Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0015B recorded on December 31, 1978 teaching from Habakkuk 3 – Revival.
Pastor Cyril A. Stevens emphasizes the profound need for spiritual renewal within the church, drawing parallels between the prophet Habakkuk’s fervent plea and the contemporary Christian’s walk. He begins by recounting personal anecdotes, including a humorous incident concerning his hearing loss and an embarrassing first sermon, to illustrate the importance of not taking fundamental blessings for granted, such as the ability to speak, hear, and see. Stevens then delves into the concept of “revival,” distinguishing it from mere evangelism but rather that revival is a supernatural work of God, not a product of human effort, stemming from a deep, heartfelt yearning for God’s presence and glory. He argues that modern churches often lack this profound “oh” from the heart due to spiritual barrenness, infighting, neglect of prayer, departure from God’s Word, and increasing worldliness. Ultimately, Stevens calls for believers to seek personal revival through a renewed relationship with God, emphasizing that true revival leads to a revelation of God’s majesty, an awareness of personal sin, and a deeper experience of His merciful power, culminating in a fervent prayer for God to “revive thy work” and “in wrath remember mercy.”