Experiencing Personal Revival

EXPERIENCING PERSONAL REVIVAL Spring Valley Mennonite; April 30, 2023; Isaiah 57:14-21 Asbury University - Wilmore, KY Rupp Arena - Lexington, KY Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green, KY Union College - Barbourville, KY University of the Cumberlands - Williamsburg, KY Eastern Kentucky University - Richmond, KY Lee University - Cleveland, TN Grace Christian Academy - Knoxville, TN Samford University - Birmingham, AL Cedarville University - Cedarville, OH Ohio State - Columbus, OH Indiana Wesleyan University - Maron, IN Valley Forge College - Chester County, PA Hannibal-LaGrange University - Hannibal, MO Texas A&M Corpus Christi, TX Texas A&M College Station, TX Baylor University - Waco, TX Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, LA Oral Roberts University - OK Youth event in Portland, OR Regent University - Virginia Beach, VA These are the places where revival has broken out in the past three months, beginning at Asbury College on February 8th. Last night in Norman Oklahoma the 80,000 seat University stadium was opened for another opportunity for God to work. Many of us have seen the Jesus Revolution film which recently came out which reported the awakening in the last 60's and early 70's. Revival begins among believers which quickly spreads to non-believers. But it does begin with us. Our Heavenly Father desires to bring renewal and revival to every heart and life. In Isaiah 57, God speaks of a future revival which He initiates, a particular revival which will involve God's chosen people. But in examining the details of this future revival, we learn principles of returning home spiritually which apply to all people at all times. Revival is about repentance. He issues an invitation to each one to come back to His waiting arms. I want to clearly state that this message is for believers, for those who know Jesus as Savior. This is a message of personal revival, the need for which we each have in some measure. I don't know about how close your walk with Christ is, for it is so easy to look good on the outside. I do know that the distractions of life tend to dull the sharpness of our Christlikeness. Like the feet of the disciples in the upper room, we have need of cleansing. I would ask that you would allow God freedom to speak to you this morning. Turn to Isaiah 57. Our study will begin at verse 14. I. CLEARING THE ROAD (Read v. 14) Several years back we were visiting Branson. Highway 65 from Springfield to Branson was being widened. Building roads in the Ozark hills and valleys requires a lot of what engineers call "cutting and filling." Hills must be cut through and the rock deposited in the low places. The result is a leveling of the roadbed. Spiritually speaking, this is what Isaiah is describing. That which would obstruct the path is being removed. Isaiah is prophesying of a return of the Jews from captivity in Babylon as well as a future regathering to the land. Although the Babylonian captivity is still in the future as he writes, he gives a word of encouragement. The distance from Jerusalem to Babylon is around 700 miles-imagine walking that! Not only the distance would stand in the way of any return, but the Babylonians would have a say in the matter. But there was a greater obstacle standing in the way of any return-the captivity in Babylon was caused by their rejection of God. They were like sheep who had gone their own way and had strayed far from the green pastures of the Good Shepherd to worship idols. Isaiah described the result in 59:2: "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." Don't we find the same thing true today in the lives of many people? Is it true of yourself? I speak today on the subject of God's revival. I speak this morning of a loving Heavenly Father who desires that each one maintains a close relationship with Him, to our first love. The letter to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 3 speaks of a Theologically sound church who had "left their first love." God desires for each of us to come home where He waits with open arms of forgiveness and love. To make the way easier, He has made possible a clearing of the pathway through any debris caused by the storms of our lives. In thinking through this analogy of making our way back to an intimate relationship with God, I came up with several possible barriers. These are roadblocks which stand in our way to a return to closeness to God. They make the way back seem difficult if not impossible. See if any of them apply to you. II. POSSIBLE ROADBLOCKS The first is subtle, but perhaps the most common: It is spiritual complacency, satisfaction with our present spiritual state. It is the idea that I don't need personal revival, that everything is fine between the Lord and me. I realize that like me, many of you have been believers for many years. You have heard hundreds of sermons, have served in the church for decades, and you have a wonderful foundation in Biblical truth. Everything looks good on the outside. But if we are honest, we know there are "chinks in our armor," areas