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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
Illustration: Chinese observation, “It is amazing what the American church can do without God! What we fear most is your materialism and unbelief.”
Main BodyI. RevivalA. 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. ReformA. 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 shalllive by faith.” Jesus life lived out and expressed in Hisekklesiab. Orthopraxy(New wineskin/practice “Jesus design forHis ekklesia.Illustration: Old goat must die before there can be anew wineskin!
III. RefreshingA. 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/RestitutionA. 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.”
ConclusionLord 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 |