Pastor hedging his bets?

[FundNoMore]

I heard a pastor was preparing his church for some upcoming special meetings. He stated that if the people did not prepare their hearts there would be no revival. Then went on to say that revival came to Nineveh because the people prepared their hearts for the word of God (couldn't be more wrong as the Word of God changed their hearts, they were not seeking God before Jonah arrived). Granted that prayer is essential to revival, but revival is sent by God, not by some formulaic rituals.
My guess is the pastor is not expecting revival and is hedging his bets that he and/or the evangelist not be blamed .
This is sad

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Prayer is essential for revival. There are many revivals in Scripture. There are some commonalities between them that could be used as a lesson "For Revival To Happen." There are many instances where the prayers of the people brought about a great awakening or revival in the lives of others. Easiest example is the Fulton Street Revival (Third Great Awakening).

His use of Ninevah is a careless application of Scripture that was absolutely incorrect. First, that was an Awakening, not a Revival for they were never "spiritually alive" to be able to be "revived." You are correct that they were doing nothing to prepare for an awakening. The awakening did happen, it is recorded in history, but there was no preparation by the people for the event

 

[FundNoMore]

Aside from his misusing scripture, like so many fundamentalist preachers, the really sad part is that he has determined that there will not be revival and that it will be because of the congregation. Reminds me of Benny Hinn when someone was not "healed" and he would say that it was their weak or lack of faith.

 

[Walt]

I heard a pastor was preparing his church for some upcoming special meetings. He stated that if the people did not prepare their hearts there would be no revival. Then went on to say that revival came to Nineveh because the people prepared their hearts for the word of God (couldn't be more wrong as the Word of God changed their hearts, they were not seeking God before Jonah arrived). Granted that prayer is essential to revival, but revival is sent by God, not by some formulaic rituals.
My guess is the pastor is not expecting revival and is hedging his bets that he and/or the evangelist not be blamed .
This is sad

It may be what you say... but that could bring up an interesting point that I've heard both sides argued... can man bring revival? I think RA Torrey thought that if just a few men would pray for revival, it would come? The alternate view is that God must send revival, and will do it as He wills, not in response to anything we do.