OH THAT YOU WOULD REND THE HEAVENS What Will It Take For Spiritual Awakening?
Dec 16, 2015
OH THAT YOU WOULD REND THE HEAVENS
What Will It Take For Spiritual Awakening?
WE MUST WAKE UP
What is on the heart of God?Focus on awakeningFresh stirring
WE MUST WAKE UP
Is the nation better or worse off?
Where’s the power?Why is there no power?
THE REASON IS…
We have a relationship problem with God
We are under the judgment of God
PROOF OF JUDGMENTWhat is the judgment of God? It is according to one’s deeds
Punishment fits the crime
PROOF OF JUDGMENTExamples
David and UriahAhab and NabothBabylon and God’s people
In line with one’s sin
PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment
The removal of wisdom▪True for Christians and the lost▪Occurred many places in Scripture
PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment
Loss of spiritual power▪Little life-changing impact▪Uncommitted converts▪Prayer movement with no change
PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment
Loss of spiritual power▪Turned over to sin▪Little influence on society ▪Loss of favor▪Defeat by our enemies
PROOF OF JUDGMENT
The signs of the judgmentVarious other signs▪Societal breakdown of the family▪Societal and relational conflict▪Bad leadership▪Statutes that are not good
PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment
Various other signs▪Loss of finances▪Setbacks increase over time▪Natural disasters▪Success is unfulfilling
CONCLUSION
We are under the judgment of God
If we do not awaken:We will be destroyedOur children will live out the consequences
Will you not arise?
THE PRIMARY REASONWhy are we asleep?
How can the signs be so prevalent and we not know it?
How can we live in the midst of this and not respond?
THE PRIMARY REASON
The signs of judgmentThey had not yet humbled themselves
THE PRIMARY REASONWe have lost the fear of GodRecognizing the judgment is necessary to realizing there’s a problem
Call to prayer in 1863
THE PRIMARY REASONHow did we lose the fear of God?We mistakenly assumed it hinders a love relationship with God
THE PRIMARY REASONHow did we lose the fear of God?Love and grace apart from holiness▪The accountability of grace▪The accountability of love▪ Judgment begins with the house of God
THE PRIMARY REASONHow did we lose the fear of God?False sense of security
CONCLUSION
We lost the fear of GodLet us fear God again
SINS TO ADDRESS
What are our wicked ways?
SINS TO ADDRESS
We left our first loveDesiring GodPrayerlessness
SINS TO ADDRESS
Not being on missionFailure to bear fruitMaterialismUse or misuse of resources
SINS TO ADDRESS
We have made false convertsStatistics in the SBCDecision instead of repentance
Location instead of a relationship
SINS TO ADDRESS
We have not hallowed His nameWe have treated God lightlyServed God when it is convenient
Not exercised church discipline
CONCLUSION
These sins must be addressed
These changes will position us to be gloriously revived
FOUR EXPECTATIONS
There is hopeWhen it is the darkest…A light can dawn when we repent
FOUR EXPECTATIONSGod will create a catalytic moment▪ Elijah on Mt. Carmel▪Hezekiah▪ Ezra▪Nehemiah▪ Jesus
The catalytic moment is our invitation
FOUR EXPECTATIONSForgiveness of sin ≠ cancellation of judgment Improbable that revival will cancel judgment
There will still be difficult days
The Civil War
FOUR EXPECTATIONSGod’s grace allows us to navigate judgmentWhat grace isGod must hallow His name
FOUR EXPECTATIONSGod’s grace allows us to navigate judgment God will still be at work▪ In wrath God remembers mercy▪Mercy places a revived people in the midst of judgment▪ A great harvest will follow
FOUR EXPECTATIONSSuccessfully navigating the judgment of God will produce blessingHezekiahCivil WarParkview
CONCLUSION
So that we will know how to respond
In the here and now, we must focus on repentance