Turning Point Radio

Can Revival Happen Again? New believers often possess an unmistakable excitement about Jesus. They talk openly about their faith, carry their Bibles without embarrassment and eagerly tell others what Christ has done. But over time, that spiritual fire can begin to fade. On this episode of Turning Point, Dr. David Jeremiah concludes his message “When Revival Comes” from the book of Jonah. The remarkable transformation of Nineveh reveals how revival begins, what genuine repentance looks like and why Christians should pray, “Lord, revive me.” God’s Word Never Returns Empty Revival begins with hearing the Word of God. Isaiah 55:11 promises that God’s Word will accomplish the purpose for which He sends it. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void.” A preacher may not immediately see the effect of a sermon. A listener can leave without responding, think about the message for days and finally decide to act. God may even use biblical teaching to influence a future generation without the teacher ever learning what happened. That promise gives confidence to everyone who teaches Scripture. Preachers do not need to replace God’s Word with motivational speeches, avoid every mention of sin or develop clever ways to entertain an audience. Their responsibility is to faithfully proclaim the Bible and trust God with the results. Hearing Must Lead to Believing Jonah preached God’s warning to Nineveh, and the people believed God. The text does not merely say that they believed Jonah or accepted certain information about God. They placed their trust in God and responded to what He said. Dr. Jeremiah illustrates the difference with the story of tightrope walker Charles Blondin. After Blondin pushed a wheelbarrow across a wire above Niagara Falls, the crowd enthusiastically claimed they believed he could do it again. But when he asked for a volunteer to ride in the wheelbarrow, the crowd became silent. They believed something about Blondin, but they were unwilling to place their lives in his hands. Saving faith requires more than acknowledging that God exists. It means trusting Him enough to place our lives completely in His hands. Revival Produces Repentance The people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s message by proclaiming a fast and putting on sackcloth. The movement reached every level of society, from ordinary citizens to the king himself. The Assyrian king removed his royal robes, clothed himself in sackcloth…

The greatest miracle in the book of Jonah may not be the prophet surviving inside a great fish—it may be the repentance and transformation of the entire city of Nineveh. In part one of When Revival Comes, Dr. David Jeremiah examines Jonah 3:4–9 and the spiritual awakening that followed Jonah’s warning that Nineveh would be overthrown in 40 days. Dr. Jeremiah identifies several essential elements of genuine revival. People must first hear the Word of God, which the Holy Spirit uses to awaken faith. They must then believe God—not merely believe facts about Him, but place their complete trust in Him. True revival also produces repentance. From ordinary citizens to the king and his nobles, the people of Nineveh acknowledged their sin, fasted, prayed and turned away from violence. Their changed hearts affected every part of life, demonstrating that authentic faith transforms relationships, conduct and entire communities. As America confronts cultural decline and growing violence, Dr. Jeremiah encourages Christians to pray for another work of God that politics and human motivation cannot accomplish. Learn more, receive the free Turning Points magazine and sign up for daily devotionals at DavidJeremiah.org/Radio. Listen to Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah on 670 KLTT.

Could God bring another great spiritual awakening to our homes, churches, cities and nation? Dr. David Jeremiah concludes The Anatomy of Revival by examining what happened when Jonah obeyed God and carried His message to Nineveh. Drawing from Jonah 3, Dr. Jeremiah identifies the essential elements of revival: God-appointed prayer, a faithful preacher, a biblical proclamation, a prepared place, the proper time and the unmistakable power of God. Jonah delivered a brief warning of judgment, and an entire city responded with belief, fasting and repentance. The message also explains why faithful preaching must include both God’s judgment against sin and the mercy offered through Jesus Christ. At the cross, judgment and grace meet: Christ bore the penalty for sin so that everyone who receives Him may be forgiven. Through accounts involving Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, John and Charles Wesley, and praying sailors aboard the USS North Carolina, Dr. Jeremiah demonstrates how God has repeatedly used prayer and gospel preaching to transform individuals and entire communities. Revival does not begin with a crowd, a political leader or a national campaign. It begins in individual hearts. Dr. Jeremiah challenges every believer to pray the words of Psalm 85:4–7: “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” Connect with Turning Point: Visit DavidJeremiah.org/Radio for programs, resources and the Turning Point devotional magazine. Call 800-947-1993 to contact Turning Point. Search your device’s app store for the free Turning Point Ministries app. Hear more trusted Bible teaching and Christian programming on KLTT 670 AM.

What does genuine revival look like—and could God bring another great awakening to America? In Part 1 of The Anatomy of Revival, Dr. David Jeremiah turns to Jonah’s preaching in Nineveh to identify the biblical characteristics of a movement that transformed an entire civilization. Dr. Jeremiah begins with a remarkable account published by The Denver Post in January 1905, when businesses paused and thousands gathered for prayer during a season of spiritual renewal in Denver. He considers whether today’s renewed interest in the gospel could signal the beginning of another awakening while emphasizing that every report must be evaluated according to Scripture. Revival and evangelism are closely connected, but they are not identical. Revival renews spiritual life among God’s people, while evangelism brings the gospel to those who do not yet know Christ. Because Nineveh had no prior relationship with the God of Israel, its response to Jonah is best understood as a great awakening—an entire population confronted by God’s warning and called to repentance. Four Elements of Biblical Revival 1. God-appointed prayer: Jonah’s transformation began when he prayed from inside the fish and confessed that “salvation is of the Lord.” Throughout Christian history, seasons of awakening have been preceded by persistent prayer. Dr. Jeremiah recalls the ministries of Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd, Charles Finney, Duncan Campbell and Billy Graham, emphasizing the often-unseen believers who prayed before, during and after their preaching. 2. A God-appointed preacher: God sent Jonah to a hostile and violent city with an uncompromising message. Jesus later said that the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching. God could accomplish His purposes without human messengers, but Scripture reveals His plan to proclaim the truth through those He calls and sends. 3. A God-appointed proclamation: Jonah did not invent a message designed to please his audience. God instructed him to preach the words he had been given: Nineveh had 40 days before judgment. Dr. Jeremiah explains why faithful preaching must address sin and accountability while also proclaiming the cross, where God’s judgment and mercy meet. 4. A God-appointed place: Nineveh was one of the most violent and morally corrupt cities of its time, yet God chose it as the site of an extraordinary awakening. Revival frequently begins where the spiritual darkness appears deepest, demonstrating that no city, community or nation lies beyond God’s power to transform. This message challenges Christians to pray first for personal renewal, then…