"REVIVAL" (Part 1)

(Understanding revival and why revival is important)

Isaiah 57:15: For this is what the high and exalted One says - He who lives forever, whose name is Holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is humble and sorry for their sins, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart – the spirit of those sorry for their sins.

Psalm 85:6: Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 80:18-19: Then, we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

What is Revival? 

For this topical study, we will define revival as:
“The work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more vital spiritual life, witness, and work by prayer and the Word, following repentance; the awakening or quickening of God's people to their true nature and purpose; an extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results.”

Revival, renewal, outpouring, or times of refreshing, no matter what we call it, it's something that has been happening ever since the first outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The fact of the matter is that there have been ebbs and flows of spiritual fervor throughout the history of the Church.

Revival starts typically in the heart of believers that have left their “first love”; they have let the world’s way of thinking and living creep into their life until they are torn between having a desire for God and having a passion for the things of the world.

With any authentic “God-sent” revival, there is an understanding that comes: we are not where we should be. Whether it be in our lifestyle, our effectiveness, or our love relationship with Jesus, we recognize that things need to change and that it needs to begin with us.

Believers realize that they have fallen away from their first love and are no longer in a love relationship with Jesus but are only performing out of habit or obligation. Their obedience is not based on their love but upon their fear.

Revival happens when two things come together: “the providence – provision of God” and “the believer's desire to know and experience God in a new and fresh way.” The providence of God is an essential aspect of any true revival. We must understand that revival is not something that we can conjure up. Revival comes when the leadership and the members of a local assembly place their entire dependence upon the grace of God alone. All of God’s providence – provision flows from His grace.

When we need revival, we must come to the “throne of grace” to receive the grace for revival. It is grace that helps us be renewed, revived, restored once again. It is not by our works lest we should boast in our spirituality and fervor. It comes as an out-flowing of God’s grace. When we come to the throne of grace to receive restoration and renewal, and then tie it with a willingness to be yielded and used by the Holy Spirit, then revival comes.

To experience revival, we must be willing to let the Holy Spirit work through us even though it may be strange or uncomfortable for us. We must be willing to risk looking foolish and be prepared to trust that the Holy Spirit can do the work that we cannot do. None of us can change one life. That is a work of the Holy Spirit.

We must be willing to yield to the Holy Spirit in our everyday life. This is not about just having a good time at church. This is about experiencing God’s power; taking God’s power and presence into our lives, homes, relationships, and communities.

Revival starts with each of us - individually. We do not need to go someplace to find it. We don’t have to travel across the world to find it. Revival starts in the heart and life of every believer. Revival is filled with both power and renewed obedience.