some notes on revival

A study/message from years ago - i believe it was november '08.. Hope it will be a help, to me... to someone AUDIENCE As we transition here into the prophets quickly might I say that the common two audiences that you see revealed in all of these prophets pertaining to this REVIVAL preaching if you will are the common two audiences we have in this generation - Those who have been exposed to the power and goodness of God but have since turned completely to idolatry – left fellowship, want nothing to do with God – chosen their idols and worship them unashamedly - Those that are still practicing some form of outward rituals in the name of God but are polluted, their mouths and some of their practices seem honoring to God but their heart is not perfect toward Him and their Christianity would be what we might call compartmentalized – they serve at least 2 masters Amos SPEAKS OF THE DUTY to preach the holiness and righteousness of God Amo 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amo 3:8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? Amo 3:9 Publish in the palaces … Assemble yourselves upon the mountains… Amo 3:10 For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces. Skip - Amo 3:13 Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob EZEKIEL Eze 39:6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. Eze 39:7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. I missed this preaching when I read Purpose Driven Life I guess… In Reference to the Priest in Ezekiel – we see how the standards, teaching and administration of the assemblies of God should be established Eze 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. Eze 44:24 And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. Folks, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty – but never has God and never would God offer the liberty of Profaning HIS name and defiling HIS Holiness set forth and perfectly preserved in His word…. Obadiah – short book – big message Oba 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. PRIDE AND WEALTH SERVE TO DECEIVE but look at verse 17 Oba 1:17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. you will not find a single message in OUR KING JAMES BIBLE that would give precedent to the average messages being preached in pulpits across America – whether in new evangelical circles but also in a number of Independent Baptist pulpits – the preaching of the holiness of God and need for repentance MICAH - same layout like amos and the others – Judgment foretold – indictments given – rebuke for the current temperature of that time that prophets were prophesying falsehood and everything being ok Mic 6:1 Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Mic 6:2 Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. Mic 6:3 O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. PUT GOD ON TRIAL RIGHT NOW _ LETS CALL SOMEONE TO THE STAND IF YOU WILL _ According to this passage – THE MOUNTAINS and the HILLS are the jury – all of Creation will listen now to our indictments against God - WHAT HAVE I DONE UNTO THEE? - HOW HAS GOD FAILED US? - HAS GOD GONE BACK FROM HIS WORD? - HAS GOD NOT MADE FOR US THE ONLY POSSIBLE MEANS OF SALVATION? - HAS GOD NOT PERFECTLY PRESERVED HIS WORD? - HAS GOD NOT TOLD US TO MEDITATED UPON IT< READ IT< OBEY IT< LIVE IT ? - HAS GOD NOT DECLARED HIS HOLINESS and OUR CALL TO HOLINESS? - THEN WHEREIN HAS HE WEARIED US? WHEREIN DO WE AS GOD’s PEOPLE NEED REFUGE AND COMFORT AND PLEASURE IN THE WORLD? - TESTIFY AGAINST HIM! Mic 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT A KEY TO OUR REVIVAL IS TO BEGIN AGAIN PREACHING WHAT GOD PREACHED - Did these men preach a feel good gospel - Would you call these sermons a how to guide for friendship evangelism Was the message of Christ offensive – Jn 3 is offensive, LK 13 is offensive Lk 12 is offensive, Lk 16 is offensive – the sermon on the Mount is offensive – the list goes on Christ never spoke of His love and mercy to the exclusion of the HOLINESS OF GOD HABAKKUK Chapter 1 he says that God is of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look upon iniquity – He proclaims judgment again on the people and then we see the prayer of Habakkuk as he is broken over the situation Hab 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. An individual cannot be saved nor can we see revival in our lives without a renewed understanding of the magnitude of the holiness of God – His laws, His standards, His name, His Son, His home, His tools, His servants – must share this attribute – HOLINESS – nothing but holiness is acceptable in His presence To see revival – to see a renewed zeal, humility, obedience etc we must fear God and The fear of God leads to the perfection of Holiness 2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 610 times is scripture you will find the word Holy or Holiness… From the cover of our Bible, which says holy we are inundated with verse after verse that reminds us of God’s Holiness. There is no adjective of God that is more used. Gracious, merciful, loving, longsuffering – these are things that He is toward us and we praise Him for it but HOLY is who He is. God is love – yes, small L. But God’s name is Holy, Holy One, Holy One of Israel Christ is called the Holy One and the Holy one of God and then of course there is the HOLY SPIRIT/ HOLY GHOST The Bible in 2 places gives us a glimpse into glory where there are angels that CRY out HOLY, HOLY, HOLY all day, every day (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). They could surely shout out other attributes and be correct but this is GOD. Later in the same chapter