Preparing for Revival: Message 5: Revival Requires Holy Spirit Power
100 years ago this month at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles in a former Methodist church, that had been turned into a dirt-floored warehouse storing lumber, plaster and other debris, a small group of Christians cleared a space, laid some rough wood planks over empty nail kegs to serve as seating for about 30, laid out in a square – and they began to meet together for one purpose only: To seek the Presence of the Lord!
• They didn’t have hymnals, musical instruments, or a pulpit.
• They had passion and a growing sense that God was about to do something very special.
• They didn’t have marvelous preaching, or wonderful vocalists.
• They had a conviction to seek the face of God until something happened.
• They didn’t advertise, market or do anything to attempt to ‘build’ the church.
• They simply met – hour after hour, day after day, week after week – until God’s Spirit moved upon them in power.
And move He did. The Holy Spirit came in power – manifesting Himself in repentance, weeping, confession, salvation, miraculous healings and powerful demonstrations of the gift of tongues.
And when He came – thousands of people made their way from around the world – from Chicago, New York, missionaries from India, Africa and South America. Rich man, poor man – it didn’t matter. Black, white, brown – not important. Educated and uneducated alike thirsty for something that only One Person could quench.
The revival that took place at Azusa Street was not man-made, it wasn’t planned. It wasn’t scheduled. It came because God rewards those who earnestly seek Him! And 100 years later – that revival spread through out the world and those who have been impacted by it number some 700 million people. Nothing in all of history has grown at that rate.
If we want revival, we must have the power of the Holy Spirit flowing into and out of our lives.
Acts 1
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:1-14
Look at verses 1-3
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” 1-3
Luke records that after the crucifixion and resurrection, Christ demonstrated His glorious identity! There need be no doubt that Jesus is the real deal. He is the Son of God! He is the Savior of the World! He is the Promised Messiah!
And in verses 4-5, He gives His disciples some clear instruction:
“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” 4-5
Simply put, Jesus says: “The baptism of the Holy Spirit is coming. Your task is to wait for the promise to be fulfilled.”
• The disciples of Jesus knew beyond a shadow of doubt WHO Jesus was.
• They believed all the right things. But, they needed MORE in order to live effectively.
• They needed ‘the baptism of the Holy Spirit’.
Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Have you experienced the complete infilling of God in your life?
I’m not asking if you believe the right things – I’m asking: Have you be baptized by the Holy Spirit of God? If you have – you know it. If you haven’t – you can be! And for revival to happen – you cannot settle for any less than ALL that God has for you! Why eat scraps when you can have the banquet?
Now – look at verse 6-8
“So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 6-8
The disciples are hungry – they want more! They are earnest in their hunger for God’s will to be done. And they ask – “Jesus, is revival coming? Jesus, is the restoration of the Kingdom of God about to happen?”
And Jesus answers with a DON’T and a DO:
1. DON’T focus on dates and times that have been set by God. Those aren’t your concern.
2. DO focus on waiting for the Holy Spirit to come! That is your concern!
They weren’t to concern themselves with scheduling issues – their task was to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
Far too many Christians today are focusing on the wrong thing: They are focused on when Jesus is going to return. The best selling books in recent years have been the Left Behind NOVELS – and I’m not here to critizize those books – I haven’t read them. But, I am here to say: “Don’t focus on when Jesus is coming back – that’s not for you to know – focus on living your life in the power of the Holy Spirit!”
Now, look at verse 8 again:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 8
Jesus tells us what the result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit will be:
1. You will receive POWER.
2. You will become WITNESSES.
Power – you’ve heard me talk about this before – but power is dunamis – dynamite. Supernatural power to do what you cannot do in your own strength. When the Holy Spirit came in Acts 2 at the day of Pentecost – the believer’s were empowered to speak in tongues that they had not learned.
Acts 2:4-8 says…
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?” Acts 2:4-8, NIV.
That isn’t something that can be faked. Why? Because those who heard them, understood what was being said in their own language.
A key initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the ability to speak in new tongues.
But there is so much more…
• The believer’s prayed – and people were healed.
• The believer’s took authority – and demons were cast out.
• The believer’s stood before authorities – and silenced them.
Jesus says – “when the Holy Spirit comes, you will receive power…”
Have you received this power? You can! God hasn’t changed. God’s power is still available. You can have it, if you want it.
Verse 8 says: “You shall be my witnesses…”
Do you know what that means? It means that because you’ve been touched by the power of the Holy Spirit, you now have a STORY to tell.
STORY: Two years ago this past week, Summit left it’s building on Arrow and Archibald. For many of us, this was a major defeat. When it became clear that the majority of people were not going to make the adjustment with us, those of us who stayed the course went through a difficult season. Beth and I devoted a lot of time talking about what this meant for our future. The discouragement created a desire to quit and move on, but somehow, the Lord simply wouldn’t let us follow through and actually do it.
