IT WAS FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY’S COME!
Last week one of my good friends from Bible College-Pastor Bob; who pastors in Houston, TX pointed out a couple of things that I would like to clarify. I want to thank him for doing so. So, thanks Pastor Bob.
I kind of muddied the water with my Revival Definition. Many people use Revival for the church to be awakened and repent and for Evangelism interchangeable. People would say “Hey we are having revival meetings at our church. That could mean either” for the believer to repent and get fired up again or to reach the lost. I unfortunately picked up this bad habit and have done the same thing used that word both ways, also. I did that last week. So, to clarify. Revival is for the church(Christians) for awakening/repentance. Evangelism/Witnessing is for the lost (the unsaved). I knew the difference but didn’t stick to correct terminology but used the word Revival ambiguously.
I also wanted to point out when I said that we shouldn’t pray for revival we should do it. That Again, I was using that as a term for evangelism. I meant that we shouldn’t use prayer only as a substitute for witnessing with prayer behind it. (which 98 out of 100 people according to Ray Comfort are doing). I said that prayer is water and fertilizer but sharing/preaching/teaching the Word is the Seed.
I believe that the same is true when it comes to revival. We should pray that God would soften the hearts of the church people who are not where they should be with the Lord. Then we must sow the Word. We must share/preach/teach the Truth of God’s Word with them. Both: Evangelism and Revival applies not just to the pastor but to all Christians as well.
I do believe we are living in the end times. I believe the end of the church age and the rapture is very close. We are in that final season. It could be thirty minutes or thirty years, but it is close. If you look around, it is painfully obvious.
I do believe we are the Laodicea church and that these admonitions found in James and Revelation are clear.
So, one more time Revival is for the church for repentance and awakening and Evangelism/Witnessing is for the unsaved and they are for all Christians’ should not only pray but share/preach/teach. Now I want to share these two verses that Pastor Bob shared with me.
James 4:7-10 (ESV)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
Revelation 3:14-22 (ESV)
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Last week I tore down some of the false foundations that the church has been operating on and tonight as promised I am going to lay down a True foundation.
John 19:30 (ESV)
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
It was Friday (Jesus said on the Cross three Words that changed everything)
*********(IT IS FINSIHED)**********
He paid for all:
(Our Sins/Our Healings/Our Poverty/Anything and Everything).
For it was at the Cross that Jesus became the Perfect Sacrifice. He was Fully God and Fully Man-He Gave His Life-He was the only one that could do it and did do it-so we might Live-That we might know him-that we might have eternal life in heaven and abundant life down here (of course with persecution)
Friday was over and 3 days later he would Rise from the Tomb and IT WAS FRIDAY, BUT SUNDAY HAS COME!!!!!!!
So how do you know that is was for all things?
There are people who say it was just for heaven. There are those who say it was all made up. Let’s read these verses:
2 Peter 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
These verses tell us that Grace isn’t added but multiplied
II Peter tells us that is comes through knowledge (not head knowledge but heart knowledge (intimate) (let me blunt a good comparison would be this is talking not about someone you talk to occasionally but someone who you have an intimate relationship with like a good marriage and intimacy between husband and wife)
It says “ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS
(The question is Do you believe that???)
It comes through the Promises
David talked about getting the Word hidden in your heart (when it moves from Head to Heart-that is when the popcorn pops; not before)
1. So Now: I am going to tell you how you can have REVIVAL
All of who are in this state need to repent and this verse lays out what is required to do so. These verses we read from James are a call to personal revival. It doesn’t matter how it happens. If you are reading your Bible at home or at a church Revival Meeting. I was in that state. When I went through this ten-year trial, I had to confess what seemed like millions of sins. Now that was me; everyone’s experience is different.
It was necessary for me to be cleansed of these things and to be broken to be used as a vessel. It took some time to go through this process. Remember, in my case, God was taking a pretty wimpy man and change him into a warrior. I was going from a total people pleaser to a God pleaser. You get the idea. No easy task.
This was him preparing me for the ministry that lay ahead. I do believe this is a life-long process and at times God will have to deal with our hearts. What was in my heart was ugly and he had to get it out before I could be free and really know him intimately and could touch others.
As I stated in my message to me praying for others whether it would be for them to know the Lord or to be revived goes like this. Prayer is the water and fertilizer. It prepares the heart. THE WORD IS THE SEED AND IT ONLY can change the heart. Of course, you must be dealing with a willing heart to it to be changed. You or the other person always has the right to overrule and reject the Word.
Sometimes, the circumstances in our lives began to push us in the direction of revival due to the desperation of the situation. Unless the person is reading and getting this out of the Bible themselves, THERE MUST BE AN INSTRUMENT-a Pastor/a Visiting Preacher (Missionary, etc. Or another believer shares it with-That is someone to share the truth of God’s love, so they can know him for the first time or repent and get to know him again and grow from those points.
When a person gets revived (it works the same for the new believer) they will want to know God intimately and they want to tell others about him, so they can know him to. Some of you may remember that 70’s song by Evie. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going. You’ll want to pass it on.” I shared in a previous blog that we need to get lit up (on fire for God-Revived) and then spark (witness) on someone else.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT PERSONAL REVIVAL WILL PRODUCE PUBLIC EVANGLISM/WITNESSING/DISCIPLESHIP.
2. You can have a Fresh Outpouring of the Holy Spirit right in your living room at your church in your car or wherever you are
Last week I said this, but it bears repeating: Some who struggle with this might say well that Baptism in the Holy Spirit with Speaking in Tongues was just for the 1st century church. Well statistics tell us that millions around the world still do today. I do. Many in my church do.
