THE ANATOMY OF

REVIVAL
EXODUS 32 - 33
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING)

• We hear much talk, often negatively, about “revival”-about

“getting right” with God.
• But what does this mean?
• Is this even a Biblical concept?
• Revived from what and to what?
• How and when are we revived?
• What does it look like and how do we know when we have been
revived or when we have had a revival?
• It is my opinion that through misuse and overuse, that this
concept has become blurred in the minds of most of us today.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING)

• For many, a “revival” means a mysterious, highly emotional

religious meeting.
• Often, the word “revival” conjures up visions of an old-fashioned
tent meeting featuring a charismatic, huffing and puffing
evangelist shouting such “filler-words” as “hallelujah!” “Praise
the Lord!” “Revival time!” Etc.
• For some of us, it is the summary information that has being
passed down to us about the “Azusa street revival” which took
place in 1906-1908.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING)
• True revival, however, is a Biblical concept. “For thus saith the
high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I
dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite
and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive
the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
• In Psalm 85:6-7, the psalmist asks God an interesting question:
“wilt thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in
thee? Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.”
• To be revived again implies that there had been a revival
previously.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING)
• The word revive; reviving is the Hebrew word, cḥāyāh, “to and
means “to bring back to life,” to “restore to consciousness,” or to
“restore to a previous condition.”
• To live,” “cause to live,” used of restoration to life (Gen
45:27; Jdg 15:19, etc.).
• We might say, “the drowning victim was miraculously revived.”
• As used in the bible, it means a restoration, rejuvenation, or
renewal of interest after spiritual neglect, forgetfulness, or
unimportance.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING)
• Of rebuilding (Neh 4:2); of restoration to well-being. 
• “Revive” occurs in the new testament as the translation of , anazáo,
“to live again” (Rom 7:9, and 14:9)
• Or, “to stir or kindle up as a fire,” the same word as in (2 Tim 1:6).
• In view of the frequent modern use of “revive” and “revival,” it is
worthy of notice that it is to timothy himself the exhortation is
addressed.
• We too often merely pray for “revivals,” forgetting that it is for us to
“stir into flame” the gift of the spirit which we have already received of
God. It is ours from him, but we let it lie dormant.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING)

• What revival is not: revival, as used in the bible, is not

evangelism, even though many may be revived as a result of it.
• It is not emotionalism, although there may be emotional
manifestations connected to it.
• What it is: it is the personal renewal to spiritual life in an
individual, or among a group of people.
• It is an “at-one-ment,” a heartfelt return to God and his
commandments.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING: VARIOUS
VIEWS)
• "God's quickening visitation of his people, touching their hearts
and deepening his work of grace in their lives." J. I. Packer
• "the sovereign act of God, in which he restores his own
backsliding people to repentance, faith and obedience." Stephen
Olford.
• "the return of the church from her backslidings, and the conversion
of sinners." Charles Finney
• "the work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a
more vital spiritual life, witness, and work by prayer and the word
after repentance in crisis for their spiritual decline." Earle Cairns.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (MEANING)
• Revival is needed for both the church as a corporate
body, and for the individual believer.
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (TWO VIEWS)
1. Revival of the lost - one of the most popular view is that
"revival" is the winning of lost souls.
2. Revival of the church - the other, less talked about, is "revival"
of the church.
• Although, the most popular view is that of the lost. We are going
to see that the true concept of "revival" is that which is done in
the church.
• Technically, there is no scripture of "revival" of the lost, therefore
we need to look at why we call the saving of souls "revival."
 WHAT IS REVIVAL? (TWO VIEWS)
• Some churches imply that "revival" is when they are winning souls and the
church is growing.
• But the truth is that the "winning of lost souls" is not really revival, but
should be called the "harvest."
• According to Matthew 9: 37-38
• “Then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few; pray ye therefore the lord of the harvest, that he will send
forth labourers into his harvest.”
• “Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I
say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white
already to harvest.” (John 4:35)
SOME SIGNS WE NEED
REVIVAL
 WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?
• Jesus replied: "'love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind.‘ Luke 10: 27.
 WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?(SOME SYMPTOMS)

Just as a sick person manifests physical symptoms, so the need for

personal spiritual revival has spiritual symptoms. Here are a few of
them;
• Complacency: self-satisfaction or satisfaction with the status
quo. “Seat-warmers” who have a “don’t rock the boat” attitude.
When we are content to live with excuses, ordinary Christianity
(lukewarm) and church services. When church services are
predictable and "business as usual.“ PROVERBS
1:32, REVELATION 3:15-16 
WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?(SOME SYMPTOMS)

