Victoria 2010
John McGregor emphasizes that revival comes from a sovereign God who may be silent to provoke self-examination, humility, and sincere prayer among His people.
John McGregor shares insights on revival, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's face and understanding the reasons for God's silence, which can be related to personal and corporate revival. He explores instances of Jesus being silent in the face of various situations, highlighting the need for humility, sincerity, and examining our hearts. McGregor encourages a focus on God's glory, the impact of sin on God's silence, and the role of prayer in revival.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Introduction and greetings from John McGregor
- The longing for a mighty corporate revival
- The importance of seeking God’s face in revival
-
II
- The silence of God in Scripture illustrated by Jesus’ silence
- Reasons why God may be silent including hypocrisy and false accusations
- God’s silence related to sin, human contempt, and selfishness
-
III
- The purpose of God’s silence: to provoke self-examination and humility
- The role of prayer as key to revival
- The danger of seeking glory and success instead of God’s glory
-
IV
- Practical lessons from revival history and Scripture
- Encouragement to examine hearts during God’s silence
- Closing exhortation to seek God sincerely in prayer
Key Quotes
“There are no great preachers, only a great Savior.” — John McGregor
“When God is silent, we really need to examine our hearts before Him.” — John McGregor
“If great preaching could have brought revival, we would have been there so long ago.” — John McGregor
Application Points
- Use times of God’s silence to honestly examine your heart and repent of sin.
- Focus on seeking God’s glory rather than personal success in your spiritual walk.
- Commit to persistent prayer as the key to experiencing revival in your life and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God sometimes remain silent?
God’s silence can serve to provoke self-examination, teach humility, and increase our desire for Him.
How is the silence of God related to revival?
The silence often precedes revival, calling believers to sincere prayer and repentance before God moves mightily.
What should believers do during times of God’s silence?
Believers should examine their hearts, pray earnestly, and seek God’s glory rather than their own success.
Is revival dependent on great preaching?
No, revival depends on the sovereign work of God and prayer, not merely on great preaching.
What biblical examples show Jesus’ silence?
Jesus was silent before Caiaphas (Matthew 26:63), Herod (Luke 23:9), and Pilate (John 19:9), illustrating purposeful silence.