“This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me” (Psalm 119:50). Erosion of morality and ethics in any nation or society always indicate the need for a biblical revival. In OT times, this kind of revival began among God’s people, Israel (Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Josiah). In NT times, revivals began with the church. In America, there are movements referred to as the 1st Great Awakenings and 2nd Great Awakening. And possibly a 3rd Great Awakening. The First Great Awakening was preceded In the 1700s by a European philosophical movement known as the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, which “was making its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized a scientific and logical view of the world, while downplaying religious belief. Secularism had come to the forefront of the intellectual elites. The effects of the Enlightenment were infiltrating American colleges and universities, and passion for religion had waned to a large degree. In many ways, religious practices were becoming more formal and less personal during this time, which resulted in lower church attendance. “Christians were feeling complacent with their methods of worship, and some were disillusioned with how wealth and rationalism were dominating culture. Many began to crave a return to religious piety.” Around this time, the 13 colonies were generally divided by denominations. However, most of New England belonged to congregational churches.
During the 1730’s the 1st Great Awakening impacted the English colonies in America and came at a time when Christian leaders often traveled from town to town, preaching the gospel, emphasizing salvation from sins, and promoting enthusiasm for commitment to the Christian faith. The result was a renewed dedication toward religion but not toward Christ in every case. Many historians believe the Great Awakening had a lasting impact on various Christian denominations and the American culture at large. The major preachers of the 1st Great Awakening (1730’s-1740’s) George Whitfield Jonathan Edwards Samuel DaviesCharles ChaunceySamuel Cooper What was preached about during this revival?Before 1812 topics of revival sermons were the following:George Whitfield – marks Of A True conversion Jonathan Edwards – sinners in the hands of an angry GodSamuel Cooper – The Honors of Christ Demanded of the MagistratePastor Jonathan Mayhew (1720-1766) – earthquakes 1755 (a 5 wk series)- The great fire in Boston 1760Charles Chaucy in 1765 on the stamp act (taxes)Nathaniel fisher on Execution of Henry Blackburn for murdering George Wilkinson In 1796Artillery sermon 1792 for the annual selection of officersRevolution in France (French Revolution – 1789) in connection with US foreignpolicy which was against getting involved in it“Century Sermon” (1800) look back over the last 100 years in us to see what God has done. Samuel Davies “Religion and Patriotism, the constituents of a good soldier”it was for soldiers about to be deployed into the French and Indian War (1754-1763) Except for edwards and Whitfield, there’s seems to be just a few salvation sermons on record! However, most nonrevisionist historians agree that w/o this revival there would not be an America as we know it today. First Great AwakeningIn the 1700s, a European philosophical movement known as the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, was making its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized a scientific and logical view of the world, while downplaying religion.In many ways, religion was becoming more formal and less personal during this time, which led to lower church attendance. Christians were feeling complacent with their methods of worship, and some were disillusioned with how wealth and rationalism were dominating culture. Many began to crave a return to religious piety.Around this time, the 13 colonies were religiously divided. Most of New England belonged to congregational churches. 2nd Great Awakening A sermon on dueling same year same year hamilton & Burr had a duel (7-11-1804). It was condemned by the sermon in Yale Univ chapel Opening of the great bridge over the Connecticut river in 1805 Infirmities and comforts of old age (how to grow old)solar eclipse (from Amos 5:20)Fatal effects of alcoholWilliam elderly Channing (1780-1842) on Military despotism (war of 1812) preached June 15, 1814duties on the American citizen what it means to be a Christian citizenHebrew slavery – moral issues in the culture Immigration Influence of the gospel on intellectual powers – foe college students The Mexican-American War 1846-1848 Each sermon was related to a Bible passage, dealing with what was in the news.The theology in early American (mostly Calvinistic. Even baptist [particular baptist]) was different, mostly holding the view that God will save the elect so preaching about the Christian life took priority over preaching salvation, whichtechnically advocated legalism. But because all the sermons came from the Bible (Isa. 55:11) – “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it,” people came under conviction. Some believe in Christ and those who didn’t still believed in a biblical lifestyle.God actually used the sermons to revive the culture although not everybody in the culture didn’t believe unto salvation. Judah had revivals. Nineveh was evangelized (Nahum preached their doom). Ezra conducted a postexilic revival.America has had revivals. The 1858 revival lasted through the civil war! Listen to Dr. James Edwin Orr (“The Awakening of 1858 in America” on Utube). Today, 75%-83% of americans claim to be Christian (Barna and Barton).But, they say church attendance is irrelevant to their lives. Barton – the problem is weekly salvation messages only is misses the point of the great commission. “it’s a discipleship mandate.” but, clearly, the unsaved need to hear the gospel and new believers in Jesus need to be discipled. That is, they need to be taught biblical doctrines/beliefs and the application of those doctrines in daily living. That’s because the Bible is the final authority of the Christian faith and practice. Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32). The problem with many professing Christiansis that they are not studying God’s word. Therefore, they don’t know and/or don’t understand biblical truths and thus are not free from the devil’s deception. Jesus also said to these people, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Neglecting God’s word is an indication of not belonging to God. Jesus also said, “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God” (John 8:47). This is why many churches have drifted into the cultural norms of immorality, sedition, so-called social justice, prenatal murder, secularism, sacrilege, etc. So, what’s the solution? Obviously a revival, not riots. However, revivals can’t be scheduled by men. They are the work of the Holy Spirit at His timing. The best believers can do is pray for revival and spend time in God’s wordLooking back at what the psalmist says, “This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me” (Psalm 119:50).