A Keen Awareness Of The Church's Loss
Roger Ellsworth emphasizes the Church's urgent need to recognize its spiritual losses, repent from sin, and seek God's restoration as modeled in Isaiah 64.
This sermon delves into Isaiah 64, focusing on the prayer of the captives in Babylon, highlighting their keen awareness of loss, the realization that their own sins led to their captivity, and the hope in God's ability to restore what was lost. It emphasizes the need for the Church to repent, acknowledge their sins, and cry out to God for restoration, drawing parallels between the captives in Babylon and the modern-day Church's need for revival through genuine repentance and seeking God's forgiveness and restoration.
Sermon Outline
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I. A Keen Awareness of Loss
- God's past mighty works for Israel
- Current withholding of God's zeal and strength
- The Church's lack of mourning for spiritual loss
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II. A Keen Awareness of What Produced the Loss
- Sins of the people as the root cause
- Babylonians as instruments, not the cause
- The need for self-examination instead of blaming external forces
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III. A Keen Awareness That God Could Restore What Was Lost
- God as the potter and His people as clay
- Prayer as the pathway to revival
- Hope for restoration through repentance
Key Quotes
“We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” — Roger Ellsworth
“The Church has lost many of her gold shields, but instead of mourning the loss, she is manufacturing bronze shields and pretending as if she hasn't lost anything at all.” — Roger Ellsworth
“The Babylonians were simply instruments in God's hands; the real reason for captivity is because of their own sins.” — Roger Ellsworth
Application Points
- Believers should cultivate a deep awareness of spiritual loss in the Church today.
- Christians must stop blaming external circumstances and honestly confess their own sins.
- Prayer and repentance are essential steps toward experiencing God's restoration and revival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message of Isaiah 64 in this sermon?
The main message is a prayer acknowledging Israel's sin and loss, pleading for God's intervention and restoration.
Why does Roger Ellsworth say the Church is like Rehoboam?
Because instead of mourning the loss of God's power and holiness, the Church substitutes lesser things and pretends nothing is lost.
What does the sermon say about blaming external forces for spiritual decline?
It warns against blaming external entities like culture or politics and calls for self-examination and repentance.
How is prayer connected to revival according to the sermon?
Prayer is the first step God uses to prepare His people for revival, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Isaiah 64.
What historical events are referenced to illustrate God's past faithfulness?
The Exodus from Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, defeat of Amalek, provision in the wilderness, crossing the Jordan, and the fall of Jericho.