The Next Great Awakening

And so Joseph's story is not just And so Joseph's story is not just ancient history. It's a template of how ancient history. It's a template of how ancient history. It's a template of how God reveals and how God provides and how God reveals and how God provides and how God reveals and how God provides and how God raises up people at just the right God raises up people at just the right God raises up people at just the right time. It's an example of someone being time. It's an example of someone being time. It's an example of someone being faithful during a time when nobody else faithful during a time when nobody else faithful during a time when nobody else seemed that concerned. Like everybody seemed that concerned. Like everybody seemed that concerned. Like everybody else was pretty comfortable. But Joseph, else was pretty comfortable. But Joseph, else was pretty comfortable. But Joseph, like he had different eyes for what was like he had different eyes for what was like he had different eyes for what was happening and for what one day would happening and for what one day would happening and for what one day would happen. And so God, I believe, has been happen. And so God, I believe, has been happen. And so God, I believe, has been doing that kind of work on American soil doing that kind of work on American soil doing that kind of work on American soil for 250 years. Every time this nation for 250 years. Every time this nation for 250 years. Every time this nation has gone spiritually dark, every time has gone spiritually dark, every time has gone spiritually dark, every time there's been a spiritual famine of some there's been a spiritual famine of some there's been a spiritual famine of some kind, God has appointed someone willing kind, God has appointed someone willing kind, God has appointed someone willing to fill storehouses. I'm going to tell to fill storehouses. I'm going to tell to fill storehouses. I'm going to tell you about some of those moments in you about some of those moments in you about some of those moments in American history. I want to introduce American history. I want to introduce American history. I want to introduce you to some of those people. Looking you to some of those people. Looking you to some of those people. Looking back over the past 250 years of America, back over the past 250 years of America, back over the past 250 years of America, we see that about every about every 50 we see that about every about every 50 we see that about every about every 50 years, almost like clockwork, there's a years, almost like clockwork, there's a years, almost like clockwork, there's a spiritual famine followed by spiritual spiritual famine followed by spiritual spiritual famine followed by spiritual awakening. Like God opens up a awakening. Like God opens up a awakening. Like God opens up a storehouse and people who are storehouse and people who are storehouse and people who are spiritually starving come from all over.

spiritually starving come from all over. spiritually starving come from all over. So let's start in 1734 in Northampton, So let's start in 1734 in Northampton, So let's start in 1734 in Northampton, Massachusetts. The American colonies Massachusetts. The American colonies Massachusetts. The American colonies were in spiritual famine. The churches were in spiritual famine. The churches were in spiritual famine. The churches were formal and cold. A generation, a were formal and cold. A generation, a were formal and cold. A generation, a generation had grown up treating God as generation had grown up treating God as generation had grown up treating God as a intellectual exercise at best like a intellectual exercise at best like a intellectual exercise at best like nobody was really being saved. Nobody nobody was really being saved. Nobody nobody was really being saved. Nobody was really changing. It's tradition. But was really changing. It's tradition. But was really changing. It's tradition. But then a pastor named Jonathan Edwards then a pastor named Jonathan Edwards then a pastor named Jonathan Edwards preached a famous sermon called Sinners preached a famous sermon called Sinners preached a famous sermon called Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. And the in the Hands of an Angry God. And the in the Hands of an Angry God. And the language in that sermon is pretty language in that sermon is pretty language in that sermon is pretty terrifying. And he pictures spiders terrifying. And he pictures spiders terrifying. And he pictures spiders dangling over flames, a pit of hell dangling over flames, a pit of hell dangling over flames, a pit of hell opening be beneath your feet, and God's opening be beneath your feet, and God's opening be beneath your feet, and God's wrath burning like fire. And so like wrath burning like fire. And so like wrath burning like fire. And so like Joseph, he is speaking truth even when Joseph, he is speaking truth even when Joseph, he is speaking truth even when it's hard to hear. But it woke the it's hard to hear. But it woke the it's hard to hear. But it woke the church up. When you read that sermon, church up. When you read that sermon, church up. When you read that sermon, you picture a man preaching it who's you picture a man preaching it who's you picture a man preaching it who's thundering from a pulpit, you know, thundering from a pulpit, you know, thundering from a pulpit, you know, pounding the lectern. But that wasn't pounding the lectern. But that wasn't pounding the lectern. But that wasn't Jonathan Edwards. Like he didn't have a Jonathan Edwards. Like he didn't have a Jonathan Edwards. Like he didn't have a commanding voice or dramatic gestures.

