Is Revival Possible?
Introduction: We have become satisfied with the idea that revival cannot come because of the age in which we live. We look around us and see the wickedness and assume that it is too far gone. Though this is an honest mistake, it is indeed a mistake. To say that revival cannot come is to reduce the God of the Bible to the power of Baal who could not produce fire from heaven regardless of his servants’ efforts. If revival is a work of man then we are right to believe it will not happen, but if revival is the work of God in a man’s heart, then we must believe as long as the Lord tarries His coming that revival is possible.
- HINDRANCES TO REVIVAL (Psalm 85:1-3 [1] Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
[2] Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
[3] Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
See All...) - The Iniquity of God’s People (Psalm 85:2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
See All...) - Sins separate from God (Isaiah 59:2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
See All...) - Sin withholds good things (Jeremiah 5:25Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
See All...) - Sin hinders fellowship (Amos 3:3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
See All...; 2 Corinthians 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
See All...) - Sin hinders prayer (1 Peter 3:7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
See All...) - The Fierceness of God’s Anger (Psalm 85:3Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
See All...; Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
See All...) - THE STEPS TO REVIVAL (Psalm 85:4-8 [4] Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
[5] Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
[6] Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
[7] Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
[8] I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
See All...) - The Moving of God (Psalm 85:4Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
See All...) - God works with man’s will (Philippians 2:13Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
See All...) - Godly sorrow works to bring repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
See All...) - The Lord is the one who turns us (Lamentations 5:21Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
See All...) - The Turning of God’s People (Psalm 85:4Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
See All...) - God’s people were turned away from God
- God’s turns them to follow Him
- The Prayers of God’s People (Psalm 85:5-7 [5] Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
[6] Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
[7] Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
See All...) - Began with an admission to guilt (Psalm 85:2-3 [2] Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
[3] Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
See All...) - A plea for God’s help (Psalm 85:4Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
See All...) - A plea for God’s mercy (Psalm 85:5-7 [5] Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
[6] Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
[7] Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
See All...) - The Desire to Hear from God (Psalm 85:8I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
See All...) - The willingness to hear – “I will hear”
- The authority of the Lord – “God the LORD”
- The assurance of hearing His voice – “for He will speak”
- THE POTENTIAL FOR REVIVAL (Psalm 85:8-12 [8] I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
[9] Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
[10] Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
[11] Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
[12] Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
See All...) - Awaiting the Answer (Psalm 85:8-11 [8] I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
[9] Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
[10] Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
[11] Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
See All...) - The Answer Received (Psalm 85:12Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
See All...) - THE EFFECTS OF REVIVAL (Psalm 85:13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
See All...) - The Departure from Folly (Psalm 85:8I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
See All...) - The Presence of Glory (Psalm 85:9Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
See All...) - The Yielding of Increase (Psalm 85:12Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
See All...; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
See All...) - The Following of the Lord’s Way (Psalm 85:13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
See All...)
Conclusion: Do we believe God could revive the people of Antioch? Do we believe that God could work in the lives of those under the influence of Antioch? Do we believe that God is willing to bring revival? The only question left is do we really want revival.