of spiritual weakness, things that may be limiting our spiritual growth. In a close walk with the Lord, there is no room for spiritual pride or complacency; I see the Christian life like movement up an inclined plane-if you stop pushing forward, you slip backward. Is complacency a roadblock in your life? A second barrier to personal revival is the idea that "God is angry and will punish me if He finds our what I have done, so I am better off keeping it to myself." What utter foolishness! We shake our heads over the foolishness of Adam hiding from God after he sinned, but are we doing the same thing? In the first place, God already knows! There is nowhere in the universe where we can escape His watchful eye, OR TO ESCAPE HIS EVERLASTING LOVE! As far as God wanting to punish you, Jesus already took all the punishment for our sins. For a believer, Romans 8:1 promises that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Any "punishment" the believer experiences is self-inflicted, like the hunger a beggar fells when he refuses food set before him. Real misery and shame is caused by being separated from God! Sin causes separation-admitting and confessing that sin is simply agreeing with God that it is wrong, and confession brings us back to the point of blessing. Another major roadblock in the life of the believer, and this may be subconsciously in operation in your life, is that we feel we must prove ourselves worthy of God's forgiveness before we can come back to Him. We have to "work our way back into God's good graces" like we do when we really goof up in human relationships. It is like the teenager who wrecks the family car and has to prove to his dad that he can be responsible before he can expect to drive again. It is the principle of penance; we must do something to pay for our mistake. Praise God He doesn't operate like this! God's forgiveness is based upon the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Grace isn't just related to salvation; it relates to our every day walk with God. We really are unable to "clean up our act" without first coming to God admitting our helplessness. Other barriers might include "God has written me off-the road back is too long, and it is too late. I have lived this way too long. I don't deserve God's forgiveness." Once again, I present to you the wonder of God's grace! God never writes off anyone. Like the Father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, He is waiting to welcome you home. He has a joyful feast waiting. Perhaps you think, "I would be too embarrassed to let others know how far I have strayed form God-I've got them fooled now. What will it look like for me to admit that I've been wrong?" This is the issue of pride, and verse 15 speaks to that subject, as it speaks about: III. (WHAT IS) OUR PART IN GOD'S REVIVAL Since God has cleared the way for us to return to Him, what is our part in this transaction? Look at verse 15 (read). First notice who is speaking. This is God Almighty, our God who is high and exalted, perfectly holy. "I dwell on a high and holy place." The emphasis is on the separation between a Holy God and a sinful world. God never compromises His holiness in any form when He extends His hands of love, mercy, and grace toward us. On crucial point of understanding is that we deal with God on HIS terms. We don't negotiate with God, or bargain, or make deals. God is absolutely holy. So how can God welcome each of us who are so obviously unholy? This is the miracle of the Incarnation-the taking on of flesh by God, by Jesus Christ, God the Son, the second member of the Trinity. God can welcome each of us because of the absolute sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21. That sacrifice totally satisfied God's justice. All our sins we re paid for, every single one! Holy God and sinful man were reconciled together-peace was made at the Cross. Look at the last part of verse 15: the first part says that God dwells-where? In a high and holy place, BUT where else? God dwells ALSO WITH THE CONTRITE AND LOWLY OF SPIRIT! What an amazing thought! God dwells-the word means to settle down, to abide, to make residence with-with the contrite and lowly of spirit. Remember I said that verse 15 speaks to our pride? Pride keeps more people from drawing close to God than perhaps any other thing. It is a roadblock we erect ourselves. Pride keeps us from admitting we are wrong. There once was a terrible collision of two ships in the Black Sea. Both captains knew their ship was headed toward the other, but each captain refused to turn aside. Their pride resulted in many lives being lost. Pride tells us that we can't let others know we are struggling. Pride may be blinding us to the fact that we need reviving! God only dwells closely with those who are contrite and humble. What is the meaning of "contrite?" It means "crushed." Psalm 34:18: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Norman Grubb, in his booklet "Continuous Revival" describes brokenness in these terms: (Man) "sees his sinful condition before God as he realizes the coming judgment and wrath, and