Mid Year Revival Cry (Part Eleven): A Devoted Focus on Jesus

Daily Scripture Threshing for Saturday, June 17, 2023

Today’s Text: Isaiah 57:14-21

Key Verses: Acts 2:37 (ESV): “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?””

We have before us today, the very first sermon of the church age. It sets a standard for how the church must preach, teach and live with necessary emphasis on Jesus. Perhaps today’s Church must retrace its path back to the premier message of the Christian Church to find out the ancient landmark for revival which Apostle Peter had laid through the voice given him by the Holy Spirit in the very moment directly proceeding from Pentecost, and preceding the birth of the Church. Looking at today’s text, it is easy for us to find out why Peter’s message produced such great result: it was devoid of self adulation and adoration. It is a  total projection and elevation of Jesus Christ, crucified, dead, buried, and raised from the dead as Lord and Messiah.

Peter owes no degree in homiletics or systematic theology but the crowd that gathered at Pentecost were cut to their hearts, (asking “what shall we do?”), because the apostle lifted Jesus Christ up to them. Revival comes when Jesus is lifted for the world to see. Quoting from the Hebrew Bible, Jesus says, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32). To harvest such great revival, Jesus must be, and remain the center of, and the priority for our lives and message. Touching and changing the human soul is an act of God, not something we can do on our own. Some scholars call this “divine passive.” The more we acknowledge Jesus and focus on Him, the better outburst of revival we witness in our days.

Quote for the Day: “Revival is when people receive the word of God with awe of Him, pricked in their heart and moved to repentance.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help us to lift You up with our lives and in our message so that those who were at distance from God are brought to love, trust and believe in You who laid down Your life for all and draw us unto Yourself. Help us to seek You with our whole heart —in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]

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