When the Church Needs Revival
E.A. Johnston passionately calls for spiritual revival in the church, emphasizing the urgent need to restore genuine holiness, prayer, and God’s presence amid spiritual decline.
In this compelling sermon, E.A. Johnston addresses the urgent need for revival within the modern church. Drawing on biblical truths and keen spiritual insight, Johnston highlights the signs of spiritual decline and calls believers to seek God’s presence through prayer, repentance, and holiness. This message challenges the church to move beyond superficial activity and embrace a vibrant, God-centered faith that impacts both individuals and communities.
Full Transcript
Samuel Chadwick, the great Methodist minister, once remarked, when a church is run on the same lines as a circus, there may be crowds, but there is no shekinah. I believe that, friends. I've never seen a day in my entire life where the church needs revival more than it does at this present hour.
My Bible says in Psalms that thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. We desperately need revival today, friends, because the church needs revival when spiritual vitality is at a low ebb. The church needs revival when levity and laughter are more prominent than repentance and contrition.
The church needs revival when sin is treated indifferently in the life of its members. The church needs revival when the ministry of prayer takes a back seat to church programs. The church needs revival when its members fall into apathy toward the spread of the gospel.
The church needs revival when there is a lack of fervent, burdened praying. The church needs revival when it operates solely on money and manpower. The church needs revival when it has lost its consciousness of God.
The church needs revival when the parents are not godly examples in the home. The church needs revival when worship time is focused more on human talents rather than God's glory. The church needs revival when preaching is mechanical and professional.
The church needs revival when the church is cold and in a state of spiritual declension. The church needs revival when the Bible is taught but the heart is not touched. The church needs revival when there are very few being saved.
The church needs revival when there is more teaching in the pulpit than preaching. The church needs revival when holiness is not important to its members. The church needs revival when worldliness infiltrates the church and compromises it.
The church needs revival when the teenagers of the church are being lost to the world. The church needs revival when there is infighting among its members. The church needs revival when the church fails to impact the community in which it exists.
The church needs revival when more time is given to sports and entertainment than to Bible study and intercessory prayer. The church needs revival when she has lost her voice of authority upon society and has no spiritual influence upon the land. I fear, friends, what we have today, our crowds run along the lines of a circus, but there's no Shekinah.
O great God, send us your Shekinah glory in your churches at this hour.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The current spiritual state of the church is one of decline and apathy
- Church activities often resemble entertainment rather than genuine worship
- There is a lack of God’s manifest presence (Shekinah) in many churches
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II
- Signs that indicate the church needs revival include indifference to sin and lack of prayer
- The church prioritizes programs, money, and manpower over spiritual vitality
- Worship and preaching have become mechanical and focused on human talents
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III
- Revival is needed to restore godly examples in homes and holiness among members
- The church must regain its spiritual influence and authority in society
- Interpersonal conflicts and worldliness must be overcome through revival
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IV
- A fervent call for God’s Shekinah glory to return to the church
- Encouragement for believers to seek revival through prayer and repentance
- The church’s mission to impact the community must be renewed
Key Quotes
“When a church is run on the same lines as a circus, there may be crowds, but there is no shekinah.” — E.A. Johnston
“The church needs revival when spiritual vitality is at a low ebb.” — E.A. Johnston
“O great God, send us your Shekinah glory in your churches at this hour.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Prioritize fervent, burdened prayer to invite God's presence into your church and life.
- Examine personal and corporate holiness, seeking repentance where sin has become indifferent.
- Focus worship and ministry efforts on glorifying God rather than entertaining or merely maintaining programs.