A Spiritual Revival

Mike Cornwell

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2000068

Subject:  Renewal; goals for new year; etc.

Preached Originally: 12/31/2000 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.     2000 over tonight.  Hard to believe that we’re through w/this year.  Normally this is the time of year that we choose to make resolutions to do better. 

1.      It’s a time to “start over.”  Mentally – it is a time where we have a “second chance” to do things better in the coming year – than in the past. 

2.      These are good things.  As we make our resolutions:  Let us resolve to carry out what we resolve!

3.      Most NY resolutions fail w/in 60 days!  Need to make sure that doesn’t happen!

4.      What about renewing ourselves spiritually in the coming year?

B.     All of us need to be revived from time to time.

1.      Psa 85:6 – will You Yourself revive us again; that your people may rejoice in you?

2.      Hab 3:2, 17-19 – we too must rejoice in the God of our salvation.

3.      Acts 2:46-47 – just after their conversion - The early Christians were happy and zealous.

C.    Let us, with anticipation and zeal, talk about what we can do in the future.

1.      It is good to make new beginnings.

a)     this congregation can look to a “new beginning” in the coming year….

b)     Each individual can make a “new beginning” in the coming year….

2.      Normally,…lessons concerning resolutions usually involve:

a)      read through the Bible in one year

b)     study, visit, teach,

c)     pray, etc…

3.      Of course, these things are good and should be done, but I want to suggest some different things.

I. Purity of Life

  1. Let us strive to put away all sinful things.
    1. Perhaps there is some questionable thing that you would like to overcome, but haven't had much success in the past. Why not resolve to make a new beginning?
    2. Lk. 8:1-3 - Consider Mary Magdalene and her new beginning.  She would become extremely dedicated to Christ in the next few years – as we read extensively about her about the time of Christ’s death.
    3. I'm sure the sinful woman of (Luke 7:37-50) made a new beginning.
  2. Matt 5:8 - Purity of life begins with a pure heart. Blessed are the pure in heart – for they shall see God.
    1. Our hearts are purified by our faith. (Acts 15:9)  It involves a change from within! 
    2. Purity of heart is manifested in the way we think. (Tit  1:15-16)
    3. 1 Pet. 1:14-16 - Purity of heart is manifested in how we live.

 

II.  Be a Leader.

  1. From the youngest to the oldest, we all can be spiritual leaders as we associate with people from day to day.
  2. All of us can be leaders by setting the proper example.
    1. We need the word of God as our guide and the hope of heaven as our goal. 

a.    2 Tim 3:15

    1. know of many whose primary goals are a good job, a fine home, a new car, recreation, a bountiful retirement or, you name it.

a.    set example by making going to heaven priority one!  MOLD the rest of your life around this goal!

b.    GOD; FAMILY; JOB; etc….

    1. We are not of those who love the world. (1 Jhn 2:15-17)
    2. We are to stand above and out from the world.  You will be noticed!

 

III.  1 Tim. 6:12 – Be a Fighter.

  1. Many paradoxes in Christianity; you become victorious by surrendering; you win by giving up; you live by dying; you lose your life by finding it.
    1. We must give up personal pride, prejudice, selfishness, and surrender our hearts, minds, and souls to the Lord.
    2. Great effort had to be expended to achieve these things.  I believe this to be a life long effort! 
    3. Diligence; aggressiveness; etc.  How many of us are aggressive about our Christianity?
  2. Many people are pessimists; they have the fear of defeat.
    1. Mt. 25:24-25 - Remember the one-talent man?
    2. the fear of defeat stops many Christians dead in their tracks!

    C. We as Christians are not defeatists, but victorious warriors.

 

IV.  Accept the Challenge.

  1. Recently, I watched a documentary on "Navy Seals."
    1. Young men go through agonizing, torturing training so that they can become navy seals. Not many qualify. There is great pride in those who do.
  2. Similarly, God has placed before us the greatest challenge we will ever have, and we need to accept the challenge.
    1. We are not of those who draw back to destruction; but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.  See Heb 10:38-39.
    2. It won't matter if we fail in various worldly endeavors, but if we miss heaven, we have utterly failed. Without heaven,  we have lost all.
    3. Let us rise up to the challenge that God has placed before us.

