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How To Have A Personal Revival

HOW TO HAVE A PERSONAL REVIVAL

Sermon Outline By Terry Siverd

Cortland Church of Christ / April 03, 2016

In light of our full schedule of events for today (L2L Awards Celebration +

Elders & Deacons Ordination Ceremony + Covered-dish Luncheon - - our sermon will be brief.

I want to expand upon a closing point to our “sackcloth and ashes” sermon from March 13th.

Although I included these in my online sermon notes, we did not have time to address them that morning.

Aiden Wilson Tozer / 1897-1963 wrote a brief tract entitled, How To Have A Personal Revival.

His tract included eight points.  All I have is his skeleton outline - - just the eight points.

I want to offer each of his eight points with a few key Scriptures references and some brief personal comments.

This is going to be a twenty-minute message, with the stipulation that you take on some additional “homework”.

To expand upon the Scriptural foundations for each point … to dwell on them …

to pray about each point … and to put each point into practice.

1. Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself.

~ The promotion of self-esteem has become a cottage industry.

If “I’m okay and your okay” then why did Jesus have to die?  In and of ourselves we are not okay.

~ Philp.3:12 & 14 Paul says, I press on…  I know Paul’s situation was quite unique, but we all need to press on.

Phlip.2:5f speaks of having the mind of Christ.   Philp.3:10 speaks of being “conformed to His death”.

2. Undertake a sweeping transformation of your life.

~ In Col.3:1-2 Paul urges,

If then you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above …Set your mind on the things above …

Then Paul enumerates things to put aside and things to put on.

3. Put yourself in the path of blessing.

~ Read from Prov.3:1-6

~ There are lots of marked paths in the Bible (roads that we should travel).  Figure them out. 

Stop looking for shortcuts to a faith-filled life.  There aren’t any - - it always requires diligent study.

4. Do a thorough job of repenting.

~ In Nineveh the people repented of a specific sinful behavior (wicked violence / Jonah 3:8).

~ When repentance remains only generic, it seldom leads to revival. 

All of us need to get specific with God about repenting of thoughts & behavior that are contrary to God’s will. 

5. Make restitution wherever needed.

~ If you owe a debt, pay it;  If you owe an apology, say it;  If you make a mistake - - be honest and correct it.

In Mt.5:23-24, Jesus underscored the importance of making reconciliation. 

6. Line your life up with the Scriptures.

This may sound elementary, but it is essential to true revival.

~ The best way to do this is to walk in the steps of Jesus (1Pet.2:21 / He left us an example…)

Ephesians emphasizes this point:  you formerly walked according to the course of this world (2:2) …

cf. Eph.2:2: + 2:10 + 4:1 + 4:17 + 5:1 + 5:8 + 5:15 

7. Be serious-minded.

~ Being sober-minded is not the same as being somber and sad.  One can be seriously joyful!

Too many are just playing at being a Christian.  Following Christ is a very serious undertaking.

~ Gal.2:20 / I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…

8. Deliberately narrow your interests.

~ Life is too short to get wrapped up in a slew of things that don’t really matter in the long run.

Jesus said to Martha (Lk.2:41) you are worried and bothered about so many …only a few things are necessary.

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