Archive for Revival

Dec
21

4 Reasons A Christian is A Priest – sermon outline

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

 

Following is a wonderful sermon outline on what it means to be consecrated. I am excited about this because this is only one sermon out of a hundred or so that I am about to release in a new eBook entitled REVIVAL SERMON OUTLINES. Stay posted as it should be released in the next week or so. Below is a sample of what to expect.

THE CONSECRATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS
by the late Dr. C. Perren
 
 
(SUGGESTED TITLE- 4 REASONS A CHRISTIAN IS A PRIEST – E.L.)
 
 
TEXT: (Read 1 Peter 2:9, 10; Rev. 1:4-6; Rev. 5:9, 10; Ex. 29:19-21.) " And hast made us unto our God Kings and priests." Rev. 5-10.
 
THERE is no such thing as official priests under the new dispensation. A minister is not a priest, except in the same sense as the humblest believer.
 
Believers are priests. As such they are the leaders in divine worship, they are the depositaries of saving knowledge, arid intercessors for fallen men.

TRANSITION: In the twenty-ninth chapter of Exodus we have the particulars concerning the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the work of the priesthood. This ceremony was typical.

1. The Washing. — "And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them in water." Ex. 29: 4.
 
Isaiah 1: 16 says: "Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil."
 
And again: "Touch not the unclean; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord." Isa. 52 : 11.
 
Christ said, " If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me." John 13 : 8.
 
Paul said, " Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. 2 Cor. 7: 1.
 
2. The Anointing. — "Then shalt thou take the anointing oil and pour it upon his head, and anoint him." Ex. 29:7.
 
Jesus was anointed as our great High Priest with the Holy Spirit at his baptism. In the synagogue at Nazareth he read from the prophet: " The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the glad tidings," etc., and he said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled."
 
The disciples were anointed with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This was an anointing for ministry or work, as Christ was at the Jordan. It was not for working miracles as some suppose, for the disciples wrought miracles before this.
 
Have you been anointed for service.  We are but poor workers without it.
 
3. The Clothing. — "And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat and the robe of ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod; and thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre." Ex. 29 : 5, 6.
 
Some things are to be put off and some things are to be put on:

"Put on him the best robe." Luke 15:22.
' Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 13:14.
' Put ye on the new man." Eph. 4 :24.
"Put on bowels of mercies." Col. 3 :12.
"Put on charity." Col. 3 :14.
 
In Revelation the saints are seen in white robes, "which is the righteousness of the saints."
 
In Ephesians 5:25-27 Paul tells us that "Christ loved the church and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
 
ILLUS- A woman takes a piece of dirty linen and washes it in water, and bleaches it on the green grass till at last it is pure and white, but alas it is full of wrinkles. To remove these, she puts it under the hot iron. Even so in regeneration we have been washed, made "whiter than snow." But alas! the wrinkles still remain,—ugly, selfish, crooked dispositions.
 
Then begins the second process — the work of sanctification. For this our Lord often uses the hot iron of trial and affliction. Thank God, we are to be perfected at the last, and Christ is to be glorified in the persons of his saints. We are to be " without spot or wrinkle or any such thing."
 
4. The Touching with Blood. — "And take the blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron." Ex. 29 :20.
 
Upon the ear for hearing,— " Incline thine ears unto me;" " Hear, and your souls shall live;" "Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound;" " Take heed how you hear;" " Faith corneth by hearing."
 
Upon the hand for work,— "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;" "He showed them his hands;" " Palms in their hands."
 
Upon the foot for a godly walk,— "Enoch walked with God;" " The feet of the wicked are swift to shed blood;" "How beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth glad tidings; that publisheth peace."
 
ILLUS- A missionary standing on a raised platform was preaching, when a native came up and putting his hands on the good man's feet, exclaimed, "Beautiful feet that came so far to tell me how to be saved."

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Christian Living, Revival, Sanctification
Comments (0)
Mar
12

My Savior My God

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

There is a beautiful contemporary song written by Aaron Shust called My Savior My God. The chorus of the song gives us six simple statements of eternal truth that we all need to be reminded of. Those six points are below as well as the link to where you can see and hear a great 4:51 minute video featuring the words of the song. Here are the points and a title I have given them:

 

SIX TRUTHS TO REMEMBER WHEN TOUGH TIMES COME

1. My Savior Loves
2. My Savior Lives
3. My Savior's Always There for Me
4. My God He Was
5. My God He Is
6. My God is Always Gonna Be

Consider using these points in a sermon and then playing the video or the song for your people to experience.