• Uncompassionate: lack of concern for the lost and the

suffering in the world (1 Corinthians 10:23). How can we see
lost souls walking around and we show little or not urgency to
minister to them? If we love Jesus, we will love what he loves.
 He loves people and came to seek and to save that which was
lost.
 WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?(SOME
SYMPTOMS)
• Hiding or covering secret sins (1 John 1:9-10, Proverbs
28:13). If we find ourselves covering or excusing our sins, or
rationalize. It is true that we will always be sinners and we will never
be saved from the presence of sin until we get new bodies in glory.
 However, if we can comfortably dwell in the house of the bondage
of sin and not be convicted, we need revival.
• Having an unforgiving spirit (Matthew 6:14-15). An unforgiving
spirit is a strong indication that we need spiritual revival.
 WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?(SOME
SYMPTOMS)
• Disunity: animosity toward other Christians. When believers can
be at odds with each other and not feel compelled to pursue
reconciliation. See Mathew 18:15 to revive that friendship.
• Backslidden condition: any condition of spiritual standing
where we are less than we were before. If we feel our-self
slipping, we need spiritual revival! That is when we have little or
no desire for prayer; little or no desire for the word of God; little
or no desire for the things of God 1 John 2:15-17.
 WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?(SOME
SYMPTOMS)
If you desire anything more than God
• So many times we crave things.  We want and we want
more.  Whether it is a promotion, social status, new toys or
an addiction, if we desire anything more than God, himself,
we need revival. When we are more concerned about our
children's education and their athletic activities than about
the condition of their souls.
 WHEN IS REVIVAL NEEDED?(SOME
SYMPTOMS)
If you are breathing (catch all rule)
• This is a simple as I can put it.  We all need revival.  We
can all do better.  Choose today to follow him more closely
than we did yesterday.  At my secular job, we have a
saying, “do it better today, than we did yesterday.”  That
motto is more applicable in our walk with God than it is in a
secular company.  
• We all need revival !!!!!!!!
PRELUDE TO REVIVAL
(STEPS)
 STEP 1 TOWARD REVIVAL: RECOGNITION

• In order for revival to take place in the local church, or in the life
of an individual Christian, one must recognize the need for
revival.
• The first step in any process of recovery is recognition.
 STEP 1 TOWARD REVIVAL: RECOGNITION

• Let us look at 2 Chronicles 7:13 -14, which outlines the

prerequisites for revival to take place.
- If we that are called by his name shall (condition)
1. Humble ourselves
2. Pray and seek his face...
3. And turn from our wicked ways (call to action)
• We must agonize in prayer and fasting. If we would experience real
revival. To pray does mean to merely utter words. It does not mean
to state repetitious phrases.
 STEP 1 TOWARD REVIVAL: AGONIZE

• To pray means to seek God. That is why God included the

statement, “and seek my face,” when the passage was inspired.
We are to draw up close to the lord as we pray.
• Revival, in part, is getting close the Lord! Members are to be
encouraged to go by that room and spend some time in prayer
for the revival (individual and corporate).
• So, we must ask the question, “is the need for revival present in
our lives and churches right now?”
 STEP 2 TOWARD REVIVAL: PRIORITIZE

• In order to prepare effectively for revival, we need to prioritize

several areas of our church ministries far in advance.
• First, we must prioritize the time. You must choose a time for
the meeting well in advance so that people in the church can
schedule their lives appropriately.
• If there is to be full participation then agreed time must me
scheduled
• Prioritize your leadership. All leaders should be asked to make
a commitment to attend services necessary for revival. This
builds attendance and faithfulness
EVIDENCE OF REVIVAL
 EVIDENCE OF REVIVAL
• Now the biblical term is 'revive' and it is of God; it is not the work
of the pastor, evangelist, or even ourselves. So, the question is
this, how will we know whether we have been revived? What
will be the evidence?
• I believe that there will be some evidence when a person or a
church experiences revival.
• Our lives will not be the same the next day after having revival.
• If it is, then whatever happened was not genuine revival.
• Let us look at some possible evidence of revival.
 EVIDENCE OF REVIVAL
I. When revived, we will have a new attitude.
Attitude = our mental position toward others.
A. Toward God.
1. How we view God will be different.
2. He will be more than just a 'force' or 'power'.
3. He will become less distant and more personal.
4. We will go to him in times of trouble.
(Psa 138:7) "though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt
revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of
mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me."
 EVIDENCE OF REVIVAL
B. Toward believers.
1. We will replace the 'they' mentality with the 'we' mentality.
2. We will recognize our need for other believers and their need for us.
3. Co-laborers means that we are to work together to accomplish something great
for God. (Neh. 4:6; Proverbs 27:17; Heb. 10:25)

C. Toward the lost

1. The songwriter put it this way. “Don’t let me leave behind an unfinished task.
2. What do we see when we look at the lost?
3. Some see people to be avoided, but we ought to see souls who are dying and
on their way to a Christ-less eternity.
 EVIDENCE OF REVIVAL
2. When revived, we will have a new determination.
A. To be consistent.
1. In our personal walk with God.
2. Bible reading and prayer will be a priority in our lives.
3. Our attendance at church will be regular rather than sporadic.
B. To serve the Lord.
1. We will volunteer to help in any way that is needed in the
ministry Psa 100:2.
3. We will desire to please our Lord through our service to him.
(Col 3:23)
 EVIDENCE OF REVIVAL
3. When revived, we will have a new enthusiasm
A. With regard to our faith.
1. Realizing what god has done for us. How that in giving his son on
Calvary, not just our lives, but our eternal destiny has been changed.
B. In regard to our faithfulness.
1. Christianity should be more about who we are, than about what we
do!
C. In regard to the future.
1. The future is bright for the child of god. Many are speculating and
wondering what it will bring. But we have a blessed assurance of our
destiny. (Romans 8:28-30). Golden chain of salvation.
 CONCLUSION
Therefore, revival brings:
1. A new attitude toward god, other believers, and the lost.
2. It brings a new determination to be consistent in our walk and our
service to god.
3. It brings a new enthusiasm about what god has done, and what
he will do in the future!
• The key question is therefore now, have we been revived?
• Only time will tell. The evidence will prove whether it was a work of
God or a work of the flesh.
• There can be no revival until first there is a life in Christ.
• We cannot return to somewhere we have never been.
THE END