LET’S ASK GOD FOR REVIVAL
By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Ps. 85:1-13
Text: Ps. 85:6
Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Introduction: Our theme for 2005 is “Come Alive in 2005.” I am afraid that many people who profess Christ today are still lost … dead in trespasses and sins. They need to come alive in the sense of being born again.
Yet, many of us who are genuinely saved have a deadness about us. Faith without works is dead, being alone, and I’m afraid that many saved people are dead, or are at the very least dying, in the sense of working for Christ like they should. I believe that God is able to give life to the dead in salvation!
I believe that God is able to revive those who are dying in stirring them to service!
The psalmist asked God for revival in our text.
Oh, how we need revival today!
Will you join me in praying for revival?
I. LET’S ASK GOD TO REVIVE OUR STRENGTH
Judges 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
A. To bear our burdens
B. To bear other’s burdens
C. To beat our adversary
II. LET’S ASK GOD TO REVIVE OUR STEADFASTNESS
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
A. Steadfastness in personal habits
B. Steadfastness in private heart
III. LET’S ASK GOD TO REVIVE OUR SINGING
Psalms 137:3-4 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?
A. Let it be genuine
B. Let it be godly
C. Let it be glorifying God
IV. LET’S ASK GOD TO REVIVE OUR SHOUT
Psalms 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
A. Because of God’s protection
B. Because of God’s provision
C. Because of God’s pardon
V. LET’S ASK GOD TO REVIVE OUR SWEETNESS
Ephesians 4:31-32-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
A. Sweetness of spirit – ready to bless rather than to bark like a mean dog
B. Sweetness of speech – Keep your words sweet in case you have to eat them!
VI. LET’S ASK GOD TO REVIVE OUR STILLNESS
Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Isaiah 30:7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
A. Stillness in the home
B. Stillness in the habits
C. Stillness in the heart
VII. LET’S ASK GOD TO REVIVE OUR SIGHT
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
A. Looking for souls to convert
B. Looking for sin to confess
C. Looking for the Savior to come!
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, |