Recognizing Real Revival
Revival is not a natural phenomenon or a means to happiness, but a sovereign work of God that transforms the heart.
A.W. Tozer addresses the misconceptions surrounding revival, arguing that it is not merely a result of fervent talk and prayer, but rather a profound transformation that cannot leave us unchanged. He critiques the popular notion that revival is a benign miracle that enhances our happiness without altering our moral state. Tozer emphasizes that true revival requires a deep, genuine change in our hearts and lives, rather than just an increase in religious activity. He warns against the distortion of revival talk that leads to false expectations and superficial experiences. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a more authentic understanding of what revival truly entails.
Text
There seems to be a notion abroad that if we talk enough and pray enough, revival will set in like a stock market boom or a winning streak on a baseball club. We appear to be waiting for some sweet chariot to swing low and carry us into the Big Rock Candy Mountain of religious experience.
Well, it is a pretty good rule that if everyone is saying something it is not likely to be true; or, if it has truth at the bottom, it has been so distorted by wrong emphasis as to have the effect of error in its practical outworking. And such, I believe, is much of the revival talk we hear today.
My reason for doubt of the soundness of it is that we appear to conceive of revival as a kind of benign miracle, a feverish renaissance of religious activity which will come upon us, leaving us morally just as we are now, except that we will be a lot happier and there will be a great many more of us. It's a good talking point and it has an aura of superior godliness about it; but the trouble is that it is just not true.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Misconception of Revival
- A. Revival as a natural phenomenon
- B. Revival as a means to happiness
- II. The Distortion of Revival Talk
- A. Emphasis on activity rather than character
- B. Ignoring the need for moral transformation
- III. The True Nature of Revival
- A. A sovereign work of God
- B. A transformation of the heart
Key Quotes
“We appear to be waiting for some sweet chariot to swing low and carry us into the Big Rock Candy Mountain of religious experience.” — A.W. Tozer
“It's a good talking point and it has an aura of superior godliness about it; but the trouble is that it is just not true.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must not confuse revival with mere religious activity or a means to happiness.
- True revival requires a transformation of the heart, not just a change in outward behavior.
- We must look to God to bring about true revival, rather than relying on our own efforts.