The Great Awakening

This may not be the Great Awakening you are thinking about. And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Quicken means to be brought to life. The Great Awakening in the 18th century swept multitudes into the kingdom of God. But of what good would it be to you or me if we were not included in that number? Paul says "And YOU hath he quickened". The thing important to us is our awakening. Men and women dead, cut off from God, and such a work was done that they came to life and found peace with God and a place was found for them in heaven.

1. The condition of mankind before this work took place

• mankind is dead
• death is a horrible thing
• death is not something we rejoice over
• How can you be dead if you have desires?
• death does not mean the cessation of existence
• in death, man is cut off from God
• death spells helplessness
• a dead body cannot help itself
• in our pride, we think we can help ourselves into heaven
• salvation is not of works lest any man should boast

2. How man conducts himself in this state of death

• he conforms to this world's beliefs and practices
• he is influenced by the devil
• he has the wrath of God upon him

3. The contrast with man

• But God...
• God stepped in
• every angel that sinned had no hope of salvation
• the same cannot be said for man dead in tresspasses and sins
• Christ came out of pure grace because he cared for men and women

4. The cause for the awakening

• It is the work of the Spirit
• the Spirit convicted us of sins
• the Spirit lifted up to our gaze the one who could save us from our sins
• the Spirit shed us the truth in the Scriptures
• it was truly a great awakeing