Proverbs 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

 It’s over at this point… You have fallen into the trap of Satan!  

Our problem is we love to sleep! Don’t get me wrong, we all could have a good rest and good nights sleep, it is how we recharge our body. Recharging is good and needful at times. However, we do not need to sleep all the time. This Proverb tells us that we need to be moving for the Lord, because time is fleeting fast.

How many know the old Hymn Revive Us Again?

We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love

for Jesus, who die, and is now gone above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Hallelujah! Amen!

Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Revive us again.

Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love.

May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Hallelujah! Amen!

Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Revive us again.

Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD:  For he hath torn, and he will heal us; He hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

We need to return to the Lord and awaken from our slumber so we can fulfill the will of God and revive the house of God with praise and worship to him. God will in turn heal us from our wounds that tore us apart, and beat us down

Well, this morning if you have your Bible, I want you to turn to 2 Chronicles 7:14, a verse that many of you know by heart. I want to start my message today and I want to speak today on Revival. That verse says;

 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Now most Bible scholars would agree that although the word revival is not used, is the defining scripture about what the requirements of revival involve. There are two kinds of revival mentioned in the Bible: 1. Personal: Where we cry out to God and he revive us personally. 2. Corporate: A revival of the supernatural work of Holy Spirit in our midst, moving people to do God’s will.

When God’s people are no longer experiencing the abundant life and joy of God, it’s time to prepare for revival. That’s when we need it the most.

Romans 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Here apostle Paul is writing about the unbeliever, that has already hardened his heart and his indecision is his decision. Their eyes, ears and heart have been closed to the word of the Lord. They will no longer be open to hear it, or see it, and unable to change. This is not where God’s people need to be.

David asks the Lord;

Psalms 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Psalms 85:7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

David’s prayer might have gone something like this… O Lord, may Your kingdom {the community of believers and the Church} awaken, and may the Holy Spirit work among us to awaken each person’s soul and heart. O Lord, who died for Your children, rose again to set us free from sin and death, which liberated the captives from sin. Awaken us once more and revive our faith in you oh Lord. Amen!

Psalms 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

David said I will listen to you my Lord and God has to tell me, and he will give me wisdom to give to my people and your saints.

Psalms 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

God is our Great Redeemer and He bring us salvation. As we draw near to Him we will know and fear Him. This should rise with in us a Holy flame fanned by the Spirit of God that we allow to dwell within our hearts and minds. This in turn brings us to desire the call to service for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Psalms 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

God’s tender mercies come from his throne. God’s love to us is unending, grace unyielding calls the wayward sinner home and brings the lost souls into the families of God. The truth of God’s word will melt a heart of stone and bring to us righteousness from heaven above.  We do not want a heart as strong as a diamond

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

We need to say to our Lord and God, I will serve Thee, unto Thee I give my all! Lord lay my hands unto thy service, and my heart unto thy call, help me Lord to lay my hands on to thy plow and not look back foresaking all wolrdly things for your glory.

Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

When we are awakened from our sleep, by the Holy Spirit we can arise to newness of life and serve God in the proper manner as Christ brings forth the light within us to shine brightly into the darkness of this present world. Amen!

Those who are obedient cannot be foolish.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  Amen!