TOPIC: THRESHOLD OF REVIVAL
TEXTS: Mk l6:15-20, Lk 4:18-19, Isa 61:l-11,Joel 2:28-29
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INTRODUCTION
Any time God moved in any Person, Church or Generation, it was because He responded to the cry of the person, church or the generation who despaired of spiritual dryness and knocked on God’s door until the “closed heavens” open up. The cry and desperation for Revival often time cause God to rise up to revive. “Closed heavens” over a life, church or generation is the bane of such a people. May God remember Zion, that is, everyone and the entire Diocese in Jesus name? “For the time to favour this Diocese, yes, the set time, has come, Ps. 102:13 “Before this period, this has remained a promise but now it is clear that the clouds of Revival have gathered and the LORD has risen over the Diocese. “Note that the depth of our helplessness or desperation is actually the ground for God to manifest or show Himself up again in this Diocese and beyond”. Revival is one of God’s costly pearls. It is a holy treasure that holy men and women sought for with tears. He would not give it to dogs but to those with genuine hunger and thirst for righteousness.
This Revival is not another ‘organization’ but is a move of God being borne on the wings of agonizing prayers, it is a simultaneous flow of the Spirit in this Diocese and beyond. lt is dealing with roots rather than mere leaves of externalism. It is fundamental in restoring the Church to Biblical Christianity and turning hearts of men back to the old paths and to the ancient landmarks.
This is what God, in mercy, is bringing us into at the various levels of our labours with Him in this Diocese. This divine visitation must not be misunderstood. It must not be misapplied. lt is not to build another empire for men; rather it is to build the life of everyone in the Church and the Body of Christ. May the LORD open our hearts to this Fire that is already burning?
Download this Bible Study Outline (Word Document) HERE
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1a. What is Revival?
1b. What do you think looks so much like Revival and yet it is not?
1c. When is Revival desired or needed in a life, people or generation?
1d. Where do you think Revival should start from and WHY?
2. Discuss the mood or the heart desire of God from the following passages. Mk1 6:15-20; Lk 4:18-19; Isa 61:1-1l
What should be our own mood or heart desire as a person, a people in the Diocese?
3. What are the conditions needed for Revival to come to us again in this our day?
a. Repentance from every known sin. Ps 66:18; Joel 2:12-13; Ps l39:23-24(MSG)
b. Renewed obedience to the Word of God. Acts 6:4, Isa 66:2 (MSG), Isa 57:15, Mk l6:15,20
c. Relentless and Effectual Fervent Prayer. Acts6:4, 2Chron7:14-15; James 5:16-18; Acts l:14
Mention some lives that prayed fervently for Revival. What was the burden of prayer in each one?
Download this Bible Study Outline (Word Document) HERE
CONCLUSION
If He must trust us with another Revival in the Body of Christ, we must determine to walk in His will and refrain from betraying His trust. This is the crucial matter set before us this day, as we step into the Threshold of another out pouring of the Holy Spirit in our time. This must not be lost. Nothing short of a heavenly visitation of the Holy Spirit Revival is needed in these precarious times. Shall we not arise and put away every encumbering cloak like Bartimaeus and run to Jesus for God to give us both the former and latter rain that will Revive us and also the souls of men. Brethren, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee “. Isa -60:1 Arise and Pray.