SERMON SUBJECT: IS THE REVIVAL OVER?

SERMON TEXT: “Day after day, in the temple courts, and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news, that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:24 NIV).

SERMON THESIS: “Proclamation is a daily task to be done wherever a believer is.”

INTRODUCTION: Following Peter’s infamous sermon on the day of Pentecost, in the second chapter of Acts, the Bible says, “Those who accepted the message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:41). This phenomenon of men, women, boys, and girls, coming to a saving relationship with Jesus, continued throughout the book of Acts, touching every geographical area of the known world at that time, and continues to impact the world today in South Africa, Korea, West Indies, Japan, Europe, Valdosta, Atlanta, New York, etc. What happened on that day that triggered a great revival in Jerusalem, spread to Judea, then on to Samaria, and is still causing ripple effects “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8)? I will attempt to answer that question a bit later, but for now, think about this. As of late, we have been feeling the ripple effects of something that happened many years ago in what we call revival right here in our midst. The question is, however, now that the meetings have ended, Is The Revival Over? Based on what we know from the Book of Acts, the revival is not over, and in fact, has only just begun, if...

I. WE ARE UNCEASING IN OUR EVANGELISTIC ACTIVITY. The key phrase here is “Day after day.” Like the early Christians our evangelistic activity must continue to take place in these three areas:

1. In Congregational Gatherings - “In the temple courts.” In Acts, chapter two, the Bible says, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts” (Acts 2:6). The early Christians were disciplined in Temple Worship.

In our congregational gatherings this past week, we have witnessed increased worship attendance. I believe the key to this increased worship attendance is personal contacts, and the fact that something is happening at Greenwood. That something is Someone. The same One that came on the Day of Pentecost - the Third Person of the Trinity. He was present with the early church and He is non-the-less present with us today. When we gather, or assemble, for worship, He is with us.

Therefore, let’s continue to be unceasing in our evangelistic activity by inviting the lost and unchurched to come to our congregational gatherings. The assembling of ourselves together, according to the writer of Hebrews, encourages others. The Bible says, “every day they continued to meet together...”

2. In Homes - “From house to house.” Not only did they meet in the temple courts, the Bible says, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with gladness of hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (Acts 2:46).

Having no established church building in which to meet, the early Christians met in homes. They partook of the Lord’s Supper and worshiped Him together. Note these phrases, “gladness of hearts,” “praising God,” “and enjoying the favor of all the people.”

3. In the Market Place - Market place evangelism is where we shop, buy groceries, fill up our vehicles with gasoline, etc. The market place is where we encounter the lost person. The market place is where we meet with the need of a lost

humanity and a culture that is bent on hell. This is where our Christian witness has its greatest impact.

IF . . .

II. WE ARE UNHINDERED IN OUR ENTHUSIASM TO TEACH AND PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS. The Bible says, “They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news,” and I might add, they did it with enthusiasm (God within). Even though the followers of Jesus were under heavy persecution, the Bible says this about them,“The Apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name”(v. 41). Did not Jesus encourage us with these words from His Beatitudes concerning persecution? ...

“Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

Therefore, persecution itself should never hinder us from teaching and proclaiming the good news. The disciples said...

“And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers” (Acts 13:32).

Over a period of thirty years, following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, geographically speaking, the whole known earth at that time was saturated with the good news, basically, unhindered...

“And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered” (Acts 28:30-31).

One writer said, “The gospel went through Paul unhindered even though he was in prison. The gospel continues to go on through the centuries, regardless of problems, persecutions, perversions, and powers–going ‘without hindrance.’ It shall be until our Lord returns.” We must never lose our enthusiastic zeal to teach and proclaim the good news

IF . . .

III. WE ARE UNCOMPROMISING IN THE MESSAGE WE PROCLAIM - “That Jesus is the Christ.”

“...but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness” (I Cor. 1:23).

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (I Cor. 2:2).

One writer said, “ To preach Christ is to call for repentance and to offer forgiveness in His name.”

1. The uncompromising message is all inclusive...

“For God loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The message we teach and preach is all inclusive because it includes everyone.

2. The uncompromising message is exclusive...

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The message we teach and preach is exclusive because Jesus is the only way to heaven. Did not Jesus say...

“Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).

When we are unceasing in our evangelistic activities, unhindered in our enthusiasm in teaching and proclamation, and uncompromising in the message we proclaim, here is what happens...

“...praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

As of late, we have witnessed these principles at work here at Greenwood, as the Lord has been adding to our number those who are being saved. Let’s put focus on those whom God has been adding...

CONCLUSION: Is the revival over? I don’t think so - If we continue to meet God’s conditions. What are His conditions?

“...and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

And “if” we continue to adhere to the Biblical principles found in the book of Acts concerning revival.

Do you want revival to begin in your life?