REVIVAL – PICKING, GATHERING, AND PROCESSING THE HARVEST
Acts 10:44-48
SOME FRUIT IS VERY RIPE (John 4:34-36)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
SOME UGLY FRUIT TASTES VERY SWEET
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. (I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me. I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me). By Phillip Bliss
SOME FRUIT HAS MANY SEEDS
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.
ALL FRUIT NEEDS TO BE WASHED
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 22:15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’)
ALL FRUIT NEEDS PROCESSING
Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Acts 10:46 Or other languages
REVIVAL – WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW
Acts 10:29b-43
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PREPARED
29b So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
PEOPLE HAVE SOME SORT OF SPIRITUAL BACKGROUND
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT JESUS IS DIFFERENT – HE AROSE FROM THE DEAD
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT JESUS' RESURRECTION IS VERIFIABLE
41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A JUDGEMENT COMING
42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT FAITH IS JESUS IS REQUIRED - PERSONALLY
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives
PEOPLE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR SINS, REPENT, AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS
forgiveness of sins through his name.”
REVIVAL – CLEARING COBWEBS FROM OUR MIND
Acts 10:9-20
TAKE TiME TO THINK & PRAY
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
RECOGNIZE THE VAST MISSION FIELD
11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
HEAR THE CALL OF GOD TO ACT
13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
LEARN NOT TO TELL THE LORD, “NO”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
UNDERSTAND THAT GOD LOVES THE WORLD MORE THAN WE DO
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
TRY NOT TO BE SO SLOW TO LEARN
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
APPRECIATE GOD'S PREPARATION AND TIMING
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
GET UP AND GO
20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
REVIVAL – GOD IS PREPARING PEOPLE FOR US TO EVANGELIZE
Acts 10:1-8
GOD CAN EVANGELIZE ANYONE
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
GOD DRAWS SEEKING PEOPLE
2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
GOD WORKS IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING
3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
GOD PREPARES PEOPLE TO ENCOUNTER US
5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
GOD WORKS AHEAD TO PREPARE THE “ENCOUNTER” FOR US
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
HOW DOES REVIVAL ACT – Part 2
“Telling It Like It Is”
Acts 3:11-26
WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE WHO THE ANSWER IS
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.
WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT IS WRONG
You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life,
WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE THE GOOD NEWS, THE GOSPEL
but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE HOW TO REACH GOD
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE OF A GLORIOUS FUTURE
20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’ 24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
HOW DOES REVIVAL REACT – Part 1
“Obeying God Rather Than Men”
Acts 4:1-22
BELIEVERS ARE WILLING TO BE PUT IN PRISON FOR SPREADING THE GOSPEL
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
BELIEVERS ARE WILLING TO BE CONTINUALLY FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in
BELIEVERS ARE WILLING TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE
said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
BELIEVERS ARE WILLING TO BELIEVE IN PRINCIPLES NOT POPULAR
11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’[ a ]
BELIEVERS ARE WILLING TO BELIEVE IN AN EXCLUSIVE FAITH
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
BELIEVERS ARE WILLING TO PERSEVERE, EVEN WHEN BEING OPPOSED
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in
BLLIEVERS ARE WILLING TO LET GOD RULE IN THEIR LIVES
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
- Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
HOW DOES REVIVAL REACT? – Part 3
“The Lifestyle of Love”
Acts 4:32 – 37
THE CHURCH REACTS TO PERSECUTION
BY BEING OF ONE HEART AND MIND
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind.
BY SHARING
No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
BY TESTIFYING TO THE RESURRECTION
33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
BY WATCHING OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER
And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them.
BY INVESTING KINGDOM RESOURCES FOR EACH OTHER
For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
BY LIVING UP TO THEIR NAME
36 Joseph, a Levite from
KEYS TO EXTENDING REVIVAL TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Acts 5:12-16
BE VISIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people.
LET THEM SEE US MEETING TOGETHER
And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.
GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO BE WITH US
14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE PRAYING FOR THEM
15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around
BE PREPARED FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE
and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
REVIVAL REACTION SURVIVAL
Acts 5:17-42
DO AS GOD TELLS YOU
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of
BE RESPECTFUL
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled
STICK TO HIS STORY
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring
BE THANKFUL FOR THOSE THAT WOULD HELP
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
REJOICE THAT YOU ARE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER DISGRACE FOR THE NAME
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
REVIVAL - BY LIVING OUT THE RESURRECTION
Acts 9:32-42
WE LIVE OUT THE RESURRECTION BY BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF JESUS AT WORK IN THE WORLD TODAY
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
WE LIVE OUT THE RESURRECTION BY DOING WHAT JESUS DID
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
WE LIVE OUT THE RESURRECTION BY FACING DEATH WITH CERTAINTY
37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.
WE LIVE OUT THE RESURRECTION BY BELIEVING IN IT
38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.
WE LIVE OUT THE RESURRECTION BY BEING OPEN TO GOD'S WILL IN CHANGING OUR “STUCK IN THE MUD” THINKING
42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
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