Prepare the Way 2 – Get Ready

THE MANIFEST PRESENCE OF JESUS WILL ONLY SHOW UP IN THE PLACE THAT HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR HIM.

• The first, “First Baptist” was John and his purpose and destiny was to prepare the people’s hearts for Jesus to receive them.

• This week we are beginning a revival and we want to make His path straight ….

• re·viv·al – noun – an improvement in the condition or strength of something. "a revival in the fortunes of the party"

WE ARE NOT BELIEVING GOD FOR IMPROVEMENT. WE ARE BELIEVING GOD FOR TRANSFORMATION.

• an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again."cross-country skiing is enjoying a revival"

• synonyms: comeback, reestablishment

WHEN REVIVAL HAPPENS, IT IS NOT POPULAR WITH THE WORLD AND ITS MINIONS IN THE LIBERAL MEDIA.

• There is no such thing as a great revival without a great controversy.

• There was a revival on the day of Pentecost 2,000 years ago and

• Spurgeon says, “The word ‘revive’ wears its meaning upon its forehead; it is from the Latin, and may be interpreted thus—to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired; to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished.”

REVIVAL

• What are the things we need to remember?

• What are the things we need to do that we haven’t?

In Joshua 3, we read of an amazing miracle God performed for His people. He caused the Jordan River to stop flowing so they could cross on dry ground into the Promised Land. God then instructed them, through Joshua, to gather twelve stones from the Jordan to set up as a memorial. One man from each tribe was selected to take a stone from the riverbed. Joshua set them up as a sign, as a remembrance, of what God accomplished for his people on that day.

God is so gracious to us. He knows we have spiritual amnesia. He knows we are forgetful. So he gives us memorials. He commands us to do certain things that will serve as reminders. Here are three practical ways, among others, to combat spiritual amnesia.

1. Think. What are some events you can look back on like a pile of stones marking a defining moment — a moment when God showed His power in your life. When He was guiding you in a very clear way. “When He answered a prayer or fulfilled a promise? I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds” – Psalm 77:12

2. Thank. Engage your heart in gratitude for what He has done. “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” – Psalm 9:1

3. Tell. Once we’ve spent time remembering and thanking the Lord for the great things He has done for us, the joy of those memories should overflow in our conversations with those around us. In Joshua 4, we find this instruction specifically regarding children: “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground’” – Joshua 4:21–22

REVIVAL

• Abundant life – Real life

• CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE LIFE FANATICS

• ANY TIME WE HAVE CHOICE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, WE SHOULD BE PEOPLE WHO INTENTIONALLY CHOOSE LIFE.

• WE SHOULD BE FASCINATED AND FIXATED WITH LIFE. WE SHOULD CELEBRATE AND LOOK FOR LIFE.

⁃ THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

⁃ THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

⁃ SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTER

⁃ DREAMS AND VISIONS

⁃ HEARING GOD SPEAK

⁃ ACCOMPLISHING GOALS

⁃ MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE

⁃ CELEBRATING FAMILY

⁃ AND INVITING GOD ALMIGHTY TO INVADE US WITH HIS LIFE

REVIVAL

• Bringing Jesus into every part of our life and community.

• ANY place where we let God into our life.

• Revival comes in different stages

⁃ PERSONAL REVIVAL

⁃ REGIONAL REVIVAL

⁃ NATIONAL REVIVAL

⁃ GENERATIONAL REVIVAL

• I WANT TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR HIM.

• I WANT TO MAKE HIS PATH STRAIGHT .

• I WANT TO GO INTO EVERY WILDERNESS AREA THERE IS IN MY LFE AND DECLARE THE KING IS GOING TO SHOW UP RIGHT THERE.

• I WANT TO BE REAL ABOUT WANTING GOD TO SHOW UP IN EVERY WILDERNESS AREA. I WANT TO INVITE HIM INTO THAT PLACE

Our homes need revival. Our churches need revival. This nation and world need revival. But no military power can bring revival. Economic upturn does not bring revival and no election can bring revival.

ONLY THE PEOPLE OF GOD BEING THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND GOING AFTER THE PRESENCE OF GOD CAN BRING REVIVAL.

You can find out more about me at my website www.troybrewer.com: