Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome in, everyone. Ready for another deep dive? Today we're going to be jumping into a sermon by Pastor Glenn Blakeney, and this one is all about revival.
[00:00:09] Speaker B: Ooh, I love that topic.
[00:00:11] Speaker A: Me too. It always gets me thinking. And, you know, it's something that a lot of Christians talk about and pray for. But Pastor Blakeney really kind of flips the script on what revival truly means.
[00:00:22] Speaker B: Oh, really? In what way?
[00:00:24] Speaker A: Well, a lot of times, you know, we think of revival as like those, you know, those big emotional experiences. You know, like those big worship nights where everyone's like, you know, hands in the air, crying out to God.
[00:00:33] Speaker B: Yeah, I get that. I've definitely been in those services where you feel like something powerful is happening.
[00:00:38] Speaker A: Exactly. But Pastor Blakeney says it's not just about those mountaintop moments. It's about something much deeper and longer lasting. It's about a real transformation that happens in our hearts and in the church as a whole. So you ready to dig into this, see what he has to say?
[00:00:53] Speaker B: Absolutely. Let's get into it.
[00:00:55] Speaker A: All right. So he kicks off this sermon with this really vivid image. It's Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones.
[00:01:02] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. That's a powerful one.
[00:01:03] Speaker A: It is. So picture this. You've got this valley, and it is just overflowing with dry bones, like an unfathomable number of them. The sheer quantity just screams death and hopelessness. It's just dry and desolate. And then God throws out this question to Ezekiel. He says, can these bones live?
[00:01:20] Speaker B: Wow. It's like a challenge almost. Right? Like, can you even imagine being in Ezekiel's shoes at that moment?
[00:01:26] Speaker A: Right. It's like God's forcing him and forcing us, as we hear this story, to confront the spiritual dryness that can be all around us, but then to also believe that even in those seemingly hopeless situations, God can bring life back.
[00:01:39] Speaker B: And that's where it gets really interesting. Right. Because God doesn't just swoop in and perform this miracle on his own. He invites Ezekiel to participate.
[00:01:46] Speaker A: Yeah, he totally does. He says to Ezekiel, prophesy to these bones, speak. Speak life into this situation. It's like a partnership. It's not just about sitting back and watching. It's about actively taking part in God's work.
[00:01:56] Speaker B: So even back then, it was a call to collaborate with God, to be more than just spectators, but actual participants in his plan for revival.
[00:02:04] Speaker A: Exactly. And the way it happens is so fascinating because God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath. The ruesh in Hebrew.
[00:02:12] Speaker B: The breath.
[00:02:13] Speaker A: Yeah. And when you think about it, breath is like the very essence of life. Right. But it's also a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
[00:02:21] Speaker B: Oh, wow. I never thought about it like that.
[00:02:23] Speaker A: Right. And so when Ezekiel prophesies to the breath, the transformation is just explosive. The bones come together, they get flesh and sinews, and all of a sudden, there's this massive army standing there.
[00:02:34] Speaker B: It's like going from 0 to 60 in a heartbeat, from utter lifelessness to this powerful, mobilized force.
[00:02:40] Speaker A: Totally. And it's this incredible picture of the power of the Holy Spirit to resurrect and bring life to situations that seem impossible.
[00:02:48] Speaker B: It really makes you think about how important it is for us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, to hear God's voice in our own lives.
[00:02:54] Speaker A: Yes. And speaking of hearing God's voice, Pastor Blakeney actually shares this really personal story in the sermon.
[00:03:00] Speaker B: Oh, I love when preachers get personal. What's the story?
[00:03:02] Speaker A: So he was in Russia at a church, and there was this woman there that he felt like he couldn't prophesy over.
[00:03:08] Speaker B: Oh, wow. Like he felt blocked.
[00:03:10] Speaker A: Exactly. He knew something was off, so he took some time to pray, to really tune in to what God was saying.
[00:03:16] Speaker B: So it wasn't instant?
[00:03:17] Speaker A: No, it wasn't. And, you know, it highlights this really critical point. Sometimes hearing from God isn't immediate. It requires us to dig deeper, to keep pursuing his voice, even when there are obstacles in the way.
[00:03:31] Speaker B: That's so true. It's like sometimes those obstacles are actually there to test our faith, to push us to pursue God even more diligently.
[00:03:38] Speaker A: I think you're right. It's about living in that spirit realm, you know, not just going through the motions and not giving up when it's hard.
[00:03:44] Speaker B: Absolutely. We have to be persistent in seeking God's guidance. And, you know, what's fascinating is that he connects this idea of hearing God's voice to the testimony of Jesus. He actually says that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
[00:03:57] Speaker A: Now, that might sound kind of cryptic at first, but the way he explains it makes so much sense.
[00:04:02] Speaker B: Okay, I'm intrigued. Lay it on me.
[00:04:04] Speaker A: So he's basically saying that we need to view our situations, our challenges, everything through the lens of faith and God's promises.
So instead of getting bogged down by fear and doubt, we need to focus on what God is speaking to us, remembering his faithfulness and his ability to bring life to those seemingly dead situations.
