City
This week Pastor Jon wrapped up our sermon series on “Altars” in a powerful call for the people of God in New York City to come together in one heart and one mind. The Vision is to seek a regional in-breaking of the Spirit to turn our hearts back to the Lord, and to cry out in hunger for Revival in our time. Using King Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20 as a model, Pastor Jon began by asking us to turn the Altar Instinct into our habitual first response in any situation, rather than as a last resort. The Altar Instinct is when God’s people do four things: resolve to seek him; inquire after His heart; fast; and pray (2 Chronicles 20: 3-4). In prayer, we can recall biblical or spiritual history and times in our own personal relationship when God’s presence was encountered, praying God’s Word back to Him. (2 Chronicles 20:6-12). This radical dependence on God initiates deliverance in times of crisis, and breaks open spiritual resistance for the power of God to act (2 Chronicles 20:14-19). Pastor Jon goes on to warn against the consequences of when we do not foster the Altar Instinct as our first response. Our current instinct fosters distraction (by things like politics and entertainment) and discouragement (when the power of God seems inaccessible or for another time and place). The hope, however, is when the people of God from all categories of people (and not from just a small, fervent core) recognize the same Lord and respond in one heart, united in desperate need. Pastor Jon concluded by sparking our spiritual imagination of what is possible with God’s power. He presented three historical revivals that we can take inspiration from: the Zinzindorf and the Moravians in 1727, The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the 1857 Revival in New York City, called the Businessman’s Revival.
teaching text
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 "After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’
But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.
Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets. The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.”
discussion questions
*Note: Feel free to choose one question from each of the following categories that you think will resonate most with your group.
Connect (Icebreaker):
1. At the end of Jon’s sermon he revisited the story of some of his personal heroes, the Moravians. He unapologetically references them again and again, because he wants his life to be molded by theirs. Who’s life is an inspiration to you? What historical figure, or person in your community do you hope to model your life after?
Head (Revisit and review the content):
1. What were Jehosephat’s responses when he was threatened with attack?
2. Miraculous revivals seem impossible until they happen; then they’re history. Discuss the three historical revivals that Jon discussed (Zinzindorf and the Moravians, The Fall of the Berlin Wall, and The 1857 Revival in New York City). What story astonished you the most? What simple practices did these churches or individuals have that led to larger, miraculous movements?
Heart (Consider how the content affected you):
1. All revivals start when God’s people develop an instinct to seek Him as a first resort, not a last resort. This is called the “Altar Instinct” -- in other words, this is when God's people resolve to seek Him, inquire after His heart, fast, and pray. When a crisis hits, what is your “instinct?” Do you have an altar instinct, a sympathy instinct, a complaint instinct, or do you rely on our own resources?
2. How do we develop the altar instinct in ourselves?
3. In the moments of intense discouragement, it’s essential to recall God’s miraculous deeds in Scripture and in our own lives. Does anyone have a testimony of God’s miraculous provision or faithful care during a crisis in your life?
Hands (Apply the content):
1. How can you become a person of prayer right now, in the middle of the burdens you’re carrying? What's one step you can take this week?
2. The enemy’s best strategy is to give us a spirit of intimidation and overwhelm. How do you feel discouraged or doubtful about revival? How can we, as a community, strengthen each one another when discouragement arises?
3. How are you specifically asking God to move in your corner of New York? (For Example: A co-worker becoming more open to the Gospel, provision for a physical or emotional need, breakthrough in a sin stronghold, unity among your family or neighbors)
Encounter (Facilitate ministry time):
Break up into smaller groups and share where you want to commit to building an altar. Is it the altar of your heart, your home, your church, or your city (neighborhood, workplace, etc.)? Name it. Pray for God to establish that altar for His glory.