REVIVAL FOR GOD’S WORK
Text- Habakkuk 3:1,2
Introduction
This morning the title of my sermon is, “Revival For God’s Work" and our text is found in Habakkuk 3:1,2.
Habakkuk 3:1-2 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. 2 Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. (NASB)
During the days when Habakkuk was a prophet, Judah was in need of a revival.
In chapter one verses 1-4 Habakkuk describes the moral and spiritual conditions that existed tn that day. Many of these same conditions exist within our nation as well as God's churches. Some even, within our own church today.
What we need today is a revival, a spiritual awakening or renewal.
Today there are many different ideas concerning what a revival is. Perhaps a good way to define what a revival is, is by first saying what it is not. A revival is not simply a time when we concentrate on trying to get people saved. It is not simply a time when an evangelist comes and preaches a series of salvation messages. It is not simply an emotional hype, where we promote or generate excitement.
The word "revival" literally means, "renewing of life" and describes the act of God in restoring his backslidden people to obedience.
One person has described revival as “The outburst of a mighty work of the spirit of God in his people when they are on the brink of becoming a spiritual corpse".
Here in our text we find three essential elements that are needed in order for there to be a revival.
First, Habakkuk PRAYED TO GOD.
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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV)
Jonathan Edwards, a great American revivalist once said, "When God has something very great for his church, it is his will that there should precede it the extraordinary prayers of his people".
When British evangelist Gypsy Smith was asked how to start a revival, he said, "Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of your floor. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on." Even though we should pray for revival in our churches, we need not wait for a spectacular working of God's Spirit in others to experience His power in our own lives. In fact, the Lord is ready right now to bless us personally if we will meet His conditions.
Second, Habakkuk was willing to SUBMIT HIMSELF TO GOD. He said, "Lord, I have heard the report about thee and I fear". Without reverence, respect or a willingness to submit to God revival can not exist among his people.
Isaiah 57:15 For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (NIV)
Third, before there can be a revival of God's work, it must COME FROM GOD.
Psalm 85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (NIV)
No amount of fanciful preaching, talented singers, or specialized church programs can bring about a revival on there own. Revival is God's work. He alone can give it. It must come from above. It is only through God's power and the Holy Spirit's conviction that God's work can be revived.
Oh, for the Spirit's quickening breath!
Reviving from the sleep of death.
Oh, for Thy mighty ancient power!
Arousing us this very hour.
God of revival, Thee we praise,
For signs of blessing in our days.
Revival is like putting last night's stew on the stove. What you have is something which was real good yesterday but has been in the refrigerator. Now it's cold, thick, chunky and feels too heavy to eat. First, the flame from the burner begins to chase away the chill. Then the stew begins to lose its lethargy and starts to warm and thin. Soon, with some stirring, it becomes a warm, fluid, consistent source of nourishment and strength, as it was intended to be. Sometimes that's what churches and Christians are like. Our faith get's chilled or even cold. We become spiritually lethargic. Then God heats us up, stirs us up, and revives us!
This morning I would like us to look at four different areas in which God's work needs a revival.