THE MARKS OF A TIME OF REVIVAL, AND THE MEANS OF BRINGING IT ABOUT

Part II

“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20

Thirdly, I would now notice shortly the marks of such a time among the ungodly.

1st. Notorious sinners will be converted. It was the case at this time at Ephesus; verse eighteen: “And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds;” and they will not be contented to leave their idols — but look at the nineteenth verse, and “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.” The same thing took place at Corinth. Paul said, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God;” and yet of these, Paul says, “Such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” O brethren, so it is in every time when the word of God grows mightily and prevails. It’s a sad mark of a town when there are no open profligates arrested and brought to Christ. But, brethren, it’s a blessed time when open sinners are seen leaving their sins and seeking the Saviour; when men are seen giving up their unholy gains; when tavern keepers take down their signs and burn them — when they give up their licenses; and it’s a blessed time when card players throw away their cards and take the Bible instead. It’s a blessed time when the gaudy lovers of dress take their gaudy dresses and burn them. Once there was such a time in this place. Pray that it may come again.

2nd. Another mark is, many who are not converted are yet remarkably restrained. Many leave their outward sins and seem to turn unto the Lord but feignedly, and not with the whole heart. Do not mistake me, however, as if I meant to say I would like to see hypocrisy; but it is a mark that God is in a place that the wicked are forced to give up then-ways, when the taverns are deserted, when there are no lights in such houses on Sabbath night. And, brethren, though these are nothing in themselves, yet they are the marks of a time when the word of God grows mightily and prevails.

3rd. A third mark is, it is a time when there are many adversaries. The lion of the forest will seldom roar if you let his lair alone. So that is the way Satan is so often quiet. “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace;” but when the word of God begins to grow, then Satan soon stirs up the spirit of persecution. If the word of God grows and prevails in this place, you will soon see husband turn against their wives, parents turn against their children, and heaping upon them reproach because they will follow Christ. Ah! it’s a good sign when the Hon roars; I cannot say I wish we had more reproach, for oh! it is ill to bear, but I would say, I wish we gave more occasion for it. The offence of the Cross is not ceased yet.

I. Let me speak a word as to THE MEANS FOR BRINGING ABOUT SUCH A TIME.

1st. The great and only agent in bringing about such a time is, the Holy Spirit. You know it is written, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” It is not by argumentative preaching; it is not by human eloquence or persuasion, nay, though I had the tongue of an angel it would not avail unless accompanied by the Spirit. You remember the text, “Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briars — until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high.” Until the Spirit be poured on ministers, the word will not grow mightily and prevail. Observe that passage in Isaiah where it is said, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.” What is the cause of all this? “For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” There must be a breaking out of waters if ever the eyes of the blind are to be opened, or the ears of the deaf unstopped. Pray then, brethren, that ministers may get the anointing of the Spirit. Pray that they may be like John, “Filled with the Holy Ghost, that many of the children of Israel may be turned to the Lord their God.” “Wilt thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee?”

2nd. A second means is, the ministry. Now I do not say that revivals cannot begin without ministers, because they may, but they generally begin with ministers first. In all the great revivals of which we read, ministers have been under God the instruments employed. Pray that it may be so amongst us. I am sure, brethren, I would never more speak if I were persuaded that this end were not to be accomplished by my ministry; and I am also sure that if God is to work any mighty work by us, he would need to make us holier — he would need to consecrate us afresh. Ah! brethren, we would need to be like those who said, “We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

3rd. The last mark I would mention is, believers are more devoted. The work begins first in the hearts of believers, thus it spreads to those around. Brethren, if anything is to be done in this place, the Holy Spirit must begin with believers. They must be more prayerful and more devoted in the cause of Christ. Brethren, could you not lay this more to heart? Could you not give more time to prayer? Could you not plead more with God for ministers that they might be more successful? And then, could you not live more holy lives? Could you not keep your garments clean? Could you not reprove sin? Could you not speak modestly for Christ, and warn the wicked around you of their fearful danger? Brethren, could you not do more by writing letters to unconverted friends at a distance, using any and every means, if by any means you may gain some? Brethren, could you not do your utmost? God had done his utmost. “What could I have done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?” Do you not know that every unconverted sinner will soon be in hell? Do you ever lay this to heart? Do you ever consider that in a little while our last sermon will be preached, and our last opportunity of doing good will be over? Oh! do you ever think that you will reflect in heaven, if such a thing were possible, that you did so little for Christ? If anything could make your tongue silent then it would be that you had done so little. Oh! how few tears bedew your pillow by night; how seldom does the midnight hour hear your strong crying and tears. Oh! how lightly does it seem to sit upon your conscience that so few are saved. You know many around you will soon be cast down to hell, and can you do no more to arouse them from their slumber? Ah, my brethren, these are the means by which the word of God grows mightily and prevails, will you use them or not? The Lord grant you may, and to him be all the praise. Amen. Rev. Robert Murray M’Cheyne

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