A Plea for Revival

"A Plea For Revival!" Psalm 85:6 INTRO. In 1863 William P. McKay from the words of Habakkuk 3:2, which are a prayer to God for revival, wrote the blessed old Hymn, "Revive Us Again." That prayer of Habakkuk which says, "0 LORD, I have heard Thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive Thy Work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." Being convicted of the state of Christianity in his day, William P. McKay wrote, "Revive Us Again." OH, how we need revival in our land today! I want to title the message, "A Plea For Revival!" What is needed more in America than Change, which was a staple of the past election, is revival! Revival means there is an awakening of our desire for God's cause to go forward, not backward, or stand still. If America could have revival, then change would come! Political policy can't bring change, personalities can't bring change, but God's people empowered with God's Spirit can! It is time for us to seek God with all our hearts. Revival must begin in our hearts! 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." If we truly desire revival to break out, it must begin with us God's people; humbling ourselves before God and lifting our voices in prayer to Him! If William McKay saw the dire need of Revival in his day, Oh, How WE MUST HAVE REVIVAL TODAY! ! In the words of William McKay, "Revive Us Again; fill each heart with Thy Love; May each soul be rekindled with Fire from above." Oh, THAT WE COULD SEE THE FIRE FROM ABOVE IN OUR MIDST ONCE AGAIN! Let us note 5 things about revival tonight. (1) Revivals Imply Decline Text: Psalm 85:6—“Wilt Thou Not REVIVE...” A. We Wander Far From God. Sometimes we don't even realize we have Wandered. Proverbs 14:14a tells us, "The backslider in his heart shall be filled with his own ways...". We may not realize it, but God knows! (Psalm 44:20-21). BUT--- B. We Can Return (By His Grace) (Ps. 51:1-15). This returning involves five steps: 1. We Must Realize We Have Sinned (vvs. 1-3). 2. We Must Repent Before God (vvs. 4-6). 3. We Must Rely On God Totally (vvs. 7-12). 4. We Must Render Service To God (vvs. 13-15). *If We Don't Serve Him afterward, we haven't truly returned! (2) Revivals Are From God Text: Psalm 85:6—“Wilt THOU not Revive…”

A. The Lord’s Power To Revive Us (Psalm 80:17-18). A. The Lord’s Purpose In Reviving Us (2 Chronicles 7:14). We CAN'T revive ourselves. Notice what the last part of v6 says, “…that thy people may rejoice in thee.” Rejoicing in the Lord is the true result of revival. Albert Barnes wrote: “It is because he comes near; because he manifests his mercy; because he shows his power and his grace.” (3) Revivals Are Frequently Needed Text: Psalm 85:6—“Wilt Thou not revive AGAIN..."

*WHY DO WE NEED FREQUENT REVIVALS? : A. We Willfully Disobey (Jeremiah 7:23-24). B. We Waywardly Disillusion Ourselves (Lamentations 3:40). We see ourselves as close to God when in reality our hearts are far from Him. (4) Revivals Are In Answer to Prayer Text: Psalm 85:6—“Wilt Thou Not Revive Us Again...” A. Why We Need To Pray (2 Chronicles 7:14). B. What We Need To Pray For (Habakkuk 3:2). WE NEED TO PRAY FOR: 1. A Revival Of God's People--We must set our PRIORITIES in order. Matthew 6:33; Joshua 24:15 2. A Revival of God's Presence—We must recognize his PRESENCE. Matthew 18:20—“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 3. A Revival Of God's Power—We must rely on His POWER Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18 (5) Revivals Are Occasions For Great Joy Text: Psalm 85:6—“Wilt Thou Not Revive Again: THAT THY PEOPLE MAY REJOJCE IN THEE?" *REVIVALS BRING GREAT JOY: A. To God's People (1 Chronicles 16:8-12). B. To God Himself (Zephaniah 3:17). CLOSING: I believe it is the heartfelt desire of each believer here tonight to experience revival in their life. We must say as David, in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit within me." We must RETURN unto God and let Him lead and guide our lives. Let us say, as Israel in Hosea 6:1, "Come and Let us return unto the LORD..." Is there One that needs to come tonight?