If there is anything true in our day or our society it is that without Real Heaven sent Old Fashion Holy Ghost Revival, there is little chance of Survival. The very nature of the Church itself, demands that she experience Revival from time to time.

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

With this chapter three small words that are both evident and prominent in it are my thoughts.

As you listen to these verses you can realize the sense of urgency in God’s Prophet as he confronts God’s People. Little background is needed for this familiar passage of Scripture. Notice---

I.  ASSAULT OF THE FOE

No doubt that Satan’s presence and power were at work. The religion of Baal worship was readily accepted and unquestioned until God’s prophet came on the scene.

1. UNHEEDED WARNINGS

A. Of The Foes Presence

B. Of The Foes Power

C. Of The Foes Purposes

D. Of The Foes Provisions (tools)

2. UNHEALED WOUNDINGS

A. Because Of Silent Messengers

[1] Those Who Cannot Speak The Truth

Isa 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

[2] Those Who Will Not Speak The Truth

Jer 6:14; 8:11 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

[3] Those Who Speak But Have Nothing To Say 2^nd Sam 18:19-32

B. Because Of Slighted Mercies

Psa 106:7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

C. Because Of Sinful Miseries

[1] A Spirit Of Carelessness

[2] A Spirit Of Complacency

[3] A Spirit Of Compromise

[4] A Spirit Of Confusion

[5] A Spirit Of Contention

Some Have Abandoned…..

1. THE PEOPLE OF THE FAITH

A. A Divine Fellowship

B. A Distinct Fellowship (different)

C. A Devoted Fellowship

2. THE PRINCIPLE OF THE FAITH

That of trusting God regardless of the Conditions, Conflicts or Consequences. That principle we call faith.

A. Caused Abel To Worship

B. Caused Enoch To Walk

C. Caused Noah To Work

D. Caused Abraham and Sarah To Wait

E. Caused Isaac, Jacob and Joseph To Witness

F. Causes Others To War A Good Warfare

3. THE PRECEPTS OF THE FAITH

A. A Sound Doctrine

B. A Steadfast Word

C. A Spirit Of Prayer

D. A Spiritual Worship

4. THE PATH OF THE FAITH

Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Holy Living: A life of Modesty, Purity and Morality

A. These Paths Are Not Rightly Acknowledged

"Old Paths, wherein is the good way." That’s not what the world thinks or says about the ways of God.

B. These Paths Are Not Readily Accessible "Ask for the Old Paths"

C. These Paths Are Not Routinely Attended

Mat 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

1. THE CONFRONTATION

A. A Man Of Great Boldness

[1] The Confidence Of God’s Man 17:1

[2] The Comfort For God’s Man 17:2 …

[3] The Courage From God’s Man 18:1; 17

B. A Message Of Great Burden 18:17-18

"Troubleth" akar to disturb; as to stir water violently; churning

C. A Manifestation Of Great Boundaries v.18

2. THE CONDEMNATION

A. Condemns A Perverse Throne vs.17-18

It is true that no powers are, except they be ordained of God. But it is the responsibility of those powers to rule in accordance with the truth of God, and they will be held accountable for how they ruled.

Prov 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

[1] Ahab’s Walk 16:30-31 no examples

[2] Ahab’s Wife 16:31b

[3] Ahab’s Worship 16:31c-32

[4] Ahab’s wickedness 16:33

B. Condemns A Powerless Religion vs.19

A Religion Without Power….

[1] Has A Corrupt Foundation

[2] Always Contradicts True Faith

[3] Is Characterized As Fleshly Baal Groves (Asherah)

[a] Worship Of Symbols

[b] Maintained By Secrecy

[c] Sensual rather than Spiritual (Temple prostitution)

[d] Sacrifices Were Abomination To God

Jer 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

[4] Will Conclude In Failure

[a] No Reality vs.26-27

[b] No Response vs.28

[c] No Results vs.29

C. Condemns A Perverse People vs.21

[1] A Time For Questioning "How long halt ye"

[2] A Time For Qualifying "If the LORD be God"

 

3. THE CONSEQUENCES

A Consequent Deterioration A Consequent Devastation

A. An Effect On Morality

B. An Effect On Materiality

Drought and with it comes shortages of finance, food, furnishings

C. An Effect On Mortality

Israel is paying an enormous price for their sins. As the old song goes;

SIN: Will Take You Farther Than You Wanted To Go

Keep You Longer Than You Wanted To Stay and

Cost You More Than You Wanted To Pay

4. THE CONSIDERATIONS

What are the considerations from this text, that should shake us, brake us and make us to seek Revival NOW?

A. How Sinful This Age Really Is

B. How Severe Judgment Of God Is

C. How Swiftly Passing Of Time Is

D. How Sufficient The Blood Of Christ Is

E. How Soon The Coming Of The Lord Is

F. How Specific Our Responsibility Is