Revival is Now (2)
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Opening :
1. I need you to touch your neighbor, the one you like the most, and tell them to watch God show up.
2. Tell your other neighbor, the one you tolerate, to watch as God shows up.
3. Find a third neighbor and tell them by the time you get home... Whatever there was darkness, there will be light.
Here are some insights on the Hebrew meaning and word picture for "revival":
The Hebrew word for "revival" is "tehiyah" (תחייה). It comes from the root verb "chayah" (חיה) which means "to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, revive, be quickened."
The word picture evoked by "tehiyah" is one of coming back to life, being reinvigorated, restored, renewed. Just as something that is lifeless or dormant springs back to vitality and vigor, so "revival" in the spiritual sense indicates a fresh awakening, stirring, and animation of faith.
The imagery suggests God breathing new life where there was once stagnation, just as He did with the first man Adam. As rain restores dry and parched ground, spiritual revival brings fresh vitality and zeal to that which had become lifeless and routine.
The word "tehiyah" first appears in the Hebrew Bible in Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones coming back to life
Ezekiel 37 This remains a key passage speaking to revival and the sovereign Spirit of God awakening renewed passion for Himself among His people.
Revival is very costly. What does that mean? It means you must be willing to sacrifice it all. When you sacrifice it all, you will have critics. But you cannot let the critics determine who you are because you don't get your identity from the critics. You get your identity from the One who fearfully and wonderfully made you in His image to bring revival to America.
Revival is the inflow of the Spirit of God into the human spirit. It imparts cleanness and vigor to the mind and freshness to the body."
A revival is nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. – Charles Finney
Title: "Revival is Now: A Prophetic Message from Ezekiel 37 “The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles…”
Introduction:
- Hook: "Beloved brothers and sisters, today I want to declare with great confidence that revival is not just a distant dream; it is a reality that is unfolding before our very eyes. In the words of the prophet Ezekiel, we are about to witness a divine revival that will breathe new life into the dry bones of our souls and our churches!"
- Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
- Greek Word Picture: "Anazōō" (ἀναζῳόω) - This Greek word means to "revive" or "make alive again." It beautifully captures the essence of what God desires to do in our lives and congregations.
Point 1: The Valley of Dry Bones - Recognizing Spiritual Desolation
- Hook: "Before revival can come, we must first acknowledge the dry and lifeless areas within our own hearts and communities. Just as Ezekiel saw a valley filled with dry bones, we too must confront the spiritual desolation in our lives."
- Application: Take time for introspection and confession of sins. Seek repentance and renewal in your personal walk with God.
- Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-2
- Hebrew Word Picture: "Harav" (חָרֵב) - This Hebrew word means "dry" or "desolate." It illustrates the barrenness and emptiness we may feel in our spiritual lives when we are distant from God.
A. The Causes of Spiritual Desolation"
Psalm 32:3-4 (NIV) "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer."
Hook: In order to overcome spiritual desolation, we must first understand its root causes. Why do we find ourselves in this valley, separated from the abundant life God desires for us? Let's explore the factors that contribute to spiritual dryness.
Fear to take action in what God says to do
Listening to too many voices and that the still small voice that's within you who orders our steps daily
Point 2: Hook: Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones, and something incredible happened.
A. What happens when we speak life into dead situations?
B. Exegesis: "Prophesying" (נָבָא) in Hebrew means to speak forth God's message. God can use our words to bring life to the spiritually dead.
"The prophetic is the conduit through which God resurrects dreams, revives hope, and imparts purpose to the seemingly lifeless, unveiling His magnificent tapestry of redemption."
D. When Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones it became personal… Remember every prophetic word you get is personal to your transformation.
The power for your personal transformation is in what God has said - Luke 1:37 “For the word of God will never fail.””
Rhema means, ‘’ Freshly spoken word of God
Hold on to what Jesus has said about you. It is transforming you into the image of Christ and that is why the prophetic word over your life is so powerful… prophetic has the power to revive what has been dead
C. Meaning: Revival often begins when we speak God's truth and life into situations that seem hopeless.
Point 3: Breath of the Spirit - The Holy Spirit's Role in Revival
- Hook: "Just as God's breath filled the reanimated bodies in Ezekiel's vision, the Holy Spirit is the life-giving force behind revival. We must invite and yield to the Holy Spirit in our lives and gatherings."
- Application: Seek the infilling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit for personal and corporate revival.
- Scripture: Ezekiel 37:9-10
- Hebrew Word Picture: "Ruach" (רוּחַ) - This Hebrew word means "spirit" or "breath." It signifies the Holy Spirit's role as the Divine Breath that brings life and vitality to the body of believers.
Revival is when the church stops trying to meet people's needs and starts introducing people to Jesus.
Revival always draws you near to the glory of God
Revival is coming when we realize He wants to breathe something mighty and eternal into our bosoms."
Point 4: A Great Army - Mobilizing for God's Kingdom
- Hook: "As the dry bones became a mighty army, we are called to rise up as a powerful force for God's Kingdom. Revival equips us to be His instruments of change and transformation in the world."
- Application: Commit to being part of God's end-time army, actively engaging in Kingdom work.
- Scripture: Ezekiel 37:10-14
- Greek Word Picture: "Strateuma" (στράτευμα) - This Greek word refers to a military expedition or an army. In the context of revival, it symbolizes the united, empowered body of Christ, marching forth to conquer the darkness with God's love and truth.
Revival is when God's presence comes in such power that it radiates His glory, changes lives, and transforms culture."
Wake up church! There is much work to be done."
True revival brings repentance, reconciliation, renewal, and reformation.
Revival is God's arrival! It's the shaking up of the earth. It comes when the eternal , all-consuming presence of the Lord walks into the room .
Revival creates hunger God is raising up a remnant who is hungry for revival and will not stop until they see the manifestation of gods glory upon the earth
The secret of revival is: Get a vision of Jesus, and die to everything that is unlike Him."
God's plan will prevail, not man's."
5. A Permanent Dwelling Place (Ezekiel 37:26-28)
Hook: God promises a lasting dwelling with His people. How does revival deepen our relationship with God?
Exegesis: "Dwell" (שָׁכַן) in Hebrew signifies God's presence. Revival leads to a profound, intimate relationship with God
Meaning: Revival is not an isolated event but a lifelong journey of abiding in God's presence, experiencing His love and guidance
Revival is not just something that is talked about; it is experienced every single day of our lives.
Closing :
- Reiterate the assurance of revival being a present reality.
- Encourage personal commitment to seeking God's presence and revival.
- Call for corporate unity and engagement in God's mission.
- Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and revival in our lives and churches.
- Close with a prayer for revival to sweep across our hearts, congregations, and the nations.