Faith of Our Fathers
Episode: Revival by Vance Havner
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: WDAC Radio Company

Episode Overview

In this compelling sermon, legendary Southern preacher Vance Havner delves into the true meaning of Christian revival. Drawing from biblical examples, church history, and personal anecdotes, Havner explores why much modern ministry is fruitless—lacking the spiritual “fire” that ignited revivals of the past. He warns against relying on mere effort, organization, or tradition without genuine spiritual renewal. Through stories of John Wesley, D.L. Moody, and others, Havner challenges listeners—especially preachers and church leaders—to experience personal revival before attempting to lead others.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Need for Personal and Corporate Revival

• Verses Laid on Listeners’ Hearts

  • Psalm: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”
  • Luke 22:32: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
    (01:05)

• Illustration from Church History: John Wesley

  • Havner recounts a visit to “Epworth by the Sea,” contemplating the impact of John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield.
  • Despite his qualifications and religious zeal, John Wesley lacked true peace until his Aldersgate experience—a face-to-face encounter with Christ.
  • “Not until he returned to England and an evening three years later in that little meeting on Aldersgate street, not until then was he ignited by a spark from heaven…” (03:20)

• Parallel with D.L. Moody

  • Havner recalls Moody’s transition from hard work to Spirit-filled ministry:
    • Moody: “I’d been carrying buckets of water. Now I had a river that carried me.” (10:44)
  • Different images (fire/water) but same spiritual truth: Real revival is a divine infusion, not mere human effort.

2. Diagnosis of the Modern Church

• The “Pre-Aldersgate Wesley” Problem

  • Havner suggests much of today’s ministry resembles Wesley before his spiritual renewal: well-intentioned, earnest, but lacking power.
  • “We’re out to convert the Indians, but we’re not getting much done...We have the facts and we have the formulas and we have the finances, but where’s the fire?” (11:19)

• Pre-Pentecost Disciples

  • The disciples knew Jesus and worked alongside Him, but were ineffective until Pentecost.
  • “But they were not ready to face the world of their day until there came the rushing wind and the tongues of fire.” (13:40)

3. The Nature of True Conversion

• Two Kinds of Conversion

  • Conversion unto regeneration (becoming as little children, Matthew 18:3)
  • Conversion unto renewal (Luke 22:32, Peter’s reinstatement)
  • “Could it be that with all our evangelistic plans and programs to convert others, we need to be converted?” (15:24)

• Case Study: Peter Warming Himself by the Wrong Fire

  • Peter’s denial is framed as a process: following Christ “afar off,” seeking comfort, ending up warming at the “devil’s fire.”
  • “When a man starts following Jesus Christ afar off, he gets cold. Then he starts looking for a fire, and he ends up warming himself at the wrong fire with the wrong crowd.” (19:13)

4. Contemporary Pitfalls and Honest Self-Assessment

• Complacency and Self-Deception

  • “You sit here this morning and you’re a student. You’re studying the Bible and you’re a preacher, and you don’t need anything. Everybody else needs a revival.” (24:08)
  • Havner shares the story of a prayer meeting where a man who “couldn’t think of a thing” to confess guessed and “hit it the very first time.” (25:00)

• Preachers and Parishioners Unready for Ministry

  • Many try to “bear witness” before they “are” witnesses, describing experiences they themselves do not own.
  • “You can be as straight as a gun barrel theologically and just as empty as a gun barrel spiritually.” (36:38)

5. Historical and Modern Revival Stories

• Shantung Revival (China)

  • Havner recounts stories of missionaries who discovered they needed personal spiritual renewal before effective ministry was possible.
  • A missionary asking others, “Have you been born again? Have you ever been filled with the Spirit?” sparked conviction and transformation. (32:05)

• Contemporary American Church

  • Havner critiques the emphasis on activity, organization, and even “sound doctrine” when lacking Spirit-led vitality.
  • “We don’t need to get out into evangelism until we’re ready to evangelize… The Holy Spirit won’t use dirty vessels.” (39:42)

6. The Marks of a Sick Church

• Church as a Spiritual Hospital
  • Havner humorously diagnoses the church’s illnesses: infantile paralysis (spiritual immaturity), “eye trouble” (spiritual blindness), “sleeping sickness,” malaria (hot and cold faith), leprosy (worldliness and immorality), and more. (41:38)
  • “We’ve got so many babies…a lot of 150 to 200 pound babies who keep the preacher busy running around with a milk bottle…” (42:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Organization without Fire:

  • “We have strange fire, and Lord help us, we have stage fire. But where is the flame that set England on fire two centuries ago?” (12:19)

• On the Need for a Confrontation with God:

  • “Something must happen that cannot be supplied by education, personality, ability, or the best of intentions.” (15:00)

• On Self-Examination:

  • “Before you look out the window at the world’s need, you need another piece of furniture in that room. …You need to look in the mirror at your own need.” (34:25)

• On Overemphasis on Activity:

  • “We talk a lot about crisis, and we talk a lot about challenge, but what’s needed is change.” (30:10)
  • “We’re trying to have the results today before we’ve had the revival.” (35:18)

• On Theological Orthodoxy Without Spiritual Reality:

  • “You can be as straight as a gun barrel theologically and just as empty as a gun barrel spiritually.” (36:38)

Important Timestamps

• Opening Remarks & Verses: 01:05
• John Wesley’s Spiritual Turning Point: 03:20 – 07:45
• D.L. Moody Analogy: 10:44
• Modern Church Comparison to Pre-Aldersgate Wesley: 11:19
• Pentecost and Church Powerlessness: 13:40 – 15:00
• Two Types of Conversion: 15:24 – 17:30
• Peter’s Denial and Warming at the Wrong Fire: 19:13 – 22:49
• Confession and Self-Assessment Stories: 24:08 – 25:45
• Shantung Revival in China: 32:05 – 34:25
• Marks of a Sick Church Analogy: 41:38 – 43:30
• Exhortation to Seek Personal Revival: 47:10 – 48:00

Tone & Style

Havner’s tone is direct, folksy, and forcefully honest, interwoven with humor and memorable illustrations. He speaks plainly but passionately, urging self-examination, repentance, and genuine spiritual renewal.

Summary Takeaway

Havner’s message is a clarion call: True revival—personal and corporate—is non-negotiable for fruitful Christian ministry. Without the Spirit’s fire, all other efforts are futile. The beginning of revival is honest confession and a willingness to be changed—before seeking to change the world.

For further inspiration from historic preachers, listen to Faith of Our Fathers each weekend.