REVIVAL IN
THE CEMETARY – APOSTLE NICHOLAS APPIAH - MISSAH
No one
perceives anything good coming from such a place as the cemetery but it became
a place where a great revival started in the ages past. The cemetery is a place
where the dead are buried. It is a place of hopelessness and finished life. It
is a place where mortal remains are laid. It’s obviously a place of quietness
and a place symbolizing the end of a person’s vision on earth. These were
contained in a sermon preached by Apostle Nicholas Appiah-Missah in a monthly
Ministers and wives’ meeting at Konongo Central as he spoke on the topic, Revival
in the cemetery.
Apostle
Appiah – Missah quoted three passages of scripture to build up his sermon. The
first was taken from Ezekiel chapter 37:1-10. Ezekiel was brought to the valley
full of dry bones (cemetery), in the spirit by God. There were rusted bones
without glory scattered all over. God asked him to prophesy on these bones. The
first and second prophesy relayed the bones, sinews joined them and flesh
covered it. Finally, the breath of the Lord from the four corners entered them
and they rose up to be a vast army.
The second
was taken from 2 Kings 13:20,21 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the
raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. So it was, as they were burying a man, that
suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of
Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he
revived and stood on his feet.
Jesus
Christ breathes on the disciples and said, “Receive my Spirit”. That is what guarantees
the spiritual alertness. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples as they
gathered at Pentecost.
Apostle
Appiah – Missah enumerated the seven marks of revival as; First, running in the
spirit - all people hurry to see what is happening. Men run to places where
spectacular events take place.
Second, righteousness
and holiness becomes the watch words. Those running do not remain down even if
they fall. They get up and keep on. If they sin quickly repent, make amends and
continue their Christian journey.
Third, prayer
ministries are born. People live concerted prayer lives. Those running do not
run being quiet but shouting to the Lord for help. Prayer causes revival and Prayer
ministries are also born out of revival.
Fourth, power
packed evangelism takes place. Those who saw the raising of the dead by the dry
bones of Elisha would want to tell everyone around for them to know that they
were part of the story. That is Gossiping the Gospel. If there is a
demonstration of God’s power, people will definitely talk about it and spread
the news.
Six, the
people who witness revivals generously give to support the kingdom advancement.
People who witness great revivals give to God’s work without murmur and
complaining. They know what they would receive in return and would want to be
identified with such outstanding happenings. Everyone wants to be a partner to
a team of men of success.
Finally,
there is reverence to the word of God. People hearken to the voice of God and
the word.
With the
amazing events that take place when the Holy Ghost is in action, King David
asked that God should not take away His spirit from Him. Psalm 51:10 “Create in
me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me”.
Apostle Nicholas Appiah - Missah charged all
Christians to wake up to their call, saying if we shall be driven by the Holy
Spirit, we will take over the world for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. For
if the bones of the dead prophet Elisha could cause the dead body to come
alive, then the spirit filled Christian should be able to impact his world with
the gospel message of Christ.
All the ministers and their wives were revived
and entered into a time of prayer as Pastor Samuel Kofi Yamoah of Dwease
district led the house.
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