The Root of Revival. As I was passing a church between here and home, I won't name it, I noticed a sign for the 4th of 5th time this year. Revival in progress. Several thoughts came to my mind. First: What's wrong with a church that needs revival every month or so. Maybe their definition of revival differs from mine. Second: Are they seeking revival of spirtuality or revival of feeling? Now I'm sure that you would be surprised to know that from time to time I have a difference of opinion with someone. Recently, I did not have a difference with someone over the topic of revival. I agreed with them when they said, "I dislike revivals. The term revival indicates that a proper relationship has NOT been maintained." I had a hearty agreement with this person, probably much to their surprise. It is sad that there is ever a need for revival. Unfortunately from time to time it is necessitated by sin, and the sinful human condition. As we look at the all too human history of the Isrealites, we can see a repeated, continual, over and over ebb and flow of spirituality in the nation. As a matter of fact, just through the Exodus we can trace enough waves in the spiritual experence to make a seasoned sailor seasick. As I stand before you today, I have to confess that in my personal life I expereince the same ebb and flow, and it is one of the major activites of the Christian to keep a balance. I have never turned my back on the Lord, but my enthusiasm has waxed and wained from time to time. I am confident that some of you can relate to that. The pressures of life, sorrows, disappointments, and distractions all work to lead our thoughts on the merry-go-round of life. Or roller-coaster if you prefer. At the turn of the 20th century, James Burns wrote the book Revivals: The Laws and Leaders. In the opening chapter he discusses "laws" of revival, as well as the "laws" of the absence of revival. "The first tendency," he writes, "Is for the doctrine of the church to lose its power of convicting the conscience, convincing the mind, or moving the heart." He goes on to point out that spiritual decay brings with it a formality of worship in which the "ritual" is so exalted that it crushes the spirit. I believe that in this passage Mr. Burns deals with one of the church's most pressing problems. "Death". For isn't that the real opposit of revival? Can I coin a term "De-vival". And perhaps the most obvious thing about death, is that you don't know you are dead. Which reminds me of a text: Revelation 3:14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' " Have you ever heard that one before? Here the Resurrected, God-Man Jesus is saying something to His people. Something that we do well to listen to, since we claim to be the church of the Laodiceans. Note the names given to Jesus here. The First and Last. The Faithful and True Witness. One who knows our end and our beginning, One who knows us more accurately than we know ourselves. And He in his mercy and love for us calls out to us in our lethargic state, "Wake up, look around, get real, and open the door." The solution that Jesus offers to us is simple. Open the door. Let me in. Lets share lunch. Open the door-listen Let me in-trust Let's share lunch-fellowship Let's explore these. First He Says, "Open the door" -listen A little boy is sleeping on his mat. He is a spiritual youngster, having been groomed for his place in the temple from before birth. He is obedient and trustful. He is awakened by a voice calling his name. "Samuel, Samuel." He jumps up and runs into the room of the High Priest. "Did you call me?" "No Samuel, go back to sleep." He is awakened again by a voice calling his name. "Samuel, Samuel." He jumps up and runs into the room of the High Priest. "Did you call me? "No Samuel, go back to sleep." He is awakened again by a voice calling his name. "Samuel, Samuel." "No Samuel, It must be the Lord. When He calls your name again, say 'Speak Lord, for your servant hears'" God did call again, and Samuel answered. God then shared with him a message that he had for Eli. Samuel opened the door, and listened. We are called to listen. For correction, reproof, encouragement, enlightenment, for comfort, or whatever else our maker has for us. If we do not listen, nothing will follow. At least not until we do. And God has ways of helping us listen. He had to use a donkey with Balaam. Next, He says "Let me in" -trust. There's a song that we often sing. Trust and Obey. I would like to propose that one great reason that we do not obey, is that we do not trust. Satan has convinced us that God does not have our best interest at heart. Satan implys that if we rely on the word of God, the promises of God, we are taking a chance. Just look at what he did with Jesus in the wilderness. He worked to make Jesus mistrust His Father. "IF you are the Son of God." "You don't really believe that do you?" "Isn't it possible that you are deceiving yourself?" "If God is really your father, He will save you regardless of what you do." But Jesus trusted His Father, and that relationship. And did not give in. Then Jesus says to us "Let's share lunch" -fellowship. How many of you enjoy potluck? Hmmm. How many of you would enjoy the fellowship if there were no food. Probably a lot of you. Let me ask you, how many meals are recorded in the Bible that have only one person eating? 