This coming Saturday evening -- we begin what we call a revival -- with Jimmy Dell doing the preaching & special music!

   Revival is always a special time in the life of the church!

   Revival times have had a great impact on my spiritual life -- for as long as I can remember!

   Revivals have played an important role throughout the history of the Christian Church -- from Bible times to the present!

   And throughout the Bible itself -- God’s people have longed for times of revival & renewal.

   There is a simple -- but very sincere prayer -- found in the words of Psalm 85:6 -- “Wilt thou not revive us again: -- that thy people may rejoice in thee?”

   “Won’t you revive us again (Lord), so your people can rejoice in you?”

   The prayers & the promises of the Bible are never outdated!

   Here is the prayer of God’s people!

   Here is a prayer for God’s people!

   I want to challenge you today: -- May we each & every one pray this prayer from the very depths of our hearts!

   This is a prayer that ought to be prayed more than any other prayer!

   Prayers for revival are always in order!

   Just as dust slowly gathers on the furniture; -- just as road film accumulates upon the car; -- so the subtle influence of this modern age   -- tend to quench the holy fires -- & tends to fade the glow of happy personal experiences. 

   This is what makes the refreshing times of spiritual renewal so imperative for every Christian!

   We need the dusting -- the washing -- & the polishing times of revival & spiritual renewal.

   Revival is a time of refreshing & renewing & restoring & revitalizing the church of Jesus Christ!

   Medical doctors go back to school for refresher courses;

   Teachers attend conferences for better techniques;

   Pastors often need to attend preachers meetings;

   So every Christian needs to take in times of revival!

   In this prayer of Psalm 85:6 -- we discover a four-fold definition for revival!

1.  Revival is a Repeated Experience -- “Revive us again!”

   Here is a request for revival to happen again!

   This is not a prayer for salvation -- although we need & must pray to be saved.  -- Rather this is the prayer of the Christian.

   This is why we sing the song --

Revive us again; -- fill each heart with thy love.

May each soul be rekindled with fire from above!

   The God who has given revivals in the past can give revivals in the present!

   He gave revival at Pentecost -- as we find recorded in Acts 2.

   He gave revival in the Reformation.

   He gave the Wesley revival of the 1700’s.

   He gave the Charles Finney revivals of the early 1900’s.

   He gave the Asbury College Revival in February 1970.

   He is giving revival spirit somewhere in the world even now!

   Revival is needed again for another generation!

   Every generation ought to be given the privilege to witness genuine revival!

   Your generation ought to be able to witness genuine revival.

   Your children’s generation ought to be able to witness revival.

   There is a tendency always - to live in the past!

   But we need to see the Spirit of God move in our day!

   We are living in a day of moral confusion!

   Our society is bogged down in a moral swamp!

   If we have ever needed revival we need it today!

   Revival is our hope - our only hope!

   The Bible says -- His arm is not shortened -- meaning God can do even now what He has done in days gone by!

   We need this repeated experience of revival over & over!

Illus: William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, is said to have been reading the story of Pentecost in Acts 2 -- when he suddenly fell on his knees & cried out -- “Do it again Lord!  Do it again!”

   That needs to be our cry also -- “Do it again, Lord! -- Do it again.”

2. Revival is a Relationship Experience -- “revive us”.

   Revival brings about improvement in human relationships.

   In revival we lift our eyes to God -- & we open our heads & our hearts to each other. -- Revival does not come to isolated hearts alone.

   As I am affected by revival -- we will all be affected.

   Revival will affect the way I see you!

   Revival will affect the way you perceive me!

   In genuine revival there will be a change in our relationships in & around the church!

   People will hug one another; -- People may cry & weep together; --

Fighting & bickering comes to an end; -- Greater love for one another is embraced.

   I was given a book entitled “Mastering Conflict & Controversy”.

   It lay on top of my desk for a long time -- inviting me to pick it up & read it.  I never got around to it.   It is now somewhere on my book case! 

   I am sure it has a lot of good advice within its pages.

   But the best way to handle conflict in the church -- in the home -- or on the job -- is through the work of genuine revival in the hearts of people!

Illus:  As a college student, I remember one of our professors telling the class about how he felt ill-will toward a particular student.  For what ever reason, he did not like this certain student.  Then one Sunday morning while the professor was in College Church, he discovered that particular student was to provide the special music.  The professor was not pleased, & when the student stood to sing the professor paid not attention -- & instead just looked around.  He began to realize that everyone else was being blessed -- tears were rolling down their cheeks -- & he was missing out on the joy everyone else was enjoying.  The professor realized it was his own attitude that had gotten in the way of what God was doing that morning.  The professor bowed his head & asked God to forgive him for the way he felt toward this particular student -- & having done so was then able to enjoy the spirit of blessing everyone else was enjoying. 