VIDEO LINK TO MY SAVIOR MY GOD

 

 

 

 

 

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Christian Living, praise, Revival, Thanksgiving Sermons
Comments (0)
Feb
02

Soaking in His Presence

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

Soaking in His Presence
by Rev. Jim Bevis, CSRMinistries.org

TEXT: Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;….

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD 
      Shall renew their strength; 
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles, 
      They shall run and not be weary, 
      They shall walk and not faint.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Soaking prayer, per se, is not mentioned by the term "soaking" but what I am referring to has to do with the 
"Presence of God" and its impact upon us as we still ourselves before Him.

Please consider these six observations about what it means to soak in the Presence of God:

1. Relishing in His Presence – enjoying and abiding 

2. Reflecting – it is a time to reflect upon God and Who He is and What He means to you.

3. Receiving – As you are still before the Lord, listen for His voice and receive from the promise that He is with you.

4.Renewing Ourselves in His Presence – As Isiah said, as we wait before Him, there is a renewing that takes place.

5. Regaining Perspective- Soaking in His Presence is a time for us to regain the proper perspective in life. As we bring our problem before God, we can be reminded of how Big He Is. When we see our problem in light of His largeness, then our problem is seen in its true perspective. As we magnify Him we minimize our problem.

6. Resting in the Lord – Jesus invites us to come to Him and to learn from Him. When we do this, we find rest for our souls.

Jim and Anne Bevis have a wonderful ministry of renewal and a special ministry to pastors. Their teaching on marriage is authentic, inspiring and something every congregation should hear. I highly recommend them to you for consideration in doing a seminar or retreat in your church or ministry. Learn more at CSRMinistries.org.

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Prayer, Revival
Comments (0)
Mar
08

Heaven’s Niagara– Sermon on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

The following sermon is based on Acts 2:32 and includes sermon outline and sermon illustrations.

HEAVEN’S NIAGARA–THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
by Eddie Lawrence, D.Min.

 
INTRODUCTION — The Niagara River drains 255,000 square miles of mid-continental North America. Located on the border of New York State and the Ontario Province, it is the largest waterfalls in North America.
20% of the world’s fresh water lies within the Great Lakes region and most of it flows over Niagara Falls.
One and a half million gallons of water flow over the Niagara Falls every second, which is the equivalent of one cubic mile each and every week.
 
ILLUS- Annie Edson Taylor, a schoolteacher, was the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel in 1901, was 63 years old when she performed the stunt.

What in the world would move a 63 year old woman to go over Niagara falls in a barrel?
 
TRANSITION: There is another river that flows and has been pouring out of heaven into earth for almost 2000 years. I am speaking of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
There is something in each of us, that calls us for us to dive in and be swept away by its power and onward by its flow.
We all need to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
 
ILLUS – "If you have the Word without the Spirit, you’ll dry up.
 If you have the Spirit without the Word, you’ll blow up.
 If you have both the Word and the Spirit, you’ll grow up."  –Derek Prince
Let’s look at some of what the Word says about the Spirit:
 
Acts 2: 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
 
Acts 10: 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Romans 5: Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
 
Titus 3: 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
 
TEXT WE SHALL STUDY TODAY:
Acts 2: 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
 
1. Resurrection and Ascension
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

WE HAVE RESURRECTION POWER AND PROMISE
WE HAVE ACCESS TO ASCENDED LIVING
 
2. Exaltation at God’s Right Hand
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God
 
WE HAVE RIGHT HAND BENEFITS
 
As Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, so are we seated in Him. aS such we now have the benefits of being at the Right Hand
 
A. Authority—Matthew 28:18
B. Power – Acts 1:8
C. Favor – Luke 4
 
As Jesus was Exalted the Spirit was poured out. It still works this way when we begin to exalt Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to do powerful things in the hearts and lives of people.

3. Jesus Receives the Promise of the Father
and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit,
 
WE TOO ARE TO RECEIVE THE PROMISE
 
4. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
He poured out this which you now see and hear.
 
