SERMON: REVIVE US AGAIN

March 29, 2020

SERMON: REVIVE US AGAIN

Psalm 85:6

I can remember great revivals in the past. We don’t have heartfelt revivals anymore. We don’t have the local church efforts that ignited revival fires. We don’t have the itinerant revivalist who changed communities. We need the extended prayer meetings to bring revival. D. L. Moody said: “Every great work of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” Is there a need for a return to such community changing efforts?

In this lesson Israel desperately needed a touch from God that would convict sinful hearts and turn people back to Him. Knowing that, the godly of the remnant prayed for Him to revive them again, to bring the people back from spiritual deadness and restore them to spiritual living. Let’s look at three movements that will help revive us again.

I. THE PSALMIST’S PLEA FOR REVIVAL

A. “Wilt thou not revive us again?”

B. This is a plea that looks back to better days.

1. A revival of the past is on the psalmist’s mind.

2. He longs for a repeat of blessings he remembers.

C. This pleading person is tired of the present pitiful condition.

D. He cries out to God for a return of revival.

E. Do we share his passion for an awakening of spiritual life?

II. THE PSALMIST SEES GOD AS THE SOURCE OF REVIVAL

A. He rejects any thought of working up this needed awakening.

B. He knows no tested formula for promoting public devotion.

1. He cries out to God on behalf of his nation.

2. This psalm is a prayer of a person for his sin sick country.

C. Do we remember a better time for our nation?

D. Do we believe that God is able to bless us again?

III. THE PSALMIST LOOKS BEYOND REMORSE TO REJOICING

A. “Revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee.”

1. The goal of this prayer is rejoicing people.

2. The praying patriot believes the best is yet to come.

3. Can we identify with his optimistic faith?

4. Do we believe that God can bless us with revival again?