After several months of struggle there came a point where God touched me in a deep way. He reassured me of His Presence and His Pleasure. He convinced me that the best was still in front of us – and that He was still in charge. He gave me a renewal of the gift of the Holy Spirit that I had received many years prior. In 1990 I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and given the gift of tongues as a part of that wonderful experience. But FEAR of man stopped me from being open about it, and over the years, I adopted the plans of MAN over the plans of God. And here I was, two years ago at the end of my rope – the plans of MAN had failed. My best efforts ended in ruin. And God said: “Are you ready to do it in MY power now?”
And He renewed me. He changed me. And the teaching of this church began to reflect the change. And for those of you who have stayed the course – you’ve seen the difference. And we stand together testifying to the far surpassing greatness of God to do in His power what we can never do in our own!
And today – April 2, 2006 – we stand on the brink of a major revival of God – all being doing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
That’s what happens when the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes.
Have you yet received this gift?
Now – look at verse 9…
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 9-11
In order for the Holy Spirit to come – Jesus had to leave.
In John 16, Jesus said:
“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7
And that is what happens next. Look what the disciples do in verse 12…
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” 12-14
There were two major dynamics happening:
1. They were united in their pursuit of God!
2. They prayed earnestly for the promise of God!
• They had settled Who Jesus was – Have YOU?
• They had believed Him at His Word – Do YOU?
• And they needed His power to accomplish His purposes – Do you have His power?
So, they spent 14 days in earnest prayer – day and night – seeking the Holy Spirit. Did they sleep? Sure. Did they eat? Of course. Did they work? Probably. But – the sleeping, eating and working – all took the back seat to the highest life priority anyone could have!
Do you want revival? Put your priorities in order. Sure – sleep, work and eat – but… “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to you!”
Look on the back of your bulletin - listen to the words of one of the participants at Azusa Street – Frank Bartleman…
“Slowly but surely the conviction is coming upon the saints of southern California that God is going to pour out His Spirit. We are having faith for things such as we have never dreamed of, for the near future. We are assured of no less that a Pentecost for this whole country. But we can never have Pentecostal results without Pentecostal power. And this will mean Pentecostal demonstration… We have been for some time lead to pray for a Pentecost. One afternoon seven of us seemed providentially led to join hands and agree in prayer to ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit speedily, with signs following. Where we got the idea from at that time I do not know. We did not have ‘tongues’ in mind. I think none of us had ever heard of such a thing. This was in February 1906. The present worldwide Pentecostal manifestation did not break out in a moment, like a huge prairie fire, and set the world on fire. In fact, no work of God ever appears that way. There is a necessary time for preparation.” Frank Bartleman Azusa Street Whitaker House ©1982
Oh, that the Lord would prepare you and I for such an outpouring.
Do you want revival – cry out for the power of the Holy Spirit!
We are in a unique season – that cannot be replicated. This is the time to do what Isaiah said…
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6
Do you want revival? – cry out for the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
• They didn’t have hymnals, musical instruments, or a pulpit.
• They had passion and a growing sense that God was about to do something very special.
• They didn’t have marvelous preaching, or wonderful vocalists.
• They had a conviction to seek the face of God until something happened.
• They didn’t advertise, market or do anything to attempt to ‘build’ the church.
• They simply met – hour after hour, day after day, week after week – until God’s Spirit moved upon them in power.
And move He did. The Holy Spirit came in power – manifesting Himself in repentance, weeping, confession, salvation, miraculous healings and powerful demonstrations of the gift of tongues.
And when He came – thousands of people made their way from around the world – from Chicago, New York, missionaries from India, Africa and South America. Rich man, poor man – it didn’t matter. Black, white, brown – not important. Educated and uneducated alike thirsty for something that only One Person could quench.
The revival that took place at Azusa Street was not man-made, it wasn’t planned. It wasn’t scheduled. It came because God rewards those who earnestly seek Him! And 100 years later – that revival spread through out the world and those who have been impacted by it number some 700 million people. Nothing in all of history has grown at that rate.
If we want revival, we must have the power of the Holy Spirit flowing into and out of our lives.
Acts 1
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:1-14
Look at verses 1-3
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” 1-3
Luke records that after the crucifixion and resurrection, Christ demonstrated His glorious identity! There need be no doubt that Jesus is the real deal. He is the Son of God! He is the Savior of the World! He is the Promised Messiah!
And in verses 4-5, He gives His disciples some clear instruction:
“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” 4-5
Simply put, Jesus says: “The baptism of the Holy Spirit is coming. Your task is to wait for the promise to be fulfilled.”
• The disciples of Jesus knew beyond a shadow of doubt WHO Jesus was.
• They believed all the right things. But, they needed MORE in order to live effectively.
• They needed ‘the baptism of the Holy Spirit’.
Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Have you experienced the complete infilling of God in your life?
I’m not asking if you believe the right things – I’m asking: Have you be baptized by the Holy Spirit of God? If you have – you know it. If you haven’t – you can be! And for revival to happen – you cannot settle for any less than ALL that God has for you! Why eat scraps when you can have the banquet?
Now – look at verse 6-8
“So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 6-8
The disciples are hungry – they want more! They are earnest in their hunger for God’s will to be done. And they ask – “Jesus, is revival coming? Jesus, is the restoration of the Kingdom of God about to happen?”
