REVIVING a CHURCH

 

Psalm 22:27

King James Version

27 All the ends of the world shall remember 

and turn unto the Lord: 

and all the kindreds of the nations 

shall worship before thee.

What does it take to revive a church?

JESUS, of course.

Who speaks only of GOD.

Who brings us back to GOD.

Who gives us eternal life.

With SPIRIT reminding us everything JESUS taught.

So far, this is third* in a series of articles on revival of our churches, and spirits.

All because SPIRIT led me to a Leonard Ravenhill video on preachers.

From which, two other articles were born.

This, being the third.

In that video, Ravenhill says much about revival:

Oh God, 

don't let this generation pass, 

without seeing your glory.

There isn't a revivalist in America today; 

not one.

When revival comes, 

the total environment is changed.

Weeping 

is an integral part of revival.

No life

We've go the letter but no life.

We've got the words but no Spirit.

We've got the terms but no reproduction.

the word of God is alive

And now, Scripture tells us about revival.

How our sagging spirits, and churches, can be revived.

Through the TRIUNE GOD:

2 Chronicles 7:14

King James Version

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.

Psalm 19:7

King James Version

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

converting the soul: 

the testimony of the Lord is sure, 

making wise the simple.

Psalm 36:8-9

King James Version

8 They shall be abundantly satisfied 

with the fatness of thy house; 

and thou shalt make them drink 

of the river of thy pleasures.

9 For with thee is the fountain of life: 

in thy light shall we see light.

Psalm 42:1-2

King James Version

42 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, 

so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2 My soul thirsteth for God, 

for the living God: 

when shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 51:1-3

King James Version

51 Have mercy upon me, O God, 

according to thy lovingkindness: 

according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies 

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, 

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: 

and my sin is ever before me.

Psalm 51:10-12

King James Version

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; 

and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; 

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; 

and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 80:3

King James Version

3 Turn us again, O God, 

and cause thy face to shine; 

and we shall be saved.

Psalm 85:6-7

King James Version

6 Wilt thou not revive us again: 

that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, 

and grant us thy salvation.

Isaiah 57:15

King James Version

15 For thus saith the high and lofty One 

that inhabiteth eternity, 

whose name is Holy; 

I dwell in the high and holy place, 

with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, 

to revive the spirit of the humble, 

and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isaiah 64:1-3

King James Version

64 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, 

that thou wouldest come down, 

that the mountains might flow down 

at thy presence,

2 As when the melting fire burneth, 

the fire causeth the waters to boil, 

to make thy name known to thine adversaries, 

that the nations may tremble at thy presence!

3 When thou didst terrible things 

which we looked not for, 

thou camest down, 

the mountains flowed down 

at thy presence.

Jeremiah 17:13

King James Version

13 O Lord, 

the hope of Israel, 

all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, 

and they that depart from me 

shall be written in the earth, 

because they have forsaken the Lord, 

the fountain of living waters.

Ezekiel 37:1

King James Version

37 The hand of the Lord was upon me, 

and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, 

and set me down in the midst of the valley 

which was full of bones,

Ezekiel 37:4-6

King James Version

4 Again he said unto me, 

Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, 

O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.

5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; 

Behold, 

I will cause breath to enter into you, 

and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, 

and will bring up flesh upon you, 

and cover you with skin, 

and put breath in you, 

and ye shall live; 

and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 37:9-10

King James Version

9 Then said he unto me, 

Prophesy unto the wind, 

prophesy, son of man, 

and say to the wind, 

Thus saith the Lord God; 

Come from the four winds, 

O breath, 

and breathe upon these slain, 

that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, 

and the breath came into them, 

and they lived, 

and stood up upon their feet, 

an exceeding great army.

Ezekiel 37:11-14

King James Version

11 Then he said unto me, 

Son of man, 

these bones are the whole house of Israel: 

behold, they say, 

Our bones are dried, 

and our hope is lost: 

we are cut off for our parts.

