Wednesday Study Material
March 30, 2011
Five Steps to True Revival
D.O.M. Doug Ledford
He could scarcely believe the day had finally arrived. After all, he had been either saving, or planning, or working on this project for twenty years. In fact, even before he ever began, his own father had envisioned the project and had personally donated the equivalent in today's market of $5.6 billion toward it. Besides that his dad had talked some influential political leaders into donating another $5.1 billion. So it wasn't just his dream or vision it was a family's heartthrob that actually grew into a national effort. Much like Lee Iaccoca led our nation to restore Ellis Island and the Statue or Liberty, or Tom Hanks led our country to erect a WWII monument, the entire country got caught up in this vision and the implementation of it.
It was such a monumental task that this influential leader hired 80,000 common laborers, 70,000 stone workers and 3600 supervisors to begin constructing it. He hired the best carpenters, woodworkers and other skilled craftsmen he could find. He purchased the best building materials money could buy-- importing them from all around the world. Not only was it a labor of love it was a monumental tribute. He intended from the very beginning to erect a structure that would awe strike the world. Once the construction began it took a full 7½ years to complete. But now the day had finally arrived for the unveiling. The day for an open house had come. Dedication day had dawned.
It's the day that provided me the title to today's sermon. I call it "The Day No One Could Enter the Church"-with the subtitle "lessons or steps toward true revival." It's the kind of day for which I actually long. Rather than simply think me crazy I challenge you to listen closely over the next few minutes so that you may understand why. Why would any preacher want a day to come that nobody could enter the church? I long for that day because it became a day that the awesome presence of the Lord became so real and near in his church that the members couldn't enter the building but were overwhelmed in genuine worship just standing out in the church yard.
By the time we finish looking at this passage today I hope everyone in hearing distance of my voice will have a clear understanding of at least part of what it takes to assure the awesome presence of the living God coming to dwell in the midst of our worship. The story is found in the 6th and 7th chapters of the 2nd book of Chronicles. It's the documentation of Solomon and the people of God coming together to dedicate the newly constructed temple. It is an eyewitness account of the events as they unfolded that day. It is (I am afraid) a hugely ignored passage as most of us rush on to that oh so familiar passage that follows it, the one we often quote at revival time: "If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, will forgive their sins, and heal their land. Let's look at it together beginning with 2 Chronicles 6: verses 12 & 13.
Envision the scene with me. There has just been a triumphant parade of the Levites marching in all their regalia before the crowd carrying the golden "Ark of the Covenant " hanging by its rings from the staves that rested upon the duly appointed priests' shoulders. Behind them, came other priests, carrying the old tent of meeting. Into the new temple this entourage marched all the way to the "Holy of holies." as the masses watched and waited with bated breath outside. As they re-emerged from the temple 120 other priests stood with trumpets lifted to their mouths ready to blast forth at any moment a rousing call to praise and adoration.
But just before they do, Solomon, as if to silence the crowd lifts his hands and then begins to step up on a brass platform 7½ feet long by 7½ feet wide by 4½ tall erected close to the big brass altar that had been built right in front of the entrance to the temple. Every eye is upon him as he climbs those stairs for he is the King of Israel responsible for this glorious day. Not only is he the King of Israel he is a renowned political leader the world over. In fact it would not be stretching it a bit to say that he is the most highly esteemed leader of the day. He is recognized, hands down, as the wisest man in the world. Not only is he considered extremely wise he is also acknowledged, as the world's wealthiest. Robin Leech would love to have been able to take you on a tour through one of this rich and famous man's many mansions. But as this dignitary (more recognized than most renowned actor or athlete) reaches the top of the stage, what does he do? He immediately falls to his knees, raises his hand into the air and begins to pray. Are you catching the significance of that? He immediately acknowledges to the thousands upon thousands that are there that there is still one that is higher than he.
Lesson # 1-step1: If you really want to see the day folks can't enter the building because God's Spirit is so powerfully present. If you want God's presence dwelling in your midst in a mighty way, if you want to see real revival, you need to be ready to humble yourself and acknowledge that there is one greater than you. You never get so big, you never get so smart, you never get so self-sufficient but what you still stand in need of a savior. You never get so popular, you never gain such notoriety nor claim such fame, but what there's still at least one higher and more important than you-one before who's presence you should willingly fall upon your knees. For, you know, there is something very humbling about physically kneeling, physically lifting your hands before the Lord, visibly showing you have nothing to bring. It's an outward testimony of an inward reality. It is a visible expression of an inner-surrender. God's abiding presence never comes without first being exhibited a humbled heart ready and desirous for him.
Solomon falls to his knees, lifts his hands heavenward and what's the first utterance that flows out of his mouth. Look there at verse 14. "O Lord God, of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or earth, keeping covenant and showing loving kindness to your servants who walk before you with all their heart." As Solomon begins to cry out unto the Lord, the first words he lifts before the Lord are words of adoration and praise. Psalm 96:4 declares, "For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised." Psalm 22:3 proclaims that the Lord inhabits the what? --The praises of his people.
