Revival Spreads Through Testimony (Clip)
David Legge highlights how revival spreads through the powerful testimony of witnessing God's work, inspiring others to faith and prayer.
This sermon reflects on the 1859 revival, tracing its origins to a prayer meeting in New York attended by 12,000 men. It highlights the role of two Presbyterians, Dr. William Gibson and Reverend William McClure, who traveled to witness God's work and brought back a spark of revival to Great Britain. The message emphasizes the impact of sharing and celebrating what God is doing in different places, igniting a spiritual awakening.
Full Transcript
and carried back with them something of what God was doing. And we celebrate, and most evangelicals here in Ulster celebrate the 1859 revival, but they don't realize that the 1859 revival started in New York with a prayer meeting of 12,000 men, Fulton Street prayer meeting in New York, but many don't realize that two Presbyterians traveled on the boat over to that prayer meeting. Dr. William Gibson, if any of you have read the book The Year of Grace, all about the 1859 revival, he went to New York and Reverend William McClure visited there as well, and they saw what God was doing there, and of course he was doing it in Great Britain as well, but they came back and they reported what they had witnessed, and that sparked something in the spirit.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The origin of the 1859 revival in New York
- The role of the Fulton Street prayer meeting
- The involvement of Presbyterian leaders
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II
- The journey of Dr. William Gibson and Reverend William McClure
- Their eyewitness testimony of God's work
- The impact of their report on the Ulster revival
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III
- The significance of testimony in spreading revival
- The connection between prayer and revival
- Encouragement to witness and share God's work
Key Quotes
“The 1859 revival started in New York with a prayer meeting of 12,000 men, Fulton Street prayer meeting in New York.” — David Legge
“Two Presbyterians traveled on the boat over to that prayer meeting... they saw what God was doing there.” — David Legge
“They came back and they reported what they had witnessed, and that sparked something in the spirit.” — David Legge
Application Points
- Be intentional about sharing your personal testimony of God's work to encourage others.
- Engage regularly in prayer meetings to seek God's revival power.
- Recognize the impact of spiritual reports and testimonies in igniting faith communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the 1859 revival?
The 1859 revival was sparked by a prayer meeting in New York attended by 12,000 men, which inspired others through testimony.
Who were key figures in spreading the revival to Ulster?
Dr. William Gibson and Reverend William McClure were key Presbyterian leaders who witnessed the revival in New York and reported back to Ulster.
Why is testimony important in revival?
Testimony shares firsthand experiences of God's work, inspiring faith and sparking spiritual renewal in others.
What role does prayer play in revival?
Prayer is foundational to revival, as seen in the Fulton Street prayer meeting that ignited the 1859 revival.