 
TESTIMONY OF A. H. Hussey, — "I remember the step of faith in the dark. I said, ‘I give all to Christ; I yield all, everything I have.’ Then I received the Lord Jesus as my Sanctifier. No special feeling took possession of me, only more rest in God, more of the consciousness I was not my own. No definite feeling came until making a public confession. I said, ‘I am Christ’s; everything I possess is His.’ Peace and glory filled my soul. I began to teach this gospel truth, but I had not the power I desired. After this I sought definitely the enduement of power from on high. In an upper room alone I cried out to God. While I was praying a strange feeling came over my body, a strange moving in my heart. I said, ‘Come, Lord, come in Thy power; come, Holy Spirit, come.’ My heart was filled with glory, and I shouted, again and again, ‘Glory to God!’ Oh, it was real! Then I felt this Spirit of God permeating my being from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and I was cleansed from all sin; the fire of the Holy Spirit was burning through my soul, and destroying everything of a corrupt nature; and the power was so great I lay prostrate for three hours all alone; and I saw how Jesus died for my sin as never before, and received a wonderful illumination of the Scriptures, so that I could comprehend what God designed for us to make us perfect in Christ Jesus, and that we should live wholly, entirely and altogether for Him, and serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. That joy and peace and thrill continued for hours. During the whole night, when I could not sleep for joy, every insect seemed to say, ‘Glory to God,’ the clock seemed to say, ‘Praise God.’ And that continued for days. This was fifteen years ago. The thrill did not remain, but peace and joy have filled my soul from that day to this."
 
ILLUS—Praying John Hyde received a note on his way to India, “Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?” He was offended at first but then became convicted and cried out to be filled with the Holy Spirit and went on to impact a nation.
 
CONCLUSION: Heaven’s Niagara is flowing. Position yourself at the feet of Jesus and let the blessing of his right hand and the promise of the Father change your life.
 
 

 

 

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Authority and Dominion, Holy Spirit, resurrection, Revival
Comments (0)
Jan
15

Who is the Ultimate Enemy of Revival? — sermon notes

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

The following is a sermon outline that can be used to call people to a place of personal responsibility regarding revival. Such a sermon may not be the most popular but it will be one of those sermons that God will bless if preached in a spirit of humility.

Who is the Ultimate Enemy of Revival?
by Eddie Lawrence


INTRODUCTION: One of the most well known passages in the whole Word of God concerning revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. It records for us the condition or restoring God’s favor upon a land and a people when they are in the midst of a spiritual downturn accompanied by famine and drought. In this famous passage also is the revelation of the greatest enemy to revival.

2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (NKJV)

TRANSITION: I will share with you three culprits you might suspect to be the ultimate enemy of revival and then reveal what I believe the Bible teaches the ultimate enemy of revival to be.

1. IT IS NOT SATAN
I suppose a number of people would say that Satan is the ultimate enemy of revival. While he is certainly behind many schemes, snares, deceptions, and slanderous accusations that would thwart revival, I do not think He is the worse enemy of revival.

-Make no mistake he is God’s enemy.
-Make no mistake he is the Church’s enemy.
-Make no mistake he is your enemy.

Yet, I think there is a greater enemy to revival than Satan.

In the passage above there is no mention of addressing Satan in order for revival to come.

2. IT IS NOT THE WORLD
We are warned to not love the world nor the things in the world. The worldly system does run contrary to the ways of God. The world is uninterested in revival or your spiritual growth. The "prince of this world" is behind worldly influence.

All through the Scripture you see the world moving one way and God another way. The worldly system is the enemy of God and His people.

Yet, I think there is a greater enemy to revival than the World.

In the passage above there is no mention of addressing the World in order for revival to come.

3. IT IS NOT SIN

Surprisingly, I do not think sin is the greatest enemy of revival. Sin brings the penalty of death upon humanity. When sin entered the world, the curse entered the world. The enemy and the world work hard to see that sin abounds.

Yet, I think there is a greater enemy to revival than Sin.
2 Chronicles 7:14 does mention a need to address sin and wickedness, but the truth is revival is only hindered when God’s people choose to commit sin.

4. IT IS NOT LOST PEOPLE
The passage above speaks of God’s people but not lost people. Revival means to live again. It speaks of renewal and a refreshing life flow. Lost people are dead in sin. They do not need revived. They need "vived."

The enemy may work through them to stand against revival and the things of God.

Yet, I do not believe they are not the ultimate enemy of revival.

Who is the ultimate enemy of revival?

