Revival Conference 2021

"'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). Warren Peel opens our conference on revival by expounding this verse of encouragement, comfort, and hope for the people of God, looking at the need for strength, the inadequacy of...

What are the means God uses, and to what ends does He use them? And how are these seen in greater degrees during times of revival? Jeremy Walker uses both Scripture and church history to answer these questions, looking at the kind of men God employs, the means God has ordained (prayerful preaching), the kind of ministry God blesses, and the power that God shows.

The Reformation isn’t always thought of as a revival. Iain Murray shows us that it was indeed a revival by guiding us through 16th-century England and the spiritual reformation brought through men like William Tyndale (1494-1536), highlighting the recovery of God’s Word, the power of the Holy Spirit, God making Himself known, and greater praise in the people.

From his extensive knowledge of revival, Iain Murray brings us four key lessons on the consequences of a revival—strong opposition from the powers of darkness, deeper devotion to Jesus Christ, greater unity among the people of God, and a spirit of awe and wonder in public worship.

How can we prepare for revival? Maurice Roberts answers this question using the example of the young Scottish minister, Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843), and his pursuit of holiness and earnest secret prayer with God. M’Cheyne experienced revival in Dundee in 1839.

Geoff Thomas provides an account of the 1904 Revival in Wales, outlining the situation prior to the revival, the story of Evan Roberts (1878-1951), the denominational battles that resulted, the impact of the Social Gospel and Finneyism, and the long-lasting effects that period had on Wales for good and for bad.

Ian Hamilton unpacks the story of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1759), and the 1934-35 revival in Northampton, Massachusetts. Ian leads us through Edwards’ observations of the purpose of revival, and how the Awakening took the people’s minds off the world, gave them a new delight in public worship, and an increased desire to talk with each other about Jesus Christ and the things of God.

Brian Edwards outlines the five major hallmarks of true revival, illustrated by examples from throughout biblical and church history: an awesome awareness of God, a deep hatred of sin, a longing for holiness, a renewed joy in worship, and a passion to reach the unsaved. He goes on to expound Psalm 77 and the Psalmist’s longing for God to work and make Himself known.

Why should we believe in revival? Many today are skeptical or dismissive of the idea. Geoff Thomas shows us why he believes in revival, looking at the reality of spiritual declension, God’s blessing on His church in Acts, seasons of blessing throughout church history, and our own personal testimonies of the work of God in our lives and congregations.

Peter Naylor expounds Ezekiel 37, and the prophet’s vision of the valley of dry bones, examining the cry of Israel in their deathly ruin and the work that God does in them through Ezekiel’s preaching, breathing life into those bones by His Spirit, taking the stony hearts of their flesh, and giving them a heart of flesh.

Maurice Roberts closes the conference by considering the subject of longing for revival. He tells the story of the 1857-61 Revival to illustrate what God can do and has done and encourages us to pray for revival and cultivate holiness of life for the glory of God and the healing of our nation.