commanding voice or dramatic gestures. commanding voice or dramatic gestures. His eyesight was so bad he had to hold His eyesight was so bad he had to hold His eyesight was so bad he had to hold his manuscript a few inches from his his manuscript a few inches from his his manuscript a few inches from his face to read it. But he spoke truth and face to read it. But he spoke truth and face to read it. But he spoke truth and he preached about grace like he believed he preached about grace like he believed he preached about grace like he believed it. And people came flooding to Jesus. it. And people came flooding to Jesus. it. And people came flooding to Jesus. George Whitfield followed crosses the George Whitfield followed crosses the George Whitfield followed crosses the Atlantic and he starts preaching to like Atlantic and he starts preaching to like Atlantic and he starts preaching to like 30,000 people at a time in open fields 30,000 people at a time in open fields 30,000 people at a time in open fields because no building could hold the because no building could hold the because no building could hold the crowds. When he assessed the American crowds. When he assessed the American crowds. When he assessed the American churches, he was honest with his churches, he was honest with his churches, he was honest with his conclusion. He said, "The reason conclusion. He said, "The reason conclusion. He said, "The reason congregations are so dead is because congregations are so dead is because congregations are so dead is because dead men preach to them." And he dead men preach to them." And he dead men preach to them." And he preached like a man on fire. And so the preached like a man on fire. And so the preached like a man on fire. And so the first great awakening spread across first great awakening spread across first great awakening spread across colonies, across denominations, across colonies, across denominations, across colonies, across denominations, across class lines. 50 years later, we find class lines. 50 years later, we find class lines. 50 years later, we find ourselves now in Kentucky, a field in ourselves now in Kentucky, a field in ourselves now in Kentucky, a field in Kentucky about 90 miles from where I'm Kentucky about 90 miles from where I'm Kentucky about 90 miles from where I'm preaching this. In August of 1801 in a preaching this. In August of 1801 in a preaching this. In August of 1801 in a Presbyterian meeting house in Bourbon Presbyterian meeting house in Bourbon Presbyterian meeting house in Bourbon County, Kentucky in a place called Cane County, Kentucky in a place called Cane County, Kentucky in a place called Cane Ridge, 20,000 people descend on this Ridge, 20,000 people descend on this Ridge, 20,000 people descend on this field and they come in wagons, dirt field and they come in wagons, dirt field and they come in wagons, dirt roads, hunters, gamblers, people who had roads, hunters, gamblers, people who had roads, hunters, gamblers, people who had never set foot in church came. They came never set foot in church came. They came never set foot in church came. They came from every direction because something from every direction because something from every direction because something was happening and word had spread. Seven was happening and word had spread. Seven was happening and word had spread. Seven preachers would stand throughout the preachers would stand throughout the preachers would stand throughout the field on stumps and wagons and logs and field on stumps and wagons and logs and field on stumps and wagons and logs and they would preach simultaneously to they would preach simultaneously to they would preach simultaneously to these crowds. An eyewitness said that these crowds. An eyewitness said that these crowds. An eyewitness said that the crowd was so loud it was like the the crowd was so loud it was like the the crowd was so loud it was like the roar of Niagara Falls. Like people would

