A Desperate Hour Calls For A Radical Response
Brian Long calls the church to recognize its desperate spiritual condition and respond with radical faith and urgent prayer for revival, inspired by the story of Lazarus.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call with desperation and radical faith. It highlights the need to come out of spiritual darkness and grave clothes, embracing Jesus Christ as the source of revival. The message urges believers to have a deep passion for Christ, to seek repentance, and to follow Him wholeheartedly, anticipating a move of God in their lives and in the church.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Desperate Condition of Lazarus and the Church
- Lazarus’ sickness symbolizes the church’s critical spiritual state
- Jesus’ love for Lazarus parallels His love for the church
- The church today is sick, anemic, and in need of revival
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II. The Church’s Departure from First Love
- The church of Ephesus left its first love, Jesus
- Many churches are lukewarm or dead spiritually
- Worldliness and complacency have infiltrated the church
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III. The Urgency of Radical Response
- Desperation compels urgent and fervent prayer
- The church must remove the 'stone' and confront its condition honestly
- Revival is still possible if the church responds with faith
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IV. The Hope and Call to Action
- Jesus’ power to raise Lazarus shows God’s glory in crisis
- The church must meet Jesus in prayer and faith
- Preparation for Christ’s return demands revival and repentance
Key Quotes
“A desperate hour calls for a radical response.” — Brian Long
“Behold, Lord, the one you love is sick.” — Brian Long
“The church today is anemic, powerless, lifeless and sick.” — Brian Long
Application Points
- Examine your own heart and the condition of your church honestly and urgently.
- Pray fervently and persistently for God to bring revival and healing to His church.
- Commit to loving Jesus with your whole heart and rejecting worldly distractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 'desperate hour' refer to in this sermon?
It refers to the critical spiritual condition of the church today, likened to Lazarus’ sickness and death, calling for urgent and radical response.
Why does Brian Long emphasize the church’s need to 'behold' its condition?
Because truly seeing and understanding the church’s desperate state must grip the heart and compel genuine repentance and prayer.
How does the story of Lazarus relate to the church’s situation?
Lazarus’ sickness and death symbolize the church’s spiritual sickness and deadness, but Jesus’ power to raise him offers hope for revival.
What is the 'first love' the church has left according to the sermon?
The 'first love' is the church’s passionate, undivided love for Jesus Christ, which many churches have forsaken for worldliness.
What practical steps does the sermon suggest for revival?
The sermon urges honest self-examination, fervent prayer, removing spiritual barriers, and a radical return to Jesus as Lord.