SIGNS OF REVIVAL

“Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite Grace and power.” R. A. Torrey

o   Man cannot progress in Grace without prayer.

o   To pray is like entering the storehouse of GOD and to gather riches out of an inexhaustible storehouse. C.H. Spurgeon.

o   Pray until you can pray; pray to be helped to pray and do not give up praying because you cannot pray. For it is when you think you cannot pray that is when you are praying.

Spiritual revival is not marked by a moment of spiritual experience. It’s a season of God’s manifested presence that must not only lead to an individual’s growth but to the growth of the body of Christ.

Revivals were essential for revitalizing faith and addressing societal issues,

“There is so little principle in the church, so little firmness and stability of purpose, that unless the religious feelings are awakened and kept excited, counter worldly feeling and excitement will prevail, and men will not obey God. They have so little knowledge, and their principles are so weak, that unless they are excited, they will go back from the path of duty and do nothing to promote the glory of God.” Chrles G Finney. Lectures on Revival of Religion.

Habakkuk 3:2  “O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Psalms 85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalm 80:3:  Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

When do you know you need revival?

1.     When there is a want of brotherly love and Christian confidence among brethren

·       Then a revival is needed.

·       Then there is a loud call for God to revive his work.

·       Christians cannot evangelize.

·       Christians shy from professing their faith .

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another.

·       Christian Love among brethren is a central key indicator of revival. God is love and His presence must radiate love.

2.     You know you need revival When there are divisions and jealousies and evil speaking among brethren.

·       Then there is great need of a revival.

·       These things show that Christians have gotten far from God, and it is time to think earnestly of a revival.

·       Religion cannot  prosper with such things in the church, and nothing can put an end to them like a revival.

Galatians 5:19-20 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

3.     When there is a worldly spirit in the church.

·       It is manifest that the church is sunk down into a low and backslidden state,

·       when you see Christians conform to the world in dress, equipage, parties, seeking worldly amusements, reading novels, and other books such as the world read.

·        It shows that they are far from God, and that there is great need of a Revival of Religion.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

4.     When the church finds its members falling into gross and scandalous sins.

·       When such things are taking place, as give the enemies of religion an occasion for reproach, it is time for the church to ask God, “What will become of thy great name?”

5.     When there is a spirit of controversy in the church or in the land.

·       The spirit of religion is not the spirit of controversy.

·       There can be no prosperity in religion, where the spirit of controversy prevails.

6.     When the wicked triumph over the church, and revile them, it is time to seek for a Revival of Religion.

·       When you hear crazy laws being passed.

·       Language in government documents is being changed to accommodate evil.

7.     When sinners are careless and stupid, and sinking into hell unconcerned, it is time the church should bestir themselves.

·       It is as much the duty of the church to awake, as it is for the firemen to awake when a fire breaks out in the night in a great city.

·       The church ought to put out the fires of hell which are laying hold of the wicked.

·       Sleep! Should the firemen sleep, and let the whole city burn down: what would be thought of such firemen? And yet their guilt would not compare with the guilt of Christians who sleep while sinners around them are sinking stupid into the fires of hell.

In summary you know you need revival.

1.     When there is a want of brotherly love and Christian confidence among brethren.

2.     When there are divisions and jealousies and evil speaking/gossip among brethren.

3.     When there is a worldly spirit in the church/worldly things take more attention.

4.     When the church finds its members falling into gross and scandalous sins/immorality.

5.     When there is a spirit of controversy in the church or in the land/sprouting of false doctrines.

6.     When the wicked triumph over the church, and revile them/wickedness becomes normalized in the city.

7.     When sinners are careless and stupid and sinking into hell unconcerned / there is little fear of God or hell.

Signs of revival

Acts 2:36-47 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they `continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

1.   Emphasis on Jesus (Acts 2:36).

·       Peter preached to the crowd gathered at Pentecost about Jesus Christ, crucified, dead, buried, and raised from the dead as Lord and Messiah.

·       When revival comes, Jesus becomes the top priority for Christians.

·       Everything the church does must focus on exalted Christ. Worship, praise , great commissioning.

2.   Repentance (2:37-38). 

·       In revival, people experience conviction for their sins and repent and change their lifestyles.

·       They not only walk away from patterns of sin, but they turn their attention away from petty entertainments to spend more time in pursuit of God.

·       More prayers, more fasting .

·       Backsliders come to God in repentance.

·       Brethren are renewed in their desire to live a righteous life.

3.   A passion for prayer (2:42).

·       Revival creates in people a new desire to pray, worship, and meditate on God.

·       Sometimes, even in sleep, the prayers continue as God clears away our distractions and speaks to us in dreams.

·       You have struggle with prayers? You need to pray for revival.

4.   Hunger for the Word (2:42). 

·       When revival comes, people want more of the Scriptures, more personal reading and study, and more exposure to preaching and teaching.

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

5.   A burden for the lost (Acts 2:40). 

·       Because of the conviction of sin that comes with revival, people realize that others are lost because they are more aware of their own sin and their lostness without Jesus.

·       In revival, we can no longer be content to let people live without being confronted with the love of Christ.

·       You burn with desire for outreach.

6.   Increase in salvations (Acts 2:41, 47). 

·       Along with the new burden for souls comes a marked increase in salvations and new converts.

·       Do not tell me your church is experiencing revival without physical increase.