Lesson #2-step 2: If you really want to see God in his awesome presence come in real revival in your midst, then recognize and adore him for the worthy Lord that he is. First humble yourself recognizing no matter how far you've personally come you still need the Lord, then secondly enter his courts with praise. What's the third aspect of Solomon's prayer that day? Let's move quickly on to Lesson #3.
Look at verse 17. Solomon seeks a verification of God's word. The Hebrew word for verified, "aman" literally means to "build up," to "support," to "strengthen," to "establish." Solomon readily recognized the close correlation, the intimate connection, between God's abiding presence and His word. As the scriptures itself says, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10:17) Jesus said, "if ye abide in me and my words abide in you then ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7) The Psalmist said, "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against thee." God's presence and his word are intricately interwoven. To have either one without the other is to have far less than God ever intended you to have. Lesson #3-step 3 In order to see a day of revival come when no one can enter the church because his presence is so real, God's word must be honored. It must be strengthened. It must be established.
Lesson #4-step 4: God must be invited to come dwell in our midst. Too often we presume upon God. We just expect him to be here. But God never forces himself on anyone. He doesn't go where he's not welcomed. Look how Solomon implores God to come meet with them there in verse 18. "Though the heavens cannot hold you in all your glory, Lord, would you still please bless us with your presence here today." Don't just presume or assume God's going to be at church when you get here. Personally invite Him! Even if nobody else seems concerned about doing so take a moment before the service and invite him to the service and ask him to help you to be sensitive to his moving. As you crawl into the car to head to church, begin to breathe a prayer that God will meet you and your church family as you come together for corporate worship. When's the last time you very personally and specifically asked God to come meet with you, whether in your own quiet time or as you began to gather in worship with others? God needs to be invited!
Lesson #5-step 5 is found in verses 19-21. Time is slipping by quickly, so in the interest of time I'll read just the opening phrase of verse 19 before I address the issues of these three verses. In fact from here on out I'll probably try to synthesize the rest of the chapter down to its essential elements that I believe the Lord would have us glean from it today. But I encourage you to go back and read the passage in its entirety and ask the Lord to help you seek him like Solomon sought him that day.
"Have respect therefore to the prayers of thy servant . . ." "Panah" is the Hebrew word translated "respect" in this verse. "Panah" literally means to "turn." But it is one of the two words that form the compound word "peniyel". Peniyel is a combination of the word "panah"-"turn" and the word "El" which means "God." The new compound word they form means "the face of God." Now I go to the trouble to tell you all of that because I want you to get a real clear picture of what Solomon is asking for here.
Let me see if I can illustrate now. I generally try not to use my family in illustrations so as not to embarrass anyone but this so captures the essence of what you need to glean from this request. When Dustin, my now 23-yr-old son, was somewhere between 1 and 3 years old, he used an interesting way of making sure you were properly listening to him. You could be holding him on your hip talking to someone else and along the way responding back to him as well. But if he ever thought you weren't really paying attention to him like you ought, he reach up his little hand, grab your face by the chin and turn your head until you were looking him straight in the face. Now that is literally what Solomon is praying for God to do with his prayers-to turn his face toward them, to give them his full (undivided) attention. And then in correlation to that he asks the Lord to do two things:
1) Keep your eyes open upon this church day and night
2) Listen to our prayers and forgive.
So what is lesson #5-step 5 then? Ask God to come have a face-to-face intimate time of meeting together with you. Ask him to keep his eye on you all the time so that if you start to slip, he can call it to your attention quickly so that you in turn can confess it and seek his forgiveness and he can in return forgive.
But this fifth step is where Solomon's prayer takes a turn that I believe is foreign to us as 21st century American Christians. It is a totally radical turn from the way most of us pray today. Once Solomon asks the Lord to come have a face-to-face intimate time of meeting together he then turns and takes the next fourteen verses focusing on confession. He lays out seven "if" or "when" scenarios followed by real repentance responses and asks God in each case to then hear and forgive. If you and I really want to have an intimate meeting with God we must be willing to get honest with him. Let's consider those "if" or "when" sin and confession scenarios and see just how guilty we might be of them.
Sin & confession 1 (Verses 22&23) "If we sin against our neighbor." If we get jealous of them, or angry at them, or spread gossip about them, or cheat them, or have an affair with their spouse; then God you be the judge and avenge the one in the wrong and recompense the righteous one. Have you ever dared to pray like that? I seriously doubt it, because when sin against our neighbor comes up, even if we were the innocent victims initially, we have a real tendency to retaliate on our own and wind just as guilty as they. Instead of praying for God to rightly judge and convict, we just ask him to blow our neighbor out of the water and ignore anything I might have done wrong. That's not real repentance.
Sin & confession 2 (verses 24&"25) "If we start losing ground to the enemy." Let me ask you, dear heart, is there any area in your life and relationship with the Lord that you feel is not as strong as it once was? Does your love for him run as hot as it once did? Is your prayer life as strong as it once was? Do you spend as much time in the Word of God as you used to? Has pornography, or gambling, or alcohol, or drugs (illegal or prescription), or the computer or television become a stronghold in your life? Solomon says if and when that happens and we not only admit; but also truly desire better will you not only forgive our sin but also restore our lost ground. When's the last time you asked the Lord to not only forgive but to also enable you to regain ground lost by a besetting sin?