“I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me.(Psalm 119:93)“I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word”(Psalm 119:107)“Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.(Psalm 119:154)“Great are Your mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your ordinances.(Psalm 119:156)While true believers out of fellowship with Christ need to revived, unbelievers.need to be redeemed. That is, purchased by the blood of Christ which was shed on the cross for our sins. The “final solution” is trusting Christ as Savior. Second Great Awakening, Protestant religious revival in the United States from about 1795 to 1835. During this revival, meetings were held in small towns and large cities throughout the country, and the unique frontier institution known as the camp meeting began. Many churches experienced a great increase in membership, particularly among Methodist and Baptist churches. The Second Great Awakening made soul-winning the primary function of ministry and stimulated several moral and philanthropic reforms, including temperance and the emancipation of women. Generally considered less emotional than the Great Awakening of the early 18th century, the second wave of evangelical revivalism led to the founding of numerous colleges and seminaries and to the organization of mission societies across the country. The Second Great Awakening can be divided into three phases. The first phase (1795–1810) was associated with frontier camp meetings conducted by American preachers James McGready, John McGee, and Barton W. Stone in Kentucky and Tennessee. The second and more conservative phase of the awakening (1810–25) centred in the Congregational churches of New England under the leadership of theologians Timothy Dwight, Lyman Beecher, Nathaniel W. Taylor, and Asahel Nettleton. The third and final phase (1825–35) stemmed from the activities of evangelist Charles Grandison Finney, who began his revivalism in small towns in western New York in the 1820s but eventually conducted revival meetings in the largest cities in the United States and Britain.During the Second Great Awakening revivalistic theology in many denominations shifted from Calvinism to a practical Arminianism as preachers emphasized the ability of sinners to make an immediate decision for their salvation; theological differences almost disappeared among evangelical churches. Moreover, under Finney’s aegis a rationale for carefully contrived revival techniques evolved. After 1835 an irregular corps of professional revival experts traveled through the towns and cities of America and Britain organizing annual revival meetings at the invitation of local pastors who wanted to reinvigorate their churches. Although many American Protestants lost interest in revivalism in the first half of the 20th century, tent revivals as well as annual revivals in churches in the South and Midwest continued to be an important feature of Protestant church life. 3rd Great Awakening (had to distinguish time between them) The Time for Prayer: The Third Great Awakening
During the Third Great Awakening of 1857 to 1859, 10,000 people in New York City alone gathered together daily—even left work—to pray. The same thing was taking place all over the country, in small towns as well as in great cities.
By 1820 it seemed that the Second Awakening was waning; yet within a few years it had sprung to life under the ministry of Charles Finney. His enormous success inspired a large number of “professional evangelists” to come to the fore from the ranks of every major denomination. By 1840 the concept of large campaigns led by preachers who were not pastors of specific churches was generally accepted. From 1840 until the 1870s numerous preachers entered the ranks of traveling evangelists.
The YMCA, which had recently been founded, arose to play a large part in the Third Great Awakening in cities such as Philadelphia and Chicago. The organization was for years a specifically evangelical Christian ministry intended to provide Christian training and a wholesome atmosphere for underprivileged young men who lived and worked in the big cities. Timothy Smith has written of the “fervently religious orientation of the mid-century YMCA” and “its intimate bond with the churches. Leading ministers participated in the ‘Y’ affairs at all levels.”
The Philadelphia YMCA sponsored a prayer meeting that drew 300 people daily. It began at noon, but people started gathering at 11 so they would be assured of a seat. The ‘Y’ also held an evangelistic campaign using a tent that could hold 1,200 people.The Chicago YMCA served as a great training school for laypersons. Dwight L. Moody received his first opportunities for Christian service there.The colleges of America were heavily influenced by the Awakening of 1858. Beyond the many conversions that took place, large numbers of enthusiastic students volunteered for service in foreign missions, or in the ministry. The historian J. Edwin Orr wrote:… The influence of the awakening was felt everywhere in the nation. It first captured great cities, but it also spread through every town and village and country hamlet. It swamped schools and colleges. It affected all classes without respect to condition.… It seemed to many that the fruits of Pentecost had been repeated a thousandfold.… the number of conversions reported soon reached the total of fifty thousand weekly.… The Third Great Awakening refers to a historical period proposed by William G. McLoughlin that was marked by religious activism in American history and spans the late 1850s to the early 20th century. It influenced pietistic Protestant denominations and had a strong element of social activism. It gathered strength from the postmillennial belief that the Second Coming of Christ would occur after mankind had reformed the entire earth. It was affiliated with the Social Gospel Movement, which applied Christianity to social issues and gained its force from the awakening, as did the worldwide missionary movement. New groupings emerged, such as the Holiness movement and Nazarene movements, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Spiritualism, Theosophy, Thelema, and Christian Science.
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