Beginning Sunday, September 16, 2012, Port O’Connor First Baptist Church will enter into a series of meetings seeking God for revival. This series of meetings will conclude with the Wednesday evening service, September 19. However, as the services come to a close, it is our hope and prayer that we will have experienced a heaven-sent visitation of God in our midst.

“What is revival?” you ask. James Packer (born July 22, 1926) defines revival with the following:

Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God’s near presence and holiness. Thence springs a vivid sense of sin and a profound exercise of heart in repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow.1

The late Stephen F. Olford (1918-2004), succinctly described revival this way: “Revival is an invasion from heaven that brings a conscious awareness of God.”2  Olford also said, “Revival restrains the righteous anger of God, restores the conscious awareness of God, and reveals the gracious activity of God.” 3

Brian Edwards also makes a valid point concerning revival: “In revival, the minds of people are concentrated upon things of eternity, and there is an awareness that nothing else really matters.” 4
Finally, Vance Havner (1901-1986), cut right to the chase concerning revival when he said, “Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again.” 5

I would add to the above statements the following: (1) Revival is a sovereign act of God, for only He can give revival. The evangelist does not, and cannot, bring revival in his briefcase; (2) Revival gives God’s people a fresh glimpse of the holiness of God, which results in an accurate glimpse of our own sinfulness and shortcomings; (3) Revival does not occur apart from the genuine prayers of repentance for sin by God’s people; (4) Revival is a deeper work than merely surface religious enthusiasm and emotional excitement; (5) Revival not only changes the lives of those who experience it, but it changes the way the church as a whole ministers to its community. Cold and callused indifference to the plight of the lost and the spiritually needy ceases, and is replaced with compassion, godly love, and concern.

I want to take this opportunity to invite the whole Port O’Connor community to join First Baptist Church, as we seek God for repentance and spiritual awakening in our lives, our community, and especially our churches. God’s plan for revival is found in this readily recognized scripture, which is applicable both to our nation, and community.

2 Chron. 7:14 “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.” (KJV)

May God visit His people with spiritual awakening and life-changing revival. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

1James I Packer, Your Father Love You, (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986).
2Acquired from www.sermonillustrations.com.
3Ibid.
4Acquired from www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/r/revival.htm.
5Ibid.