Sin & confession 3 (verses 26-27) "When heaven is shut up because we have sinned." Do you ever feel like your prayers are reaching any higher than the ceiling? Have you ever stopped to think that some un-confessed, un-forsaken sin might be causing it? Does it seem like the blessing of God has departed from your life? Nothing just seems to be going right for you any more? Have you ever entertained the possibility that an unreleased wrong doing on your part might be the problem? Have you ever asked the Lord himself to check you out and see if there be any wicked way about you?
Sin & confession 4 (verses 28-31) "If famine, job loss, calamity, disaster, disease, blight, plague, or any besieging enemy over take us, then render to every man according to his ways and his heart that you already know." Dear one, with all the wake up calls our entire world is getting every day now would you dare to pray that kind of prayer? Or are you afraid to, afraid that God might just give you what you truly deserve? Let me tell you dear one, it's time to get honest with yourself and honest with God. I can truly understand now the scripture passage that speaks of the whole world, all of creation, groaning, awaiting his returning.
Sin & confession 5 (verses 32&33) "If an almost believer exhibits enough trust to begin seeking you for solutions, will you go ahead and answer their request in order that the whole world may know your name and fear you?" Is that you this evening? Have you never truly trusted Christ, but so much is happening so hard and so fast, you've got to have relief somewhere and you are beginning to think that indeed the only answer may be in God alone? Precious one that's the wisest decision, the most wonderful confession you can ever make. The only prayer God is obligated to answer if you are not a believer is a genuine prayer of confession. But the scripture and life itself is filled with examples where God did indeed go ahead and answer the prayer of an nonbeliever in order that down the road his name might be glorified. But a real quick word of warning here: just because God answers your prayer is not a guarantee you are his. You still must admit your sin. Confess your need for him. And ask him to forgive you and make you a child of his. Answers from the Lord are to glorify him and bring you and others to him. They are not an excuse for failing to put your total faith and trust in him.
Sin & confession 6 (verses 34&35) "If we go out to fight the battle to which you have called us and we cry back to you in fear and doubt." Do you ever let peer pressure get to you? Do you ever wonder if it really pays to be faithful to God? Do you ever get disgruntled and disgusted with how hard the Christian life seems at times? Do you ever doubt God's love or his care? All of those are issues we can and often do confront when fight the good fight. We begin to question if indeed he is greater who is in us then he who is in the world. Have you ever cried out to God, "I believe, Lord, help thou my unbelief"?
"If" or "when" sin & confession 7 (verse 36--39) "If we sin against you to the point that it angers you enough to let us be led into captivity." God is a very loving God but neither is he mocked. He will only put up with so much before he'll take drastic measures to get our attention. His own word declares, "Whom the Lord loves, he chastens.
Dear ones, we have lost our sense of sin. We have lost the need to get specific and real and honest and willing and wanting to be different. We've come to accept that's just the way the world is why should we be any different. And we fail to ever take adequate time to genuinely look at our lives in light of God's word and desire. And then we wonder why church isn't more exciting, why God doesn't show up in our day like he did back then. We want to rush into God's presence in thirty minutes of uplifting praise music, be fed a fifteen-minute sermon and walk away always feeling good. But a real intimate face-to-face meeting with God demands something far different. He insists upon a broken and contrite heart. Where the spirit of the Lord is there must be liberty for him to move and work as he sees fit. There must be a willingness to be transformed rather than conformed. Did you notice here what a large proportional time Solomon spent in confession and repentance?
And did you notice the pay off? Solomon finishes confessing and then he beseeches God in verses 40&41: Let your eyes be open and your ears attent! Let your preachers be clothed with salvation and your saints rejoice in goodness. And let's look together at the result in chapter 7: 1-3.
Dear heart, don't you long for such a day? Could it be God's calling you to it TODAY! Could it be that you are here today "for such a time as this"? Could it be today is the appointed time-today is the day of salvation? Could you be the one preventing it from happening? Have you recognized your need for the Lord and his salvation? Have you praised and adored him for the worthy Lord that he is? Have you allowed and sought for his word to be honored, & strengthened, & established in your life? Have you invited him to come dwell in your midst? Have you asked God to come have a face-to-face meeting with you? Have you taken the necessary time and been honest and open with God and yourself to confess sins you've committed against your neighbor, ground you've lost to the enemy, your fear and doubt in the battle, your lack of confidence in his love and care for you? Has heaven seemed shut up to you? Have any of the present calamities yet to capture your attention and send you to your knees in confession? Have you sinned so much that you're now held captive, yet still failed to admit it? Folks, let me tell you as the word tells you, the Lord honors those who diligently seek him. Are you rejoicing in goodness? Are you bowing before him this morning worshipping and praising him, saying: "Lord you are good; for your mercy endures forever." Do you need to right now? You come as God moves and speaks in our midst this very day.