Leonard Ravenhill passionately calls believers to surrender fully to God's will, trust His sovereignty, and remove personal hindrances to revival for a powerful spiritual awakening.
This sermon emphasizes the need for surrendering to God's will and authority, acknowledging His sovereignty over the world and our lives. It discusses the hindrances to revival, such as disobedience, rebellion, and unwillingness to suffer for Christ. The speaker shares personal reflections on family, faith, and the power of God in the face of challenges and threats, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's ultimate control and seeking His will above all else.
Full Transcript
He had to go do some business for Smithsonian Museum in Italy, so they put him up in one of the Rockefeller's multi-million dollar mansions. He's up in the third story, manicured lawns, fabulous scenery, and he had to write an article there. But the next crash, these guys won't get through it.
Do you know he put a new man in office? Do you know? Let me tell you something. There used to be a Baptist preacher called Bill Moyers. Bill Moyers has been around the world with David Rockefeller, a billionaire.
Do you know what they said when he came back? This world is run by 15 men, that's all. They regulate the price of money, regulate the price of everything else. Do you know what happened these last three weeks? Do you remember? Gold went up $40 an ounce in three weeks.
So there's something brewing in the world. 15 men control this world. No, no, no.
But I go to bed in a nightmare if I believe that. God ruins this world. The earth is the Lord's, and he's going to collect the rent for it soon.
He's loaned a bit of it to you, loaned a bit to me. Well, come on. You see, I don't want to wait to get to heaven and be put in a dentist's class.
I don't want to be a stranger when I get there. I don't want to know him. I want him to enthrone me.
I want him to say no and say yes, and govern me and rule me. Because unless you're going to do that, there's going to be times when I'm, just as I have ecstasy I can't bear, there'll be times when I'm broken. I can't do anything but weep and grieve.
There aren't enough demons in hell. There aren't enough sinners on earth to hinder revival. The hindrance to revival is in this room.
It's in your disobedience. It's in your rebellion. It's your unwilling to suffer.
Those amazing Christians in Scotland were hunted all over. I'm not hunted. If Jesus came back to earth today, what would we do? Crucify him? No, ignore him.
The world doesn't crucify us, it ignores us. You think Clint never worries? Or Mr. Gore sit down and say, what will the Christians say? No, sirree. I grieve over all the illegitimate kids on the board.
I've got a precious granddaughter. The last thing I do when I go to sleep at night, I pray for my precious granddaughter. Lisa in China.
Oh, it's wonderful. Our second generation. Now David and Nancy have a daughter there and another girl that's been around the world.
She wants to find God's will. It's wonderful. Every day I feel there's an extension of my life through David, extension of his life through Lisa.
She knows God. And then I read in the paper, the new threat of the government in China is they're going to wipe out the underground church. Now what? Do I worry and cry my granddaughter may be slaughtered? No.
I say God is over all. If you had a Holy Ghost revival what would you do? You get over the man, book him up to go to New York, book him up to go to Philadelphia, book him up to go somewhere else. There's a Holy Ghost revival in Scotland in the time that, what's his name now? Robert Mary McShane was there.
Robert Mary McShane, a friend of mine, a neighbor went up there recently. And he said, he stood outside of St. Peter's in Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Aberdeen, I think. And he said, I looked there.
Then I went inside. I saw outside a stone about six feet long with one word eternity. And every time the preacher went in to preach, he looked on the stone eternity.
He put his elbows on the desk, put his head in his hands and wept and wept and wept and had a broken heart for years over that city. Then God took him away. He got a call.
He said, God took him to speak to the Jews over in Israel. And while he was there, W.C. Burns came. W.C. Burns.
The whole city shook with a Holy Ghost revival.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The sovereignty of God over the earth and its affairs
- The illusion of worldly control by a few powerful men
- God’s ultimate authority and ownership of the world
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II
- The hindrances to revival lie within believers themselves
- Disobedience, rebellion, and unwillingness to suffer block spiritual awakening
- The world’s indifference to true Christianity
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III
- Personal reflections on family and faith
- Trusting God amid threats and persecution
- The power and hope found in God’s control over all things
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IV
- Historical examples of Holy Ghost revival
- The impact of broken-hearted intercession for cities and nations
- The call to seek God’s will and revival today
Key Quotes
“The earth is the Lord's, and he's going to collect the rent for it soon.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“There aren't enough demons in hell. There aren't enough sinners on earth to hinder revival. The hindrance to revival is in this room.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“If Jesus came back to earth today, what would we do? Crucify him? No, ignore him.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- Examine your heart for any disobedience or rebellion that may be hindering revival in your life.
- Trust God's sovereignty in all circumstances, especially when facing challenges or threats.
- Commit to prayer and willingness to suffer as part of seeking God's will and revival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main obstacle to revival according to Leonard Ravenhill?
The main obstacle to revival is the disobedience, rebellion, and unwillingness to suffer among believers themselves.
How does Ravenhill view worldly powers and control?
He acknowledges that some men seem to control worldly affairs but emphasizes that God is ultimately sovereign over the earth.
What role does suffering play in the Christian life according to the sermon?
Suffering is a necessary part of faith and revival, and believers must be willing to endure it to experience spiritual breakthrough.
How does Ravenhill encourage believers to respond to threats against the church?
He encourages trusting God’s sovereignty and not to fear, but to pray and continue seeking God’s will.
What historical example of revival is mentioned in the sermon?
The Holy Ghost revival in Scotland, particularly in Aberdeen, is cited as a powerful example of God’s work.
