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One of the surprising things about studying the Awakening of 1809 is how the strong faith of the Pilgrims and Puritans in New England had waned so much in just a few generations that it needed to be “awakened.” But this truth holds: that, over time, faith rises and falls in nations, in churches, and even in our own lives – and it requires awakening, renewal and revival. But make no mistake; those who are “awakened” will face opposition – because, as it turns out, there is a cost of awakening and following Jesus.

We’ve been talking about history – history that happened right here on Cape Cod in the early 1800s. Which is kind of odd, perhaps, since we’re a fairly “modern” church. But as the saying goes, “those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it” – and there are many great lessons from the story of the Awakening of 1809 – lessons about how awakening happens – that we can learn from.

On Monday, April 24 th , 1809, a young man named Barnabas Bates came to Falmouth. He came to preach the unvarnished gospel of Jesus Christ – and his messages would spark a remarkable awakening, with hundreds on the Upper Cape surrendering their lives to Jesus. It happened then, and we should ask today, “God, do it again!” – because history may not repeat itself, but it often rhymes…