Keys to Revival: Brokenhearted Boldness (Matthew 9:35-38)

 Sermon for Centenary UMC...

[Slide] Keys to Revival: Brokenhearted Boldness (Matthew 9:35-38)

 

[Slide] An evangelist was praying for people as they came forward. He asked the man standing before him, “How can I pray for you?” The man asked him to pray for his hearing. [Slide] The evangelist spit on his fingers and put them inside the man’s ears and prayed passionately for his hearing to be restored. [Slide] When he finished praying, he asked the man, “How’s your hearing now?”

The man said, “I don’t know. It’s not until Thursday.”

[Slide] This is our fourth week of the Revival Project. We started with the first key to revival, an urgent and dependent posture. We work toward revival like it depends on us. We pray for revival like it all depends on God.

 

The 4th Key to Revival

We see the urgent need for Christ in our families, church, community, and nation and we work urgently for revival. We depend on God to bring revival through our prayers and action.

 

Second key is we remove all obstacles and sin that stand between us and a full-flowing, powerful relationship with God. Daily repentance is a spiritual practice that leads to joy in a restored relationship with God.

 

Third we pray for revival, not simply for our personal needs, or for our loved ones. We elevate our prayers toward Kingdom matters. We pray for the salvation of souls, with a passion for those who don’t know Jesus. We pray until God acts. We ask God to bring opportunities to encourage faith in the people we name before Him. And we act upon those opportunities.

 

The fourth revival practice is brokenhearted boldness—or the E word, [Slide] evangelism. We are uncomfortable with the E word.

We think evangelism is somebody else’s job. This attitude is why the church is in such a sad shape. It’s why America is in such bad shape. We’ve not heeded Jesus’ command to go and make disciples. We have accepted the gag order our culture has placed on religion. Society says, “It’s not polite to talk about faith. Mind your own business.” Society forgot about politeness a long time ago. Why should we heed society over the Lord’s command?

[Slide] It matters that Brokenhearted Boldness follows repentance and kingdom prayers. Repentance and kingdom prayer prepare us to see people through spiritual eyes. We see them as beloved and full of divine potential. We see them as people for whom Christ died. As our hearts beat with God’s heart, compassion moves us to tell others about Jesus.

We don’t manufacture compassion for lost souls. God develops it in us as we surrender to His will. After praying for those who do not know him, we engage with people at school, in neighborhoods, at workplaces, and with family. Instead of living only for ourselves, we ask: “Who needs hope and encouragement in Jesus? How can I pray for people around me?”

[Slide] I want to address three questions about sharing faith: Why does sharing Jesus matter? How can we cultivate Christ’s compassion? How can we find the courage to speak?

[Slide] Sharing Jesus matters because people are suffering without hope and dying without eternal life. People need hope and eternal life.

[Slide] Amazon delivery driver Naima Elmore noticed a burning home, called 911, and did not simply leave the rescue to someone else. She knocked until a resident answered and helped an elderly woman reach safety. Her eyes were open, and she was willing to interrupt her routine to help strangers.

That story illustrates the spiritual attentiveness we need. People around us may look happy and satisfied while carrying grief, loneliness, shame, or fear. [Slide] Here’s Celine Dion after winning a trophy at the Billboard awards. She looks happy and successful, right? This was taken right after her husband died. This image reminds us that outward appearances do not reveal inward suffering. Everyone has a hole in their hearts. We try and fill it with all kinds of things, but it continues to ache until it is filled with a lifegiving relationship with Jesus.

[Slide] Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Everyone needs Jesus.

[Slide] In Matthew 9, Jesus looked upon the crowds with compassion because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He saw their need for love, belonging, forgiveness, and peace. We ask the Holy Spirit to help us see those same needs in our friends, our classmates and coworkers, our neighbors, and relatives. Jesus is the way to life abundant. Sharing him means offering hope and life everlasting.

[Slide] God commands us to share the good news. [Slide] The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not a suggestion. Jesus commands us to go and make disciples. [Slide] In Mark 16, Jesus commands us to proclaim the gospel. Witnessing to Christ is not someone else’s duty. It is the duty of every disciple of Jesus. Through honest conversations, share your faith. Offer Jesus to others.

The gospel must be communicated: People cannot respond to a message they have never heard. Our calling is to speak with compassion and courage, as a friend concerned for the salvation of everyone.

