1. They were obedient.
Acts 1: 4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1: 12. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
13. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren
The first key to Revival is obedience, obedience to God, respecting the house of God and the man of God.
- Aiken was not obedient, and he lost everything, his family paid the price
- Saul was not obedient and he lost everything, his family paid the price
- He told them:
- Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
- He never told them to repent. He never told them about the mercy and love and grace of God. He told them
- Paraphrased of course
- (sing song voice)
- Neener neener neener 'you're gonna die'
Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Jonah 4:1. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
He got mad 'cuz God saved them. Even in trying to work for God, he was disobedient!
''Hey, you don't want to come to church do you?''
How about people who witness by telling them how they should dress and live, rather than the Love of God?
The great Indian leader Gandhi was a Hindu, but in his early days was much impressed by the message of the gospel of Christ. He determined to find out more and for several Sundays attended a church in Pretoria. This turned out to be a sad experience for he found that his fellow worshippers weren't serious believers at all; they were worldly-minded people going to church for recreation and in order to conform to the expected custom.
Gandhi concluded, wrongly, that there was nothing in Christianity, which he did not already better possess. He once said, "I'd seriously consider becoming a Christian - if it weren't for Christians".
What an indictment! Remember that Christians are the visible representatives of Christ here on earth. Are we giving the right signals to those around us?
These people went to church, but only obeyed enough to have fun and abide by custom.
But when the disciples were obedient to God, a great Revival Broke out in Acts chapter 2
Samuel said Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice
