THE WORD: THE FOUNDATION OF REVIVAL

1. THE WORD: THE FOUNDATION OF REVIVAL Lesson 3 for July 20, 2013

2. THE POWER OF THE BIBLE The Word of God is full of power: Power to create. Power to revive. Power to bring us to Jesus. Power to keep reviving. “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32)

3. THE BIBLE, THE SPIRIT AND FAITH When we prayerfully read the Bible, the Holy Spirit uses Its power to transform our lives. But prayer is needed to receive those benefits when reading the Bible. “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Hebrews 4:2) Faith, true faith, is always focused on God’s will, not on our wishes. It is trusting in God, believing in His promises, and acting on His Word. Our faith grows as we listen to God’s Word and put it into practice (Rom. 10:17; James 2:17, 18). Opening our minds to the teachings of God’s Word builds faith; and doing what God says—even if it is contrary to our personal desires—prepares us to receive the fullness of the Spirit’s power.

4. POWER TO CREATE God’s Written Word has the same power His Spoken Word has. Let’s study Hebrews 4:12. The Word of God has the creative ability to transform our entire nature. It governs every aspect of human life and behavior.

5. “The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God” E.G.W. (Education, cp. 13, pg. 126)

6. POWER TO REVIVE In Psalm 119, David asked God several times for revival with His Word (verses 25, 107, 154). He asked Him for that help in moments of affliction, depression or sorrow. Study that psalm and ask yourself: How can the Word of God revive my life? “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life” (Psalm 119:50) • It gives me comfort (v. 50) • It gives me hope (v. 74) • It upholds me (v. 116) • It teaches me the truth (v. 130, 160) • It gives me understanding (v. 169) • It delivers me (v. 170)

7. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39) POWER TO BRING US TO JESUS When we meet Jesus in our Bible, our lives change and our hearts burn as the hearts of those disciples in the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32). That is revival. Jesus is the core and the reason for the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit leads us through a deeper experience with Jesus when we reading the Bible. The Word of God provides the foundation or the basis for all genuine revival. Our experience flows out of an understanding of God’s Word. Our praise and worship spring from minds saturated with the Word.

8. POWER TO KEEP REVIVING

9. ““Search the Scriptures,” was the injunction of the Master. Many have lost much because they have neglected this duty. When we search the word of God, angels are by our side, reflecting bright beams of light upon its sacred pages. The Scriptures appeal to man as having power to choose between right and wrong; they speak to him in warning, in reproof, in entreaty, in encouragement. The mind must be exercised on the solemn truths of God’s word, or it will grow weak. We have the truth brought out in publications, but it is not enough to rely upon other men’s thoughts. We must examine for ourselves, and learn the reasons of our faith by comparing scripture with scripture. Take the Bible, and on your knees plead with God to enlighten your mind. If we would study the Bible diligently and prayerfully every day, we should every day see some beautiful truth in a new, clear, and forcible light” E.G.W. (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, section 2, pg. 22)