OH THAT YOU WOULD REND THE HEAVENS

What Will It Take For Spiritual Awakening?

WE MUST WAKE UP 

What is on the heart of God?Focus on awakeningFresh stirring

WE MUST WAKE UP Is the nation better or worse off?

Where’s the power?Why is there no power?

 THE REASON IS…We have a relationship problem with God

We are under the judgment of God

PROOF OF JUDGMENTWhat is the judgment of God? It is according to one’s deeds

Punishment fits the crime

PROOF OF JUDGMENTExamples

David and UriahAhab and NabothBabylon and God’s people

In line with one’s sin

PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment

The removal of wisdom▪True for Christians and the lost▪Other examples

PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment

Loss of spiritual power▪Little life-changing impact▪Uncommitted converts▪Prayer movement with no change

PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment

Loss of spiritual power▪Turned over to sin▪Little influence on society ▪Loss of favor▪Defeat by our enemies

PROOF OF JUDGMENT

The signs of the judgmentVarious other signs▪Societal breakdown of the family▪Societal and relational conflict▪Bad leadership▪Statutes that are not good

PROOF OF JUDGMENTThe signs of the judgment

Various other signs▪Loss of finances▪Setbacks increase over time▪Natural disasters▪Success is unfulfilling

CONCLUSIONWe are under the judgment of God

If we do not awaken:We will be destroyedOur children will live out the consequences

Will you not arise?

THE PRIMARY REASONWhy are we asleep?

How can the signs be so prevalent and we not know it?

How can we live in the midst of this and not respond?

THE PRIMARY REASONWe have lost the fear of GodRecognizing the judgment is necessary to realizing there’s a problem

Call to prayer in 1863

THE PRIMARY REASONHow did we lose the fear of God?We mistakenly assumed it hinders a love relationship with God

THE PRIMARY REASONHow did we lose the fear of God?Love and grace apart from holiness▪The accountability of grace▪The accountability of love▪ Judgment begins with the house of God

THE PRIMARY REASONHow did we lose the fear of God?False sense of security

CONCLUSIONWe lost the fear of GodLet us fear God again

SINS TO ADDRESS What are our wicked ways?

SINS TO ADDRESSWe left our first love

Desiring GodPrayerlessness

SINS TO ADDRESSNot being on mission

Failure to bear fruitMaterialismUse or misuse of resources

SINS TO ADDRESSWe have made false convertsStatistics in the SBCDecision instead of repentance

Location instead of a relationship

SINS TO ADDRESSWe have not hallowed His nameWe have treated God lightlyServed God when it is convenient

Not exercised church discipline

CONCLUSIONThese sins must be addressed

 These changes will position us to be gloriously revived

FOUR EXPECTATIONSThere is hope

When it is the darkest…The light that dawns

FOUR EXPECTATIONSGod will create a catalytic moment▪ Elijah on Mt. Carmel▪Hezekiah▪ Ezra▪Nehemiah▪ Jesus

The catalytic moment is our invitation

FOUR EXPECTATIONSForgiveness of sin ≠ cancellation of judgment Improbable that revival will cancel judgment

There will still be difficult daysThe Civil War

FOUR EXPECTATIONSGod’s grace allows us to navigate judgmentWhat grace isGod must hallow His name

FOUR EXPECTATIONSGod’s grace allows us to navigate judgment God will still be at work▪ In wrath God remembers mercy▪Mercy places a revived people in the midst of judgment▪ A great harvest will follow

FOUR EXPECTATIONSSuccessfully navigating the judgment of God will produce blessingHezekiahCivil WarParkview

CONCLUSIONSo that we will know how to respond

In the here and now, we must focus on repentance