Let Revival Start with Me
E.A. Johnston passionately calls believers to seek personal revival first as the essential starting point for national spiritual awakening.
In this devotional sermon, E.A. Johnston challenges believers to initiate revival within their own hearts as the foundation for a national spiritual awakening. Drawing on heartfelt prayer and biblical imagery, Johnston emphasizes the power of God to move mightily when His people repent and seek Him earnestly. Listeners are encouraged to pursue personal holiness and become vital witnesses for Christ in a world in need of salvation.
Full Transcript
As we turn our hearts towards God and pray for this nation to have a spiritual awakening sent from Almighty God in heaven. I remember the time, friends, that I used to sit with a group of pastors in Tennessee and we pray every month for revival to come. And one day this one pastor, an older man, threw himself down in the middle of the floor amongst all of us and he cried out, Great God, forgive me for my dirty, rotten sins.
Send revival to my church, but first send revival to me. And that's what happens, friends. We've got to have revival begin with us.
And with those thoughts in mind, let us turn our hearts to God now in prayer. Great God of the Bible, you are a living Lord. I want to see you move.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I want to see you move. Move like you have in former times.
Work wonders to perform. There's nothing too hard for you, Great God. Show forth your power and bear your arm.
I want to see you move. Holy King, make mountains shake and tremble. All things are possible with you, Great God.
Send forth the heaven-sent revival. There's nothing too hard for Almighty God. I want to see you move.
Thaw out my icy heart, I pray. I want to see you move. Open my eyes to things of eternal worth.
Make this world lose its glamour to me. Show me the souls in hell and agony, so I can be a more vital witness to thee. I want to see you move.
I want to see your glory in the salvation of men. Send forth your showers of blessings upon the dry bones of your church again. I want to see you move.
I cannot move you, but you can move me. Move me. Cleanse me.
Anoint me. Use me. I long to see you move.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The necessity of personal revival before corporate revival
- Testimony of a pastor's heartfelt repentance
- The call to begin revival with oneself
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II
- Praying for God’s mighty movement like in biblical times
- Acknowledging God’s power to perform wonders
- Invoking God to shake mountains and move hearts
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III
- The desire for spiritual awakening in the church
- Praying for cleansing, anointing, and use by God
- The urgency to see God’s glory in salvation
Key Quotes
“Send revival to my church, but first send revival to me.” — E.A. Johnston
“I want to see your glory in the salvation of men.” — E.A. Johnston
“I cannot move you, but you can move me. Move me. Cleanse me. Anoint me. Use me.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Begin each day with sincere prayer asking God to revive your heart.
- Confess personal sins honestly to prepare for God’s work in your life.
- Commit to being a witness by focusing on eternal values rather than worldly distractions.