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, 

Thus saith the Lord God; 

Behold, O my people, 

I will open your graves, 

and cause you to come up out of your graves, 

and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, 

when I have opened your graves, 

O my people, 

and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, 

and ye shall live, 

and I shall place you in your own land:

 then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, 

and performed it, 

saith the Lord.

Habakkuk 3:1-2

King James Version

3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet 

upon Shigionoth.

2 O Lord, 

I have heard thy speech, 

and was afraid: 

O Lord, 

revive thy work in the midst of the years, 

in the midst of the years make known; 

in wrath remember mercy.

Matthew 6:30

King James Version

30 Wherefore, 

if God so clothe the grass of the field, 

which to day is, 

and to morrow is cast into the oven, 

shall he not much more clothe you, 

O ye of little faith?

Matthew 6:31-34

King James Version

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, 

What shall we eat? 

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) 

for your heavenly Father knoweth 

that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, 

and his righteousness; 

and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: 

for the morrow shall take thought 

for the things of itself. 

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

John 4:10

King James Version

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, 

If thou knewest the gift of God, 

and who it is that saith to thee, 

Give me to drink;

 thou wouldest have asked of him, 

and he would have given thee living water.

John 6:35

King James Version

35 And Jesus said unto them, 

I am the bread of life: 

he that cometh to me shall never hunger; 

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 7:38

King James Version

38 He that believeth on me, 

as the scripture hath said, 

out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Acts 2:1-4

King James Version

2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, 

they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven 

as of a rushing mighty wind, 

and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them 

cloven tongues like as of fire, 

and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, 

and began to speak with other tongues, 

as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 3:19-21

King James Version

19 Repent ye therefore, 

and be converted, 

that your sins may be blotted out, 

when the times of refreshing shall come 

from the presence of the Lord.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, 

which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive 

until the times of restitution of all things, 

which God hath spoken 

by the mouth of all his holy prophets 

since the world began.

2 Corinthians 5:17

King James Version

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, 

all things are become new.

Galatians 5:16

King James Version

16 This I say then, 

Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Ephesians 5:14

King James Version

14 Wherefore he saith, 

Awake thou that sleepest, 

and arise from the dead, 

and Christ shall give thee light.

James 4:8-10

King James Version

8 Draw nigh to God, 

and he will draw nigh to you. 

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; 

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: 

let your laughter be turned to mourning, 

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, 

and he shall lift you up.

John 6:35

King James Version

35 And Jesus said unto them, 

I am the bread of life: 

he that cometh to me shall never hunger; 

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Revelation 22:17

King James Version

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. 

And let him that heareth say, Come. 

And let him that is athirst come. 

And whosoever will, 

let him take the water of life freely.

The revived church is the humble church.

A humbled, and repentant church.

Realizing, only through JESUS can we accomplish anything worthy.

John 15:5

King James Version

5 I am the vine, 

ye are the branches: 

He that abideth in me, and I in him, 

the same bringeth forth much fruit: 

for without me ye can do nothing.

*Other articles to the series:

SPIRIT-filled ministers

GOD is HOLY

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LIVING WATERS

The LIVING GOD

SPIRIT of GOD

WORD of GOD

JESUS

Video:

"To the Preacher" - The Idolatry of Intelligence, by Leonard Ravenhill

A Real Revival | Doug Batchelor

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The UNIFIED church

 

1 Corinthians 1:9

King James Version

9 God is faithful, 

by whom ye were called 

unto the fellowship of his Son 

Jesus Christ our Lord.

How must churches be?

People comprise a church.

So, how must people of that church be?

SPIRIT led me to a lovely chapter by apostle Paul.

Wherein he attends to the matter of division among its members, admonishing them:

1 Corinthians 1:11-14

King James Version

11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, 

my brethren, 

by them which are of the house of Chloe, 

that there are contentions among you.

