"Revive Your Church, O God"

Friends, I firmly believe that Western Christianity as we know it might very well be in its death throes.  The Church in America may well be breathing its last breathe, struggling to survive.  Let's face the bare cold facts.  Churches in America are in deep trouble.  They are in desparate need of a "Heaven sent revival."  It has been estimated that no matter the growth and development of local churches, only about 25% of the church membership is totally committed to Jesus Christ, and dedicated and committed to the overall vision aand mission of their church.  That means that about 75% of every church's membership roster has members who are irregular in their attendance, unfaithful in giving their tithes and offerings, indifferent when it comes to sacrificing time and evergy to serve Christ, and insensitive to the need of cultivating lasting relationships within the body of Christ.  Perhaps our cry to God on behalf of ourselves individually, and our local churches collectively, should be as the psalmist, when he cried out, "Wilt thou revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" (Psalm 85:6).  Only God can bring about a "Heaven sent revival."

The Superiority and Splendor of Jesus Christ

     The Book of Psalms is the largest and perhaps the most widely used book of the Bible.  The reason is that it explores the full range of human experiences in a very personal and practical way.  Psalms is the hymnal of the Bible.  The word psalm comes from a Hebrew word meaning, "a poem sung to musical accompaniment."  Written over a lengthy period of Israel's history, the book of Psalms has a wide range of subject matter (jubilation, lament, war, peace, worship, judgment, praise,and messianic prophecy).  Many of the psalms specifically anticipate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah (known as the "Messianic Psalms").  Psalms 22, 23 and 24 are historically known as the "Shepherd Psalms."

     Psalms 22, 23, and 24 bear an interesting relationship with one another.  In Psalm 22, Christ is the Savior,  in 23 Christ is the Shepherd, and in 24 He is the Sovereign.  In Psalm 22 Christ Dies for His sheep; in 23 He Cares for His sheep, and in 24 He Rules His sheep.  Psalm 22 tells of Christ's Grace; 23 tells of His Guidance, and 24 tells of His Glory.  In Psalm 22 we see the Cross, in 23 we see the Shepherd's Crook, and in 24 we see the Crown.  Psalm 22 is past, 23 is present, and 24 is future.  Truly, Jesus Christ's Supremacy and Splendor reigns over all things and every one.