Revival 2025 Night 3

Aug 26, 2025    Bert Harper

This revival service explores the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the importance of living a life grounded in biblical truth. The message, drawn from Paul's final letter to Timothy, challenges believers to remain vigilant and avoid deception in a world that is increasingly turning away from sound doctrine. The sermon encourages a focus on the core tenets of Christian faith as we await Christ's return.


Service Breakdown

- Worship and Music: The service begins with the hymn "Power and Blood," followed by a worship song about the mighty name of Jesus. The songs declare victory over fear and darkness through the power of Christ.

- The Message: Drawing from 2 Timothy 4:1-4, the sermon addresses the signs of the end times, particularly the rise of unbelief and the departure from biblical truth. Pastor Burke emphasizes that while no one knows the exact time of Jesus's return, the signs of the times—such as the widespread rejection of sound doctrine and the increase in technology—suggest we are living in a crucial era.

- Key Biblical Themes:

- The Imminent Return of Christ: The message highlights that nothing needs to happen before Jesus can return for His church, emphasizing the importance of being ready at all times.

- The Attack on Biblical Truth: The sermon discusses how the Bible is increasingly treated as just another book and warns against a pick-and-choose approach to scripture.

- Spiritual Deception: The pastor cautions Christians that they can be deceived, especially by those who twist scripture for their own gain. He encourages listeners to be grounded in the Word and to test every teaching against five key truths: the verbal inspiration of Scripture, the virgin birth, the vicarious death of Christ, the victorious resurrection, and the visible return of Jesus.


Key Moments & Themes

- Storytelling and Humor: Pastor Burke opens with a few humorous anecdotes, including a story about a mistaken guest speaker and a childhood memory of a "blood moon," to set a lighthearted yet impactful tone for the sermon.

- The Warning Against Deception: A central theme is the danger of spiritual ignorance. The message uses the example of Judas Iscariot to show that head knowledge of God is not enough for salvation and that even those close to the truth can be deceived if they don't truly surrender their lives to Christ.

- The Restraining Power of the Holy Spirit: The sermon explains that the Holy Spirit currently restrains evil in the world, and that this restraining power will one day be removed, ushering in the time of tribulation. This point is tied to the concept of the Rapture, where the church will be "caught up" to meet the Lord.

- A Call to Action: The sermon ends with a powerful challenge to examine one's life for evidence of genuine faith. Are you just a churchgoer with "a form of godliness" or have you truly surrendered your life to Christ?


A Call to Action

The sermon urges you to examine your faith. Are you ready for Christ's return? Don't be deceived by worldly teachings. If you've been living with only "head knowledge," it's time to truly surrender your life to Jesus. Join our church family as we continue to grow in the truth and live for Him.

Learn More About Our Church!

We'd love to have you join us for a service! Visit our website to learn more about our ministries, mission, and how we are committed to sharing the unchanging truth of the Gospel.