roar of Niagara Falls. Like people would roar of Niagara Falls. Like people would fall to the ground under conviction and fall to the ground under conviction and fall to the ground under conviction and they would repent for hours. they would repent for hours. they would repent for hours. That's just 90 90 minutes from here in a That's just 90 90 minutes from here in a That's just 90 90 minutes from here in a field. Like most people would drive past field. Like most people would drive past field. Like most people would drive past that now without even knowing it exists. that now without even knowing it exists. that now without even knowing it exists. I mean it doesn't look like much. old I mean it doesn't look like much. old I mean it doesn't look like much. old log meeting house, some trees, a log meeting house, some trees, a log meeting house, some trees, a historical marker that most people have historical marker that most people have historical marker that most people have never stopped to read. But what happened never stopped to read. But what happened never stopped to read. But what happened in that field 224 years ago, it changed in that field 224 years ago, it changed in that field 224 years ago, it changed the world. Changed the world in ways the world. Changed the world in ways the world. Changed the world in ways that are still rippling today, that are still rippling today, that are still rippling today, 50 years later. 50 years later. 50 years later. 1857, 1857, 1857, a former businessman named Jeremiah a former businessman named Jeremiah a former businessman named Jeremiah Landfire had this burden. So he rented a Landfire had this burden. So he rented a Landfire had this burden. So he rented a room above a church in Fulton Street. room above a church in Fulton Street. room above a church in Fulton Street. It's in lower Manhattan. And he made a It's in lower Manhattan. And he made a It's in lower Manhattan. And he made a simple flyer. He passed it out around simple flyer. He passed it out around simple flyer. He passed it out around the neighborhood. Just said, "Prayer the neighborhood. Just said, "Prayer the neighborhood. Just said, "Prayer meeting 12:00 to 1:00 for merchants, meeting 12:00 to 1:00 for merchants, meeting 12:00 to 1:00 for merchants, mechanics, clerks, strangers, and mechanics, clerks, strangers, and mechanics, clerks, strangers, and businessmen." He sat alone in that room businessmen." He sat alone in that room businessmen." He sat alone in that room for 30 minutes. And finally, a single for 30 minutes. And finally, a single for 30 minutes. And finally, a single person arrived. Six people would person arrived. Six people would person arrived. Six people would eventually show up. He didn't cancel it eventually show up. He didn't cancel it eventually show up. He didn't cancel it because of poor attendance. Came back because of poor attendance. Came back because of poor attendance. Came back the next week, there were 20. the week the next week, there were 20. the week the next week, there were 20. the week after 40 and then the stock market after 40 and then the stock market after 40 and then the stock market crashed and banks collapsed and 30,000 crashed and banks collapsed and 30,000 crashed and banks collapsed and 30,000 men lost their jobs in New York City men lost their jobs in New York City men lost their jobs in New York City alone and suddenly the whole city was alone and suddenly the whole city was alone and suddenly the whole city was hungry desperate enough to pray and that hungry desperate enough to pray and that hungry desperate enough to pray and that meeting started to happen daily spread meeting started to happen daily spread meeting started to happen daily spread to other buildings other cities other to other buildings other cities other to other buildings other cities other states lawyers physicians merchants

states lawyers physicians merchants states lawyers physicians merchants clerks they'd tie their horses up clerks they'd tie their horses up clerks they'd tie their horses up outside they'd come in just for even outside they'd come in just for even outside they'd come in just for even five minutes on their lunch break just five minutes on their lunch break just five minutes on their lunch break just to get on their knees and Okay. to get on their knees and Okay. to get on their knees and Okay. Within 18 months, an estimated 1 million Within 18 months, an estimated 1 million Within 18 months, an estimated 1 million people had come to Jesus. That's like people had come to Jesus. That's like people had come to Jesus. That's like more than 3% of the nation's population more than 3% of the nation's population more than 3% of the nation's population being swept into the kingdom by prayer being swept into the kingdom by prayer being swept into the kingdom by prayer of one ordinary man who waited alone in of one ordinary man who waited alone in of one ordinary man who waited alone in an empty room. Hungry and desperate an empty room. Hungry and desperate an empty room. Hungry and desperate people came by the hundreds of people came by the hundreds of people came by the hundreds of thousands. No famous preacher, no thousands. No famous preacher, no thousands. No famous preacher, no platform, platform, platform, no marketing strategy, just a man who no marketing strategy, just a man who no marketing strategy, just a man who believed that prayer was the work. believed that prayer was the work. believed that prayer was the work. 50 years later, 1906, 50 years later, 1906, 50 years later, 1906, Isuza Street, Los Angeles, Isuza Street, Los Angeles, Isuza Street, Los Angeles, God does what apparently God loves to God does what apparently God loves to God does what apparently God loves to do. He finds the one person that nobody do. He finds the one person that nobody do. He finds the one person that nobody would have chosen, William Seymour. He would have chosen, William Seymour. He would have chosen, William Seymour. He is the oneeyed son of a formerly is the oneeyed son of a formerly is the oneeyed son of a formerly enslaved family from rural Louisiana. enslaved family from rural Louisiana. enslaved family from rural Louisiana. This is back in Jim Crow, America. He This is back in Jim Crow, America. He This is back in Jim Crow, America. He wanted to learn the Bible more than wanted to learn the Bible more than wanted to learn the Bible more than anything else. And so he found this anything else. And so he found this anything else. And so he found this Bible school in Houston, Texas, run by a Bible school in Houston, Texas, run by a Bible school in Houston, Texas, run by a man named Charles Palmer. And Palmer let man named Charles Palmer. And Palmer let man named Charles Palmer. And Palmer let him attend, but not inside the him attend, but not inside the him attend, but not inside the classroom. So Seymour had to sit in the classroom. So Seymour had to sit in the classroom. So Seymour had to sit in the hallway outside the classroom and listen hallway outside the classroom and listen hallway outside the classroom and listen through the wall. But that's what he did through the wall. But that's what he did through the wall. But that's what he did every single day. And then someone in every single day. And then someone in every single day. And then someone in Los Angeles heard about this man and Los Angeles heard about this man and Los Angeles heard about this man and invited him to come preach at their invited him to come preach at their invited him to come preach at their small church. He came and he preached on small church. He came and he preached on small church. He came and he preached on Sunday, but he wasn't invited back the Sunday, but he wasn't invited back the Sunday, but he wasn't invited back the next Sunday. But William Seymour, as you

