Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

A CALL FOR REVIVAL
2 Chor. 7:1 & 12-14

7:1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. . . . . 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and My people who are called
by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. NAS

INTRODUCTION
The Temple was a Beautiful Building but it didn't compare the God's glory and presence.
Conditions and promises

I. THE CALL FOR REVIVAL-- STATED CONDITIONS. v 14 a

"and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

        A.    My people -- called by My Name
                1.    Those who are accountable as His
                2.    A Peculiar relationship
                        a.    Called = His property-- His Ownership-- My people

                     1 Cor 6:20 For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
                     1 Cor 7:23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men
                      Ex. 23:21 Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward
                            him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him.

ILLUSTRATION:
Car Wreck

B.    Humble themselves
        1.    Word for Eagle folding wings II Chr. 7:3
                a.    Bowed down
                        (1)        NO EXALTATION OF SELF

C.    Pray
        1.    Has the idea of intervening
                a.    A choice
                        (1)    Go on sinning or confess and pray
        2.    Prayer must recognize God

D.    Seek My Face
        1.    Seek-- something of value
                a.    Searching for the Gold of God's Presence

Deut. 4:29 But from there you will seek the LORD in your God, and you will find Him if you
search your heart and all your soul.

                Ps. 27:7-9 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer
                    me. 8 When thou didst say, "Seek My face," my heart said to Thee. Thy face, O LORD, I
                    shall seek."

b. Seeking the presence, favor or regard of God

ILLUSTRATION:
Young Man applied several times for a job-- Through box number. He received no reply. He finally went to the post office and waited for the owner of the P. O. Box to show up, the man gave him the job.
You see he really souhgt the job.

E.    Turn from their wicked ways
        1.    Turn
                a.    Away from the presence of evil
                        (1)    Turn your back on the crowd
         2.    Wicked
                a.    bad, evil, worthless

ILLUSTRATION:
World Champion Weight Lifter; Muscle torn away from bone; 2 heart attacks,

Application

II. THE CALL FOR REVIVAL-- STATED PROMISES. v 14 a

". . . then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

A.    God will hear from heaven
        1.    Give heed to, listen, hear diligently
                a.    Prayers will be heard
                        (1)    There has been-- a humbling
                        (2)    There has been-- a seeking God's Face
                        (3)    There has been-- a turning

ILLUSTRATION
My prayers don't get any higher than the ceiling. Have you been humbling, seeking God's Face, turning? They don't have to higher than the ceiling if God is near.

B.    Will Forgive their sin
        1.    Forgive, Pardon-- This word used only of God
                a.    He has been offended
                    (1)    He must forgive
        2.    Sin
                a.    An offense against God
                        (1)    Missing the target

ILLUSTRATION:
Young lady -- on drugs -- all kinds of vulgar sin to support her habit
My God has forgiven me-- I'm forgiven

C.    Will heal their land
        1.    Heal- by restoration
                a.    To cure the mind and pardon the soul
                        (1)    Rebuke the locust and pestilence
                b.    Heal the mind and soul
                        (1)    Heal the hurts of a nation

CONCLUSION

Does this nation, state, city need healing?

Do I need revival-- Do you need revival? -- Does this church need a revival.

God lays down the conditions.