Revive Us Again:Revive Our Love for God

Ron BrackettCentral Florida Bible Camp

June 3, 2009

Revive: Defined & Illustrated v. tr.

1. To bring back to life or consciousness; resuscitate. 2. To impart new health, vigor, or spirit to. 3. To restore to use, currency, activity, or notice. 4. To restore the validity or effectiveness of. 5. To renew in the mind; recall. 6. To present (an old play, for example) again.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Revive: Defined & Illustrated Synonyms

• animate, arouse, awaken, bounce back*, breathe new life into, brighten, bring around*, bring to, cheer, come around*, come to life, comfort, console, encourage, energize, enkindle, enliven, exhilarate, gladden, inspirit, invigorate, make whole, overcome, please, quicken, rally, reanimate, recondition, recover, refresh, rejuvenate, rekindle, relieve, renew, renovate, repair, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, rouse, snap out of it, solace, spring up, strengthen, touch up*, wake up

Antonyms• destroy, kill, suppress

“…times of refreshing from the Lord” (Acts 3:19)

* = informal/non-formal usageRoget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition

Copyright © 2009 by the Philip Lief Group

Nightwatch by Rembrandt

The Pietà by Michelangelo

How to Resuscitate

a Lizard

Is Revival Needed?

Does our country need a revival? Do our congregations need revival? Do I need a revival?

Principles of Biblical Revivals

Psalm 85• Remembers what God has done (vs. 1-3)• Appeals to God’s tender heart (vs. 4-5)• Cries out, “Do it again, God!” (v. 6)• Recognizes God’s mercy, salvation, peace,

truth & righteousness (vs. 7-13)

Principles of Biblical Revivals

2 Chronicles 29• Starts with the individual (vs. 1-2)• Cleansing is necessary (v. 5)• Admits wrongdoing (vs. 6-9)• Makes a fresh commitment to the Lord (v. 10)• Requires obedience (v. 15)• Recognizes God as the source of all revival (v. 36)

Principles of Biblical Revivals

Nehemiah 9• A humble spirit (v. 1)

o Jim Cymbala in Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire:“When I was at my lowest, confounded by obstacles, bewildered by the darkness that surrounded us … I discovered an astonishing truth: God is attracted to weakness. He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him. Our weakness, in fact, makes room for his power.”

Principles of Biblical Revivals

Nehemiah 9• A humble spirit (v. 1)• Separation from the world (v. 2)• Confession & repentance of wrongdoing (v. 2)• Appreciation for what God has done for us (vs. 5-38)

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

'Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneerThought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good folk?" he cried. "Who'll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar ... now two ... only two ... Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,Going for three" ... but no!

From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet, As sweet as an angel sings.

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?" As he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars ... and who'll make it two? Two...two thousand, and who'll make it three?

Three thousand once and three thousand twice ... Three thousand and gone!" said he.

The Touch Of The Master's Hand The people cheered, but some exclaimed

"We do not quite understand ... What changed it's worth?" and the answer came:

" 'Twas the touch of the master's hand."

And many a man with soul out of tune And battered and scarred by sin

Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd Just like the old violin.

The Touch Of The Master's Hand But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought

By the touch of the master's hand.

O Master! I am the tuneless one Lay, lay Thy hand on me,

Transform me now, put a song in my heart Of melody, Lord, to Thee!

~ Myra Brooks Welch ~

Let God Revive You Howard Spring

The kingdom of God is not going to advance by our churches being filled with men, but by men in our churches becoming filled with God.

James 4:7-10• Submit to God• Resist the devil• Draw near to God• Cleanse your hands• Purify your hearts• Lament, mourn & weep• Humble yourselves

Humble Yourselves

Humble yourselves in the sight of the LordAnd He will lift you up

Amazing grace, how sweet the soundThat saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now I’m foundWas blind, but now I see.