next Sunday. But William Seymour, as you next Sunday. But William Seymour, as you might guess, is not a man who could be might guess, is not a man who could be might guess, is not a man who could be easily set aside. So, he found a house easily set aside. So, he found a house easily set aside. So, he found a house and he started praying. He called a and he started praying. He called a and he started praying. He called a 10-day fast. 3 days into that fast, 10-day fast. 3 days into that fast, 10-day fast. 3 days into that fast, eight men were on their knees together. eight men were on their knees together. eight men were on their knees together. The neighbors came to see what was The neighbors came to see what was The neighbors came to see what was happening. And the crowds began to happening. And the crowds began to happening. And the crowds began to swell. The front porch eventually swell. The front porch eventually swell. The front porch eventually collapsed under the weight of the collapsed under the weight of the collapsed under the weight of the people. And soon it was three prayer people. And soon it was three prayer people. And soon it was three prayer meetings a day, seven days a week for meetings a day, seven days a week for meetings a day, seven days a week for three straight years. And then in 1906 three straight years. And then in 1906 three straight years. And then in 1906 when churches were as segregated as when churches were as segregated as when churches were as segregated as everything else like everything else like everything else like there was hard lines that had been drawn there was hard lines that had been drawn there was hard lines that had been drawn between black and white like between black and white like between black and white like but there at Isuza streak the color line but there at Isuza streak the color line but there at Isuza streak the color line dissolved like black worshippers, white dissolved like black worshippers, white dissolved like black worshippers, white worshippers, Latino, Asian, illiterate, worshippers, Latino, Asian, illiterate, worshippers, Latino, Asian, illiterate, poor, wealthy people who had nowhere poor, wealthy people who had nowhere poor, wealthy people who had nowhere else to go. All of them come together on else to go. All of them come together on else to go. All of them come together on that same dirt floor. A white southern that same dirt floor. A white southern that same dirt floor. A white southern preacher named Frank Bartleman came to preacher named Frank Bartleman came to preacher named Frank Bartleman came to investigate and here's what he wrote. He investigate and here's what he wrote. He investigate and here's what he wrote. He saw this diversity and he said, "The saw this diversity and he said, "The saw this diversity and he said, "The colorline has been washed away by the colorline has been washed away by the colorline has been washed away by the bloodline."