[00:04:24] Speaker B: So it's about shifting our perspective from what we see in the natural to what God is speaking in the Supernatural.
[00:04:29] Speaker A: Exactly. It's about looking beyond the surface and believing in God's power to move in ways we can't even imagine.
[00:04:35] Speaker B: Okay, yeah, that's powerful. But then he takes it even further. He makes it crystal clear that true revival isn't just about saying the right words or following some formula.
[00:04:45] Speaker A: Right. It's not about, like, you know, having the perfect prayer or doing all the right religious things. He actually uses the example of the seven sons of Sceva from the Book of Acts.
[00:04:53] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. Weren't they the ones who tried to cast out a demon in Jesus name?
[00:04:56] Speaker A: Yep. And they end up getting beaten up because they lacked genuine spiritual authority.
[00:05:01] Speaker B: It's like they were relying on a formula on the name of Jesus, but they didn't actually have the relationship with him, you know, the genuine connection to his power.
[00:05:10] Speaker A: Yeah. It's like they were missing that essential element, the presence of God. It's not about eloquence or using some magic's formula.
[00:05:16] Speaker B: It's about the actual power of God flowing through us.
[00:05:20] Speaker A: And that leads to this idea of carrying God's glory. Right. It's that tangible presence of the Holy Spirit that brings about real transformation.
[00:05:27] Speaker B: Yes. You're getting to the heart of it. He's saying revival is not just some event or spectacle.
[00:05:32] Speaker A: Right. It's God. God actively working to reshape his church. And he lays out four key truths that define what true revival looks like.
[00:05:39] Speaker B: Okay, I'm definitely ready to dive into those, but I have a feeling our listeners are already starting to grasp this deeper concept of revival, that it's not just about emotional highs, but about God working in us and through us in very specific, powerful ways.
[00:05:54] Speaker A: You're so right. There's already so much to unpack here. But those four truths provide even more insights into how God orchestrates revival and what it looks like when it takes root in our lives, lives and in the church as a whole.
[00:06:06] Speaker B: All right, so let's unpack those four truths that he talks about. And the first one is restoration. He uses this really powerful analogy, you know, going back to those dry bones.
[00:06:16] Speaker A: Oh, yeah.
[00:06:18] Speaker B: Before those bones could have any flesh or skin on them, you know, they needed to be healed. They needed to be reconnected. Like, you can't build on a broken foundation. Right.
[00:06:26] Speaker A: That's so true. It makes you think about all the brokenness we carry as individuals. Right. Our past wounds, insecurities, all those things that can hold us back from experiencing the fullness of what God has for us.
[00:06:37] Speaker B: You got it. And it's not just Individual healing either. It's about the restoration of the entire body of Christ, the church as a whole. You know, the church needs to be mended and unified before it can truly function as God intended.
[00:06:49] Speaker A: It's like a body can't operate effectively if its parts are all disconnected or diseased.
[00:06:54] Speaker B: Right, exactly. It's like trying to walk with a broken leg. Can try to push through it, but you're not going to get very far.
[00:07:00] Speaker A: That's such a good analogy. So restoration is about wholeness, both individually and as a community of believers, laying down our baggage, allowing God to heal those wounds, and coming together as a unified body.
[00:07:13] Speaker B: Yeah, I love that. And then he goes on to talk about reformation, which seems to build on this idea of unity.
[00:07:19] Speaker A: How so?
[00:07:20] Speaker B: Well, he points out this really interesting shift that happens between the Old and New Testaments. Like in the Old Testament, God often raised up individuals like these larger than life figures like Moses or David, you know, to accomplish his purposes. Yeah. But in the New Testament, the focus kind of moves to the body of Christ the church, the Ecclesia, as it's called in the Greek.
[00:07:39] Speaker A: So it's less about these individual superstars and more about the collective power of the church working together.
[00:07:45] Speaker B: Precisely. Reformation is about God reconfiguring the church back to its original design. It's about moving away from this overemphasis on individualism and getting back to a focus on the body as a whole.
[00:07:56] Speaker A: He even talks about the danger of becoming like a body part that's not connected to the body. You know, like, imagine having a hand that's not attached to an arm. It's not going to do much good on its own.
[00:08:07] Speaker B: That's a great way to put it. It really highlights the importance of being connected to a local church, to a community of believers, and, you know, submitting to spiritual leadership. We need each other. We're all part of something much bigger than ourselves.
[00:08:22] Speaker A: Yeah, it's easy to fall into that go it alone mentality, especially in our culture. But we're designed for community, for interdependence.
[00:08:30] Speaker B: Absolutely. And he also cautions against getting too fixated on our individual gifts or ministries because that can lead to an incomplete picture of Christ. Like some churches might be all about evangelism but neglect discipleship, while others might be super prophetic but not focused on missions.
[00:08:46] Speaker A: Oh yeah, for sure.
[00:08:47] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:08:47] Speaker A: It's like you need all the parts working together in harmony.
