A Promise of Revival

A Promise of Revival | Rev. Dr. Eric Peters | 2 Chronicles 7:12-16

2 Chronicles 7:12-16 KJV And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. [13] If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; [14] If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [15] Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. [16] For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Isaiah 60:18 KJV Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

True revival has with it a national and societal impact.

When we observe that the nation is becoming worse and there is no sign of a turn around, it is time for the people of God to step into the position that God has assigned for them.

The degradation of society is usually a sign that the people of God are not in the spiritual position they need to be regardless to the various activities they are engaged in.

God establishes a promise to Solomon but also a precedent in His dealing with a nation.

The people He spoke to were not filled with Holy Spirit but were promised national revival on the condition that they are in the place of relationship with Him that they should be.

It begins with a genuine desire for a move of His person, presence and power first in us then to impact the nation.

Psalm 85:5-7 KJVS Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? [6] Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? [7] Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

1. National revival is a result of a burden on the heart of leadership.

   
   

2. National issues are a result of the removal of God’s protection. It’s indicates His sovereign power and His divine prerogative.

The entire text turns on the word “if”. It places two parties in a position of control of particular outcomes.

There are some outcomes that are in God’s sovereign power and there are some that are dependent on our willingness to do.

Revival: His Response

Habakkuk 3:2 KJVS “O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Assurance of His attention. Vs 12.

God always hears the prayers of His faithful ones.

Appointment of a place. Vs 12.

God establishes a place of engagement with His people.

Attentive to the conditions. Vs 13.

God establishes conditions that must catch our attention.

Revival: His Requirements

Isaiah 57:15 KJV 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.

Attitude of the heart. Vs 14.

The posture of humility is a prerequisite for effective prayer.

Aptitude for his presence. Vs 14.

Prayer activates the manifest presence of God.

Attraction to his person. Vs 14.

God responds to a genuine desire for Him and His attributes.

Aversion to His displeasure. Vs 14.

God desires a people who will dislike what He dislikes.

James 4:8-10 KJVS Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. [9] Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Revival: His Relief

Micah 2:12-13 KJVS “I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. [13] The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.”

Acceptance of our prayer. Vs 14.

The objective of prayer is to touch heaven and secure relief.

Afforded a new position. Vs 14.

Repentance affords us a seat in a preferred position with the father.

Adjustment to our pain. Vs 14.

Relief is felt by the entire nation when we are in the place God intends for us to be.

Listen to Podcast:

PITBA | The First Cup Podcast | A Promise of Revival

Watch Full Service:

A Promise of Revival | 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 | Rev. Dr. Eric Peters

Word For Life

Word For Life | Luke16:17; John 1:1-5 | Rev. Dr. Eric Peters

Luke 16:17 KJV And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Jesus is seeking to establish in the heart of the hearers the character of His Word.

Reliability of His Word is placed in the realm of impassible failure.

The body of Christ today is not experiencing the best of God as we are focused on every other thing and have forgotten the Word.

The power of the Word is lost on the believer because we are focused on personalities and place more faith in our ministers rather than the Lord.

The world around us was created by God through His Word. As believers the power of the Word is still available to us.

Proverbs 18:21 KJV Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

The Word is the lifeline that God has given to us to activate and experience all His provision in our lives.

John 6:68 KJV Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Christ The Word

John 1:1-5 & 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not... 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

• The Word was not Heaven’s response to the fall of man but heavens provision for the needs of man.

  
  

• The Word was not an addition to the creation but the initiator of it.

  
  

• The Word is the source of all things created.

  
  

• The Word is the source of light and the eradicator of darkness.

  
  

Character of The Word

1. Endurance of the word.

   The word will outlive every thing we believe to be permanent.

Matthew 24:35 KJV Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

2. Expression of the Word.

The proof of our believe in the word is our ability to declare it.

2 Corinthians 4:13 KJV We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

3. Empowerment of the Word

   The life we need to exist and the spirit we need to energize it is all found in the word.

John 6:63 KJV It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

4. Experience with the Word

   The transformation of our minds with the word elevates our revelation.

Psalm 119:130 KJV The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

5. Engagement with the Word

   When we connect with the word our faith in God increases to unimaginable levels.

Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Applying the Word

Sickness

Isaiah 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Exodus 23:25 KJV And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

Provision

Philippians 4:19 KJV But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Wisdom

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Protection

Psalm 46:1 KJV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 91:1-2 KJV He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Isaiah 54:17 KJV No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Listen to Podcast:

PITBA | The First Cup Podcast | Word For Life

Watch Full Service:

Word For Life | Luke 16:17, John 1:1-5 | Rev. Dr. Eric Peters

Fruit Bearing

Fruit Bearing | John 15:1-8 | Rev. Dr. Eric Peters

John 15:1-8 KJVS I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. [8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

While contemporary religion and our own need quotation has created in us a transactional intent for coming to Christ this is contrary to the desires of God which is intent on transformation and production.

While we are focused on ourselves, God is focused on the world and we are blessed in pursuit of that expressed purpose.

Everything we need flows from our connection to God and must result in fruit borne for the expansion of His Kingdom.

• The evidence of a genuine connection with God is we bear fruit.

  
  

• There is no service we do for God that can achieve the fulfillment of our assignment unless we bear fruit.

1. It is our privilege to partner with Jesus Christ and God the Father for the purpose of bearing fruit.

   
   

2. There are two branches with one source but two different outcomes.

   • Fruitless branch. Connected but not fruitful

   • Fruitful branch. Connected, fruitful but purged

   
   

3. The ability to bear fruit is through the operation of the Word in our lives.

   
   

4. Fruit bearing is dependent on consistent mutual connection with Christ. Vs 4&5

   
   

5. Fruitlessness is evidence of a lack of connection with consequent destruction. Vs 6

   
   

6. True partnership is the prerequisite to effective prayer

   
   

7. The Father’s glorification and our identity is dependent on our fruitfulness