12 Now this I say, 

that every one of you saith, 

I am of Paul; 

and I of Apollos; 

and I of Cephas; 

and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? 

was Paul crucified for you? 

or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, 

but Crispus and Gaius;

Herein we shall find what the apostle says a unified church must be:

1 Corinthians 1:2

King James Version

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 

to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 

called to be saints, 

with all that in every place 

call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 

both their's and our's:

1 Corinthians 1:5-8

King James Version

5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, 

in all utterance, 

and in all knowledge;

6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

7 So that ye come behind in no gift; 

waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, 

that ye may be blameless 

in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:10

King James Version

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, 

by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

that ye all speak the same thing, 

and that there be no divisions among you; 

but that ye be perfectly joined together

 in the same mind 

and in the same judgment.

Apostle Paul reminds them of what we need to focus on.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18

King James Version

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, 

but to preach the gospel: 

not with wisdom of words, 

lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish 

foolishness; 

but unto us which are saved 

it is the power of God.

He continues to teach them about the CROSS of CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 1:23

King James Version

23 But we preach Christ crucified, 

unto the Jews a stumblingblock, 

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

He reminds them to be humble before GOD.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29

King James Version

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world 

to confound the wise; 

and God hath chosen the weak things of the world 

to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, 

and things which are despised, 

hath God chosen, yea, 

and things which are not, 

to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Reminding us all, that all GLORY belongs to GOD alone.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

King James Version

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,

 who of God is made unto us wisdom, 

and righteousness, 

and sanctification, 

and redemption:

31 That, 

according as it is written, 

He that glorieth, 

let him glory in the Lord.

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CHURCH of GOD

 

1 Corinthians 3:16

King James Version

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, 

and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

In one curious conversation, I learned something new.

A co-commuter asked what church people must have?

Being a baby born again then, I had no ready answer.

But he had.

He said it should be a "church of God".

Intrigued, I committed it to memory.

Promising myself to search Scripture for its truth.

And here's what I found:

1 Corinthians 1:2-3

King James Version

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 

to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

called to be saints, 

with all that in every place 

call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 

both their's and our's:

3 Grace be unto you, 

and peace, 

from God our Father, 

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:31-32

King James Version

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, 

or whatsoever ye do, 

do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence, 

neither to the Jews, 

nor to the Gentiles, 

nor to the church of God:

1 Corinthians 11:16

King James Version

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, 

we have no such custom, 

neither the churches of God.

1 Corinthians 11:18-22

King James Version

18 For first of all, 

when ye come together in the church, 

I hear that there be divisions among you; 

and I partly believe it.

19 For there must be also heresies among you, 

that they which are approved 

may be made manifest among you.

20 When ye come together therefore into one place, 

this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

21 For in eating every one taketh before other 

his own supper: 

and one is hungry, 

and another is drunken.

22 What? 

have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? 

or despise ye the church of God, 

and shame them that have not? 

what shall I say to you? 

shall I praise you in this? 

I praise you not.

1 Corinthians 15:9-10

King James Version

9 For I am the least of the apostles, 

that am not meet to be called an apostle, 

because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: 

and his grace which was bestowed upon me 

was not in vain; 

but I laboured more abundantly than they all: 

yet not I, 

but the grace of God which was with me.

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

King James Version

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ 

by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 

unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 

with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, 

and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:11-13

King James Version

11 But I certify you, brethren, 

that the gospel which was preached of me 

is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, 

neither was I taught it, 

but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past 

in the Jews' religion, 

how that beyond measure 

I persecuted the church of God, 

and wasted it:

1 Timothy 3:1-5

King James Version

3 This is a true saying, 

if a man desire the office of a bishop, 

he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, 

the husband of one wife, 

vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, 

given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, 

no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; 

but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, 

having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, 

how shall he take care of the church of God?)

A common ingredient of all the verses above?

It was written by the devoted apostle Paul.

All verses so very worthy of personal meditation.

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BODY of CHRIST

 

Galatians 3:23-25

King James Version

23 But before faith came, 

we were kept under the law, 

shut up unto the faith 

which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster 

to bring us unto Christ, 

that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, 

we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Took me a while to write about the church, for I wasn't sure yet.

Until very early this morning, awakened from a dream given by the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.

