Don and Debbie Drey, Church Planters to Kansas, and two of their daughters, Darcie and Denise, were guests at Bethany Baptist Church, Sunday. Debbie and the girls sang special songs in both the morning and the afternoon services.
Don Drey taught the Sunday school lesson on how to discern God’s true religion from the world’s false religion. Basically the true religion is not built on ritual, but a relationship with God. It will be evidenced by love for God and love for his people. People with a true religion will have a concern for lost souls. The true religion is spiritual not fleshly. It is not of works, but of faith, but it does matter how we live our life.
Pastor Bob Sorensen brought a message from 2 Chronicles 7:14, “Revival in the last days!”
Some believe that it is too late for America to have a true revival. That America has gone too far in rebellion against God. Others say that America is in a revival of faith now, but if so, why is there so much alcohol and drug abuse, broken homes, and disregard for God?
Can America have a revival of faith? Yes. Will America have a nation wide revival of faith and godliness? It is doubtful, but individuals can experience revival. A church can. A town can. There is a formula, which if applied will bring revival wherever the formula is honestly followed.
First we must humble ourselves. People with a proud and arrogant spirit are not likely to bend the knee and bring themselves into subjection to God. Jesus made himself of no reputation. We have this example to follow. Jesus came the first time as a servant. Revival will not come until we quit thinking that we are “somebody” and see ourselves as “nothing.”
If we want revival, we must pray. Abraham prayed for Sodom. His nephew, Lot, lived there and Abraham loved Lot. The Lord agreed that he would spare Sodom if there were ten righteous found there. God does not want to bring judgment and God does respond to prayer. We must pray and pray and pray again for our church, our city, and our nation.
We must seek God’s presence. We must want the presence of God more than we want houses and “things.” We may not want to give up anything. Our focus may be on material things and comforts. God may not require that you give up your home, but you need to be willing to lay aside the pursuit of material “things” to seek him.
We must turn from our wicked ways. Generally speaking if you have humbled yourself, prayed, and sought the Lord, you have already “turned.” You can’t seek God without turning away from sin. If you won’t turn from sin, you will not have revival.
