REVIVAL - Confession + Repentance

Follow Along with the Message

Mark Hough, CRU Staff

Topic: 

Church historian Richard Lovelace defines revival in this way: 

“Revival is an intensification of the normal work of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the word, sacraments, and prayer.” 

[Leader notes in Blue]

Main Points:

1. Revival isn’t to be viewed as this mystical and elusive supernatural experience. You and I can experience spiritual revival today. 
2. Revival is also an intensification. It isn’t maintaining the status quo. It is something unique and different. 

Scripture:  Psalm 51:1-19

Introduction 

- Social Media (referenced the 2020 Film The Social Dilemma:  https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/

…Technology has created a social monster. There is a genuine threat to relational connection via these curated and artificial interactions. Taken one step further, from a Biblical worldview; Scripture contends that you and I were created by a relational God and for relationship with Him and with others. But our current cultural moment has introduced this new barrier to attain real connection.…If we’re honest, aren’t there times where we actually prefer shallow, superficial relationships, because they’re easy, pain free, and ask very little of us? 

Questions- 

1. How has Social Media falsely made you feel like you have ‘real relationships’?
2. When have you found yourself using Social Media as an “escape” from true connection?
3. Is the image you portray on Social Media true to yourself and your life?

*Leader Notes: What does all of this have to do with revival? Through the lens of Psalm 51, there are three truths related to how a lifestyle of confession and repentance can be a catalyst towards revival, both within you and within our church. 

1. A Lifestyle of Confession and Repentance that Leads to Revival is Built Upon Honest Self Reflection

Questions: 

1. Read Psalm 51 verses 3-5. What do you notice? Where is there repetition? 
1. David keeps circling back to this idea of an ever-present awareness of his sin. Did you notice, for example, that he uses the first person personal pronoun, “My”. 
2. What does the term “Original Sin” mean to you? 
1. Original sin is this internal hereditary corruption, where our default heart posture (apart from God’s help) is actually love of self, instead of, rather than love of God and love of neighbor. This is a posture that places us at enmity with God. It’s why the NT apostle Paul is able to write, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Or, “None is righteous, no, not one…” 
3. Why is it so hard for us to recognize and acknowledge our own sin? Why do we resist this practice?
4. How would our relationships look different we lived this way?
5. Do you believe that when we look within ourselves we find sin and brokenness or goodness and truth? What does our culture want us to believe?

Discuss these 2 statements:

1. Churches, the supposed hospitals to care for the spiritually sick, are more often spaces of judgment and self-preservation, rather than the kind of honesty and transparency.
2. If you saw the REAL me, the me with no filters, no mask, no facade, no pretending, then surely you’ll reject me, and God would reject me too. 

*Leader notes: But this is what’s so beautiful about the gospel of grace. Because only in Christ and through Christ are we fully known, but also fully accepted. Fully known; all of my junk, all of my pain, all of my sin, all of it laid bare before Him. And yet when He looks, He turns towards, and not away.   The gospel declares there is no act, no matter how horrific, that cannot be covered by the blood of Christ.  But …. Here’s the thing. God can’t do that if we refuse to acknowledge it. If we refuse to face our brokenness within honestly. 

(optional) Exercise to share with your group: How can I cultivate growing knowledge of self/brokenness/sin? 

Start here; this week, take 5 minutes and silently reflect. Reflect on the past seven days, and specifically think on…. Where did I experience a big emotion? (High degree of anger, resentment, greed, jealousy) Or, Where in the past week did I think thoughts that were selfish, lustful, judgemental?  And what might those emotions/thoughts be revealing to you about your own heart? What might God want to show you about your inner life that needs His healing and care?  

1. II. A Lifestyle of Confession and Repentance that Leads to Revival Invites Internal Cleansing

Read: Psalm 51: 7-10- Circle the Verbs, (ex. Purge,” “Wash,” “Blot,” “Hide/cover.)

God is “infinite” we are “finite”-- God uses examples like these to accommodate to what we can understand. 

 The entrance into God’s kingdom is through confession/repentance and faith, and the way we grow closer to Him, is through confession/repentance and faith. 

Questions- 

1. What can cause our faith to get stagnant? 
1. religion, pride, legalism, shame, insecurity all flood our mind and our heart. We say things like,  “God, I guess I’ll have to work this out on my own.” “God, there’s no way you could forgive me for that.” “God, maybe I’m not even a Christian after all.” This is the epitome of a stagnant faith. An exhausted, frustrated, cynical, comparison driven, burned out Christian. 

(Optional) Exercise:  Spiritual Breathing- 

The physiological process of breathing to mirror confession and repentance. First, exhale. Confess our sin. Agree with God. Acknowledge it.. Call to mind 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Then inhale. Invite God’s Spirit to lead and guide your life once again. Ephesians 5, “Be filled with the Spirit.” Gal 5, “Let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Just like before… take 5 minutes this week. Get alone with God. 

III. A Lifestyle of Confession and Repentance that Leads to Revival Compels us to Look to Others.

Read: Psalm 51:13-18,  Notice:  “I will teach.” “I will sing.” “I will declare.” 

Questions:

1. How can revival/renewal can spread within the life of the church and community today? Can you think of practical ways and specific things you can do?
1. One person commits to living openly and honestly and then invites others into that practice. They experience it and want to do the same for others. 
2. Share some people that you would like to consider sharing some of the things that you have kept hidden from others? 
3. When you think about historical “Kings” what characteristics come to mind?   What was King David like?  
4. How was Jesus different from the Kings that came before him?

Read: Revelation 1:5

Jesus is the king that David pointed to but wasn’t. He is the true and perfect king. The king over and above every king and kingdom that reigns on earth today. 

1. Is he YOUR king? His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Have you surrendered to his gracious, kind, loving leadership in your heart and in your life?  (And who is one person this week, you could get together with)

End in Prayer…

“God, thank you that you are merciful, compassionate, and full of unfailing love. We confess that we need to be cleansed. We need our sin covered and blotted out. Jesus, thank you that your sacrifice, and your death makes us pure, clean, and whiter than snow. Would you create in us a pure heart? Renew us and restore us, according to your unfailing love. And enable us to extend that love to others. Amen.”