Reform / Revival

2 Chronicles

Introduction: Let me finish my thoughts of Hezekiah. This time (today) I want to focus on the rest of the people (Israel) as a result of God’s working.

Thoughts on Revival / Reformation.

Spiritual revival, in its core, signifies a renewal of spiritual life and Vigor, often after a period of decline or dormancy. It can involve a personal return to faith, a community-wide awakening, or even a cultural shift towards God. Essentially, revival is about experiencing a deeper connection with the divine and a renewed commitment to spiritual practices and values.

Examples of Historic Revivals:

1. The First Great Awakening (1730s-1750s):

A period of religious revival in the American colonies, characterized by emotional preaching and widespread conversions, according to EBSCO.

• In describing what happened in Jonathan Edward’s Northampton, Massachusetts church in 1734, observers said, “It pleased God…to display his free and sovereign mercy in the conversion of a great multitude of souls in a short space of time, turning them from a formal, cold, and careless profession of Christianity, to the lively exercise of every Christian grace, and the powerful practice of our holy religion.”1

• The Second Great Awakening (1790s-1840s):
  • In 1824, Charles Finney began a career that would eventually convert 500,000 to Christ. An unparalleled 100,000 were converted in Rochester, New York, in 1831 alone–causing the revival to spread to 1,500 towns.13 By 1850 the nation’s population exploded fourfold to 23,000,000 people, but those connected to evangelical churches grew nearly tenfold from 7% to 13% of the population–from 350,000 to 3,000,000 church members!

Another wave of religious revival in the United States, marked by increased evangelical activity and the rise of new denominations.

• The Businessmen’s Revival (1857-1858):

A revival that began with prayer meetings for businessmen in New York City and spread throughout the nation, according to Church Leaders.

1. The Great Prayer Meeting Revival, an estimated 1,000,000 people were added to America’s church rolls, and as many as 1,000,000 of the 4,000,000 existing church members also converted.

• The Civil War Revival, 1861-1865

• The Urbahn Revivals, 1875-1885

• The Revivals of 1905-1906

• The Azusa Street Revival (1906-1909):

A pivotal event in the history of Pentecostalism, originating in Los Angeles and spreading globally through the Pentecostal movement.

• The Post War-Worls War ii Awakening

• The Charismatic Renewal and The Jesus Movement (1960s-1970s):

A revival that emphasized a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a rejection of counter-culture values.

Transition: What I want to do with you is single our a few of the characteristics of Hezekiah’s Reform / Revival.

1. Reopened / Repaired / Returned to Worship – 2 Chronicle 30:4-4

One of the early and reinstated activities of the a  a / the ‘reformed’ was that of worship!

II. Purification / Purging  of self and purpose– 2 Chronicles 31:3-7

III. New Covenant / Commitment to Service – 2 Chronicles 29:11-12

‘They got right to work’ (NLT)

IV. Generosity – 2 Chronicles 29:31-36

V. Longevity