Revival | Week 1 | Pastor Kevin Kringel
Revival
Week 1REVIVAL BEGINS WITH ME | Why Revival Starts with Prayer
Primary Text:
Leviticus 6:12–13 (NKJV)
“And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out… A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.”
Core Truth:
“The fire on the altar of our hearts must never go out—tend to it well.”
Leviticus 6:12–13 (NKJV)
“And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out… A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.”
Core Truth:
“The fire on the altar of our hearts must never go out—tend to it well.”
INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS REVIVAL?
“Before we talk about revival, we need to define it—because many of us have been taught to look for the fruit before we understand the root.”
When many people hear revival, they think of:
- An event
- Mass salvations
- Miracles and manifestations
- Public repentance
All of those are biblical—and they often follow revival.
But across 2,000 years of church history, revival has meant something more precise:
But across 2,000 years of church history, revival has meant something more precise:
- Revival is not primarily God waking up the world.
- Revival is God waking up the Church.
Psalm 85:6 (NIV)
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
Working Definition:
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
Working Definition:
- Revival → Renewal of the Church
- Awakening → Conversion of the lost
- Reformation → Transformation of culture
THE ALTAR PRINCIPLE
God told the priests:
God told the priests:
- Keep the fire burning
- Add wood every morning
- Never let it go out
Spiritual Insight:
Revival is not spontaneous combustion.
It is intentional stewardship of God’s fire.
Revival is not spontaneous combustion.
It is intentional stewardship of God’s fire.
Key Truths:
- Before God changes a city, He changes a person
- Before God sends a movement, He starts a prayer life
- Public revival is born from private surrender
Kingdom Pattern:
Prayer → Presence → Unity → Power → Missions → Cultural Impact
Prayer → Presence → Unity → Power → Missions → Cultural Impact
1) REVIVAL BEGINS WITH PERSONAL HUNGER FOR GOD’S HOLINESS & PRESENCE
Psalm 139:23–24 (NIV)
“Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Key Emphasis:
Psalm 139:23–24 (NIV)
“Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Key Emphasis:
- Not search them
- Not fix the culture
- Search me
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray…”
Key Insight:
God is speaking to His people, not the outside world.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray…”
Key Insight:
God is speaking to His people, not the outside world.
James 4:8 (NIV)
“Come near to God and he will come near to you…”
Key Truths:
“Come near to God and he will come near to you…”
Key Truths:
- God is not distant
- God is responsive
- Revival doesn’t start with them changing
- It starts with me turning wholeheartedly to God
Declaration:
“Lord, light the fire in me first.”
“Lord, light the fire in me first.”
2) MORAVIANS: PRAYER CAME BEFORE POWER
The Problem
Herrnhut, Germany (1727):
- Full of Christians
- Full of tension, opinions, and division
The Turning
- Repentance
- Reconciliation
- Unified seeking of God
The Moment
August 13, 1727
During a communion service, the Holy Spirit brought:
August 13, 1727
During a communion service, the Holy Spirit brought:
- Deep unity
- Profound renewal
The Model
Out of that moment came:
Out of that moment came:
- A 24/7 prayer watch
- That lasted 100 years
- And birthed the world’s first Protestant missions movement through the Moravian Church
Key Line:
They didn’t start with a mission strategy.
They started with a prayer schedule.
They didn’t start with a mission strategy.
They started with a prayer schedule.
3) PRAYER BIRTHED MISSIONS (NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND)
Matthew 9:37–38
“Pray… that the Lord of the harvest would send out laborers.”
Acts 13:2–3
While worshiping, fasting, and praying, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…”
Core Statement:
Matthew 9:37–38
“Pray… that the Lord of the harvest would send out laborers.”
Acts 13:2–3
While worshiping, fasting, and praying, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…”
Core Statement:
“Prayer isn’t where we talk about revival— it’s where we give birth to it.”
4) “REVIVAL BEGINS WITH ME”
A) We want miracles, but God wants an altar
A) We want miracles, but God wants an altar
- 1 Kings 18 — Fire falls after the altar is repaired
- Leviticus 6:12–13 — Keep the fire burning
Key Idea:
“God doesn’t pour fire on broken-down altars. He pours fire on faith-filled sacrifice.”
“God doesn’t pour fire on broken-down altars. He pours fire on faith-filled sacrifice.”
B) We want harvest, but we don’t want intercession
Revival rarely starts loud from a platform.
It starts in prayer rooms, small groups, and surrendered hearts.
Revival rarely starts loud from a platform.
It starts in prayer rooms, small groups, and surrendered hearts.
C) We want a move of God, but God wants a move in us
- Forgiveness
- Integrity
- Obedience
- Consistency
- Humility
THE MORAVIAN CHALLENGE
1. A Personal Prayer Altar
15 minutes a day — revival begins with me.
1. A Personal Prayer Altar
15 minutes a day — revival begins with me.
2. A Unity Step
Before I ask God for fire, I will repent of any division in my heart.
3. A Mission Step
“God, send me—across the street, the office, the campus, or the world.”
Before I ask God for fire, I will repent of any division in my heart.
3. A Mission Step
“God, send me—across the street, the office, the campus, or the world.”
CLOSING PRAYER (SCRIPTURE)
Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV)
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known.”
Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV)
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known.”
FINAL DECLARATION
“Moravians didn’t change the world because they had the best stage. They changed the world because they had the strongest prayer life.”
“Moravians didn’t change the world because they had the best stage. They changed the world because they had the strongest prayer life.”