Rev. David Holwick R
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
May 19, 1991
Hosea 6:1-3
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I. Sad state of affairs in the Christian church. (not just Ledgewood)
A. Church attendance has dropped, giving is flat.
B. Cults and strange religions are thriving.
C. Christians have little influence, and when they speak up
they are reviled.
1) Christian symbolism being erased from every area of life.
2) Roxbury school struggle will arise again.
D. Standards of morality have shifted from Bible to secular
humanism.
1) Churches are being sucked in.
2) Report of special committee in Presbyterian Church (USA).
The report recommends that the church reassess its attitude
toward sex.
"Fundamental to the committee's argument is the assumption
that sexual gratification is a human need and right that
ought not to be limited to heterosexual spouses or bound
by 'conventional' morality."
Sex is allowed between "responsible" teenage lovers.
The church should reach out to gays and accept them.
Much dissent about report, but amazing it is even presented.
#1475
II. Why this has happened.
A. Christians have little interest in spiritual matters.
1) Ashamed to witness of faith in Jesus. 2 Tim 1:8
a) "Silent testimony" - so silent, no one figures it out.
2) Lifestyle of believers no different from pagans. Rom 2:1,24
a) Morally compromised.
1> Cursing, dirty jokes, cheating. Ephesians 5:4-5
2> Adultery. 1 Cor 5:1-2
b) Bibles unread, TV Guides worn out.
1> Weak prayer life, canned.
2> Limited vision and prayer concerns.
c) Lack of love toward needy. 1 John 3:17-18
d) Going through the motions without any reality.
1> Nancy Bartolec, and conversion in college.
B. Weakness of local church.
1) Even Christians look down on it.
2) Equation of golf course with worship. Hebrews 10:25
a) Little work done for Kingdom.
3) Short prayer meetings, long choir practice.
a) We can get 15 out for softball, many of them non-members.
We would be lucky to get 5 for prayer meeting.
III. Tragedy of spiritual deadness.
A. No joy.
1) Bitterness and in-fighting among people. James 4:2
B. No fruit. Matthew 3:8, 7:16
1) Nothing of value happens in church.
a) No one is saved.
b) No lives change.
c) No one cares anyway.
2) Christians remain stagnant in knowledge and power.
C. No glory.
1) Ezekiel saw God's glory depart the temple. Ezek 10:18; 11:23
2) Is God's glory in Ledgewood Baptist?
a) Both Celeste and I separately this week met outsiders who
were surprised anything was happening in Ledgewood Baptist.
D. Outcome - judgment on God's people.
1) Judgment begins in God's house. 1 Peter 4:17
2) It will include all lukewarm Christians. Revelation 3:16-19
IV. What a genuine revival requires.
A. Jonathan Edwards outlined 5 marks of a genuine Christian movement
in "The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God":
1) Jesus exalted as Savior and Lord. 1 Peter 3:15
a) Excitement about his work.
b) Your life glorifies him wherever you are.
2) Satan and sin opposed. 1 Peter 5:8
a) Concerned about moral decay? Acts 24:25
1> We complain - early Christians did something.
b) Christians are broken over their sin. James 4:7-10
1> They sorrow over it.
2> They confess it.
3> They turn their lives around.
3) Christians are taught to revere and trust Bible.
Nehemiah 8:1-3,8; 2 Tim 2:15
a) Bible's authority is applied to every area of life.
1> It is read daily. Psalm 119:97
b) Prayer becomes fervent, not canned. Acts 4:24,31
4) Makes people aware of eternity and their lostness without Christ.
Ezek 3:18; Acts 20:26-27, John 3:3,7, 2 Cor 5:20
a) Concern about your own soul. Acts 2:37
b) Concern about the souls of others. 2 Cor 11:29
5) A new love of Christ and others is stirred up in them.
John 13:34,35, 14:21, 15:12, 1 John 3:11, 4:7-8
a) Prayer becomes intense, joyful. Acts 4:24,31; Phil 1:4
J. I. Packer
#870
B. Revival at Wheaton College in 1950's.
1) Students confessed to one another.
2) They testified for hours.
V. Revival in Ledgewood Baptist?
A. Begins with individuals.
1) Letter from Robin Schultz.
"God has led me here.
Praise God for giving me the opportunity to join others in
fellowship and a place to spread the love of Jesus...
At [the Christian hostel] we hold Bible studies each night
and the staff includes other young Christians who are
searching what to do with their lives...
We are looking toward the Lord for guidance and purpose....
I got accepted to Tavernhof Torchbearer Bible School in Austria.
Being a new and immature Christian, I couldn't pass up this
opportunity to learn more about the word of God!"
God Bless,
Sincerely in Christ,
Robin Schulz
B. Billy Graham crusade.
1) Prayer triplets. (Operation Andrew)
2) Invite friends.
3) Be spiritual open yourself to hear God speak to you.
C. Men's Bible study.
1) Only three of us, but we got down on knees and prayed.
D. God's glory can return. Ezek 43:2-5; 44:4
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General refs. (Thompson 312-314) Isa 35:6, Lam 3:40, Hos 6:2, 14:2.
A. Revival sought:
1) Ps 51:12-13, 80:7, 85:6, Isa 32:15, Hab 3:2
B. Examples of revivals:
1) 1 Sam 7:4, 1 Kg 18:39, 2 Chr 30:11, Zech 8:21, Act 2:41, 8:6, 9:35, 11:21
C. Spiritual quickening.
1) Ps 80:18, 119:25,40,50,88,149, 143:11, Hab 3:2, Jn 5:21, 6:63
D. Glory of God departing.
1) 1 Sam 4:21, Ezek 10:18, 11:23
2) (return of glory - Ezek 43:2-5; 44:4)
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