “Until the time of reformation

1.  Old Covenant                                    New Covenant

    meats, drinks, washings                  Jesus-greater, more

    ordinances, animal sacrifice            perfect tabernacle,

                                                                   blood sacrifice

2.     Protestant Reformation

a.  Reformed Orthodoxy(New wine/doctrine) “Just shall

     live by faith.”  Jesus life lived out and expressed in His

    ekklesia

b.    Orthopraxy(New wineskin/practice “Jesus design for

     His ekklesia.

                               Illustration: Old goat must die before there can be a

                      new wineskin!

 

III.           Refreshing

A.    Greek: A cooling, refreshing again as in a rain.

B.     Acts 3:19-20 “When the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.  He shall send Jesus(Second Coming).”

C.    Latter Rain(Hebrew: last)

1.     Zechariah 10:1 “As ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain.”

2.     Hosea 6:3 “The Lord shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain and former rain unto the earth.”

 

IV.           Restoration/Restitution

A.    Definition: Greek- to place the foundation down again

B.     Matthew 17:11;Mark 9:12; Malachi 4:5 “Elijah shall come and restore all things.”

C.    Acts 3:21 “The heaven must receive Jesus until the times of

      restoration/restitution.”

D.    Acts 2:15-21; Joel 2:28-32 “I will pour out my Spirit upon

      all flesh…

1.     “Sons and daughters shall prophesy.”

2.     “Young men see visions.”

3.     “Old men dream dreams.”

4.     “On my servants and handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit and they shall prophesy.”

5.     “Wonders in heaven and signs on earth.”

6.     “Whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”

7.     “Remnant whom the Lord shall call.”

 

Conclusion

Lord our prayer is that you will bring the living flame from your alter to torch any dead thing that defiles us!

Illustrations: “Clicking sound of bones of Ezekiel.”

                      “Like Israel we are to move with God by cloud and fire.”

                       “Unlike Peter we are not to build tabernacles.”

© 2011 New Testament Church