Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, Jan. 6, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE DEFINITION OF REVIVAL

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Judges 15:15-20

Text: Judges 15:19

Judges 15:19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

Introduction: Today is the first Sunday of the new year, 2002. Our theme for this year is, “Lord, Send A Revival!” Although revival meetings are still common occurrences in our area, some of you may be asking, “Exactly what IS a revival?” Today I want to start off our new year by telling you what I believe real revival is. As usual, in doing so I will be giving you what the Bible says about the subject.

At our staff meeting a couple of months ago, our attendees suggested that revival was: a turning back to God; God touching our hearts; growth in giving, Bible reading, and soul-winning; repentance of sin, and prayer; and excitement about the things of God.

Charles Finney, a historical figure associated with revival, defined it as “nothing more or less than a new beginning of obedience to the word of God.”

The dictionary defines revival as a return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death, or from a state of neglect, oblivion, obscurity, or depression.

Although the word, “revival,” does not occur in the Bible, “revive” is found in seven verses; “revived” in six verses; and “reviving” in two verses.

Based on the uses of the forms of the word in scripture, let me give you four definitions that I believe are in line with the word of God.

A REVIVAL IS THE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF GOD IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF SUBMISSIVE BELIEVERS THAT BRINGS:

I. LIFE FROM DEATH

Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

A. The SERVICE of many is dead or ready to die

Our town is filled with “has- beens” and “used to be-ers”!
Did you USED to be a preacher? a Sunday School teacher? a bus worker? a nursery worker?
Sitting in a pew may involve worship; it may involve study; but it does NOT involve SERVICE!

B. The STUDY of many is dead or ready to die

How did your Bible reading go this year?
Did you attend Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible studies faithfully?
Have you asked your pastor for some good Bible study books? Did you read them?
Have you read your pastor’s study books?
Have you attended and completed the church’s Bible Institute classes?

C. The SECRET PRAYER of many is dead or ready to die

Most people have NO IDEA of what a “prayer closet” is.
Most Christians have never made a prayer list.
Most Christians never bond with another believer in prayer over needs.

D. The SOUL-WINNING of many is dead or ready to die

Do you go soul-winning every week?
Did you used to be a soul-winner and you have quit?
Do you have tracts in your pocket right now?
Do you carry tracts with you every day?
If your answer is “No,” to any of these, my friend, you need a revival!

E. The STEWARDSHIP of many is dead or ready to die

Some people used to be faithful in giving tithes and offerings, but they are backsliding.

F. The STEADFASTNESS of many is dead or ready to die

- Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

A REVIVAL IS THE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF GOD IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF SUBMISSIVE BELIEVERS THAT BRINGS:

II. LAUGHTER FROM DESPAIR

Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

People need revival if they are not

A. Joyful in church attendance

- Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
A revival will cause you to quit asking, “When is the service over?” and start asking, “How soon does the service start?”

B. Joyful in contribution of tithes and offerings

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
When you realize that you can’t take money with you, and that you won’t be here for very long, what a BLESSING it is to be able to give it to the Lord!

C. Joyful in continued service

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
To many Christians, to try to be faithful to the Lord in some task is a dreaded DUTY, not a JOY.

D. Joyful in conflict and persecution

Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
A revived Christian is a REJOICING Christian, even in his problems!

E. Joyful in converts

Psalms 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
When you have experienced revival, you will REJOICE when people are won to Christ! You will GLADLY stay an hour after church to witness people getting saved and baptized!

A REVIVAL IS THE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF GOD IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF SUBMISSIVE BELIEVERS THAT BRINGS:

III. LIBERTY FROM DOMINATION

Ezra 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

Many believers need revival, for they are dominated by:

A. Fear

They are too afraid to tithe
They are too afraid to go soul-winning
They are too afraid to join the church
They are too afraid to teach a Sunday School class

B. Friends

Your friends will make you or break you.
Many Christians are unwilling to pull away from worldly friends, and their friends are pulling them down.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

C. Family

Many times the above is true of family members.
Lots of Christians are not free to serve God because of the influence of their parents, children, brothers and sisters, or spouses.

D. Flesh

Many Christians have no joy and no victory in their Christian lives because they are dominated by the lusts of the flesh, by pride, by covetousness.

A REVIVAL IS THE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF GOD IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF SUBMISSIVE BELIEVERS THAT BRINGS:

IV. LABOR FROM DECAY AND DELAPIDATION

Nehemiah 4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

You can tell by visiting churches that the entire church needs revival by this definition

A. In appearance

God’s people have allowed the local church to just about fall apart in the appearance of

Lawn
Flowers
Signs
Carpet
Paint
Bathrooms

B. In activity

The average church has lots of pew-sitters but not enough workers!
They need Sunday School teachers, bus workers, ushers, nursery workers, etc.

C. In attendance

Most churches are not growing.
Many churches cancel services every time there is some kind of holiday or unexpected weather.
Very few churches have week-long revival meetings; the people won’t support the services.
Someone told me yesterday, “I just can’t make it to every service, Preacher.” That individual hasn’t been to church in nearly a YEAR! I told him, “I just wish you would at least come to ONE service!”

D. In atmosphere

AMENS! (Leaders should lead in setting a joyful, enthusiastic atmosphere in church!)
Joyous singing
Handshakes
Smiles
Churches need to WORK at building and maintaining this kind of atmosphere!