Who Needs Revival? I Do!

    Good morning and welcome. This morning I wanted to take a quick look at revival. So many times I hear people say we need a revival and I agree with them. Or they may say we need to pray for revival in our nation, and I agree with that. But what is revival?

    Revival: a reviving or being revived, as, a) a bringing or coming back into use, attention, or being, after a decline b) a new or return presentation of a play, film, etc. some time after it has first been presented c) restoration to vigor or activity d) a returning to life or consciousness e) a stirring up of religious faith by fervid evangelistic preaching at public meetings >f) a series of such meetings with public confession of sins and professions of renewed faith g) Law renewal of validity, as of a judgment or contract. This is the definitions for revival found in Webster's Dictionary.

    Type in revival for a web search and it pulls up - beauty cream, jeans for men, beauty aids, animal health, and a market in Houston.

    C.H. Spurgeon said, "The word "revival" is as familiar in our mouths as a household word. We are constantly speaking about and praying for a "revival;" would it not be as well to know what we mean by it? Of the Samaritans our Lord said, "Ye worship ye know not what," let him not have to say to us, "Ye know not what ye ask." The word "revive" wears its meaning upon its forehead; it is from the Latin, and may be interpreted thus*to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished."

    Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." I think we sometimes forget why we have revival services. We don't have them to entertain folks, we don't have them to add to the church roles, we don't have them to stir our emotions. Revival services are suppose to renew a right spirit in God's children and they are to point the way to Christ Jesus for those who don't know the way. Folks, come to Christ Jesus for revival with great expectations, it is not and should not be business as usual.

Psalm 119:159

Consider how I love Your precepts;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.

Psalm 143:11

11 Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake!

For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.