And Jesus answers with a DON’T and a DO:
1. DON’T focus on dates and times that have been set by God. Those aren’t your concern.
2. DO focus on waiting for the Holy Spirit to come! That is your concern!
They weren’t to concern themselves with scheduling issues – their task was to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
Far too many Christians today are focusing on the wrong thing: They are focused on when Jesus is going to return. The best selling books in recent years have been the Left Behind NOVELS – and I’m not here to critizize those books – I haven’t read them. But, I am here to say: “Don’t focus on when Jesus is coming back – that’s not for you to know – focus on living your life in the power of the Holy Spirit!”
Now, look at verse 8 again:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 8
Jesus tells us what the result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit will be:
1. You will receive POWER.
2. You will become WITNESSES.
Power – you’ve heard me talk about this before – but power is dunamis – dynamite. Supernatural power to do what you cannot do in your own strength. When the Holy Spirit came in Acts 2 at the day of Pentecost – the believer’s were empowered to speak in tongues that they had not learned.
Acts 2:4-8 says…
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?” Acts 2:4-8, NIV.
That isn’t something that can be faked. Why? Because those who heard them, understood what was being said in their own language.
A key initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the ability to speak in new tongues.
But there is so much more…
• The believer’s prayed – and people were healed.
• The believer’s took authority – and demons were cast out.
• The believer’s stood before authorities – and silenced them.
Jesus says – “when the Holy Spirit comes, you will receive power…”
Have you received this power? You can! God hasn’t changed. God’s power is still available. You can have it, if you want it.
Verse 8 says: “You shall be my witnesses…”
Do you know what that means? It means that because you’ve been touched by the power of the Holy Spirit, you now have a STORY to tell.
STORY: Two years ago this past week, Summit left it’s building on Arrow and Archibald. For many of us, this was a major defeat. When it became clear that the majority of people were not going to make the adjustment with us, those of us who stayed the course went through a difficult season. Beth and I devoted a lot of time talking about what this meant for our future. The discouragement created a desire to quit and move on, but somehow, the Lord simply wouldn’t let us follow through and actually do it.
After several months of struggle there came a point where God touched me in a deep way. He reassured me of His Presence and His Pleasure. He convinced me that the best was still in front of us – and that He was still in charge. He gave me a renewal of the gift of the Holy Spirit that I had received many years prior. In 1990 I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and given the gift of tongues as a part of that wonderful experience. But FEAR of man stopped me from being open about it, and over the years, I adopted the plans of MAN over the plans of God. And here I was, two years ago at the end of my rope – the plans of MAN had failed. My best efforts ended in ruin. And God said: “Are you ready to do it in MY power now?”
And He renewed me. He changed me. And the teaching of this church began to reflect the change. And for those of you who have stayed the course – you’ve seen the difference. And we stand together testifying to the far surpassing greatness of God to do in His power what we can never do in our own!
And today – April 2, 2006 – we stand on the brink of a major revival of God – all being doing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
That’s what happens when the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes.
Have you yet received this gift?
Now – look at verse 9…
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 9-11
In order for the Holy Spirit to come – Jesus had to leave.
In John 16, Jesus said:
“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7
And that is what happens next. Look what the disciples do in verse 12…
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” 12-14
There were two major dynamics happening:
1. They were united in their pursuit of God!
2. They prayed earnestly for the promise of God!
• They had settled Who Jesus was – Have YOU?
• They had believed Him at His Word – Do YOU?
• And they needed His power to accomplish His purposes – Do you have His power?
So, they spent 14 days in earnest prayer – day and night – seeking the Holy Spirit. Did they sleep? Sure. Did they eat? Of course. Did they work? Probably. But – the sleeping, eating and working – all took the back seat to the highest life priority anyone could have!
Do you want revival? Put your priorities in order. Sure – sleep, work and eat – but… “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to you!”
Look on the back of your bulletin - listen to the words of one of the participants at Azusa Street – Frank Bartleman…
“Slowly but surely the conviction is coming upon the saints of southern California that God is going to pour out His Spirit. We are having faith for things such as we have never dreamed of, for the near future. We are assured of no less that a Pentecost for this whole country. But we can never have Pentecostal results without Pentecostal power. And this will mean Pentecostal demonstration… We have been for some time lead to pray for a Pentecost. One afternoon seven of us seemed providentially led to join hands and agree in prayer to ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit speedily, with signs following. Where we got the idea from at that time I do not know. We did not have ‘tongues’ in mind. I think none of us had ever heard of such a thing. This was in February 1906. The present worldwide Pentecostal manifestation did not break out in a moment, like a huge prairie fire, and set the world on fire. In fact, no work of God ever appears that way. There is a necessary time for preparation.” Frank Bartleman Azusa Street Whitaker House ©1982
Oh, that the Lord would prepare you and I for such an outpouring.
Do you want revival – cry out for the power of the Holy Spirit!
We are in a unique season – that cannot be replicated. This is the time to do what Isaiah said…
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6
Do you want revival? – cry out for the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
posted by Doug Love at 1:32 PM
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