[00:08:49] Speaker B: Yes. True reformation involves a balanced expression of all the gifts and ministries working together to build up the body and fulfill its mission. In the world.
[00:08:57] Speaker A: And that leads us to the third truth, Release.
This one really spoke to me. You remember that image of the breath coming into the bones?
[00:09:05] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah.
[00:09:06] Speaker A: The breath represents the Holy Spirit. And those bones, once they're restored and reformed, they become a vessel for that breath, for that power.
[00:09:13] Speaker B: It's like this divine jumpstart.
[00:09:15] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:09:15] Speaker B: You know, it's not enough to just be healed and unified. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to go out and make a difference.
[00:09:22] Speaker A: He talks about moving from seating capacity to sending capacity, like we're not just an audience. We're an army mobilized for action.
[00:09:30] Speaker B: You got it. Revival isn't just this inward transformation. It's about outward impact. It's about being sent out to share the love and power of Christ with a world that so desperately needs it.
[00:09:41] Speaker A: Okay, so we've got restoration, Reformation, and release. Now, how does revelation, that final truth, fit into this whole picture?
[00:09:48] Speaker B: This is where it all comes together. You know? Pastor Blakeney points out that the ultimate goal of revival is to reveal Christ to the world. It's about God showcasing his glory, his power, and his love through a revived and empowered church.
[00:10:01] Speaker A: So it's not just about our own personal experience or even the growth of the church itself. It's about pointing people to Jesus.
[00:10:07] Speaker B: Absolutely. A revived church filled with the Holy Spirit, unified in purpose. It becomes this powerful witness to the transforming power of Christ. It's a light in the darkness.
[00:10:18] Speaker A: Makes me think about that vision in Ezekiel again, You know, where those dry bones, once they're resurrected, they stand up as this vast army.
[00:10:26] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, I see what you're saying.
[00:10:28] Speaker A: It's not just about coming back to life. It's about taking a stand for Christ, being bold and courageous in our faith and advancing God's kingdom here on earth.
[00:10:38] Speaker B: Exactly. He's calling us to move beyond passivity and become active participants in God's plan for the world. And it all goes back to what we were talking about earlier, the importance of prayer and intimacy with God. That's the fuel for this kind of radical transformation.
[00:10:51] Speaker A: It all comes full circle, doesn't it?
[00:10:53] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:10:53] Speaker A: True revival, lasting revival, flows from a deep, intimate relationship with God.
[00:10:58] Speaker B: He challenges us to go beyond those superficial prayers and to really seek a deeper connection with God, to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit. It's not just a ritual. It's the very air we breathe as Christians.
[00:11:12] Speaker A: He even uses this analogy of prayer being like the stitching that holds everything together.
[00:11:18] Speaker B: Oh, I like that.
[00:11:19] Speaker A: Yeah. It's not Just a piece of armor, you know, it's what binds everything together. It's what gives us strength and resilience.
[00:11:24] Speaker B: And he talks about his own experience, you know, how spending hours in prayer and in the Word has led to some incredible breakthroughs for him. A much deeper experience of God's presence and power.
[00:11:35] Speaker A: It's a powerful reminder that intimacy with God isn't passive. You know, it takes effort. It requires intentionality, discipline, and a willingness to put time with him above everything else.
[00:11:47] Speaker B: And he encourages us to move beyond just, you know, presenting our shopping list of requests to God and to really focus on seeking his face, cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with him.
[00:11:56] Speaker A: It's in those quiet moments of communion with God that true revival begins. In the secret place.
[00:12:01] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. And, you know, he wraps up this whole sermon with a powerful challenge.
[00:12:06] Speaker A: Ooh, I love a good challenge. What is it?
[00:12:09] Speaker B: He says? Don't curse the darkness. Light a candle.
[00:12:12] Speaker A: Ooh, that's good, isn't it?
[00:12:14] Speaker B: Instead of complaining about what's wrong in the world, he's urging us to be agents of change, empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a difference.
[00:12:22] Speaker A: We're not powerless victims. We have the light of Christ within us, and we can bring that light to the dark places of our world.
[00:12:29] Speaker B: Absolutely. And he makes sure that we understand that true, lasting revival isn't about hype or fleeting emotional experiences.
[00:12:36] Speaker A: Right. It's not about getting all worked up at a conference and then going back to our old ways.
[00:12:40] Speaker B: Exactly. It's about deep, abiding transformation that starts in our hearts and then it flows outward, impacting every area of our lives.
[00:12:48] Speaker A: So as we wrap up this deep dive into Pastor Blakeney's sermon, I want to leave you with this.
What specific action can you take to align your life with these principles of revival? How can you become a vessel of God's transforming power in your community and beyond? It's not enough to just listen to a sermon or feel inspired. It's about putting these truths into practice.
[00:13:09] Speaker B: That's what makes this deep dive so powerful. It's a call to action. It's an invitation to partner with God and be a part of something much bigger than ourselves.
[00:13:18] Speaker A: Thanks for joining us on this journey into the heart of revival. We hope it sparked a fire in you, a desire to see God move in fresh and powerful ways in your life and in the world around.