Revival happens when believers return to God and invite others to do the same.

[Slide] Sharing Jesus reflects God’s heart. [Slide] Philippians 2 shows Christ humbling himself and taking the nature of a servant. He left the glory of heaven to reach us. Growing like him means surrendering comfort and complacency and risking the discomfort of trying something new, sharing Jesus with others. Love takes risks. May the Spirit give you courage to share Jesus with others.

[Slide] Earl Peters, a Ford assembly-line worker, shared Jesus with a young coworker named Mark. Mark eventually believed, grew in faith, and became a pastor. His ministry continued across generations of his family, including John Dickerson, the creator of The Revival Project. One faithful witness on the Ford assembly line led to lasting kingdom impact.

What if you helped someone come to Jesus this year? Picture a friend, relative, or coworker discovering hope in Christ. Imagine the influence that could have on an entire family. [Slide] Here we are ten months ago. I count 46. What would Centenary UMC look like in a year’s time if every one of you made a commitment to share Jesus and bring just one person to worship regularly? We’d be half full. What if we did the same the next year? The sanctuary would be bursting. [Slide] What if it became the norm for every member to bring one person to Jesus every year? Imagine what God could do with such a congregation? You all are rich in faith. Find someone who doesn’t know Jesus and share your faith.

[Slide] How can we cultivate Christ’s Compassion?

Our primary motivation is love, not duty or guilt. Our love for God compels us to obey God. As repentance opens our relationship with God, He shapes our hearts. We begin to see people through God’s compassionate heart. Evangelism stops being a dirty word and becomes a privilege: Jesus saves, and we take joy in bringing the love of Christ to others!

[Slide] Ask God to give you His heart. Practice daily worship. Love God with all your heart. Practice daily repentance. Turn! Choose God as first! Elevate your prayers for the sake of God’s kingdom. And Obey The Lord. Biblical knowledge matters, but without obedience it does little to grow world-changing disciples. A church moves at the speed of obedience.

[Slide] Pray daily for revival. Commit yourself to participate in revival. Ask the Lord to bring revival to your heart, our church and community. Each morning pray, “Lord, use me today. Give me opportunities to tell others about You.”

[Slide] Create a salvation prayer list. Write down five to ten people who don’t have a church home. Pray for them daily to come to know Jesus. Ask God to work in their hearts, and open doors for spiritual conversations. You might say, “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t go to church.” Then get out into the community. Lebanon has a lot going on. Attend a community events. Volunteer in a non-church organization. As you become acquainted, you will know who to pray for.

Learn their names. Ask sincere questions. Listen carefully. When it seems right, ask about their spiritual journey and seek permission to share yours. A simple invitation can also open a door: “I’d love for you to attend worship with me.” They may resist but keep praying for them and keep inviting. Persist with the love and compassion of a friend.

[Slide] How can we find the courage to speak?

Call on the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises power through the Holy Spirit before sending his followers as witnesses. He told his disciples, [Slide]

do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. (Mark 13:11)

[Slide] Peter denied ever knowing Jesus, but later, in the power of the Spirit, he stood before religious authorities and boldly declared that salvation is found in Jesus alone. His transformation illustrates the courage God provides.

[Slide] Walk with other believers. We need Christian friends who pray, encourage, and support us. Remember that the devil works against us. Not every conversation will be easy. Supportive believers remind us that making the effort to share Jesus matters. Together learn and grow and don’t give up.

[Slide] Step outside your comfort zone. Courage grows as we act in faith. Like a child learning to jump in a pool toward a trusted parent, we learn to rely on God while taking unfamiliar steps. Start by learning someone’s name, asking a thoughtful question, offering prayer, or extending an invitation.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He has entrusted You, His disciples, to witness to Him. So pray, love, listen, and speak. Ask God for a broken heart for the lost that leads to loving and courageous action. [Slide] Ask God for brokenhearted boldness.

Let’s pray.

Jesus, You are our Lord and Savior, Our Teacher and Comforter. Help us to pray daily for the lost. Break our hearts for them. They need You. They don’t know it, but they ache for You. Help us recognize the opportunities You give to love people by sharing our faith in You. May we hear Your voice and reach out with compassion. Grant us wisdom. Grant us courage. Make us unafraid to be Your witnessses to a world that desperately needs You.  Amen. So Let it be!