5. IT IS OUR OWN FLESHLY SELF

2 Chronicles 7:14 calls for God’s people to turn from "their wicked ways". You see God will forgive and cleanse us from sin. Sin, however, arises out of our on fallen nature. Now I know we sin because we have a sinful nature and we have a sinful nature because of sin. But in Christ, we now have a new nature. The old selfish, sinful nature, is to be reckoned as dead.

When Satan came to Jesus, the Bible says he found nothing in him. That is, there was no landing pad for sin in the life of Jesus. Revival is about God’s people operating under the favor and blessing of God as they live out of the new life in Christ. The Chronicles passage in this study is an example for us. It shows God’s people can choose to repent and bring renewed blessings upon themselves and their land.

Have you ever thought about this:

-Satan will not be in heaven in eternity, He will in the lake of fire.
-Sin will not be in heaven for the lamb will have cleansed it all away.
-The wicked will not be in Heaven
-God’s people will be in Heaven. Their new resurrected glorified bodies will be in Heaven. Their spirit will be housed in their glorified bodies in Heaven. But their fallen fleshly nature will not be in Heaven. Neither will it be in Hell. It simply will not be. It is dead and no more.

To defeat the ultimate enemy of revival, we simply must see our sin nature crucified with Christ and live his life in the here and now. When he is truly living enthroned in our lives, then sin, Satan, and the world cannot keep us from experiencing revival. Dear friend, when he is truly enthroned and we are honoring him, and allowing him to live through us…..that is REVIVAL.

 

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Christian Living, repentance, Revival, Satanic Influence, Spiritual Warfare
Comments (0)
Dec
27

The Results of Revival — sermon notes

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

(The following is an excerpt from the Lectures on Revival by the great revival evangelist, Charles Finney, who ministered in the early 1800′s.)

WHAT A REVIVAL IS
by Charles Finney

It presupposes that the Church is sunk down in a backslidden state, and a revival consists in the return of the Church from her backslidings, and in the conversion of sinners.

1. A revival always includes conviction of sin on the part of the Church. Backslidden professors cannot wake up and begin right away in the service of God, without deep searchings of heart. The fountains of sin need to be broken up. In a true revival, Christians are always brought under such conviction; they see their sins in such a light that often they find it impossible to maintain a hope of their acceptance with God. It does not always go to that extent, but there are always, in a genuine revival, deep convictions of sin, and often cases of abandoning all hope.

2. Backslidden Christians will be brought to repentance. A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. Just as in the case of a converted sinner, the first step is a deep repentance, a breaking down of heart, a getting down into the dust before God, with deep humility, and a forsaking of sin.

3. Christians will have their faith renewed. While they are in their backslidden state they are blind to the state of sinners. Their hearts are hard as marble. The truths of the Bible appear like a dream. They admit it to be all true; their conscience and their judgment assent to it; but their faith does not see it standing out in bold relief, in all the burning realities of eternity. But when they enter into a revival, they no longer see "men as trees, walking," but they see things in that strong light which will renew the love of God in their hearts. This will lead them to labor zealously to bring others to Him. They will feel grieved that others do not love God, when they love Him so much. And they will set themselves feelingly to persuade their neighbors to give Him their hearts. So their love to men will be renewed. They will be filled with a tender and burning love for souls. They will have a longing desire for the salvation of the whole world. They will be in an agony for individuals whom they want to have saved – their friends, relations, enemies. They will not only be urging them to give their hearts to God, but they will carry them to God in the arms of faith, and with strong crying and tears beseech God to have mercy on them, and save their souls from endless burnings.

4. A revival breaks the power of the world and of sin over Christians. It brings them to such vantage ground that they get a fresh impulse towards heaven; they have a new foretaste of heaven, and new desires after union with God; thus the charm of the world is broken, and the power of sin overcome.

5. When the Churches are thus awakened and reformed, the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow. Their hearts will be broken down and changed. Very often the most abandoned profligates are among the subjects. Harlots, and drunkards, and infidels, and all sorts of abandoned characters, are awakened and converted. The worst of human beings are softened and reclaimed, and made to appear as lovely specimens of the beauty of holiness.

