One thing we as Christians cannot deny is the fact that the evil one is very busy getting people under his control.
· We have seen the LGBT agenda being accepted,
· the gay lifestyle being accepted,
· the BLM movement which is a political and anti-christian organization, demanding that people bow their knees to the organization,
· BLM being considered for the Nobel peace prize whilst they destroyed billions of dollars of buildings and businesses, whilst having a “peaceful protest”,
· we have seen BLM having riots after Pres Biden was inaugurated as they consider themselves ungovernable,
· we have seen the blatant disregard of the Bible,
· we are seeing persecution of Christians in countries such as the USA,
· acceptance of abortion as means of birth control,
· trans gender people being accepted,
· the male/female names being banned as unacceptable,
· hate speech being attributed to Christians proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and many more disturbing signs.
· BLM demands that people agree with their beliefs and if you do not, you are shamed or you are belittled in the media, and even demanding that those that disagree are made jobless.
· A pro-life doctor being stripped of his right to practice medicine because he told a lady that wanted to abort her child, that the baby was a human being
· Our leaders in our country worshipping forefather spirits
· Churches being closed for worship services under the “covid19” regulations
· Small groups in USA being taken to court as their singing “disturb” the peace.
· A neighbor taking a neighbor to court because he had a cross on his front door to celebrate Christmas
· Happy holidays being used instead of Blessed Christmas.
· Free speech being curtailed in USA
· Everything “Christian” is being changed so that we are more “moderate” in our approach to others.
· USA courts refusing to look at evidence of voter fraud.
· The truth is being denied and lies are now the truth
· “The homosexual liberals want to lower the consent age for children to be allowed to have sex with them (to age 14).”
· Censorship of twitter and other social media against Christians are increasing at an alarming rate.
· Twitter refuses to delete abuse videos of a child who was 13 at the time profiting every time someone views the videos.
· And I can go on, and on, and on,,,
These things are evil in their foundation. It should not surprise us.
· Romans 1:24-26 - 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
· 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 - 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.
· 2 Timothy 4:3-4 - 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
· Romans 1:18 - 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
· Galatians 5:19-21 - 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The world has become very sick. And what is more disturbing is that Christians are just standing back and letting things happen. They do not realize the seriousness of the situation and seems to have accepted that we can do nothing to stem the tide. Yet Jesus has said:
· Luke 10:18-19 - 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
· John 16:33 - 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
· 2 Corinthians 4:4 - 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
It should therefore not be surprising that the battle will be tough. Not all people will come to Christ. Some pastors claim that they want to convert all people in the world. That is not true.
But
We must endeavor to be the catalyst for change in our families, our communities, and our town and even in our country. The question is what we must do? Our task is to pray for revival. Revival starts with one person and then flows out to others. That effectively means that revival starts with us, not other people. Without revival within ourselves we cannot expect revival in others.
In order for us to be the catalyst, there are a number of things we need to know first.
1. Who is God?
2. Who is the evil one?
3. What power do we have in Christ?
4. Wat is faithful prayer for revival?
I will deal with each one separately:
1. Who is God?
a. He is the creator God. Gen 1 – Gen 3
b. God almighty Job 42:2, Jer 32:27
c. He is all-knowing Ps 139: 1-6
d. God is omnipresent Isiah 57: 15, Ps 139: 7-10
e. God is eternal Lam 5:19
f. God is unchanging Ps 102: 25-27, Heb 3:8
g. God is greater than we can imagine Isiah 55: 8-9 Rom 11:33-36
h. God is sovereign Dan 4:34 – 35
i. God is holy, just and full of righteousness Ps 89: 14, Isaiah 47:4, Deut 32: 4
j. God is love, merciful, patient and good Jer 31:3, Rom 5: 8, 9: 14-16, 2 Pet 3:9, Ps 106:1, Rom 5:20-21, Eph 2: 8-9
k. God has wisdom, is honest and faithful Isiah 40:28, Dan 2: 20-23, Titus 1:2, Deut 7:9
l. God is a raging fire, and a jealous God that does not share His glory with anybody Exod 34: 6 – 7, Rom 1: 18, Joh 3: 36, Exod 34: 14
2. Who is the evil one?
a. He is a created being and is under the control of God (Job)
b. He was an angel and was thrown out of heaven as he rebelled against God with his followers (demons).
