A Great Awakening
A great awakening is a revelation and enlightenment from God that brings a fresh understanding of our calling and inheritance in Christ and unleashes God's mighty power in our lives.
David Wilkerson speaks about 'A Great Awakening,' emphasizing the need for a fresh revelation and enlightenment from God, as described by Paul in Ephesians. He encourages believers to seek a deeper understanding of their calling and the riches of their inheritance in Christ, highlighting the same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to them. Wilkerson urges self-examination against God's promises, prompting individuals to question whether they are truly accessing Christ's resources to overcome sin and live in joy and peace. He calls for a personal awakening where one recognizes the need for more than a defeated life and seeks God's strength to live victoriously. Ultimately, he reassures that a place of perfect peace and continual intimacy with God is attainable.
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What do I mean by a great awakening? I'm talking about what Paul describes as a revelation and enlightenment: "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" (Ephesians 1:17-19).
Paul was telling the Ephesians, "I pray that God will give you a fresh revelation, that he'll open your eyes to the calling he's given you. I'm asking him to give you new understanding about your inheritance, the riches in Christ that belong to you. There is a mighty power God wants to unleash in you. It's the same power that was in Jesus. Yes, the same power that is in the enthroned Christ in heaven is in you right now."
According to Paul, "[God's mighty power] which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places," is the same "exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe" (1:20, 19). For this reason, Paul exhorts, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5).
How are we to examine ourselves? We do it by measuring ourselves against the awesome promises of God. We're to ask ourselves: "Do I draw on Christ's resources to resist the devil? Do I access his power to overcome sin? Do I live continually in the joy, peace and rest Jesus has promised to every believer without exception?"
Your personal "great awakening" comes the day you look at your life and cry out, "There has to be more to life in Christ than this. All my plans have unraveled, all my dreams have been shattered. I'm living as a slave to my fears and fleshly lusts. But I can't do it any longer.
"I know the Lord has called me to more than this defeated life. And I won't be a hypocrite. Oh, God, is there actually a place where you'll supply me with strength to live victoriously? Are you really willing to make me more than a conqueror in my trials? Is it true you've provided a place of perfect peace for me in the midst of my battles?
"Is it really possible for me to have continual intimacy with you? Is it true I don't have to slide into apathy anymore or struggle to please you? Is there actually a place of rest in you where I'll never again need revival, because my faith remains steadfast?"
Sermon Outline
- I. What is a Great Awakening?
- A. A revelation and enlightenment from God
- B. A fresh understanding of our calling and inheritance in Christ
- C. The unleashing of God's mighty power in our lives
- II. The Power of God's Mighty Power
- A. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead
- B. The power that is available to believers
- C. The power that enables us to overcome sin and live victoriously
- III. Examining Ourselves
- A. Measuring ourselves against the promises of God
- B. Asking ourselves if we are drawing on Christ's resources
- C. Living in the joy, peace, and rest that Jesus promises
- IV. The Day of Great Awakening
- A. A day of crying out for more than a defeated life
- B. A day of seeking God's strength and supply
- C. A day of experiencing perfect peace and rest in God
Key Quotes
“There has to be more to life in Christ than this.” — David Wilkerson
“I know the Lord has called me to more than this defeated life.” — David Wilkerson
“Is it really possible for me to have continual intimacy with you?” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must examine ourselves against the promises of God to see if we are living in the power and victory that Jesus has promised.
- We must cry out to God for more than a defeated life and seek His strength and supply to live victoriously.
- We must seek continual intimacy with God and experience perfect peace and rest in Him.