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Pastor Mike Mounts

Conditions for Revival - 2 Chronicles 7:14    Remember the words of Solomon in Proverbs 14:34? Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. But the tragedy is that Solomon did not heed his own counsel. He surpassed all the kings of the each in riches. Because gold was so abundant during his reign, silver was considered to be as common in Jerusalem as stones. He multiplied horses and chariots. There were 12 military divisions with each division numbering 24,000.   When a full-scale war took place, a force of over 1.5 million could be called into action. He had multiple wives and concubines. Most of these in direct disobedience to the principles governing kings as set forth in Deuteronomy 17. In all of this Solomon "turned his heart after other gods." So the  LORD said to Solomon, "I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant" (1 Kings 11:11). Just as the LORD had said after Solomon's death, ten tribes revolted under the leadership of Solomon's servant, Jeroboam; and Solomon's son Rehoboam,  became king over Judah and Benjamin.   So what's the point? As important as a strong military might be, greatness isn't in a strong military. As important as a strong economy might be, greatness isn't in a strong economy. As important as education might be, greatness isn't in better education.  Greatness isn't even based on a nation's population. What makes a nation great? Righteousness. Not only was that proverb true for Israel, it is true of all nations.   But you cannot legislate righteousness and morality. That doesn't mean that our laws  shouldn't be based on the Judeo-Christian principles on which this nation was founded; it simply means that righteousness and moral character begin with a changed heart through faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the sinful men and women we are, we all need a new heart and a new nature. This only comes through a new relationship with God through faith in Christ. We must see ourselves as a spiritual wreck and then run to God as our Refuge and Redeemer. And when we become citizens of heaven, it's then that we can really make a difference as citizens of the United  States. At work, at school, at home, at the store, wherever we go and whatever we do, we are salt and light in a dark and corrupt world. We can truly become the conscience of a community.   As believers, we shouldn't be as concerned with a particular political persuasion as we  are with biblical persuasion. We should have a Christian, biblical worldview. All that we do should be governed by God and His Word; and that included who and what we vote for and why. Our Christianity should go with us right into the voting booth where our vote is based on biblical principles; not a particular party or even our pocketbooks.   Remember: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." Sin and lack of morality is a disgrace to the people. It lowers them before God and men.   The point is this: If the church wants America to repent and return to God, then the church must first repent and turn to God. So we come to our text. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek  My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 is in the context of King Solomon's dedication of the temple. In this particular passage the Lord responds to Solomon's prayer as recorded in chapter 6. If God were to bring divine judgment upon His people because of their sin and disobedience (i.e., through drought, pestilence, famine, military defeat, or captivity), and they prayed towards Jerusalem calling on God and repenting of their sin, God promised He would "hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."   I understand this verse and its interpretation deal with Israel. But I believe the principle and application hold true for the church today. Let's break it down and examine it carefully. "IF" - REVIVAL IS CONDITIONAL    It's such a little word, but so much hinges of it. Are we content with barren altars and dry baptisteries? Are we content with spiritual drought?  Has mediocrity settled in and lulled us to sleep? Has indifference paralyzed us? Have we become like the church in Sardis? "the church of the living dead?" Or perhaps we've become like the church of Laodicea who said they had need of nothing, but Jesus said, "You are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."   Tell me just how badly do we want revival; individually and collectively? How much do we want a spiritual awakening and a visitation from God? Are we willing to pay the price? Vance Havner was right when he said, "The situation is desperate, but the saints are not." "My People" - THE COMPANY OF REVIVAL Revival begins with the church; not with the unsaved, the White House, or Capitol Hill. Revival begins with the people of God. Secondly, evangelism doesn't bring revival; but true revival will bring evangelism. I also understand that a sovereign God has a major role in revival. But from a human side, there are certain conditions we have to meet. "Who are called by My name" -THE COMPANIONS OF REVIVAL    In chapters 6 & 7 we find reference to God's name 17 times! According to Ezekiel 39:25, God is jealous for His holy name. His name declares who He is and all that He has done. It should be the desire of every believer that God's name would be hallowed, set apart, and revered (The Model Prayer)    As the church, do we bear God's name? The word "church" comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which literally means "the called out ones." As believers we have been called out by God, unto God, and for god. Don't we bear the name of Christ: "Christian"? 1. We are to identify with all that name means (His Person and Work) 2. We are to reflect and radiate all that name means. 3. We are to proclaim that name beyond our four walls (cf. 2 Chron. 6:32,33) Shall humble themselves" - THE CONTRITION FOR REVIVAL This is a deep and intense sorrow for sin. Note the words of David's confession in Psalm 51:17: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart These, O God, You will not despise. The apostle Peter writes, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). "And Pray" - COMMUNION WITH GOD This word carries with it all the aspects of prayer: confession, praise, worship, petition, and interecession. A.W. Tozer writes, "To desire revival, and at the same time neglect prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another." "And seek My face" - CONTEMPLATION ON GOD This suggest a deliberate striving and seeking after God through prayer and His word. The writer of Hebrews reminds us of this when he writes: "He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him out" (Heb. 11:6). Once we have come to God there is this deep intense desire to know Him better. There continues to be a hunger and thirst for God and His righteousness. David describes such pursuit of God this way: As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, my God; My soul thirst for God, for the living God (Ps. 42:1,2a) O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. (Ps. 63:1) " And turn from their wicked ways" - CONFESSION OF SIN What determines true, biblical confession? 1. It means to say the same thing about it that God says about it. 2. It means to agree with God as to all the implications of that sin. 3. It includes the saint's hatred of sin. 4. It includes a deep sense of guilt because of it 5. It is contrition; a deep intense sorrow for the sin.