First century church had a "VIVAL" for evangelism.
Acts 6:7 - multiplied.
Acts 9:31 - was multiplied.
When the "Word" was preached, people were saved.
This identifies our problem - we are not preaching the Word enough.
REVIVAL IN A SENSITIVITY TOWARD SIN.
As sensitive to sin as a finger on a razor blade.
Jesus was sensitive to sin.
Rev. 1:5.
Matt. 9:35-36.
Luke 19:10.
Rev. 2:20.
Paul was sensitive to sin.
Acts 17:16-31 - His natural reaction was to preach the truth.
We have become dull to sin. It no longer hurts us.
REVIVAL IN OUR SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
To the lost of this world.
Individually and congregationally.
Matt. 5:13 - salt of the earth.
Has a preserving power.
Has a penetrating power.
Like leaven.
Matt. 28:18-20.
To the local church.
"Be willing and ready."
REVIVAL IN SEEING THE ENORMITY OF OUR TASK.
(NOTE: Update figures before using.... things change quickly)
All the world - every creature - Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16.
Population of the earth grows -- our task grows.
250 million in Jesus' day.
850 million in 1776.
1.7 billion in 1914.
4 billion in 1972.
By the year 2000 - 7 billion. (Our task is not getting any smaller)
Illustration of a billion:
Preach to 1000 people every hour, 24 hrs. per day, (24,000 people per day),
(8,670,000 per year). It would take 400 years to reach 4 billion (if no
one died and no one was born.)
What can we do?
Hide our head in the sand and let people go to Hell.
Begin working them off one at a time.
"Harvest is plenteous - labors are few."
Our task grows.
75 million per year.
205,479 per day.
REVIVAL IN OUR PRAYER OF GREAT CONCERN.
The early church was a praying church.
When is the last time you prayed for a lost person, by name?
Pray that the Lord of Harvest will send reapers.
REVIVAL IN OUR MOTIVES.
Some serve out of ritual.
Some serve out of duty.
We should serve out of love.
Example: Rev. 2 - Ephesus.
Left their first love.
Started with good motives - Acts 19.
Burned magic books worth 50,000 pieces of silver.
We need to re-examine our motives.
REVIVAL IN OUR COMMITMENT TO CHRIST.
Christ as Lord - Acts 2:36.
Peter walking on water - faith in the Lordship of Christ.