   Revival always affects the way we fell toward one another -- as we learn to forgive & to love one another!

3. Revival is a Joyful Experience -- “may rejoice in Thee.”

   The Bible tells us that -- “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

   God’s people have lost their sense of joy in the Lord.

   King David had lost the joy of the Lord’s presence from his life when he sinned against God -- & thus he prayed: -- “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation!”

   When genuine revival comes -- joy will be restored!

   Shouts of joy will be heard; -- tears of joy will be seen; -- praises of joy will be given.

   Joy is the flag that is flown from the citadel of the heart when the King of kings is in residence!

   Some Christians just need a revival of joy in itself!

   They walk around looking like they have lost their best friend; -- their faces are long & sad!

   They come to church looking like they drank vinegar for breakfast -- then they sit there in the pew with a frown on their face that says -- “Bless me if you can!”

   A revival of joy would do their hearts some good.

   Real revival will bring joy to the hearts of all God’s good people!

   What greater joy is there to the Christian than to see people turn their hearts toward God!

Illus:  During my pastoral ministry in Illinois -- we experienced a time of revival in our church that lasted for months.  No evangelist; -- nothing special to attract people; -- just a real spirit of revival that went on week after week for months.  People were getting saved every Sunday -- & even during the week there were people coming to the unlocked church building -- day & night -- & praying through to spiritual victory.

   It was the time of greatest joy in our church! -- The expressions of joy & happiness were felt by everyone!

   What a joy it is to see God moving & working in the hearts of people!

4. Revival is a Supernatural Experience - “Wilt Thou.”

   Revival is more than a series of services.

   Revival is more than an evangelist -- or special speaker.

   Revival is more than a good sermon.

   The evangelist does not bring a revival in his suitcase -- or in his personality -- or even in his preaching no matter how good that preaching may be!  The source of revival is found in God alone!

   Human manipulation can gather crowds -- bring in offerings -- whip up a display of enthusiasm. -- But only God can revive the soul.

   Only God can lift the scales from blinded eyes!

   Only God can change the heart of stone.

   Only God can set the captive free.

   We may be successful in bringing someone to church -- under the sound of the gospel message -- within sight of the Cross -- but only God can break the power of sin!

Illus: As a teenage lad I always enjoyed attending Camp meeting in NE Ohio near where I grew up. They were such times of spiritual enrichment.  One Summer when I arrived at Camp meeting -- anticipating a great time in all that powerful preaching of those Camp meeting speakers -- I discovered that one of those speakers had fallen ill & was enable to come.  Everyone was expressing doom; -- how could we have much of a Camp meeting without a powerful speaker?  A local & little known evangelist was asked to fill in, & everyone was saying, “It’s not going to be much of a camp meeting this year! -- no great preaching.”  Prayer groups formed all around the campgrounds -- as people poured their hearts out to God expressing their disappointment & saying to the Lord -- “You've got to help us Lord -- we have come here & we don’t have any good preachers to minister to us; -- You’re going to have to help us.”  Oh what despair was being expressed!

   But as a result of all the prayers that were being prayed -- that unknown local evangelist was heard preaching more powerful messages than he had ever preached! -- What a camp meeting it turned out to be! It was not because we had a powerful preacher, but because God answered prayer & anointed his willing servant. 

   Revival comes from God -- as God’s people pray & seek the Lord!

Conclusion: -- Someone asked evangelist Gipsy Smith what was the “the best method of starting a spiritual awaking in their church.”

   Gipsy Smith said: -- “Go home & lock yourself in your room.  Take a piece of chalk & draw a circle on the floor.  Get down on your knees inside that circle; - confess all your known sins & ask God’s forgiveness.  Determine to follow the Lord wherever He directs. -- Ask Him to begin a revival in you! -- When this prayer is answered - the revival will be on!”

   This week: --

   Let’s try Gipsy Smith’s prescription for revival.

   Let’s pray the Psalmist’s prayer for revival.

   Let’s ask God for spiritual renewal -- in our commitment -- in our love for God -- in our obedience to the Lord!

   Let’s ask God for a spiritual awakening in our church -- in our valley -- in our state -- & in our Nation!

   While revival comes from God -- God’s power must find a willing & obedient people!

          O Holy Spirit - revival comes from Thee

          Send a revival - start the work in me!

   This is a prayer that God is anxious to answer!