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A. W. TOZER ON REVIVAL
by Dr. R. L. Hymers, Jr., A lesson taught at the Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles Hymn Sung Before the Lesson: “Fill All My Vision” |
Please turn with me to Joshua 7:12 (p. 266 Scofield). Please stand as I read it.
“Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you” (Joshua 7:12).
You may be seated. The Israelites had been very successful in their victories over the unbelievers until now. One man among them had stolen things from those they had conquered. And now God was angry with the church in the wilderness. One man named Achan had stopped God from helping them as He had in the past. Dr. Scofield has well said,
“The whole cause of Christ is injured by the sin, neglect, or unspirituality of one believer” (bottom note on page 266).
We can spend hours of time begging God to send revival while we continue to break His laws, blindly overlooking God’s requirements. God said to Joshua,
“I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction” (Joshua 7:12).
When a man from a Catholic background is convicted of sin, he wants to confess it. But such confession is often twice as bad. Turn to Proverbs 28:13 (p. 692). Stand and read it out loud.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
You may be seated. Confession without forsaking is worse than no confession at all. Why? Because it won’t help a rebellious person at all!
Turn to John 14:21 (p. 1136).
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).
Now turn to John 14:15,
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Dr. Tozer’s steps to revival.
(1) Get dissatisfied with yourself. Set your face toward a transformation of your life.
(2) Put yourself in the way of blessing. To desire revival and at the same time neglect personal prayer is to wish one way and walk in another.
(3) Do a complete job of repenting. Do not hurry to get it over with.
(4) Make restitution whenever possible.
(5) Be serious-minded. Turn off your TV. There must be a radical change in your habits or there will not be any improvement of your spiritual life.
(6) Narrow your interests. Your heart will become revived when your heart is closed to the world and sin and open to Christ.
(7) Refuse to “rust out.” Make yourself available to your pastor and do anything you are asked to do. Learn to obey.
(8) Begin to witness. Bring someone with you to these Sunday services.
(9) Read the Bible slowly. When the great scholar Dr. Samuel Johnson visited the King of England, the two men just sat for a while in silence. Finally the King said to Dr. Johnson, “I suppose you read a great deal.” “Yes, Sire,” said Dr. Johnson, “but I think a great deal more.”
(10) Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up to God. He is on your side. He will not disappoint you.
God knows how desperately your church needs revival. And it can come only through revived people, like you.
I want you to take this lesson home with you. Do what Dr. Tozer said about revival. Get revived yourself and God will use you to help others to experience true revival. Stand and sing our hymn.
Fill all my vision, Saviour, I pray, Let me see only Jesus today;
Though through the valley Thou leadest me, Thy fadeless glory encompasseth me.
Fill all my vision, Saviour divine, Till with Thy glory my spirit shall shine.
Fill all my vision, that all may see Thy Holy Image reflected in me.
Fill all my vision, every desire Keep for Thy glory; my soul inspire,
With Thy perfection, Thy holy love, Flooding my pathway with light from above.
Fill all my vision, Saviour divine, Till with Thy glory my spirit shall shine.
Fill all my vision, that all may see Thy Holy Image reflected in me.
Fill all my vision, let naught of sin Shadow the brightness shining within.
Let me see only Thy blessed face, Feasting my soul on Thy infinite grace.
Fill all my vision, Saviour divine, Till with Thy glory my spirit shall shine.
Fill all my vision, that all may see Thy Holy Image reflected in me.
(“Fill All My Vision” by Avis Burgeson Christiansen, 1895-1985).