bloodline." bloodline." Secular newspapers came to mock it. Secular newspapers came to mock it. Secular newspapers came to mock it. Critics said it was undignified. It was Critics said it was undignified. It was Critics said it was undignified. It was embarrassing. It wasn't real embarrassing. It wasn't real embarrassing. It wasn't real Christianity. But the people kept Christianity. But the people kept Christianity. But the people kept coming. They were hungry. The crowd was coming. They were hungry. The crowd was coming. They were hungry. The crowd was well-dressed. Sometimes skeptical well-dressed. Sometimes skeptical well-dressed. Sometimes skeptical preachers came to expose it as fraud. preachers came to expose it as fraud. preachers came to expose it as fraud. and then they would end up on the dirt and then they would end up on the dirt and then they would end up on the dirt floor in repentance. But William floor in repentance. But William floor in repentance. But William Seymour, the man who had learned Seymour, the man who had learned Seymour, the man who had learned scripture sitting in that hallway cuz he scripture sitting in that hallway cuz he scripture sitting in that hallway cuz he wasn't allowed in the classroom. He wasn't allowed in the classroom. He wasn't allowed in the classroom. He preached every service with his face preached every service with his face preached every service with his face hidden behind a wooden shoe box cuz he hidden behind a wooden shoe box cuz he hidden behind a wooden shoe box cuz he didn't want anybody looking at him. He didn't want anybody looking at him. He didn't want anybody looking at him. He wanted them looking at God. And revival wanted them looking at God. And revival wanted them looking at God. And revival spread from that building across the spread from that building across the spread from that building across the country and around the world. 50 years country and around the world. 50 years country and around the world. 50 years later, 1970, later, 1970, later, 1970, a dying church of about 25 people in a dying church of about 25 people in a dying church of about 25 people in Costa Mesa, California, cracked open its Costa Mesa, California, cracked open its Costa Mesa, California, cracked open its doors to barefoot hippies that nobody doors to barefoot hippies that nobody doors to barefoot hippies that nobody else wanted. Pastor Chuck Smith admitted else wanted. Pastor Chuck Smith admitted else wanted. Pastor Chuck Smith admitted that he had written them off, but it was that he had written them off, but it was that he had written them off, but it was his wife Kay who said no. And she had his wife Kay who said no. And she had his wife Kay who said no. And she had this burden, and she insisted to her this burden, and she insisted to her this burden, and she insisted to her husband that he do something about this.

husband that he do something about this. husband that he do something about this. And there was an elder who wasn't happy And there was an elder who wasn't happy And there was an elder who wasn't happy about all these young hippies coming to about all these young hippies coming to about all these young hippies coming to church. So he put a sign on the front church. So he put a sign on the front church. So he put a sign on the front door said no bare feet allowed. But door said no bare feet allowed. But door said no bare feet allowed. But Pastor Chuck Smith tore that down and he Pastor Chuck Smith tore that down and he Pastor Chuck Smith tore that down and he said he would rip up the carpet before said he would rip up the carpet before said he would rip up the carpet before he turned away anyone. he turned away anyone. he turned away anyone. And 1970 alone. Thousands of people came And 1970 alone. Thousands of people came And 1970 alone. Thousands of people came to be baptized in the Pacific Ocean to be baptized in the Pacific Ocean to be baptized in the Pacific Ocean there. Historians say that the Jesus there. Historians say that the Jesus there. Historians say that the Jesus movement reached more lost people than movement reached more lost people than movement reached more lost people than either of the great awakenings before either of the great awakenings before either of the great awakenings before them. Two to three million young people them. Two to three million young people them. Two to three million young people got swept into the kingdom through this got swept into the kingdom through this got swept into the kingdom through this church that almost kept their doors church that almost kept their doors church that almost kept their doors closed. closed. closed. And so I just need you to look at this And so I just need you to look at this And so I just need you to look at this here. 1734 here. 1734 here. 1734 50 years Can 50 years after that 50 years Can 50 years after that 50 years Can 50 years after that Holden Street. 50 years after that Isuza Holden Street. 50 years after that Isuza Holden Street. 50 years after that Isuza 50 years after that the Jesus movement. 50 years after that the Jesus movement. 50 years after that the Jesus movement. And the Jesus movement was the last And the Jesus movement was the last And the Jesus movement was the last major revival in American history. major revival in American history. major revival in American history. Anyone want to guess how many years ago Anyone want to guess how many years ago Anyone want to guess how many years ago that was?

that was? that was? It's right about 50 years. It's right about 50 years. It's right about 50 years. And God has been moving. In fact, in the And God has been moving. In fact, in the And God has been moving. In fact, in the last 12 months as a church, we've last 12 months as a church, we've last 12 months as a church, we've baptized over 5,000 people in our church baptized over 5,000 people in our church baptized over 5,000 people in our church alone. And so it's just clear that alone. And so it's just clear that alone. And so it's just clear that something is happening.