THE SOUND OF REVIVAL – NAT TAYLOR
Scriptures:
Psalm 1:1 AMP
Matthew 12:1-8 ESV
1 chronicles 12:38 NLT
Isaiah 6:1-8 AMP
We’re called to move from earthly chatter to heavenly focus, tuning our hearts to God’s voice. The story of Jesus and his disciples in the grain fields (Matthew 12:1-8) reminds us that God desires mercy over sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of relationship over rigid religious practices. This challenges us to examine our own attitudes and actions, ensuring we’re aligned with God’s heart rather than human traditions. The concept of Sabbath is reimagined as a deep spiritual rest under Christ’s lordship, inviting us to experience true peace and renewal in His presence.
Many times in the life of the church, there can be all of this earthly chatter, meanwhile the Father is waiting for our full attention. But we can move from the shallows and from a place of distraction and diversion to be held captive by the heart of heaven. To tune in and to steward well our energy and our days and to be single -minded and single-hearted: the flow of our heart in being held captive to what God is doing.
In the Welsh revival of 1904, there is a quote from Reverend Owen Murphy:
“This is revival. When men in the streets are afraid to open their mouths. And utter godless words, least the judgment of God should fall.”
The sound of revival is self-control. Mouths apprehended by the Holy Spirit. They were afraid to open their mouths. Not every opinion needs to be shared. And in the days ahead, we will weigh in with the Holy Spirit: ‘Are these words aligned with your spirit?’
Many times under duress, Jesus didn’t speak – He didn’t often answer to his accusers. He knew when to stand back and when to step in and advocate more for a teaching point, not to preserve his own reputation. Many times under duress, Jesus was silent. There is a power in not speaking. We can unintentionally come into entanglement and in agreement with things when we loan our mouth to it. The Lord is harnessing the mouth of the bride in this time.
Cynicism and revelation can’t coincide – they come from different origins. Revelation is holy and it’s pure.
Cynicism and knowledge can coincide. Psalm 11 AMP – “Blessed is the man who does not sit down to rest in the seat of scoffers and ridiculers.” If it’s not edifying the church or her people, or her leaders, or her vision, we shouldn’t be comfortable. There should be a holy unrest in our hearts.
Acknowledge the holy unrest when it comes around our conversations, in our marriages, over our finances. Acknowledge when it doesn’t quite feel right. sometimes we’re speaking and orientating from fear and it’s control and it doesn’t quite feel right – we must allow self-awareness to come around our conversation so that we don’t orientate out of fear, we orientate out of love.
Revival cleans out the corners of the church and the corners of our heart. Slander is disappointment on loudspeaker, however in revival, healing flows and hearts are reconciled and the tone changes.
The sound of revival is revelation not religion.
Matthew 12:1-8 – the Lord of the Sabbath
Reverend Owens:
“When sinners overawed by the presence of God tremble in the street and cry for mercy when without special meetings and sensational advertising the Holy Ghost sweeps across cities and towns in supernatural power and holds men in the grip of terrifying conviction when every shop becomes a pulpit every heart an altar and home, a sanctuary, and people walk softly before God. This is revival.”
Isaiah 6:
Sacred reverence first, energetic service second. There’s a difference between stewarding & functioning well and overdrive.
– Covering vs. coveting:
The wings of the angel covered. The humble will be raised up, not the ambitious or the striving. Coveting is a yearn to possess something, especially something belonging to another. Covering is an expression of a self -seeking heart. Covering is an expression of a settled heart.
Key Takeaways:
- Revival cleanses the corners of our hearts and the church, promoting healing and reconciliation.
- We are called to serve the Lord of the Sabbath, not religion, embracing true rest and divine jurisdiction.
- Sacred reverence should come first, followed by energetic service
Discussion Questions
1. How can we shift our focus from earthly distractions to a heavenly perspective in our daily lives? What practical steps can help us tune our hearts to God’s voice?
2. In Matthew 12:1-8, Jesus emphasizes mercy over sacrifice. How can we prioritize our relationship with God and others over rigid religious practices?
3. The Welsh revival is noted for its profound impact on speech and behavior. How can we cultivate self-control and ensure our words align with the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
4. Reflecting on Isaiah 6:1-8, what does it mean to practice sacred reverence before engaging in service? How can we balance this in our ministry?
5. How does the concept of Sabbath rest under Christ’s lordship challenge our understanding of rest and work? How can we embrace this divine rest in our own lives?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your presence and guidance. Help us to tune our hearts to Your voice, leaving behind the noise of the world. May our words and actions be led by Your Spirit, reflecting mercy, love, and reverence. Cleanse the corners of our hearts and our church, bringing healing and renewal. Teach us to rest in Your divine peace and to serve You with a heart full of sacred reverence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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