Ian Paisley - Five Steps to Genuine Revival
Ian Paisley emphasizes the need for a genuine revival, characterized by a commitment to prayer and the ministry of the Word, and a reliance on the power of the cross.
This sermon emphasizes the need for Christians to move beyond mere activity in the church and focus on making a real impact for God. It challenges believers to prioritize prayer as a vital and powerful tool for spiritual warfare and transformation. The speaker calls for a return to the fervent faith and dedication of early church leaders and urges Christians to preach the Word boldly and live lives that reflect the power of God's resurrection. The message highlights the importance of forsaking worldly distractions and seeking a deeper, more intimate relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.
Full Transcript
Look at verse 6. You have sown much and bring in little. Is that not true of the Christian witness of today? What activity there is! My, the whole machinery of the church is working at full speed and force. But have they moved their town for God? Have they raised Lazaruses from the dead? Have the foremost sinners in their neighborhood been born again? Have they made a vital impact against the demons of iniquity and the hell holes of the devil? To many Christians, prayer is not a luxury, more like a purgatory.
If you're really living where God wants you to live, prayer will be a luxury. And we didn't pray dry prayers. We prayed with tears in our eyes.
We meant business, was life or death. Either the church would go or it was finished. You remember the early church, we shall give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Man, when you read the history of the old gospel preachers of the past, we're only like a lot of pygmies today. These men were giants. These men meant to do things for God.
Is that the sort of Christian you are? Do you believe that God saved man through his Word? Then go and preach the Word as if you did believe. God gave us churches where sinners are scared. They're dead scared of getting saved.
Couldn't go to that church for the one who would get saved. Amen. That's the sort of church that we need today.
I'm not speaking of any charismatic emotionalism now. I'm talking about the real, genuine thing that changes man permanently and eternally. How can I flirt with sin? How can I companion with sin? How can I take pardon sin? But I know that sin put him on the tree.
Let's say in our hearts we'll go up the mountain. We'll leave behind the world. We'll leave behind those things that spoil and stain our souls.
But, O God, I would more wholly be that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection. Will the Lord help us to know the power of His resurrection? Listen to it. And the fellowship of the suffering.
Oh, there's power in that cross. Oh, Paul says, God forbids that I should glorify Him in the cross. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish holiness.
But unto us who are saved, what is it? It's the power of God. Omnipotence let loose. Christian, have you lost the power? Have to get back to the very place that you lost it.
Too easy, quick cuts with God. Thank God there's a power that is divine. Oh, there's an anointing that comes from heaven.
Oh, the blessed spirit of God is sent to fill us, to fill us and fill us with His power. Be filled with the Holy Ghost. Can God fill you with the Holy Ghost? Hallelujah, He can.
Hallelujah, He can.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of the Christian Witness
- The Importance of Prayer
- The Need for a Genuine Revival
- The Power of the Cross
- Being Filled with the Holy Ghost
- The blessed spirit of God is sent to fill us with power
- We should be filled with the Holy Ghost
Key Quotes
“To many Christians, prayer is not a luxury, more like a purgatory.” — Ian Paisley
“We prayed with tears in our eyes. We meant business, was life or death.” — Ian Paisley
“Oh, there's power in that cross.” — Ian Paisley
Application Points
- You should commit to prayer and the ministry of the Word, like the early church, and seek to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
- You should not settle for a life of ease and comfort, but rather seek to be used by God to make a vital impact against sin and the devil.
- You should rely on the power of the cross, and not try to do things in your own strength.