What Is The Most Important Message Needed for the Church Today？
Al Whittinghill emphasizes that the most important message for the church today is to embrace Spirit-led unity, brokenness, repentance, and a deep commitment to prayer and intimacy with God.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to the Spirit of God speaking to the churches, urging believers to come together in unity, brokenness, repentance, and deep prayer. It highlights the need for intimacy with God, genuine repentance, and a willingness to participate in God's work rather than just imitate. The main message is for the church to prioritize prayer, Scripture, and aligning their desires with God's heart for true revival and intimacy.
Full Transcript
Well, the most important message, that's a very, very hard thing to narrow down to one because there's so many areas we're not listening. But I believe, as it says in Revelation 2 and 3, that him who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the churches. And that's to all seven, he said that.
So the Lord is speaking, he's always speaking. He's in the midst of the candlesticks, the churches, and he's speaking. And I think what he's saying around the nations, having traveled to many countries, I can say almost consistently is this, the body of Christ needs to learn to come together in a spirit-given unity and brokenness and repentance and learn from the Spirit of God what it really means to pray.
As he says in Isaiah, And he wants us then, like we want our children, as we begin to train our children, we're so excited when they come and they begin to do what we've taught them. Like mow the yard, son, and he comes the first time and he mows down all my flowers. This is disappointing.
But as he begins to get a hold of what he's supposed to be as a son, I start as a father delighting. And this is what our Heavenly Father wants. He wants us to come into this world and be sent with a message and a passion and a motive that's not just imitation, but participation from the Lord.
So the main message, how do we get that, it seems to me, is for the church, like the early church did in the Word of God, give ourselves to prayer. Give ourselves to Scripture. Give ourselves to the pleasure of God.
Give ourselves as expendable for what brings God's heart glad. So the most important message is that word of intimacy and revival, of course, for the church. People, I think we think if we do more and make ourselves feel poorly and kind of an artificial repentance, kind of remorse rather than repentance, if we do that, then God's bound to act.
What God wants is intimacy. He wants to show up through us and have us get in on what He's up to. And what He's up to in these days is not what we planned necessarily.
We need to find out. The church needs to pray. Any church that will stop its agendas and get down to real prayer will soon be hearing from God a whole new thing.
Sermon Outline
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I
- God is always speaking to the churches
- The call to hear what the Spirit says
- The importance of listening to all seven churches
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II
- The need for Spirit-given unity in the body of Christ
- Brokenness and repentance as prerequisites
- Learning to pray as the early church did
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III
- God desires intimacy, not just external repentance
- Participation in God’s work over imitation
- The church must give itself fully to Scripture, prayer, and God’s pleasure
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IV
- Stopping church agendas to focus on real prayer
- Hearing new things from God through prayer
- The promise of revival through intimacy with God
Key Quotes
“Him who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the churches.” — Al Whittinghill
“The body of Christ needs to learn to come together in a spirit-given unity and brokenness and repentance and learn from the Spirit of God what it really means to pray.” — Al Whittinghill
“God wants intimacy. He wants to show up through us and have us get in on what He's up to.” — Al Whittinghill
Application Points
- Commit daily to genuine prayer and seek the Spirit’s guidance.
- Practice brokenness and repentance to foster unity within the church.
- Prioritize intimacy with God over religious activity or agendas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important message for the church today according to Al Whittinghill?
The church needs to embrace Spirit-led unity, brokenness, repentance, and a deep commitment to prayer and intimacy with God.
Why does the church need to stop its agendas?
Stopping agendas allows the church to focus on real prayer and hear new things from God.
What does God desire from the church more than external repentance?
God desires intimacy and participation in His work rather than mere imitation or artificial remorse.
How can the church experience revival?
By giving itself to Scripture, prayer, and the pleasure of God with a spirit of brokenness and repentance.
What role does prayer play in the church’s current need?
Prayer is essential for the church to hear from God and align with His plans in these days.