as he is pointed to the slain Lamb he has to "break" at the foot of the cross. The proud, self-justifying, self-reliant, self-seeking self has to come simply as a lost, undone sinner, whose only hope is a justifying Savior. David said it well when, at the supreme moment of his total brokenness, in Psalm 51, the Spirit caused him to comment, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.'" (Unquote) Brokenness is our response when we truly see God in His absolute holiness and honestly see ourselves in the light of that holiness. Remember Isaiah's encounter with God who is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY in chapter 6? Remember his response? He fell on his face. Remember Isaiah was most likely the most godly man in Israel at that time, a prophet of God no less! Yet he fell on his face crying out for mercy. "I am a sinful man." That is brokenness. That was Isaiah's journey home, to the closeness of God's side. Our part in "coming home" is simply to acknowledge our sin, repent and ask for God's forgiveness. It is turning from our own way, walking back home. This "brokenness" often involves the act of confessing our sin to others, NOT for forgiveness, but in demonstration of our humility. James 5:16: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." It impressed me in watching the recent revival at Asbury University the public confession of sin by individuals. There are times when this happens in a congregation. But it first happens within individuals as they respond to the Spirit's voice in their hearts. Do not resist what the Spirit might be saying in your heart this morning. God dwells in His wonderful fullness with the contrite and lowly of Spirit-why? To revive the spirits of them who humbly come to Him. That is God's promise today for anyone who will hear His voice. IV. THE RESULTS OF REVIVAL (Read vv. 16-19) This passage is rich with the mercy of God, but I see several results of coming home to God, of experiencing God's true revival: the first result, mentioned twice is Healing. That was also the term James uses in 5:16 of his epistle, where I believe spiritual healing is much more in view that physical healing. Verse 18: "I have seen his ways, but I will heal him (also in verse 19.) I hate to be sick. I consider it such a waste of time! When we are sick, life ceases to be enjoyable, and most productive activity grinds to a halt. This is also true when we are spiritually sick. This sickness may take many forms: Things may not feel quite right in your soul, perhaps there is a feeling of restlessness. You may very likely be feeling guilty because of unconfessed sin. Perhaps there is lack of joy, and you are having difficulty trusting God with difficulty. Prayer may seem like an empty exercise, and unbelief may be creeping in. There probably is a lack of desire to read God's Word, or you may find yourself grumbling or complaining. You may feel at odds with your spouse, children, or Christian friends. God promises to heal you from all forms of spiritual sickness. Another promise stemming from personal revival is GUIDANCE-VERSE 18: "I will lead him..." Are you casting about, wondering what the next step in life is to be? While we may think that this applies more to young people, who of us does not face a multitude of decisions in our lives this day? Are you feeling indecision or puzzlement over decisions? God promises guidance and direction to those walking close to Him. A third result of revival is seen in the phrase "restore comfort to him and his mourners." Does this not speak to how our spiritual dullness affects and impacts all those around us? For instance, our families suffer when we are "out to lunch" spiritually speaking. The church suffers also-might it be possible that Spring Valley church is being held back by your spiritual issues? One thing which characterizes the recent outbreaks of revival is the fervency of worship and sharing together, the "praise of lips" as verse 19 describes. Our personal ministry to others would also increase. As we experience spiritual healing and wholeness, God gives us a message of healing for others. Turn over to chapter 61, at verses 1-3 (turn and read.) Jesus quoted this as describing His ministry. He came to proclaim liberty and freedom, and He has given us the commission to take that message both near and far. This is the message of peace and reconciliation with God. Yet today we can once again reject this message. We can ignore that longing inside our souls, we can put it off once more. We can continue in our misery and sin, refusing to be broken-or we can respond to the voice of God calling us to Himself. The road back to God is clear of barriers; those barriers between you and God are easily surmounted. Where are you in your relationship with God this morning? Has God the Spirit spoken to you this morning? God waits with open arms of love and forgiveness-are you going to embrace your personal revival today? Your distance from God may be great or small, but a word of advice: if you put off coming to God in humility and brokenness, the distance will increase. 2