·       Revival brings both physical and spiritual increase.

7.   A surge in callings to ministry and missions (Acts 4:20). 

·       During revival, people sense God’s calling to Gospel service, whether in vocational ministry or in greater consecration of their daily work life in what others would see as secular settings.

·       People become more aware of their role in ministry.

·       People find it easier to serve in church.

·       They focus more in pleasing the Lord God their master.

8.   The manifest presence of God (2:40, 43). 

·       God is always present, but in revival, God’s presence becomes obvious among us—whether in conviction of sin, healings and signs and wonders, or reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

9.   Greater generosity toward the work of God (2:45). 

·       Church offerings and other manifestations of personal giving to the work of God greatly increase during revival.

10. Increased fellowship among Christians (2:46). 

In revival, God’s people experience greater love for one another that draws them together frequently and attracts unbelievers to their community.

·       Greater frequency of corporate gatherings for worship and prayer and the Word (2:46).

·       Not only do the number of church activities increase, but Christians begin to meet in homes and at restaurants and other venues to spend time together to share how God is working in their lives.

11. Favor with the community (2:47). 

The early Christians saw favor with “all the people,” that did not include the Sanhedrin and the Jewish leaders, who immediately began to persecute them (Acts 4:1). 

·       Both favor and opposition arise when revival begins.

·       Mockers will always arise when revival occurs, and opposition from people in power also increases.

·       But the joy of God’s favor trumps any form of persecution or opposition.

12. greater joy in their personal lives and work.

·       All these signs represent precious elements of the renewal of God’s work among us, but at least one more bonus sign accompanies revival that the text of Acts does not mention.

·       People who have experienced revival in their spirit experience greater joy in their personal lives and work.

·       Families a generally healthier.

·       They find they have a song in their hearts during their work time, as all of life becomes the temple of our worship and prayer. [I was working in  a gas station at night and I walked around singing , my manager wondered what was the good news-I was just happy]

·       Their work ethic soars and their prosperity increases, further fueling the greater generosity mentioned in the text.

·       Religious revival is the best thing that can happen to an economy in recession!

In summary the signs of revival in the church

1.     Focus/Emphasis on Jesus (Acts 2:36).

2.     Repentance (2:37-38). 

3.     A passion for prayer (2:42).

4.     Hunger for the Word (2:42). 

5.     A burden for the lost (Acts 2:40). 

6.     Increase in conversions/salvations (Acts 2:41, 47). 

7.     A surge/surrender to callings to ministry and missions (Acts 4:20). 

8.     The manifest presence of God (2:40, 43). 

9.     Greater generosity toward the work of God (2:45). 

10.  Increased fellowship among Christians (2:46). 

11.  Favor with the community (2:47). 

12.  Greater joy in their personal lives and work.

Self-evaluation.

Today, Christianity is prevalent but not powerful.

·       The majority of people you meet here in America will tell you that they are Christians.

·       But do they practice Christianity?

·       Are they productive Christians?

When I was in Kenya recently, we had a lot of meetings even at our home after losing my nephew, almost everyone who spoke said they are born again. I told a friend how impressed I was that almost everyone seems to be born again in Kenya these days, and she said, “you know in Kenya everyone says they are born again otherwise you will be the odd one out”

The solution is spiritual revival and awakening.

Look at all these 12 signs of revival, then watch the activities of our church and ask yourself, do we exhibit all these signs or there are areas that we need to keep praying and trusting God for revival?

Will you find all these emblems of revival at The Exaltation Center?

Look at yourself very honestly and use the above rod, ask yourself, Do I need revival.

What revival looks like-Testimonies of revival

“Reverend Stephen Williams was in attendance at the Enfield sermon, and would describe it in his diary as "a most awakening sermon". As for the congregation's reaction, he recalled that:

before the sermon was done there was a great moaning and crying out through the whole house — "What shall I do to be saved?" "Oh, I am going to hell!" "Oh what shall I do for a Christ?" and so forth — so that the minister was obliged to desist. [The] shrieks and cries were piercing and amazing. After some time of waiting, the congregation were still, so that a prayer was made by Mr. Wheelock, and after that we descended from the pulpit and discoursed with the people, some in one place and some in another. And amazing and astonishing: the power [of] God was seen and several souls were hopefully wrought upon that night, and oh the cheerfulness and pleasantness of their countenances that received comfort. Oh that God would strengthen and confirm [their new faith]! We sang a hymn and prayed, and dispersed the assembly.” Jonathan Edwards: sinners in the hands of an angry God.

“A leading pastor in New York who was converted in the Rochester meetings gave the following account of the effects of Finney's meetings in that city: "The whole community was stirred. Religion was the topic of conversation in the house, in the shop, in the office and on the street. The only theater in the city was converted into a lively stable, the only circus into a soap and candle factory. Grog shops were closed; the Sabbath was honored; the sanctuaries were thronged with happy worshippers; a new impulse was given to every philanthropic enterprise; the fountains of benevolence were opened, and men lived to good."^[16]

Finney was known for his innovations in preaching and the conduct of religious meetings, which often impacted entire communities. Innovations included having women pray out loud in public meetings of mixed sexes, the introduction of the "anxious seat" in which those considering becoming Christians could sit to receive prayer, and public censure of individuals by name in sermons and prayers.^[17] He was also known for his extemporaneous preaching.” Charles G. Finney: