Revival Is NOW

Many Christians ponder the thought: “just what is the difference between ‘religion’ and ‘Christianity’. In their desire to “do” the right thing they fall into doing good works, giving money and church attendance. John the Baptist ministered in such a culture.” In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. “ Mat. 3:1-3

Mat. 4:12-17 NIV

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.
13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—

14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Q Why do you think Jesus began by preaching the same message as John the Baptist?

The law was given to the Jewish people to show them the righteous requirements of God. When someone sinned under the law and broke the commandments of God, prescribed sacrifices were offered for them by the priests. The Hebrew words for repentance are Nacham, “to sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry” and Shuwb “to turn back”.

Many Christians try to live under the new covenant using the old covenant definitions of repentance (to be sorry; to turn back!) The new covenant definition for repent is the Greek word Metanoeo, which means to think differently (an inward change of mind that expresses itself through a transformed life.) A change of mind (repentance) prepares the way of the Lord and brings revelation of the King, His Kingdom and Kingdom life.

Turning from sin to God is the result of true repentance. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 NAS A revelation (illumination) of truth is always accompanied by grace to accomplish what has been revealed. We are changed (transformed) when we receive and believe, God’s revelation of truth. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12 NAS

Taken from Kingdom Keys, Lesson 3 Repentance

Q What is the “light” spoken about by the prophet Isaiah? See John 1:4 “In him was life and that life was the light of men.”

Mat. 4:18-5:3 NIV

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,
22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.
25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
2 and he began to teach them. He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Q How did Jesus find his disciples?

Q How does he find disciples today?

Q Why do you think he separated his disciples from the crowds to teach them?

In John 3:3 Jesus declared “ I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” He also states in John 3:19-21 This is the verdict: “Light has come in the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light for fear his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Q Mat. 5:3 states that “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Do we possess the kingdom of heaven now or is this only something for the future?

Q Is true blessedness possible apart from experiencing God’s kingdom now?

The word Blessed means more than happy because happiness is an emotion often dependant on outward circumstances. Blessed here refers to the ultimate well- being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God.

NIV Text Note