c. He is called Satan, the devil, Lucifer, tempter (1 Thessalonians 3:5), the wicked one (Matthew 13:19, 38), the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), and—three titles that point to Satan’s authority in this world—the ruler of this world (John 12:31), the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4), and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
d. He is the enemy of God and of the Truth
e. He has been conquered through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
f. He has no hold over a child of God unless you allow it. 1 John 4:4 - 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
g. Father of lies. John 8:44 - 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies
h. 1 John 5:19 - 19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one
i. He will eventually be banished to the eternal fire (hell) John 16:11 - 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
j. He is evil. Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
k. He prowls like a lion to destroy us. 1 Peter 5:8 - 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1. What Power do we have in Christ
a. We have the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 4:4 - 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
b. We have the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 - 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
c. We have our faith. 1 John 5:3-5 - 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
d. We can have peace during our struggle. Our victory is secured. God has overcome the world. John 16:33 - 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
2. Wat is faithful prayer for revival?
a. You need to know who God is. Unless we know who God is we cannot pray with conviction that He is the Almighty and capable of changing peoples’ lives and bring about revival. The evil one has already been defeated by God. So we must pray out of the strength that God has. We need to admit who God is in our prayers.
b. You have to have the heart of God. When Jesus looked down on Jerusalem, He wept for the Jews that would deny Him. Unless we can weep for lost souls, how can we pray with conviction that God must bring revival and people can come to Christ. Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
c. Repentance. Un-repented sin is a stumbling block in prayer. We need to truly repent of our sins, that of our family, our church and community. It does not forgive their sins but is shows to God that we have an understanding of the seriousness of the current situation. Unless we understand how serious the situation is, how can we petition God with passion?
d. It starts with you. Revival starts with you. Most revival starts with one person. Initially it can be a lonely road. The evil one will try and derail your plans and prayers. Make you doubt whether your prayers are heard by God. Don’t allow that to happen. God hears you. Just be patient and accept God’s timing as being perfect.
e. It has to extend to more than you. One person can start revival but a lot more people is required to be part of the prayer for revival. Patience is required for God to get others to become convicted that revival is necessary. Pressurising people results in prayer that is not driven by the concern that God wants us to have. Again, be patient. God knows what He is doing.
f. Remind God of His promises. God encourages us to remind Him of His promises. This is not naming it, claim it, and frame it mentality. Many of the Old Testament prophets and leaders reminded God of His promises when things went bad for Israel. When God wanted to destroy Israel, Moses pleaded with God not to forget the promise He made to Abraham. God’s wrath was quietened by this reminder.
g. Have expectancy that God will answer your prayer for revival. Expectancy is trusting God to do what is within His will. That is what faith is all about. Even if God’s timing is not what you were hoping for, He will answer in His time. Hebrews 11 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
h. Perseverance. It is a tough journey. Do not lose hope. Keep on praying until God answers. Revival is within the perfect will of God. He does not want anybody to be lost but wants everybody to come to Him. Knowing that you are praying within the will of God gives one the assurance that you are praying correctly and gives the power to sustain you. 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
i. Lean on the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit teach you how to pray. The Holy Spirit is also the power that will sustain you in the battle. The Holy Spirit in you is greater than he, the evil one that is outside of you. The battle will be won. The Spirit will give you the gifts you need to win the battle. But remember, the Holy Spirit is the One that convicts people. Acts 1:8 - 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
j. Do what God calls you to do and leave to God what only He can do. We can only do what God asks us to do. As I said, we cannot convict a sinner to come to Christ. We must witness and pray. That is our task. Don’t interfere in God’s work and be so zealous that you try to take over God’s work to see a quicker result. That is doomed to failure. I have seen many people come to Christ under pressure and lose their zeal for God over time. In all the witnessing I have done, the most permanent change in people has been when no pressure was put onto people and we allowed the Holy Spirit to complete the work in His time. Romans 8:25 - But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Let us pray for revival. That is God’s ultimate way in defeating the evil one. Although it will be a tough road, we are on the winning side!
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