"STEPS TO REVIVAL"
NEHEMIAH 9:1-38
TEXT VERSES: NEHEMIAH 9:1-3
INTRO: If we are ever going to see revival in our churches and in our land It
will have to begin with a turning back to God. 2 Chronicles 7:14
tells us "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked
ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land." Our country is in a precarious position. We are at a
crossroads in our country; we must make a choice: Revival or Ruin.
Our Churches are in trouble. We see a lack of commitment among
God’s people as never before! Our hearts are cold and our vision is
clouded!
There is a spiritual battle going on for the heart and the soul of
America. We see debate over same sex marriages, 46 million babies
murdered since 1973 (National Right To Life Website.
and
pornography is a multi-million dollar a year business. This country is
headed down the road the which leads to destruction. Only
repentance on the part of God's people will move God's heart to bless
America again! God's people must hear his voice and be the agency for
God to effect change. Because the lost are oblivious to the seriousness
of the situation our country finds itself in!
"The most dangerous fault in American life today is the lack of interest
in the truth."(Henry Luce) (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-
Contemporary & Classical. p. 213). No man asks or considers, "What
sayeth the Lord!" Every man is heading down his own way! We see
the people in Nehemiah 9,"standing and reading from the book of the
law...one fourth part of the day"(or 3 hours). We want everything
instant today! "Instant potatoes, instant coffee, instant this and
instant that." We are living in a fast food society. Everything must be
fast or it is too slow for us! Even church must be over at so and so
time or else it is too long of a service for us!
We just need to slow down and consider what God would have us to
do, instead of rushing headlong into everything. Revival must come.
It will not come till we take some time to stop and consider what we
must do to see revival come to us and our land. I want to give you this
morning some STEPS TO REVIVAL. Folks, I am concerned about the
well-being of our Church. Folks, we need revival! But revival will not
come until we are willing to be faithful to the Lord who loved us and
died for us! Note with me the…
STEPS TO REVIVAL:
(1) REALIZATION OF HOW FAR WE HAVE DRIFTED FROM GOD
NEHEMIAH 9:1—“Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the
children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with
sackclothes, and earth upon them.”
A. THE HUMILITY. We see in Nehemiah 8, as a result of the reading of the
Word of God and obedience to it, gladness prevailed. But here in the verses
before us we see the sorrow of the people as they discovered how far they
had drifted from God was great. “…the children of Israel were assembled
with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.” These were all
signs of mourning and humiliation. They realized how much they needed
the Lord and how dependent they must be upon Him. Before revival comes
we must humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord.
B. THE HONESTY. We need to see the same thing here in our midst! None of
us are as close to God as we need to be! How do we know we have drifted
far from God? Proverbs 14:14a tells us—“The backslider in heart shall be
filled with his own ways…”. Friend, Ask yourself:
Do I spend more time on the satisfying of self or on the service of God?(Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Do I read worldly publications more than I read the Word of God?(2 Timothy 2:15).
What amount of time do I give to television watching and how much time to prayer? Do they equal out?(Philippians 4:6-7).
Do I find it a hardship to be at church every time the doors are open?(Hebrews 10:25).
If you answered yes to any of these questions you are backslidden. I
believe each of us answered yes to at least one of them! What can we do?
Lamentations 3:40encourages us—“ Let us search and try our ways, and
turn again to the LORD.”
(2) RECOGNITION OF HOW WE ARE TO WALK IN THISWORLD
NEHEMIAH 9:2a—“And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all
strangers…”.
A. A DIFFERENCE IN CONCERN. It tells us "And the seed of Israel separated
themselves from all strangers ...". The Hebrew word there translated our
word separated means "to distinguish from, to choose out from." It implies
the idea that there was to be a radical difference from God's people than
from the rest of the world. Philippians 2:15-16acommands believers—
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in
the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in
the world; Holding forth the word of life…”. The world lives to please self, the
Christian to please the Savior. The world loves sin, the Christian loves
righteousness. The world is focused on the here and now, the Christian on
the hereafter.
B. A DIFFERENCE IN CHARACTER. We, as God's people, are to be distinct
and different from the rest of the world! We are to "walk as Christ walked"
letting others see Jesus in us! It is said of Peter and John in Acts 4:13,
"now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they
were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. And they took knowledge
of him, that they had been with Jesus." I wonder when men see us can they
tell we have been with Jesus? The Bible tells us how we are to walk:
We are to walk in faith(2 Corinthians 5:7).We are to trust everything to God and trust him for everything(Proverbs 3:5-6).
We are to walk in love(Ephesians 5:1-2). A Christian life must be earmarked by love! We are to love God, Man and our enemies!
Walk in the Spirit(Galatians 5:16, 24-25). Without the leadership, teaching, and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives: all our efforts for God are in vain and fruitless.
Our walk in his pilgrim way is to be the direct opposite of all this world is!
(Titus 2:11-14).
STEPS TO REVIVAL: REALIZATION OF HOW FAR WE HAVE DRIFTED FROM GOD, RECOGNITION OF HOW WE ARE TO WALK IN THIS WORLD, and thirdly…
(3) REALIZATION THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD
NEHEMIAH 9:2b—“And the seed of Israel… and stood and confessed
their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.”
A. THE POWER OF CONVICTION. Note in verse 1, the people after realizing
how far they had drifted from God, "fasted and put on sackcloth and put
earth upon them." The putting on of sackcloth and earth was a sign of
mourning. This means that the people realized they had sinned and were
truly sorry for how they had treated God. 2 Corinthians 7:10tells us—
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but
the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Until we are truly sorry for how we
have treated God and truly repent we will not change!
