REVIVAL OR RETREAT Philippians 3:13,14 Introduction: The child of God is tempted to retreat from living a godly lifestyle. Satan doesn’t want us to live above the pressures that he sends our way. He doesn’t want us to live in an atmosphere of Revival—he wants us to retreat—and try to do just enough to get by. But God is calling His church to a lifestyle of Revival and Renewal There is a Secret for Success for the Saint of God, when it comes to overcoming Satan’s Strategy… 1. Never allow your Failures—to Cloud your Accomplishments… 2. Never continue to Fail in the Same Areas over and over… 3. Find a place of Victory through the Power of God… That’s what Paul was telling us here in our text…We do not have to RETREAT…we can have REVIVAL ! We can push through all the obstacles that stand in our way… We can penetrate the barriers satan has built to blind us… We can forget about the problems of the past—and tackle the problems that we’re facing today… We don’t have to be held as prisoners of war—we can pull down the strongholds… I. How about you saint of God? What will you do? Are you going to retreat, or are you going to allow God to give you REVIVAL? A. Will we continue to be satisfied with the status quo—When God says we can do the Spectacular and the Supernatural? B. Will we settle with being an average Christian or an average Church—When God says can be Awesome? 1. Living to the extent that others see God’s character in you. C. Will many of us continue to sin against God—When Jesus has shed His Blood to give us victory and power over sin? D. Will we sit in spiritual ruins of our lives—When God is calling us to spiritual restoration and renewal? ? Jeremiah 30:17- “For I will Restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.” E. Will we continue to be Faithless—When God has called us to be Faithful? F. Will God’s Church, in many places, remain Spiritually cold and dead—When God has called us to be Lively Stones? G. Will we Retreat like cowards—Or will we have an old-fashion Revival? H. Will we remain unprepared for the coming of the Lord—When we are well aware that Jesus is coming soon? II. These Are Questions We Must Reason With Today ! ? It’s time to forget those things that happened in the past—and press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ… ? It’s time to love God more… ? It’s time to love one another more… ? It’s time to go the extra mile more… ? It’s time to reach the lost more… ? It’s time to work for the Kingdom of God more… ? It’s time to worship the Lord more… ? It’s time to stop playing Church—and to start having church… ? IT’S TIME TO DECIDE IF WE ARE GOING TO RETREAT-OR IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE GENUINE REVIVAL !!! Raymond Priest Pastor, Summerville Church of God Summerville, S.C. E-Mail: EagleWind2@AOL.COM