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Classic Sermons, confession, repentance, Revival
Comments (0)
Dec
02

What Revival Does for a Christian — sermon outline

Posted by: Staff | Comments (1)

What Revival Does for a Christian

(The following list is taken from R.A. Torrey’s class book, HOW TO PRAY. You can use the list as a guide and punctuate it with your own illustrations and scriptures while giving the late Bro. Torrey mention for the list. I added the title to give a definite direction for the list)

Introduction: Dr. R.A. Torrey whose work among men took place between 1856-1928 was well known for his powerful Bible preaching. He was chosen by D. L. Moody to lead his Bible Institute which became Moody Institute. He carried on the work of Moody after his death. The following comes to us from Dr. Torry as his observations about the effects of revival upon the Christian.

1. In times of revival Christians come out from the world and live separated lives. 

2. In times of revival Christians get a new spirit of prayer.

3. In times of revival Christians go to work for lost souls.

4. In times of revival Christians have new joy in Christ.

5. In times of revival Christians get a new love for the Word of God. 

 

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Christian Living, Classic Sermons, Revival, Sermon ideas
Comments (1)
Nov
19

The Benefits of Prayer — sermon outline

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

(The following is an excerpt from the fourth chapter of Andrew Murray’s book, PRAYER. It focuses on what a person can expect if they more passionately engage their prayer life. Under his main headings, I offer an alternate suggestion.)

SUGGESTED TITLE — THE BENEFITS OF PRAYER

If now we are delivered from the sin of prayerlessness, and understand how this deliverance may continue to be experienced, what will be the fruit of our liberty? He who sees this aright will, with renewed earnestness and perseverance, seek after this liberty. His life and experience will indeed be an evidence that he has obtained something of unspeakable worth. He will be a living witness of the blessing which victory has brought.

Consider –

1. The blessedness of unbroken fellowship with God
(SUGGESTION: THE BENEFIT OF A CLOSER FELLOWSHIP)

Think of the confidence in the Father which will take the place of the reproach and self-condemnation which was the earlier characteristic of our lives. Think of the deep consciousness that God’s almighty grace has effected something in us, to prove that we really bear his image and are fitted for a life of communion with him and prepared to glorify him. Think how we, notwithstanding our conviction of our nothingness, may live as true children of a King, in communion with their Father, and may manifest something of the character of our Lord Jesus in the holy fellowship with his Father which he had when on earth. Think how in the inner chamber the hour of prayer may become the happiest time in the whole do for us, and how God may use us to take a share in the carrying out of his plans, and make us fountains of blessing for the world around us.

2. The power which we may have for the work to which we are called
(SUGGESTION: THE BENEFIT OF A GREATER POWER)

The preacher will learn to receive his message really from God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and t deliver it in that power to the congregation. He will know where he can be filled with the love and zeal which will enable him, in his rounds of pastoral visiting, t meet and help each individual in a spirit of tender com passion. He will be able to say with Paul: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’ (Ph 4.13). ‘We are more than conquerors through him th loved us’ (Rom. 8.37). ‘We are ambassadors for Christ … we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconcil to God’ (2 Cor. 5.20). These are no vain dreams or p tures of a foolish imagination. God has given us Paul an illustration, so that, however we may differ from him in gifts or calling, yet in inner experience we may know the all-sufficiency of grace which can do all things for as it did for him.

3. The prospect which opens before us for the future
(SUGGESTION: THE BENEFIT OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE)

This is to be consecrated to take part as intercessors in great work of bearing on our hearts the need of the en Church and world. Paul sought to arouse men to pray all saints, and he tells us what a conflict he had for th who had not yet seen his face. In his personal prese he was subject to conditions of time and place, but in Spirit he had power in the name of Christ to pray blessing on those who had not yet heard of the Saviour.

In addition to his life in connection with men here on earth, far or near, he lived another, a heavenly life – one of love and of a wonderful power in prayer which he continually exercised. We can hardly form a conception of the power God will bestow, if only we get freed from the sin of prayerlessness and pray with the daring which reaches heaven and brings down blessing in the almighty name of Christ.

What a prospect! Minister and missionaries brought by God’s grace to pray, let us say twice as much as formerly, with twofold faith and joy! What a difference it would make in the preaching, in the prayer meeting, in the fellowship with others! What a gentle power would come down in an inner chamber, sanctified by communion with God and his love in Christ! What an influence would be exercised on believers, in urging them forward to the work of intercession! How greatly would this influence be felt in the Church and among the heathen! What power might be exercised over ministers of other churches, and who knows how God might use us for his Church through the whole world! Is it not worth while to sacrifice everything, and to beseech God without ceasing to give us real and full victory over the prayerlessness which has covered us with such shame?

