What a Change It Would Make in a Church If...
A revived church is possible when its members are Spirit-taught, led by the Holy Spirit, and pray in faith for God's work.
Andrew Murray emphasizes the transformative power of being led by the Holy Spirit within the church, suggesting that if both men and women were truly taught by the Spirit, it would radically change worship and ministry. He envisions a church where ministers are Spirit-led, sharing divine revelations rather than human wisdom, and where training institutions prioritize spiritual leadership. Murray calls for prayer and faith in the possibility of a revived church, affirming that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask. He encourages believers to trust in God's promise to fill the church with the Holy Spirit, leading to a significant spiritual awakening.
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What a change it would make in a church if there were a number of men and women given over to be thus taught and led by the Spirit of God. And what a change in our meetings for worship or for work, in our churches or our assemblies and councils, if men and women regarded it as the most prominent characteristic of their relationships with each other that the Spirit of God had taught and was teaching them, hour by hour, the things of God. And what a still greater change when it was known that a majority of our ministers were Spirit-taught men who could say, God hath revealed it to us by his Spirit, which things we speak not in word which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth, combining spiritual things with spiritual. And what a joy if the churches were waking up, and that in our colleges and institutions for training ministers the first object was now to help men to become true ministers of the New Covenant, ministers of the Spirit, men and women who lived their own life as taught by the Spirit in the things of God, and were therefore able to lead others into the truly spiritual life. Yes, what a change it would be.
With man it is impossible! But with God all things are possible! Oh, let us pray in faith for a revived church and a revived ministry. If there is one thing sure, it is that the Father giveth the Holy Spirit to them that ask him. You cannot doubt this. If there is one thing for which Christ is elevated on the throne for, it is that he may baptize with the Holy Spirit, and give streams of living water from everyone who believes in him. You dare not doubt this. If there is one thing God meant his church to be filled with, it is, oh listen, it is the Holy Spirit. And shall we then fear and be unbelieving? God forbid! We may, we will believe that God, in answer to the prayers of his people, will work a mighty change.
(Excerpted from The Coming Revival, by Andrew Murray , pg. 41)
Sermon Outline
- The Change in a Church
- If men and women were Spirit-taught
- If ministers were Spirit-taught
- If the church was revived
Key Quotes
“With man it is impossible! But with God all things are possible!” — Andrew Murray
“If there is one thing sure, it is that the Father giveth the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” — Andrew Murray
“You dare not doubt this.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We should pray in faith for a revived church and a revived ministry.
- We should ask God to give us the Holy Spirit and to work a mighty change in our church.
- We should believe that God will answer our prayers and work a revival in our church.