The verses came.

Everything became clear.

Everything began to fit.

And now, here it is before you.

The church pastors spoke of.

The BODY of CHRIST.

Romans 12:5

King James Version

5 So we, 

being many, 

are one body in Christ, 

and every one members one of another.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

King James Version

12 For as the body is one, 

and hath many members, 

and all the members of that one body, 

being many, 

are one body: 

so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized 

into one body, 

whether we be Jews or Gentiles, 

whether we be bond or free; 

and have been all made to drink 

into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, 

but many.

15 If the foot shall say, 

Because I am not the hand, 

I am not of the body; 

is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, 

Because I am not the eye, 

I am not of the body; 

is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, 

where were the hearing? 

If the whole were hearing, 

where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members 

every one of them in the body, 

as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, 

where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, 

yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, 

I have no need of thee: 

nor again the head to the feet, 

I have no need of you.

22 Nay, 

much more those members of the body, 

which seem to be more feeble, 

are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, 

which we think to be less honourable, 

upon these we bestow more abundant honour; 

and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: 

but God hath tempered the body together, 

having given more abundant honour 

to that part which lacked.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; 

but that the members should have the same care 

one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, 

all the members suffer with it; 

or one member be honoured, 

all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, 

and members in particular.

Ephesians 3:3-6

King James Version

3 How that by revelation 

he made known unto me the mystery; 

(as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, 

when ye read, 

ye may understand my knowledge 

in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known 

unto the sons of men, 

as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles 

and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, 

and of the same body, 

and partakers of his promise in Christ 

by the gospel:

Ephesians 4:11-16

King James Version

11 And he gave some, apostles; 

and some, prophets; 

and some, evangelists; 

and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, 

for the work of the ministry, 

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, 

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 

unto a perfect man, 

unto the measure of the stature 

of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, 

tossed to and fro, 

and carried about with every wind of doctrine, 

by the sleight of men, 

and cunning craftiness, 

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, 

may grow up into him in all things, 

which is the head, 

even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together 

and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, 

according to the effectual working 

in the measure of every part, 

maketh increase of the body 

unto the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 5:20-32

King James Version

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God 

and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another 

in the fear of God.

22 Wives, 

submit yourselves unto your own husbands, 

as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, 

even as Christ is the head of the church: 

and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, 

so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, 

love your wives, 

even as Christ also loved the church, 

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it 

with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself 

a glorious church, 

not having spot, 

or wrinkle, 

or any such thing; 

but that it should be holy 

and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. 

He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; 

but nourisheth and cherisheth it, 

even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, 

of his flesh, 

and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, 

and shall be joined unto his wife, 

and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: 

but I speak concerning Christ 

and the church.

Colossians 1:18-20

King James Version

18 And he is the head of the body, 

the church: 

who is the beginning, 

the firstborn from the dead; 

that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him 

should all fulness dwell;

20 And, 

having made peace through the blood of his cross, 

by him to reconcile all things unto himself; 

by him, 

I say, 

whether they be things in earth, 

or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:21-22

King James Version

21 And you, 

that were sometime alienated 

and enemies in your mind by wicked works, 

yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, 

to present you holy and unblameable 

and unreproveable in his sight:

Colossians 1:23-25

King James Version

23 If ye continue in the faith 

grounded and settled, 

and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, 

which ye have heard, 

and which was preached to every creature 

which is under heaven; 

whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, 

and fill up that which is behind 

of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh 

for his body's sake, 

which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, 

according to the dispensation of God 

which is given to me for you, 

to fulfil the word of God;

Colossians 1:26-28

King James Version

26 Even the mystery 

which hath been hid from ages and from generations, 

but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known 

what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; 

which is Christ in you, 

the hope of glory:

28 Whom we preach, 

warning every man, 

and teaching every man in all wisdom; 

that we may present every man 

perfect in Christ Jesus:

Galatians 3:26-28

King James Version

26 For ye are all the children of God 

by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ 

have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, 

there is neither bond nor free, 

there is neither male nor female: 

for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

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