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Quote - Ravenhill on Condtion of American Church, 1985
Leonard Ravenhill
Leonard Ravenhill (1907 - 1994). British-American evangelist, author, and revivalist born in Leeds, England. Converted at 14 in a Methodist revival, he trained at Cliff College, a Methodist Bible school, and was mentored by Samuel Chadwick. Ordained in the 1930s, he preached across England with the Faith Mission and held tent crusades, influenced by the Welsh Revival’s fervor. In 1950, he moved to the United States, later settling in Texas, where he ministered independently, focusing on prayer and repentance. Ravenhill authored books like Why Revival Tarries (1959) and Sodom Had No Bible, urging the church toward holiness. He spoke at major conferences, including with Youth for Christ, and mentored figures like David Wilkerson and Keith Green. Married to Martha Beaton in 1939, they had three sons, all in ministry. Known for his fiery sermons and late-night prayer meetings, he corresponded with A.W. Tozer and admired Charles Spurgeon. His writings and recordings, widely available online, emphasize spiritual awakening over institutional religion. Ravenhill’s call for revival continues to inspire evangelical movements globally.
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Sermon Summary
Leonard Ravenhill warns about the dire spiritual condition of the American church in 1985, emphasizing that the church's failure to rise above societal decay will lead to national judgment. He expresses concern over the rampant sin and moral decline, stating that God's patience is limited and that the church is complicit in the nation's iniquities. Ravenhill argues that the church's commercialization of the gospel and its desperate pleas for money reflect a deeper spiritual crisis. He believes that rather than the nation suffering for the church's sins, it is the church that will bear the consequences of America's moral failures. The urgency of repentance and revival is underscored as essential for the church's survival and the nation's hope.
Sermon Transcription
If the temperature doesn't ride in the church anymore than we have it now, America's going to go to hell in less than 10 years. We can't get more disease. We can't get more venereal disease. We can't have more babies put down the john. We can't have more rebelling against God. He won't put up with it. His spirit will not strive with men forever. He won't strive with individuals forever. He doesn't strive with nations forever. And I believe we're tempting the Lord. Nobody is more mutilated and merchandise the gospel than America. Look what we do Sunday mornings, begging, screaming for money. I said for so long, for years, that because of the mounting iniquity in the nation, the church is going to suffer for the sin of America. I don't believe that anymore. I mean, I believe America is going to suffer for the sin of the church.
Quote - Ravenhill on Condtion of American Church, 1985
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Leonard Ravenhill (1907 - 1994). British-American evangelist, author, and revivalist born in Leeds, England. Converted at 14 in a Methodist revival, he trained at Cliff College, a Methodist Bible school, and was mentored by Samuel Chadwick. Ordained in the 1930s, he preached across England with the Faith Mission and held tent crusades, influenced by the Welsh Revival’s fervor. In 1950, he moved to the United States, later settling in Texas, where he ministered independently, focusing on prayer and repentance. Ravenhill authored books like Why Revival Tarries (1959) and Sodom Had No Bible, urging the church toward holiness. He spoke at major conferences, including with Youth for Christ, and mentored figures like David Wilkerson and Keith Green. Married to Martha Beaton in 1939, they had three sons, all in ministry. Known for his fiery sermons and late-night prayer meetings, he corresponded with A.W. Tozer and admired Charles Spurgeon. His writings and recordings, widely available online, emphasize spiritual awakening over institutional religion. Ravenhill’s call for revival continues to inspire evangelical movements globally.