Why do I now write these things and extol so highly the blessedness of victory over’the sin which doth so easily beset us’ and which has so terribly robbed us of the power which God has intended for us? I can give an answer. I know all too well what low thoughts we have concerning the promises and the power of God and how prone we are always to backslide, to limit God’s power, and to deem it impossible for him to do greater things than we have seen. It is a glorious thing to get to know God in a new way in the inner chamber. That, however, is but the beginning. It is something still greater and more glorious to know God as the allsufficient One and to wait on his Spirit to open our hearts and minds wide to receive the great things, the new things which he really longs to bestow on those who wait for him.

God’s object is to encourage faith and to make his children and servants see that they must take trouble to understand and rely upon the unspeakable greatness and omnipotence of God, so that they may take literally and in a childlike spirit this word: ‘Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think … be glory … throughout all ages’ (Eph. 3.20, 21). Oh, that we knew what a great and glorious God we have!

Someone may ask: ‘May not this note of certain victory become a snare and lead to levity and pride?’ Undoubtedly. That which is the highest and best on earth is always liable to abuse. How, then, can we be saved from this? Through nothing so surely as through true prayer, which brings us really into contact with God. The holiness of God, sought for in persistent prayer, will cover our sinfulness. The omnipotence an greatness of God will make us feel our nothingness. Fellowship with God in Jesus Christ will lead us to the experience that there is in us no good thing, and that we can have fellowship with God only as our faith become a humbling of ourselves as Christ humbled himself, an we truly live in him as he is in the Father.

Prayer is not merely coming to God to ask something from him. It is above all fellowship with God and being brought under the power of his holiness and love, till he takes possession of us and stamps our entire nature with the lowliness of Christ, which is the secret of all true worship.

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Pleasing God, Prayer, Revival, Sermon ideas
Comments (0)
Oct
19

2 Chronicles 7:14 – sermon outline

Posted by: Staff | Comments (0)

 

The following sermon outline is from a sermon prepared by Pastor David O. Cofield. You may read his personal ministry blog here.

2 CHRONICLES 7:14

I. Humble themselves
 
1.  God cannot humble us;  He only provides situations where we can handle ourselves.  Calamity is meant to drive us to God in humility and repentance.  However, for most people, calamity does not produce repentance – it produces rage.  The response to calamity separates the righteousness from the wicked.
2.  The opposite of humility is pride.  Pride is self-dependency; humility is God-dependent.
3.  In humility, we become honest and transparent.
4.  Pride covers up; humility confesses.
5.  Humility admits you need others; prides goes it alone.  The humble regularly fellowship with other believers because they recognize they can’t make it alone.
6.  Humility is also expressed in servant hood.  (Mark 10:43)
7.  Be humble or stumble.
 
Proverbs 13:10 "By pride comes nothing but strife."
James 4:6 "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
 
II.  Seek my Face
 
1.  This means, "to desire something."  What is that you desire?  A revival is needed because Christians have desired something more "than seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."
2.  Seek is a passionate word.  It carries the same type of passions as Jesus when He said, "He came to seek and save those which were lost."  Have we lost our passion for God?"
3.  His face is to seek His presence.  Not seeking His hand (gifts or provisions) but His face (presence, approval).
 
Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God."
Philippians 3:10 "That I might know Him…."
Psalm 27:4 "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:  That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His Temple."
 
III. Turn from their wicked ways
 
1. To turn is to repent.  A child of God must be a regular repenter.  In the Eastern European countries, they call a believer a "repenter."
2.  A person must turn from "his" wicked ways.  It is easy to see other people’s sins, but a person seeking revival sees only his sin.  Matthew 7:3-5
3.  This also speaks of taking personal responsibility for your actions.  Vance Hanver said, "If you demands your rights, you will have a riot on your hands;  if you take responsibility, you will have a revival."
4.  We see our ways as "wicked."  The word for "wicked" is horrible, detestable.  The worse sinner I know is __________.  How do you answer that question honestly?
 
I John 1:8-10
I Timothy 1: 15 "…came to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

We LOVE you so.. how about liking us on Facebook?..

Powered By Facebook Like Post Plugin

Categories : Prayer, repentance, Revival
Comments (0)

Please Google +

Recent Sermons

Sermon Video List

TD Jakes Videos

Motivational Videos