I have said it and will shout it from the roof tops but without the baptism of the Holy Spirit with initial evidence of Speaking in Tongues you are going to be limited in the power you must move mountains. Speaking in Tongues and Meditation on the Promises of God (specifically Divine Healing) Saved my bacon during this ten-year trial and got me healed and transformed me.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit with Speaking in Tongues has so many advantages. To name a few:
Builds you up
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,” (Jude: 20)
Keeps you in God’s Love
“keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude: 21)
Love is makes your Faith Work
“but faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6
Unlimited Power (YOU AND I NEED THIS ADDITIONAL POWER) ***********
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8)
Rest and Refreshing: Stronger Immune System
“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” (Isaiah 28: 11,12)
Protected Hot line to God
“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit" (I Corinthians 14:2)
3. You don’t have to Wait for future things to happen you can have them Right Now!
*****I want to use that Verse from II Peter 1:2-4 again and notice the language it is all past tense.
2 Peter 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
In the Old Testament they were looking forward to the promises to Jesus coming and we are so privileged and blessed to be able to be on the other side of the Cross. WHEN JESUS SAID IT IS FINISHED HE MEANT EXACTLY THAT. What part of it is finished don’t you understand?
NO MORE WAITING- IT WAS FRIDAY BUT SUNDAYS COME-JESUS ACCOMPLISHED IT ALL AT THE CROSS AND IT IS ALL OURS****
4. How to take Your Own Authority -don’t throw it back on God.
Many are operating like it isn’t finished without authority and have resorted to begging or just accepting their condition in life. I was one of those. But I graduated. I want you to graduate to from I hope I can get it-High School to I already got it in Jesus-Taking my Authority-University.
Mark 11:22-24 (ESV)
22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
God please come and heal me-He already healed you 2000 years ago and he is not coming back. He loves to faith-avoid begging and complaining. This is not a semantics it’s life or death. I have been there and done that and it didn’t work been here done this always works now. It did take some time to get the doubt out and develop a working faith.
You speak to the mountain and tell cancer or whatever it is in Jesus name to move. “Say cancer in the name of Jesus according to Psalm 103 I have benefits, and the Word says “he heals all my diseases. Jesus went to the cross and said it is finished and I Peter 2:24—by whose stripes you were healed. Past tense. So, Cancer in Jesus name I curse you I command my body to be healthy and recover in Jesus name and as soon as you can say that with a child-like faith without unbelief it will manifest.
PRAYER TIME: (As the Holy Spirit Leads):
So how do I know it isn’t made up? So how can I know myself that these benefits are true?
Take a step of faith and accept Jesus (Have you got something better???
And then you will begin to as the Bible puts it “Taste and see that the Lord is good” Faith first and then Relationship is built, and the Mercy and Grace and Power of God will be experienced.
Just try and un-convince me (Seek him with all your heart to know him and to have that power flow)
LIFE DOWN HERE ON EARTH IS A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME: WHAT DOES 70 OR 80 YEARS COMPARE TO WHEN WE ARE TALKING MILLIONS OF YEARS:
ONCE YOU DIE YOUR FREE CHOICE IS OVER AND YOUR DESITNATION IS SEALED.
PLEASE, I PLEAD WITH YOU IN LOVE “MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE”
CHOOSE THE GIFT OF GOD-SALVATION THROUGH ACCEPTING JESUS
THE BIBLE SAYS TODAY IS YOUR DAY OF SALVATION: DON’T PUT THIS OFF
(that would apply to coming to know Jesus/being Revived as a Christian and receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for that additional Power)
SO, IF YOU ARE READY AND WILLING: PLEASE PRAY WITH ME
SALVATION:
If you have never accepted Jesus before-pray with me:
1. First: Admit you are a Sinner
(Jesus, I am sinner I confess all my sins before you and ask you to forgive me)
2. Next: Ask Jesus to come into your heart
(Jesus Please comes into my heart)
3. Finally: Follow Him-Make Him Lord of your life not just Savior
(Jesus, I humble myself before you and make you Savior and Lord of my Life)
To be Revived:
(This is what scripture that we have already read says:)
James 4:7-10(ESV)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
“Be Zealous and Repent” (turn from your half-hearted commitment to Christ and any sins and weights that are hindering you from being sold-out to Jesus)
So, if you are a Christian and you need to be Revived
(you know you are not sold out-you know you are not where you should be-you may have sin in your life or things that are just weighting you down) and you want to change then pray this with me:
1. Jesus, forgive me for being Luke-Warm in my Commitment to you
2. Jesus, I Repent (turn away from these things and turn with all my heart towards you) Please help me to do this out.
3. Jesus, I commit myself to being Zealous which means: (fervent/passionate/committed/dedicated)
Please help me to live this out.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
There is only one way to get the benefits that I talked about before: one way and that is to get the Mighty Baptism in the Holy Spirit; God wants to give it to you. I can tell you there is nothing like it. It is Awesome.
Pray with me:
Begin Praising the Lord in English or your native tongue. After a few minutes: Quit speaking in your native language and with simple child-like faith receive and start speaking in Tongues. Refuse to speak in English. It may just be a Word of two. A syllable or two. Just keep at it. It will grow. You may feel weird at first. You might question is it me or is it the Holy Spirit doing this. It’s both. The Holy Spirit gives you the language as you open your mouth and speak it out. It’s like on demand. This is so important. Don’t take no for an answer.