we see the result – God’s holiness was revealed, the sin in the camp was revealed and it was not an easy experience – BUT – THE RESULT is that there was a revival 2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. We will likely need to stop right here – Carefulness – suddenly they did not take for granted that everything they were doing was justifiable – everything was now under the revealing microscope of God’s Holiness Fear of God, ZEAL, hatred for sin, cleansing – REVIVAL! And that is what we are praying for PREACH THE WORD HE SAYS Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: – it was the message of Christ to the world – EXCEPT YE REPENT, YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH IT WAS the message of PAUL TO CORINTH – Awake to righteousness and sin not… 2Co 5:10-11 (10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (11) Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. Lets move on - JONAH WAS DEALT WITH BY RICK FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND A COUPLE WEEKS AGO 8 words to his message and revival broke out – there was a FEAR OF GOD The message… Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. Look at this passage in Hebrews Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? _________________________--- God is Jealous for HIS HOLY NAME Eze 36:20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. Eze 36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. Eze 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 30 times in scriptures God refers to things being done for His names sake – for the reputation of His holiness Isa 57:15 (15) For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isa 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! If we are going to see revival in our lives, families and churches – we must stop justifying and start asking – IS THIS BIBLICAL – DOES THIS FIT IN THE SAME SENTENCE AS THE HOLINESS OF GOD – Could God say – this is being done for MY name sake? Hos 8:11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. Hos 8:12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Jer 26:2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: (“don’t water it down at all God says”) Jer 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. SKIP TO Pastor Perkins email from 08 revival The Monday after revival, we had folks at our house for almost 3 hours. Praying together, weeping and getting things right between husband and wife. That same day a lady called the church office to confess some things and ask prayer. Tuesday we spent almost 3 hours witnessing to a unsaved lady that we have been praying or, her husband is newly back to the Lord (thru the bus ministry the kids came, got saved and are growing). The lady, Jennifer (please pray for her, she is close), is now attending all the services (after swearing she would never come back). Wednesday morning that Dad (Todd, the husband of Jennifer) called me up to tell me that the younger son (12 I think) who was saved and baptized during revival, came out of his room Tuesday night with all of his video games, told his dad, "these aren't appropriate for me any longer, God doesn't like them" and gave them to his dad! We had given them Bibles Sunday night, the 3 children (2 middle one high school) are bringing their Bibles to public school and witnessing, reading and inviting kids to church! Wednesday night in church a lady stood up just before the preaching to confess that she had been struggling with attitude and submitting to her husband, during revival the Lord broke her heart that her daughter was making bad decisions because of the lessons learned from mom (wrong lessons) and she needed to confess it and asked the church to pray for her daughter with her. Great service Wednesday night, altar was full again. Two asked me about Baptism on Sunday and both were. Another man (newly out of an addictions program, had visited our church the morning of Gustav because we were the only church open and used hymn books!) stood and said that he was heading somewhere else Friday night, wasn't going to be good, the he wasn't sure why he headed east on 90 and not west to the casinos.......saw cars in the parking lot, remembered revival was going one, came in, sat there and couldn't believe what he was seeing, said he had never seen anything like that in his life and wanted everyone he knew to know what the Lord was going here. Monday night I asked if anyone wanted to go to a preaching service in New Orleans at my dads church, the bus came over with 40 of us dropping in, what a sweet spirit, lots of special singing and hearts were touched, folks were crying in the alter during invitation. The devil went right to work, Bro. Mike Wells, evangelist out of our church, was stabbed in the back by some "preacher friends" and we voted as a church to make sure it was on the books that a ministry that he had started (IWWE) was a ministry of GIBC. I told the folks the devil was trying to use this thing that happened on the other side of the world (Cambodia) to jerk our focus away from revival. Both Thursday and Friday we had little things happen at the school, teachers making things right by spending time to right things from the past, parents asking about what was going on at our church ( we have a few students from other baptist churches around the area). One lady (daughter in our school since she started, saved and baptized in our church, they have been members at the Methodist church) she came in and talked for hours, she had been a missionary wife in Africa. Grew up, saved and baptized in a strong southern baptist church. Her husband died suddenly