Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 9, 2008

Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45

Revival

What does this word mean to you?  I know that in our denominational tradition, it would mean a series of services with an evangelist and song evangelist(s).  Many years ago, they might even be two weeks long.  They were held every spring and fall.  Revival was not only for the believers but for seekers as well.  It was not uncommon for seekers to find Christ at revival and it was not uncommon for believers to deepen their walk with Christ during this time.   It is almost impossible to find a church that will hold a week long revival anymore.  As a pastor, I find it difficult to get people out just for the regular services much less special services.  Perhaps our culture has changed.

As I looked back on the various subjects of this Lenten period, I see a strong theme has emerged and that is the theme of revival.  Two weeks ago, I preached on spiritual hardening of the heart.  Last week it was spiritual blindness.  This week the theme appears to be revival.  These messages have been directed to the believer who is not as passionate as they once were for the things of God.  Each of these verses this week, deal with renewal of the soul and it’s importance in the life of the believer.  Perhaps, it is time for a good old-fashioned revival — a revival of our souls.  I love the passage in Ezekiel where dry bones come to life.  Kerry Livgren, formerly of Kansas, gives us a great word picture of what happens when we are renewed with the Holy Spirit.

The traces of tears disappear in the desert
Where hot winds blow
The touch of a conscience is lost in the ice and snow
Ghosts of great cities, ruins of empires their spectres arise
No sign of the living beneath these skies

Minutes are passing, they turn into hours
The hours, they drift into days
O, Redeemer, lift us above this maze

Up from the wasteland, like a dream
long forgotten reappearing,
Up from the wasteland
Now redeemed, from a winter bleak and weary

Dry bones collected, connected by sinews
Stand as an army of men
Filled with the Spirit, they enter this world again

Its glorious light, or grey desolation
The lines of the battle are drawn
Jehovah, the rock that we stand upon

Up from the wasteland,
We are drawn, to a glory never ending
Up from the wasteland
by His hand, our iniquity transcending

All our enemies beneath His feet
No height, nor depth, nor life, or death
Can take us away from His love

Perhaps today your spiritual life needs some new life.  Ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit.  We all need to do it because, unfortunately, we leak.  My prayer is that each follower of Christ, would be renewed daily through the work of the Holy Spirit, to life a life that is pleasing to Christ in all ways.