2 meals? 3 meals? I can think of Elijah twice. When he was hiding from Ahab and Jezebel and the ravens fed him. And when he was running from Jezebel, and the angel fed him. Other than that meals are an occasion for fellowship and bonding. Just look at the feast days of the Old Testament. They were not just to eat. People do that every day. They were to bring unity and sharing. How often to we have record of Jesus eating with his disciples? We recently celebrated Communion. That was a meal of teaching. The book of Acts tells us that the members of the fledgling Christian church met together every day to eat and pray together. Acts 2:44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. And that promised eternal life in a perfect universe -- the one that is reflected in our name -- begins with a meal -- with Jesus Himself. Behold I stand at the door and knock. Open the door-listen Let me in-trust Let's share lunch-fellowship So, HOW? Open the door. The still small voice of the Holy Spirit whispers in your ear continually. Do you hear him? Let's do something right now. We are going to take a quite minute to see what He wants to say to you right now. O.K.? _________________________ What did you hear? Did He bring something to your mind? How many of you felt that He was telling you something? That was easy, wasn't it? Let me in. This may be a little harder. Jesus through His Spirit is ready to come in. But there may be some furniture blocking the way. The music may be a little too loud to hear what He is saying. Maybe the floor is piled high with too much work, or stacks of worrys. Just unlock the door and stand back. He will begin cleaning the house if you let him. As a matter of fact, He does a much better job than we do. We tend to sweep things under the rug, or throw them in the closet or slide them under the bed. If we let Him, he will clean the house. He may throw some things out that we feel are important. But He explains it all to us. And make us love it. He even does windows, cleans under the mattress, and gets the cobwebs. He makes Martha Stewart look lazy. But we have to let Him in. And it only get's better. Let's have lunch. When the dust is settled, the floors clean, the garbage out, and with heavenly angels singing, He lights the candles, puts on the best crystal, white linen nakpins, and polished sliver, and offers us the meal of His flesh and blood. He gives himself totally to us, 100%. And as the song says, And the joy we share As we tarry there, None other has ever known. That bonding with your Savior is the most beautiful expereince that you can have. You can talk of it, but never explain it. You can share it with your lips, but it is too great to convey totally. And this happens on your knees. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in all of this? He is Jesus' hands. He is Jesus' voice. He is Jesus' heart. He is Jesus' mind. And how did Jesus maintain spiritual stablilty? Open the door-listened to His Father Let me in-trusted in His Father for all of his needs. Let's share lunch-fellowshiped with His Father. Frequently Sometimes all night. And it was there that He received His strength. Just like we can. Just like YOU can. What is the root of revival? It is all centered in Jesus Christ. R.A. Torrey wrote: I can give a prescription that will bring revival -- revival to any church, or community, or any city on earth. First: Open the door. Let few Christians get thoroughly right with God. If this is not done, the rest will come to nothing. Second: Let Him in, Let them bind themselves together to pray for revival until God opens the windows of heaven and comes down. Third: Let's share lunch. Let them put themselves at the disposal of God for His use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ. That is all. I have given this prescription around the world... and in no instance has it failed. It cannot fail. -------- R.A. Torrey Italics added... Can you say this with me? 2X Open the door Let me in Let's share lunch Today are you willing to follow this prescription? If you are, just stand where you are.