What Does Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Stages of Revival?

What are the three stages of prayer in revival according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' exposition of Exodus 33, there are three distinct stages of prayer in revival:

1. The first stage (verses 7-11) involves the initial separation for prayer and intercession, where Moses set up the tabernacle outside the camp and those who sought the Lord went out to meet with Him.

2. The second stage (verses 12-17) builds upon this initial seeking, though not detailed in this sermon.

3. The third stage (verses 18-23), which Lloyd-Jones calls "the highest stage of all," culminates the prayer journey, though the details are not expanded in this particular message.

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that understanding these stages is crucial because "here, I think, we rarely are brought to the very nervous center of this whole question of revival."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the way revival typically begins?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that revival typically begins in an unobtrusive, quiet manner through one individual or a small group of burdened people, not through official church channels. He states:

"No revival that has ever been experienced in the long history of the church has ever been an official movement in the church... When the next revival comes, it'll come as a surprise to everybody, and especially to the organizers."

He gives multiple historical examples, including: - Martin Luther, "a very ordinary kind of monk" who felt a burden and was used to spark the Protestant Reformation - James McQuilkin in Northern Ireland, who began with just three men meeting in a little schoolroom - Humphrey Jones in Wales - The unnamed man who started prayer meetings in Fulton Street, New York in 1857 - The Wesley brothers and Whitfield forming their "Holy Club" outside the official Church of England

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that God often uses ordinary, unknown people rather than established leaders.

What is the significance of Moses placing the tabernacle outside the camp?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights several significant aspects of Moses placing the tabernacle "without the camp, afar off from the camp":

1. Separation from sin: "The camp had become unclean, and he deliberately takes it out afar off from the camp." This represents the call to holiness and consecration.

2. Unofficial nature of revival: "No revival that the church has ever known has ever been an official movement." Revival typically begins outside established ecclesiastical structures.

3. Need for unusual action: "He is showing clearly the need of some unusual action and of some extra effort." Regular religious routines are insufficient in times requiring revival.

4. Rejection of worldly sponsorship: True revival doesn't rely on human endorsement or "sponsorship" but depends solely on God. Lloyd-Jones critiques modern evangelicalism: "Even evangelical Christian, spiritually minded people, when they feel led of God to do something, they want a great sponsorship."

5. A place for focused intercession: It provided a dedicated space where those burdened could gather to pray intensely for God's presence to return.

What is the proper attitude toward revival according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the proper attitude toward revival involves:

1. Genuine burden rather than excitement-seeking: "The people who are concerned about revival in a true sense are not just people who are out for a little bit of excitement or interest or some happiness or phenomena... If you, my dear friends, are simply thinking of meetings and of excitement and of something wonderful, you haven't begun to understand this matter."

2. Personal holiness and consecration: "Their first concern has not even been the state of the church. It's been the state of their own souls. It has been the holiness of God."

3. Going beyond routine Christianity: "In a day of grievous immorality and godlessness and irreligion such as this... we are called to go the second mile. Ordinary Christianity is not enough."

4. Expectancy: As demonstrated by Moses leaving Joshua in the tabernacle - "He's expecting more. This is only the beginning."

5. Repentance as prerequisite: Lloyd-Jones notes that the Israelites' repentance (stripping off their ornaments) was necessary but not sufficient - prayer and intercession had to follow.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast modern approaches to Christian work with biblical revival patterns?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws several sharp contrasts between modern approaches and biblical patterns:

1. Organization vs. Spirit-led movement: "We must start with our organization, our first movie, set up a committee, and then our organization, and then our judicious advertisement, all done in a big and organized manner. It's the exact opposite always in the scripture."

2. Sponsorship vs. spiritual power: "The great word of today is sponsorship... Even evangelical Christian, spiritually minded people... want the sponsorship of men who are not evangelical at all." In contrast, biblical revival depends on "the sponsorship of the Holy Spirit."

3. Public announcements vs. quiet burden: "No big announcements were made that this was going to happen... it happened at a certain time and in a certain way." Instead, true revival begins with individuals "just slipping out quietly because they're burdened."

4. Routine vs. exceptional effort: "Are you in these days of exceptional evil... doing something exceptional, or are you just content with coming to the services in the house of God and doing some routine things?"

5. Waiting for mass movement vs. individual initiative: "Oh, if we are to wait until the whole church moves, it'll never happen. It'll never move. Don't worry about that. God's way is to take hold of individuals and to use them."