Revival 2009 - Day 1

The first night of Revival I arrived at the church around 6:30. I needed to run off some copies of a flyer and get my music straightened up and ready. Folks started trickling in shortly after that and by starting time we had a pretty good crowd of around 100 folks. As I panned the congregation I couldn't help but notice that most people that were there were visitors. We had a very poor showing from our regular members. I tried not to let it bother me but I couldn't help but be a little disappointed.

I had a pretty good choir full, I think 17 or 18 people. They put out a big sound anyway. We kicked things off with Goodbye World, Goodbye. There was a really good Spirit from the get-go. Lots of encouragement from the congregation by means of "Amen's" and shouts, and hand lifting toward Heaven. I was pretty caught up in the Spirit and so excited I thought I was going to jump off of the stage. I managed to settle down enough to lead a congregational and do announcements. After that the choir sang 2 more specials, 'Send A Great Revival" and "I'm Glad I Know Who Jesus Is." Then another congregational of "Power In the Blood," and then we had fellowship singing, "I'd Rather Be An Old-Time Christian." Altar prayer came next and then special singing. The pastor asked me and my family to come up and sing, "Thank You Dear Lord," which Elizabeth leads the verses and we back her up on the chorus. Then, Ray, ( a 78-year old man that has been blind since birth ) got up and testified about how the Lord has always been good to him and he sang, "Where the Roses Never Fade," with help from Preacher Langston and his wife. Then Mrs. Langston sang a song before Preacher Langston came to preach.

At 77-years old, Preacher Langston has more energy and pep than most folks that are half his age. From his opening remarks to his closing prayer he vehemently expounded the Word of God with great authority. He didn't pull any punches, or make any apologies, just straight in your face Bible preaching. His delivery style is reminiscent of the old-time preaching that I grew up listening to in the 70's. You can listen to his sermon HERE.

By the time the night was over, I was worn out but felt very blessed and revived and looking forward to the next service.

Read more...

Send A Great Revival

"I. Definition of Revival/Spiritual Awakening (borrowed from the handout, Theology of Revival, from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
A. Various Definitions

"God's quickening visitation of his people, touching their hearts and deepening his work of grace in their lives." J. I. Packer

"extraordinary season of religious interest." Robert Baird

"the sovereign act of God, in which He restores His own backsliding people to repentance, faith and obedience." Stephen Olford

"times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19) J. Edwin Orr

"the awakening or quickening of God's people to their true nature and purpose." Robert Coleman

"the return of the Church from her backslidings, and the conversion of sinners." Charles Finney

"an extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results." Richard Owen Roberts

"a community saturated with God" Duncan Campbell

"the work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more vital spiritual life, witness, and work by prayer and the Word after repentance in crisis for their spiritual decline." Earle Cairns"

Our Revival services start this coming Monday, on August 31st and run through Friday, September 4th. (click here or on picture for flyer in .pdf form) This means for the next 6 days I will have to select songs for each service. Including Sunday, that is 7 different services which, if I stick with my usual number of songs per service (6), will total 42 songs! I'll guarantee there will be more than that too. I've been praying and thinking about revival songs for the past 2 or 3 weeks. Of course I have some nailed down as definites, but only a handful. You better believe we'll be singing my all-time favorite Revival song, "Send A Great Revival."  I know that God will deliver for me but I still worry that I will have everything prepared.

I will have to go straight to church after work every day of the revival because I don't get off until 6:00 and services start at 7:00. The office I work at is on the other side of town and there is very heavy traffic the entire drive. So, this means I will need to wear dress clothes to work every day or take them along and change. I don't mind doing all of this, it just compounds to an already stressful time.

Sometimes I wish it was like it was when I was a kid. All I had to worry about was how long I could play until mom came and got me and made me take a bath to get ready to go to church. I remember back when I was around 13-years old, going to revival at House Mountain Baptist church. The church was always packed and you would be lucky to find a seat. Lots of singing, preaching, shouting, it was wonderful. I always enjoyed revival services because, well, I actually got revived! Nowadays I fear that I have to focus on the music and worship leading that I don't experience revival the same. It sure would be nice to just slip into a pew, sit back, and absorb it all in. Maybe next year I'll try to get a guest Music Minister to come out and fill my duties for the revival. If you would like to hear a good sermon about revival, go listen to this one by Pastor Greg Locke, "The Revival We Need."

I hope you remember our church in your prayers, especially during our revival time. If you have a free night or two this coming week, why not come out and join us? You might even get revived! For more information or directions to the church, just visit our website at http://www.hbcknox.org/

Read more...

Send A Great Revival - song lyrics

Send A Great Revival
By: B.B. McKinney (now in public domain)

1.Coming now to Thee O Christ my Lord,
Trusting only in Thy precious word
Let my humble prayer to thee be heard
And send a great revival in my soul

Chorus: Send a great revival in my soul (in my soul)
Send a great revival in my soul (in my soul)
Let the Holy Spirit come and take control
And send a great revival in my soul

2. Send the Holy Spirit now within
Burning out the dross and guilt of sin
Let Thy mighty works of grace begin
Oh, send a great revival in my soul

3.Send a great revival, Lord, in me
Help me that I may rejoice in Thee
Give me strength to win the victory
And send a great revival in my soul

4. Help me go for Thee, dear Lord, today
To some lonely soul that's gone astray
Help me lead them in the homeward way
Oh, send a great revival in my soul

Read more...