and she got bitter with the Lord, married an unsaved man.....she has followed our church for some time and she just had to know what was happening, she said she just knew the Lord wanted her to join our church. I found out she had been a member of the First Baptist in town, a member made a racial slur and she got upset and stopped going. She is a counselor and after Katrina got a job counseling and the center was established at the Methodist church and they just started attending but she knows the church isn't right in some areas. Sunday night we baptized 2 and had 6 more come forward saying they needed to be baptized next week. (ones saved during revival) then after church a 15 year old was saved when one of our members took the kids home that had come to church. The mom poured her heart out and said that she was hearing so many good things about our church that she "just felt like she needed to attend" and would come Sunday. It's something new each and every day. Little things here and there that are unexpected. Both good things and the devil stirring and pulling. Thus far, the Lord is getting the victory and it is wonderful!people There are so many things that we could discuss that would fall into the category of revival – ultimately – the things that are necessary for an individual and ultimately a congregation to so have the hand and power of God upon them that they radically IMPACT the community around them and the world The definition of Revival • Revival in very simplistic terms is renewed obedience – renewed zeal, renewed devotion, renewed passion - it is a renewed realization of the Truth and response to it – a sincere faith in what God has told us that inevitably produces an adherence to what God says without regard for popular religious practices of the day, the voices of men or any persecution they may face for it WE COULD TALK ABOUT The need for revival and start listing statistics – how about these from a missions perspective • Nearly 1000 independent Baptist churches will close their doors during this calendar year • Nearly 1000 missionaries will leave the field with no intention of returning this year • Approximately 65% of missionaries on deputation will never get to the field • For the 1000 leaving the field per year – only about 50 will take their place… How about perceptions that are out there that would be eradicated if revival were to happen in todays churches • Some believe That God is only using nationals in missions today • Others believe that God is only using Foreign missionaries today • That the Philippines or Mexico have no need for more missionaries because they already have a bunch • Some believe that dropping missionaries and canceling missions conferences when the economy is challenging is somehow going to help their cause – as if God is going to see that as good stewardship and bless it – then you hear that the people are forcing them to do that since it is the spending that least impacts the ministries at home – this is a clear sign that the emphasis and teaching on missions was weak to begin with… • Some believe that in today’s society, we need to entertain to get them in the door and we need to not offend with forward, unashamed biblical preaching to keep them in A revival would cleanse the church of these things and a whole lot of worldliness in every aspect of life and ministry as well… The groundwork of revival The historical examples of revival The biblical preachers of revival (prophets, Ezra etc) - their circumstances, their message, their example, the reception they got... The Holiness of God to acknowledge our wickedness and how we have accepted a nonbiblical standard of holiness based on comparisons with others rather than a sobriety and fear of God The humility (that would ensue upon that realization) The prayer that would be the immediate fervent response of realizing our state The seeking of God and thirst for knowledge, fellowship with God The repentance of revival The power of Revival The Long term impact of revival - near and far JOEL REMINDER OF HOLINESS Joel is one of the Prophets where the circumstances of the day reveal the holiness of God and His anger – The manifestation of Judgment is perhaps the clearest of all indicators that God is feds up with sin isn’t it – I fear that today the judgment of God is overlooked – we act as if his sword somehow is stayed from use in this generation (I will digress but I might recommend a message from Bro Zeb Mcdaris on GRACEibc.org called the sword) REVELATION OF SINFULNESS Most of chapter one describes the dire situation the people were facing because of the Sin that he reveals and makes indictment against them In this case it is two fold (drunkenness) in 1:5 and lets read Verse 11 Joe 1:11 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The indictment is that of laziness and selfishness and satisfying personal desires through drunkenness and as a result – the work is not done and the Harvest is perished Is that not the primary indictment that God can lay on our churches today – our drunkenness and slothfulness have led to the harvests of the world perishing against His will… 1 Cor 15:34 Awake to righteousness and sin not… shame The solution or we could say the equation for revival is given in 1:13,14 and then repeated in 2:12-17 Joe 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Joe 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joe 2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Joe 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Joe 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Joe 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Joe 