3. Revival and Reformation
Revival is the absolute in the church
growth process. A church must
constantly call upon the Lord for His
leadership, direction, insight, and power.
4. Revival and Reformation
“A revival and a reformation must
take place, under the ministration
of the Holy Spirit. Revival and
reformation are two different things.
5. Revival and Reformation
Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the
powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death.
Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and
theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth
the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the
revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their
appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.”
(E. G. White, Last Days Events, 189)
7. Revival and Reformation
“God calls for a revival and a reformation.
The words of the Bible, and the Bible
alone, should be echoed from the pulpits
of our land. In the sermons of many
pulpits of today there is not that divine
manifestation which awakens the
conscience and brings life to the soul.”
(RH, February 27, 1908 par. 5)
8. Revival and Reformation
“We all need the Holy Spirit. Our ministers need
it. Our medical and educational institutions and
our churches need it. We need a thorough, living
experience in the work of the Lord.”
(Sermons and Talks, Vol.1, p. 392)
9. Revival and Reformation Steps
First Step: Pastors and church
workers.
Second Step: Local church
leaders and members.
Third Step: Everyone involved in evangelism to proclaim
Jesus’ Second Coming.
10. Revival and Reformation Steps
1. Pastors and Church Workers
• “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most
urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work.”
(Last Days Events, p. 189)
• “I tell you that there must be a thorough revival among us.
There must be a converted ministry. There must be
confessions, repentance, and conversions. Many who are
preaching the Word need the transforming grace of Christ in
their hearts.” (Ibid.)
11. Revival and Reformation Steps
1. Pastors and Church Workers
“The ministers must be converted before
they can strengthen their brethren. . . . A
reformation is needed among the people,
but it should first begin its purifying work
with the ministers.” (1T., p. 469)
12. Revival and Reformation Steps
1. Pastors and Church Workers
“The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place.
When this reformation begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate
every believer, and will banish from the church the spirit of
discord and strife” (Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 251).
13. Revival and Reformation Steps
2. Local church leaders and members
• Love One Another
“True conversion is a change from selfishness to
sanctified affection for God and for one another. . . .
The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a
loving and lovable Christian” (LDE 191).
14. Revival and Reformation Steps
2. Local Church Leaders and members
“The heart must be emptied of every defilement and
cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the
confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and
consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples
prepared for the outpouring” (Prayer, p. 118).
15. Revival and Reformation Steps
2. Local church leaders and members
“Pray without ceasing, and watch by working in accordance with
your prayers. As you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the time of the
latter rain, when the Lord will give largely of His Spirit. Be fervent in
prayer, and watch in the Spirit” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 512).
16. Revival and Reformation Steps
2. Local church leaders and members
• Total Surrender Required
“We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit
as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed
it at that time, we need it more today” (Prayer, p. 119).
17. Revival and Reformation Steps
2. Local Church Leaders and members
“There is nothing that Satan fears so
much as that the people of God shall
clear the way by removing every
hindrance, so that the Lord can pour
out His Spirit upon a languishing church
and an impenitent congregation”
(Prayer, p. 120).
• Clearing the Way for the Latter Rain
18. Revival and Reformation Steps
3. Evangelism and Proclamation
“The spiritual life of the church
can only be kept alive as the
members make personal efforts
to win souls to Christ. . .”
(6MR, p. 199).
19. Revival and Reformation Steps
3. Evangelism and Proclamation
“When the churches become living, working
churches, the Holy Spirit will be given in
answer to their sincere request. . . . Then
the windows of heaven will be open for the
showers of the latter rain” (LDE, p. 193).
20. Revival and Reformation Steps
3. Evangelism and Proclamation
• "Keep the Vessel Clean and Right Side Up"
“We need not worry about the latter rain. All we have to do is to
keep the vessel clean and right side up and prepared for the
reception of the heavenly rain, and keep praying. Let the latter
rain come into my vessel. Let the light of the glorious angel
which unites with the third angel shine upon me; give me a part
in the work; let me sound the proclamation; let me be a
collaborer with Jesus Christ” (LDE, p. 194).
21. Revival and Reformation Steps
3. Evangelism and Proclamation
• Prayer without earnest activity for others leads to
formalism.
“God does not mean that any of us shall become hermits or
monks, and retire from the world to devote ourselves to acts of
worship. The life must be like Christ’s life—between the
mountain and the multitude. He who does nothing but pray will
soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal
routine” (Steps to Christ, p. 101).
22. Strategy for Implementation
• Pastors and church workers – Step 1
1. Promoting prayer meetings.
2. Providing study materials.
3. Challenging a healthy lifestyle reformation.
4. Claiming the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
23. Strategy for Implementation
• Local church leaders and members – Step 2
1. Living a life of prayer.
2. Promoting Week-of-Prayers and vigils.
3. Emphasizing the need for home worship.
4. Challenging a healthy lifestyle reformation.
5. Claiming the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
24. Strategy for Implementation
• Evangelism and Proclamation – Final Goal
1. Revival and Reformation emphasis.
2. Training, equipping, and motivating.
3. Studying the book “Christian Service.”
4. Establishing small groups.
5. Sharing missionary literature.
25. “Had Adventists after the great disappointment in 1844
held fast their faith and followed on unitedly in the
opening providence of God, receiving the message of
the third angel and in the power of the Holy Spirit
proclaiming it to the world, they would have seen the
salvation of God, the Lord would have wrought mightily
with their efforts, the work would have been
completed, and Christ would have come ere this to
receive His people to their reward. . . . It was not the
will of God that the coming of Christ should be thus
delayed. . . .” (Last Days Events, p. 37)
Good News and Bad News
26. Good News and Bad News
“For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion
shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The
same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel
into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the
promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the
worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord's
professed people that have kept us in this world of sin
and sorrow so many years. Had the church of Christ
done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the
whole world would before this have been warned and
the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power
and great glory.” (Last Days Events, p. 38)
