Also used as teaching resources, eg. you can use these in PowerPoint
Jesus’ last promise – Acts 1:8 You shall receive power (dunamis – dynamic, dynamite) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and
You shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
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Peter’s first text – Joel 2:28-32 (Acts 2:17-21) 17 I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh …
18 I will pour out My Spirit in those days …
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Old Testament Revival texts
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2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name
will humble themselves
and pray
and seek My face
and turn from their wicked ways,
then
I will hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin
and heal their land.
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Psalm 85:6
Will You not revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 3:2
O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.
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‘Revivals’ in the Old Testament 1 Jacob’s household (Genesis 35:1‑15)
Jacob returns to Bethel – idols removed – God worshipped, covenant name Israel reaffirmed 2 Asa (2 Chronicles 15:1‑15)
Prophet Azariah preaches – idols removed – temple restored, covenant reaffirmed – sacrifices
3 Joash (2 Kings 11‑12; 2 Chronicles 23‑24)
Priest Jehoiada restores boy king Joash – Queen Athaliah killed, temple restored – faithful to covenant under Jehoiada
4 Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1‑8; 2 Chron 29‑31)
Destroyed idols (& bronze snake) – restored temple worship, saved from Sennacherib – Samaria fell
5 Josiah (2 Kings 22‑23; 2 Chronicles 34‑35)
Ruled from 8 to 39 – cleaned up temple, Torah found and read – repented – saved from destruction
6 Haggai and Zechariah with Zerubbabel (Ezra 5‑6)
Prophets challenged people – Leaders rebuilt temple – Temple rededicated – Passover restored 7 Ezra with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:1‑6; 12:44‑47)
Repentance and confession worship restored, reforms established 8 Jonah Prophet preached for repentance – King and people repented, city was saved from destruction
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Characteristics of Old Testament ‘Revivals’ 1 They occurred in times of moral darkness and national depression;
2 Each began in the heart of a consecrated servant of God who became the energizing power behind it;
3 Each revival rested on the Word of God, and most were the result of proclaiming God’s Word with power;
4 All resulted in a return to the worship of God;
5 Each witnessed the destruction of idols where they existed;
6 In each revival, there was a recorded separation from sin;
7 In every revival the people returned to obeying God’s laws;
8 There was a restoration of great joy and gladness;
9 Each revival was followed by a period of national prosperity.
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Characteristics of Revival in Acts 2 – Pentecost
1. Sovereignty: Acts 2:1,2 – the day of Pentecost .
God chose the time, place, people; & came suddenly.
2. Prayer: Acts 1:14; 2:1 – constantly in prayer, in one place –
They gathered together to pray and wait on God.
3. Unity: Acts 2:1 – in one accord – They met in unity with love and humility.
4. Filled: Acts 2:4 – as the Spirit gave utterance –
Filled with the Spirit, using gifts of the Spirit.
5. Preaching: Acts 2:14 – heed my words – Peter preached with anointed boldness.
6. Repentance: Acts 2:38 – repent and believe –
Large numbers were convicted and repented.
7. Evangelism: Acts 2:40-41 – three thousand –
New believers were baptised and witnessed.
8. Miracles: Acts 2:43 – many miracles and wonders –
People were filled with awe at God’s great power
9. Community: Acts 2:44-47 – close fellowship –
Evangelism and commitment to one another continued.
10. Growth: Acts 2:47 – the Lord added … daily – Daily witnessing, conversions.
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Church Growth in Acts
Acts 2:41 ‑ 3,000 added
Acts 4:4 ‑ 5,000 believed
Acts 5:14 ‑ multitudes of both men and women
Acts 6:7 ‑ disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem
Acts 8:1 ‑ persecution arose ‑ all scattered
Acts 9:31 ‑ churches were multiplied
Acts 11:21 ‑ a great number believed
Acts 11:24 ‑ a great many people were added to the Lord
Acts 12:24 ‑ the word of God grew and multiplied
Acts 16:5 ‑ the churches increased in number daily
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Hindrances to Revival
(Adapted from How to Experience Revival by Charles Finney, Ch 8)
1 PRIDE: When Christians become proud of their ‘great revival’ it will stop.
2 EXALTING SELF OVER GOD: Some, under pretence of publishing things to the praise and glory of God, have in fact published things that seemed to exalt themselves.
3 PREJUDICE: A revival is likely to stop when Christians lose the spirit of brotherly love.
4 BEING MECHANICAL: A revival will cease when Christians become mechanical in their attempt to promote it.
5 EXHAUSTION: A revival will stop when the church grows exhausted through its labour.
6 SELF RELIANCE: When Christians do not feel their dependence on the Spirit revival stops.
7 DECLINE: A revival will decline and cease unless Christians are frequently revived.
8 CONFLICT: Revival can be put down by the continued opposition of the old school combined with a bad spirit in the new school.
9 NEGLECTING MISSIONS: Another thing that hinders revival is neglecting the claims of missions. 10 NEGLECTING SABBATH: If the church wishes to promote revival it must sanctify the Sabbath.