2:18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. Joe 2:19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: Weeping, mourning, prayer, fasting, sanctification and notice the wording in chapter 2 – let the priests – the ministers of the Lord weep between the porch and the altar… This is certainly a very prophetical book about the restoration of Israel, the Millennial kingdom and much more but All scripture is profitable and the holiness of God demands a response of sobriety and brokenness as is described here If we were to study the book further we could see the fruit of revival as well in Ch 2:23-27 Hosea – we read about the wife of whoredoms – how God has blessed his people with goodness and plenty and blessing which they turn around and simply give to Baal In FACT THE VERY INDICTMENT AND REVEALING OF THE SINFULNESS IS THE REMINDER OF HIS HOLINESS _ THE PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN HIS LAW AND THEREFORE DO NOT KNOW THE TRUE GOD _ THEY LACK TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY GOD Hos 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Hos 4:2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hos 4:7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. Hos 4:8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. Hos 4:9 And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. Hos 4:10 For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD. Hos 4:11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. Summary – No truth, mercy or knowledge of God – A lack of knowledge – SPECIFICALLY v1 Knowledge of God – understanding His holiness, His law, His standard, His expectations – I recently had a church ask me to email my information to them for consideration and within a couple days I get an email back telling me they cant have me in because we are not on the same page doctrinally - because “your statement on the Lord’s supper is non committal” Now, the truth is – I had to go see what I had in my statement and honestly it was more of the purpose of it and how it is one of 2 ordinances that the church is responsible for rather than any definition as to if I am open, closed or close in that stance. So I did some study and read one man talk about how we are so concerned about allowing every one at the Lord’s table so as not to offend or let any feel left out – we are forgetting that it is not our table we are inviting them to and we must consider the standard that He sets forth on the matter – We are so quick to define our own standards so often, so quick to reach people in any and every way we see fit that we fail to forget that God is a holy God and perhaps HE wouldn’t approve of it all – OUR PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE – knowledge of the holiness of God HABBAKKUK (Hab 3:2) O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. HAGGAI What is common in all these books – there is a conformity, a disobedience, an apathy, a rebellion and the call is for recognition – brokenness and repentance Testimony of GIBC What I heard about last year – church wide fasting – preaching on it for a month and week long cottage prayer meetings Many saved, many got right, new families added, some came in off the streets and got saved etc This year – what I have seen with my own eyes • Wasn’t there for the month of preaching but was there the day the fast was proclaimed and had the privilege to be a part of that – came back for the revival and was amazed at what God did – it wasn’t the same as last year – in fact this year became more of a revealing and a cleansing that led to extended meetings o Sin was exposed – pornography, drinking, smoking, improper relationships, gossiping, resentment and strife etc – those things came out and before long the altar was filled – WITH JUNK – people started cleaning house and bringing it in – they put it in garbage bags and on Friday night we had a burning – so many people were moved my the message and the burning that they called a special meeting on Saturday and we had another burning – Pastor ended up extending the revival to the following week so God could continue to move… Practical – call a solemn assembly and sanctify a fast – 40 days – among the Bible studies – teach it in the studies and then encourage a fast (define – abstaining from… meat or sweets or tv etc) Then come together at a prayer meeting on Tuesday – encouraging everyone to commit to that one prayer meeting and have a charge – share testimonies of what God has been doing during the fast and pray as a large group REMINDER OF GOD’s HOLINESS When we look at the work of God in a persons life – it always starts with a recognition of the holiness of God An individual cannot be saved nor can we see revival in our lives without a renewed understanding of the magnitude of the holiness of God – His laws, His standards, His name, His Son, His home, His tools, His servants – must share this attribute – HOLINESS – nothing but holiness is acceptible in His presence a. Verses on Holy in the Bible i. God is Holy ii. His name is Holy iii. His Word is Holy iv. His servants are Holy v. Anything used for Him is holy Rick shared with me that He did a message on Isaiah and so I know this was dealt with He did not see angels crying out Joy, Joy, Joy- peace peace peace love love love – Holy Holy Holy To see revival – to see a renewed zeal, humility, obedience etc we must fear God and The fear of God leads to the perfection of Holiness 2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Later in the same chapter we see the result – God’s holiness was revealed, the sin in the camp was revealed and it was not an easy experience – BUT – THE RESULT is that there was a revival 2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. We could easily camp right here – Carefulness – suddenly they did not take for granted that everything they were doing was justifiable – everything was now under the revealing microscope of God’s Holiness Fear of God, ZEAL, hatred for sin, cleansing – REVIVAL! It is GOD’s Holiness that should perfect our fear of Him and it is our fear of God that will perfect our holiness Psa 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Psa 89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. God swore by his holiness God is saying that the most valuable attribute that He has to swear by is his holiness. Amo 4:2 The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. What attribute of God is it that is the basis for why we must fear Him? Eternal – intimidating but he could be eternally liberal Unchangeable – He could unchangeably allow sin Love – if He had unconditional love Peace, Joy, strength Omniscient Omnipresent Omnipotent If there were only one attribute that you could use for God according to the Bible that would be the most all encompassing – it would be that He is Holy 610 times is scripture you will find the word Holy or Holiness… From the cover of our Bible, which says holy we are inundated with verse after verse that reminds us of God’s Holiness. There is no adjective of God that is more used. Gracious, merciful, loving, longsuffering – these are things that He is toward us and we praise Him for it but HOLY is who He is. God is love – yes, small L. But God’s name is Holy, Holy One, Holy One of Israel Christ is called the Holy One and the Holy one of God and then of course there is the HOLY SPIRIT/ HOLY GHOST The Bible in 2 places gives us a glimpse into glory where there are angels that CRY out HOLY, HOLY, HOLY all day, every day (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). They could surely shout out other attributes and be correct but this is GOD. THERE IS PERHAPS NO MORE IMPORTANT MESSAGE NEEDED IN THE CHURCH (AND SOCIETY) TODAY THAN THE HOLINESS OF GOD We live in an age where most conclude that God is satisfied with what we do – as a church, as individuals – perhaps God is but it will be in the light of His holiness that we can see how our deeds and thoughts will hold up. So lets look at The Prophets – We spoke of Isaiah already – Chapter 6 the holiness of God revealed and proclaimed by the angels (Hab 1:13) Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: God is Jealous for HIS HOLY NAME Eze 36:20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. Eze 36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. Eze 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 30 times in scriptures God refers to things being done for His names sake – for the reputation of His holiness CHURCHES used to have a reputation of the Power of God – the church was a game changer, it impacted societies – businesses and people alike had a respect for preachers, a reverence for the church and its property and I guarantee as they thought about the product they were going to put on their shelves or the activities they were going to endorse – they considered how the church would respond because the church had a reputation of holiness Now in the worlds eyes the churches of God as a whole are looked at as little more than any other social venue people can be engaged in Why – the world knows that whatever it decides to promote or endorse is only going to be embraced, justified, excused and “Christianized” if you will (which is a blasphemous concept) – LAODICAEAN CHURCHES ARE NOT CHANGING THE WORLD – THE WORLD IS INCREASINGLY INFILTRATING AND POLLUTING CHURCHES THE COMMUNITY MAY BE COMFORTABLE WITH OUR CHURCHES _ THEY ARE FINE WITH US AROUND _ WE HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION AS WE SHOULD_WE ARE UPSTANDING AND PARTICIPATORY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY BUT DO OUR CHURCHES IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY _ DOES THE COMMUNITY SEE THE POWER AND HOLINESS OF GOD IN OUR MIDST TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS A REVERANCE FOR GOD _ IT IS THE CLOSED MOUTHS AND POLLUTED LIVES OF LAODICEAN CHURCHES THAT HAS ALLOWED IN ONE GENERATION – THE FILTH TO MULTIPLY – IN ENTERTAINMENT, SCHOOLS, POLITICS, BUSINESSES (Isa 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Luk 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. If we are going to see revival in our lives, families and churches – we must stop justifying and start asking – IS THIS BIBLICAL – DOES THIS FIT IN THE SAME SENTENCE AS THE HOLINESS OF GOD – Could God say – this is being done for MY name sake? Search out the phrase holiness to the Lord some time – I know Pastor Brado has done this – man our pots and pans, the blankets we put on our horses should be Holiness to the Lord Everything we do… It used to be that Churches had a reputation of Holiness – Churches had the reputation of the Power of God Modern Christianity in many cases has assaulted the Glory of God and tarnished the reputation of the the HOLY name of God - Now, many churches are a byword, - Now many churches are are filthy as the lost that they entertain from week to week - Now the reputation that many churches have are of secret sins that are being exposed - There was a day when there was a reverence, there was a day when there was a holiness, there was a day when there was a respect for God, for His word, for His preachers and for His house It is a shame and a reproach that Christians are struggling between right and wrong – if we are children of God we should be