What Happens During Revival
Revival is a time of spiritual awakening where individuals confess their sins, forgive others, make amends, and surrender to God's will.
This sermon discusses the transformative effects of revival, citing historical examples like the Wales revival where societal vices decreased significantly. It emphasizes the importance of confession, forgiveness, seeking forgiveness, making amends, and surrendering fully to God during times of revival. The sermon encourages repentance, restitution, and obedience to the Holy Spirit, leading to a public declaration of faith.
Full Transcript
Good afternoon, thank you for joining me. I want to discuss what happens during revival. Revival historian J. Edwin Orr noted some of the results of the Wales revival.
Drunkenness was immediately cut in half and many taverns went bankrupt. Crime was so diminished that judges were presented with white gloves signifying that there were no cases of murder, assault, rape, or robbery, or the like to consider. The police became unemployed in many parts of their districts.
Stoppages occurred in coal mines, not due to unpleasantness between management and workers, but because so many foul-mouthed miners became converted and stopped using foul language and swearing. The horses and ponies which hauled the coal trucks in the mines could no longer understand what was being said to them. News of the revival was widely published both within and outside Wales.
Now, beloved, when revival happens, then there is confession of every known sin to God. Won't you confess your sins during revival? You will forgive those that have hurt you. Won't you forgive? During revival, you will seek forgiveness from those you have hurt.
During revival, you will make amends and restitution. If you have stolen tools, you will return them. If you have stolen office supplies, you will return them.
You will admit wrongs and you will repay and repair where possible. You will surrender fully to God and you will ask him to direct your steps from now on. You will obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and you will go public with your witness.
Praise God. And so when God sees truly broken hearts, such as the prophet Isaiah in heaven before his throne, who said in Isaiah chapter six, verse five, woe is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips. Or the apostle Paul who said he is the chief of sinners in first Timothy 115.
Or priest Ezra, a righteous man who humbled himself and acknowledged the sins of the remnant as also his sins in Ezra chapter nine. Then God will intervene in mighty power and reveal himself on behalf of ourselves and our nation. Won't you pray with us for revival? The Lord bless you.
Sermon Outline
- What Happens During Revival
- Results of Revival
- Confession of Sins
- Forgiveness and Restitution
- Surrender and Obedience
- God's Intervention
Key Quotes
“Woe is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips.” — Edgar Reich
“If you have stolen tools, you will return them. If you have stolen office supplies, you will return them.” — Edgar Reich
“Won't you confess your sins during revival? You will forgive those that have hurt you. During revival, you will seek forgiveness from those you have hurt.” — Edgar Reich
Application Points
- Confess your sins and seek forgiveness from God and those you have wronged.
- Make amends and restitution to those you have hurt or wronged.
- Surrender fully to God and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.