Could the Lord use The River Community Church to birth revival in this region?
A word from the Lord: the church already possesses the keys to revival, but we’ve discarded them like a bag of trash.
+ Click to add your own note
We need to answer three questions: (1) What is revival?, (2) Why do we need it?, and (3) What are the keys to revival?
What is revival?
True revival is a visitation of the Holy Spirit that fully turns the hearts of people to the Lord.
+ Click to add your own note
When the Holy Spirit moves in revival, hearts that are cold and stone-hard, hearts that are only partially turned to the Lord, and hearts that are almost but not quite fully turned to the Lord are set ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit and nothing else in the whole world becomes more important than our love for Jesus Christ and our life in Jesus Christ.
Why do we need revival?
Two simples answers: (1) division in our nation and (2) the church looks like the world.
“By all accounts, Americans have more money, more mobility, and more liberties than we have ever had – yet the fruit of our excess is proving to be rotten at best. In the midst of our so-called progress, our culture appears to be losing in virtually every important sphere of human flourishing.” – Dave Clayton in Revival Starts Here
What are the keys to revival?
Supporting Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1-3 (ESV)
+ Click to add your own note
The first key is radical repentance.
+ Click to add your own note
Supporting Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)
+ Click to add your own note
The second key is praying and worshipping the Lord.
+ Click to add your own note
Reflecting on Nehemiah 8:1-3 and the concept of birthing revival can lead to deep personal insights and spiritual growth. Here are some personal reflection questions to consider:
- Nehemiah 8:1-3 Reflections:
- Connection to Scripture: How do I relate to the scene in Nehemiah where the people gathered eagerly to hear the word of God? Do I approach Scripture with a similar hunger and anticipation?
- Response to God’s Word: What is my immediate reaction when I hear or read God’s word? Do I respond with reverence and a desire to understand and obey?
- Community Impact: How does the communal gathering described in Nehemiah 8 inspire me to prioritize communal worship and study of Scripture in my own life?
- Birthing Revival Reflections:
- Personal Spiritual Vitality: What does revival mean to me personally? How would I describe my own spiritual vitality and the need for revival in my life?
- Barriers to Revival: What are the obstacles or distractions in my life that hinder personal or communal revival? How can I actively remove or address these barriers?
- Prayer and Seeking God: Am I fervently praying for revival, both personally and in my community? How can I deepen my commitment to seeking God’s presence and power in my life and church?
- Application and Action Steps:
- Personal Application: Based on Nehemiah 8:1-3 and the concept of revival, what specific changes or commitments do I need to make in my personal spiritual disciplines and attitudes towards God’s word?
- Community Engagement: How can I contribute to fostering an environment of revival in my church or community? Are there practical steps I can take to encourage others in their faith journey?
- Long-Term Reflection:
- Sustaining Revival: Revival is often seen as a moment of spiritual awakening. How can I ensure that any revival experienced is not short-lived but becomes a sustained, transformative process in my life and community?
- Personal Growth Goals: What are my spiritual growth goals for the next year? How can reflecting on Nehemiah 8:1-3 and the idea of revival guide me in setting these goals?
These questions are designed to provoke deeper introspection and a commitment to spiritual renewal, both individually and collectively. They encourage us to align our hearts with God’s Word and to actively seek His presence for personal and communal transformation.