Revive Us Again A hymn from yesteryear that I used often when I led music in a couple of churches challenges us as believers to be revived again. Notice the fourth verse and chorus from this great hymn, Revive Us Again.

Revive us again, fill each heart with thy love

May each soul be rekindled with fire from above

(Refrain) Hallelujah! Thine the glory, hallelujah! Amen!

Hallelujah! Thine the glory, revive us again

I pray and long for revival. I ask God to let it begin with me. I want to draw a circle around myself, get into the circle and ask God to revive my soul. I Peter challenges Christ followers and His local church as a whole to seek revival

I Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

What does a revived believer and the characteristics of a revived church look like?

o   A humble, broken and contrite heart before the Lord over our individual sins and our national sins – Psalm 51:1-4; 10

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me

o   A seeking after God for an ongoing sensitivity to sin and utter dependence upon God alone - Psalm 51:3

Psalm 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me

o   A holy separation from worldly philosophies and a commitment solely to God’s Word - Psalm 1:1 – 2; Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:15 – 16

2 Timothy 2:15 – 16 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approve, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

o   To stand on the convictions and promises of God’s Word no matter what, pleasing God only even if men do not agree or applaud our stand – Joshua 24:15; Daniel 1:8

Joshua 24:15 Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

o   To be the alternative to the world’s philosophy through grace and truth. Being the salt and light in a loving way, pointing people to the cross of Christ – John 1:4,5,9

o   A revived church will make an impact and influence in their local community and culture as revival spills out of the lives of Christ followers who have been touched by God. – John 13:34 – 35; Matthew 5:13 - 16

Here is one example of a powerful revival that swept across America; the short story of the Second Great Awakening that started in New York City. Church attendance had dropped dramatically by the turn of the 19th century (1800’s). There was lawlessness, immorality and corruption throughout the society at the time. One man named Jeremiah Lamphier, a layman in his church, decided to gather people in prayer for revival. Here are excerpts from this website describing how revival began. https://landmarkevents.org/new-york-city-revival-1857/

It all began with 48-year-old businessman and “evangelist to the inner city”, Jeremiah Lanphier, who gave up his business, determined to besiege the throne of Grace for the success of the Gospel in New York City, among both the poor of the lower East Side and among the prosperous Manhattanites of Wall Street. Lanphier was described as a “tall man with a pleasant face and an affectionate manner” and “endowed with much tact and common sense.” He had sat under the preaching and guidance of Virginian J.W. Alexander, son of Archibald Alexander and pastor of 19th St. Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. His preaching had emphasized the Holy Spirit’s work in salvation and the importance of prayer.

Mr. Lanphier invited one and all to meet at the Consistory of the North Dutch Reformed Church at noon on September 23, 1857 to join him in prayer, to implore God to convict sinners and bring repentance in the midst of the great city. By 12:30pm only one other person had showed up. After an hour, six men total poured their hearts out to God for mercy. Lanphier did not give up, however, and within a week he had sixteen; in three weeks, forty. They prayed for unsaved family members and friends.

By October 18, there were consistently about one hundred people per day joining him to pray for God to bring revival. Mr. Lanphier invited one and all to meet at the Consistory of the North Dutch Reformed Church at noon on September 23, 1857 to join him in prayer, to implore God to convict sinners and bring repentance in the midst of the great city. By 12:30pm only one other person had showed up. After an hour, six men total poured their hearts out to God for mercy. Lanphier did not give up, however, and within a week he had sixteen; in three weeks, forty. They prayed for unsaved family members and friends. By October 18, there were consistently about one hundred people per day joining him to pray for God to bring revival.

It spread to thousands meeting midday for prayer and then on to other cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Chicago with 5 – 10,000 people gathering for prayer for revival in America.

Some men of that day believed that fully one million people were converted during this last great spiritual upheaval, soon to be replaced with Mr. Lincoln’s War and a return to economic excesses never before realized in America. The “Fulton Street Revival” began with a church concerned about their city, one man commissioned to start a prayer meeting, and the faithful prayer of just a few earnest Christians. Today, the New York Times reports with glee the anti-Christian riots and the overthrow of Christian society. Would that a true spiritual awakening spring up once again, on an international scale, with faithful preaching, real repentance and faith, prayer, and millions of converts to the biblical faith that permeated the generation that experienced the “New York City Revival of 1857”.

I want to end this post by saying that is more urgent than ever to pray for revival and open our individual hearts up to ask God what we need to confess as our sin and what the Holy Spirit needs to change in our lives. May we say to the Lord “Whatever it takes for my will to break, Lord that is what I am willing to do.”  Stay tuned for more on revival in my sermon on April 3rd, 2022 @ 9:15am in our worship service.  I am faithfully,

Yours and His,

Pastor Ed Hedding