beseeching God for discernment between the Good and the BEST and always choosing the BEST! Joe 2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Losing sight of the holiness of God opens the doors of conformity, of complacency, of apathy and of forsaking good doctrine Listen – GOD DOESN’T TAKE THIS LIGHTLY Eze 39:6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. Eze 39:7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Eze 39:8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken. In Reference to the Priest in Ezekiel – we see how the standards, teaching and administration of the assemblies of God should be established Eze 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. Eze 44:24 And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. Folks, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty – but never has God and never would God offer the liberty of Profaning HIS name and defiling HIS Holiness set forth and perfectly preserved in His word…. We WANT REVIVAL – IT IS TIME TO GET BACK TO TEACHING ON THE HOLINESS OF GOD _ and renew a SOBRIETY and a REVERENCE and a FEAR of GOD lest as he told Solomon in the same context of 2 Chron 7:14 on revival – I will take this place (this house of God), which is HIGH and make it a byword… Would to God that we would have our eyes opened to the holiness of God and become keenly aware of the infiltration of satan and our fleshly desires into the churches of America – Materialism, selfishness, entertainment What is given to God today –Is it our best, is it our all, is it sanctified I don’t want to preach Malachi 1 tonight as it was Pastor Brado that God used to tear me apart from that passage but it needs to be preached week in and week out in the pulpits across America Mal 2:11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. Jer 23:9 Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness. Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: THE PRECEPT OF MEN- vain philosophies and convenient and comfortable practices – God’s precepts Lev 20:23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. Lev 20:24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. Lev 20:25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. Lev 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. READ FROM HBS ON HOLINESS – THE LIST OF ALL THINGS CALLED HOLY – page after page… I Guess God is interested in HOLINESS… Some Quotes from the preaching of Charles Spurgeon in the 1800’s. – REMEMBER – this was from the 1800’s Listen to these in light of modern definitions of holiness. Has modern Christianity progressed closer to Christ since that time or has it lost ground? As pertaining to men - sanctification Souls that sigh for holiness are not condemned to eternal death, for their sighing proves that they are in Christ Jesus. Aim at the highest conceivable degree of holiness; and, though you will not be perfect, never excuse yourselves because you are not. There never lived a man who was too holy, and there never will live a man who will imitate Christ too closely, or avoid sin too rigidly. There is no holy walking without careful watching. Depend upon it, no man was ever good by chance, nor did anyone ever become like the Lord Jesus by happy accident. “I put gold into the furnace,” said Aaron, “and there came out this calf,” but nobody believed him. What Jesus loves, we love; what Jesus hates, we hate; what Jesus seeks, we seek; what Jesus shuns, we shun. This is true friendship when there is but one heart in two bodies, and when one heart in the twain produces with undivided strength one object Holiness excludes immorality, but morality does not amount to holiness; for morality may be but the cleaning of the outside of the cup and the platter, while the heart may be full of wickedness. Would that we could see the wall of separation between the church and the world made broader and stronger. It makes one sad to hear Christians saying, “Well, there is no harm in this; there is no harm in that,” thus getting as near to the world as possible. If you were God’s children you would loathe the very thought of the world’s evil joys, and your question would not be, “How close may we be like the world?” but your one cry would be, “How far can we get away from the world? How much can we come out from it?” Ah, sirs! there may have been a time when Christians were too precise, but it has not been in my day. There may have been such a dreadful thing as Puritanic rigidity, but I have never seen it. We are quite free from that evil now, if it ever existed. We have gone from liberty to libertinism. We have passed beyond the dubious into the dangerous, and none can prophesy where we shall stop. What God deserves from us Could our zeal know no respite, could our prayers know no pause, could our efforts know no relaxation, could we give all we have of time, wealth, talent, and opportunity, could we die a martyr’s death a thousand times, would not He, the Best Beloved of our souls, deserve far more? THE HOLINESS OF GOD MUST BE AWAKENED TO US – UPON SEEING THAT – we see our own wretchedness and will with humility, brokenness, sackcloth and ashes if you will rend our garment and beg God to forgive us – we will seek His face, we will turn from our wicked ways – Then will God hear from Heaven and forgive our sin and heal our land. - REVEAL to us just how sinful we are In the light of God’s holiness – God reveals our wickedness Isaiah – woe is me - Bring us to REPENTANCE and brokenness before Him - RENEW our obedience and zeal - Give us a REVIVING that is both cleansing and contagious (Psa 119:126) It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.