Revival Sermon: The Power of the Living God
A Sermon on the Power of God in Revival from Joshua 4:21-24
Scripture
21And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? 22Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. 23For the LORD your God dried …
Sermon Description
Why does the church need revival? Is it merely for the experiences it brings or perhaps for evangelistic purposes? It seems that the reason for revivals has been forgotten by many today, and the desire for them to happen has gone with it. In this sermon on the power of God in revival from Joshua 4:21–24, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out the “meaning of these stones” in regards to revival. Like the stones that were placed by the Lord along the Jordan to serve as a reminder of His mighty hand, so revivals are an act of God placed among His people to display His glory, and that all peoples and nations may know Him. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reveals the supreme need of the church today, and that is a reminder that the living God is present and active among them. He explains that revival does this. It also encourages the church to pray for their preachers, delivering them from self-reliance, and causing them to rely on the Holy Spirit. In conclusion, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that God allows revival in order to lead His people into the “land of blessing.” Men and women affected by it overflow with praise, adoration, and full enjoyment in knowing the living God. Christians must remember to pray and plead with God for revival so that He may be truly glorified.
Sermon Breakdown
- The incident described in Joshua chapter 4 provides a perfect parallel to the events of the 1859 revival.
- God's methods and principles never change. We can learn from past revivals.
- The first reason God sends revival is so that "all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty." Revival manifests God's glory and power to unbelievers.
- The second reason God sends revival is "that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever." Revival blesses and strengthens the church.
- Revival gives the church an unusual consciousness of God's presence and power. We realize "the living God is among you."
- Revival reminds us that God's power should be manifested in the church. Christianity is about God's power, not just ideas.
- Revival encourages prayer for God's power and deliverance from self-reliance.
- Revival humbles us and gives glory to God alone. It shows us we can do nothing without Him.
- Revival removes the fear of men and reliance on human means. We realize God will drive out our enemies.
- Revival keeps us looking to God and dependent on Him. Our only need is to know His power.
- Revival leads to praise, worship, and enjoyment of God's grace.
- God sends revival after a period of trial and discouragement. For example, after Israel's time in Egypt and the wilderness.
- God sends revival at a moment of crisis, when all seems hopeless. For example, when Israel was trapped at the Red Sea and Jordan River.
- Revival may only come when the church realizes its utter impotence and hopelessness apart from God.
Revival Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.