 

V.  Use Kindness as a means to Happiness.

  1. Seen signs in local business - "Don't tell me what kind of day to have!" This, no doubt, was written in opposition to those who say, "Have a good day."

1.    Anybody with the "don't tell me" attitude probably won't have a good day.

    1. Nevertheless, if we truly want to have a good day, a day filled with joy and happiness, let us try kindness.
    2. Most people are selfish, critical, unfriendly and cold; and, because they are that, doesn't mean we have to be, especially when being like them is what tends to make us unhappy.
  1. (Eph 4:32) - If we follow this advice, we'll find that kindness  gives birth to kindness.
    1. For us to be kind doesn't mean that we need to have a lot of money, or do great deeds. Anyone can express concern and care for the feelings of others. (Rom 12:15)
    2. Also, anyone can speak in a kind tone to others. The writer of Proverbs praised the worthy woman - (Prov 31:26)
    3. Consequently, if we desire to be happy and wish to contribute to the happiness of others, let us try kindness. Kindness will work wonders for us as well as others.

 

VI.  Be Loving

A.    We all know that a basic, fundamental principle of Christianity is love. (Jhn 13:34-35)

B.    If we see any of our fellow Christians in need, by all means, help them.

1.    1 Jhn 3:17-18 - Ability plus opportunity equals responsibility.

2.    We are to visit the orphans and widows.   (Jam 1:27)

a.    "Visit" literally involves "going to see and looking upon with the view of aiding" (Thayer, p. 242; Vine, p. 190).

b.    One has not visited unless he has personally gone to see them and ministered to their needs ... if they have any.

  1. We need to help one another spiritually.
    1. We all need, as God's people, to help one another and work together in unity and love toward the goal of eternal life.
    2. We, the members of the body of Christ, are weak human beings trying to do the will of God and need all the help we can get.
    3. May the eternal God help us all to help one another.

 

VII.  Trust God More

  1. A gentleman got into a streetcar and noticed a little girl in the car, sitting alone. Radiantly happy and humming a little tune to herself, she was a picture of joy. The gentleman leaned forward and asked her, "Little girl, aren't you afraid of riding all alone in this car?" "Oh no!" she replied, "no one can hurt me on this car; my father's the conductor."
  2. We're thundering through the universe at inconceivable speed, swept through joy and grief, sickness and health, life and death, all the while our heavenly Father is the conductor.
  3. If we trusted God more, there would be abundant songs of joy and praise on our lips.

1.    Let me ask you a personal question: "Is the Lord your shepherd?" If He is your shepherd, you will never lack anything.

a.    Note what the Psalmist said in Psa 23:1

b.    Jesus is now our good Shepherd - Jhn 10:11

 

Conclusion:

  1. Let us have a spiritual revival in these things.
    1. Purity of life.
    2. Being a leader.
    3. Being a fighter.
    4. Accepting the challenge.
    5. Being happy through kindness.
    6. Loving one another.
    7. Trusting God more.
  2. Let us strive to do more than we have in the past as our resolution:

 

1.    I will do more than belong - I will participate.

2.    I will do more than care - I will help.

3.    I will do more than believe - I will practice.

4.    I will do more than be fair - I will be kind.

5.    I will do more than forgive - I will encourage

6.    I will do more than earn - I will enrich.

7.    I will do more than teach - I will inspire.

8.    I will do more than give - I will serve.

9.    I will do more than live - I will grow.

10. I will do more than be friendly - I will be a friend.

 

  1. Let us endeavor to have a spiritual revival in 2001:
    1. Let us make our future the very best it can be.
    2. I want to close with this blessing found in (Heb 13:20-21).          

D.  I N V I T A T I O N