Terry Siverd
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.