ILLUS:Our righteousness are as filthy rags,and only when we see them
so and rend our garments can we be clad in his righteousness
alone to stand faultless before the throne. And not only that, but
the believer who would live and work in the power of God must
rend the garments of self-sufficiency and tear up the vestments of
the if he is to go clothed in the Lord. God will not drop the mantle
of his spirit around the dirty raiment of our own goodness. We
must rend our own clothes if we are to wear the garments of God.
(Vance Havner. The Vance Havner Notebook. p. 266).
ILLUS:You might pound a lump of ice with a hammer into a thousand
pieces, but it is still ice. But bring it in beside a bright and blazing
fire and soon the warmth of it will cause it to turn into water. A
man may try and make himself contrite. He may search out his
sins and dwell on their enormity. And still feel no true repentance.
But, if he will come to Jesus and trust in Christ's truth and grace,
and bask in Gods light. He will truly feel sorrow for his sin and
God can melt his heart of sin to seek after him. (Elon Foster. 6000
Classic Sermon Illustrations. p. 665).
B. THE PROMISE OF CONFESSION. I want you to note the words there in
v2—“…stood and confessed their sins…”. You can never truly repent and
be useful to God until you realize that you have sinned against him. But
if we are willing to confess our sins, He will cleanse and forgive us! 1 John
1:5-10tells us—“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and
declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say
that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not
the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not
in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we
make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
ILLUS: An illustration used by a Chinese evangelist: A woman with a
bundle of dirty washing had taken it to the riverside with the
purpose of washing it. But she was ashamed to open it for fear
someone would see how dirty it was; so she just plunged the whole
bundle into the water, jogged it up and down several times, and
then went home with it. A lot of people are like that foolish woman.
They have many sins that need to be cleansed, but they are not
willing to bring them out and confess them one by one. They just
say, "Lord, I am a sinner, forgive me." So, they cover up all their
sins, their thefts, and theirlies, and their jealousies, and their
hatred. But they have to be brought out and confessed, and only
then can they be cleansed. (Bible Illustrator For Windows. Version
3.0f. Copyright 1990-1998, by Parsons Technology, Inc. All Rights
Reserved).
(4) RECOMMITMENT TO GOD'S WORD IN OUR LIVES
NEHEMIAH 9:3a—“And they stood up in their place, and read in the book
of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day…”
A. THE EAGERNESS FOR THE WORD. The people were so eager to hear
God's word that theylistened to it for three hours. They spent about three
hours in hearing and studying God’s word. We find it hard to listen to
God's word for thirty to forty minutes. The reason? This world has
dictated to us that our time is precious. Our time is precious, but it is
precious in the fact that God wants to be a major part in our lives and
occupy much of our time each day. The Psalmist said in Psalm 90:12—
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto
wisdom.” Folks, I know of no greater wisdom that hearing, reading,
studying, and applying the Word of God! How eager are you for the Word
this morning? If you find yourself not hungering and thirsting after God’s
Word you need revival!
B. THE EMPTINESS WITHOUT THE WORD. Someone has noted: "The
central issue about the Bible is whether we live it." (Albert M. Wells, Jr.
Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 13). It is good to believe
and study the Bible, and stand up for it's truth, but unless we put it into
practice in our lives, it is of no profit to us (James 1:22). Abraham
Lincoln, one of the early fathers of our country, said, “... The Bible is the
best gift God has given man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was
communicated through this book. Except for it we could not know right
from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and
hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it." (Albert M. Wells, Jr.
Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 15).
We have tried to solve our problems both spiritual and earthly apart from
the word of God and found that the solution we received has been found
wanting. The Word of God addresses all our cares and concerns if only we
will prayerfully study it's pages. 2 Timothy 3:13-17tells us—“But evil
men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast
been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a
child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given
by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
The word of God is said to be "A lamp unto our feet and a light unto our
path." If we fail to seek it's instruction and guidance we are doomed to
stumble through this life in darkness and despair.
(5) REVIVAL OF TRUE PRAISE AND WORSHIP
NEHEMIAH 9:3b-31
A. A REHEARSEL OF HIS GOODNESS. After confession and repentance
came praise and worship. The priests and Levites rehearsed before the
people all the wonderful things God had done for them. This brought great
joy and rejoicing (v3). Friends, we all have so much to praise God for! He
has been so good to each and every one of us! True praise and worship will
flow from a thankful heart!
B. A RESULT OF HIS GRACE. Someone has said, "The unmistakable mark of
a living faith is a readiness to praise." (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring
Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 158). Notice the people praised
God, recounted his goodness, and worshiped him "…another fourth part" of
the day. In addition to reading God's word for three hours, they confessed
and worshiped God for three hours. How could they worship so long? They
could because when our worship comes from the heart time becomes no
object. All our worship should be from the heart (John 4:24).
Much of what we call worship today is not "heart" worship. " Worship is an
inward reverence, the bowing down of the soul in the presence of God, an
awesome dependence on Him... A solemn consciousness of the divine, a
secret communion with the unseen." (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring
Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 221).
ILLUS: We have some instances in history which should shame us as
Christians and teach us to cultivate a spirit of attention and
seriousness both in public and private worship of God. It is said
when the troops had broken into the city of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
the people fled in all directions. The priests went on with their
sacrifices and Holy rites of the temple, as if they had heard nothing;
though they rushed at them with swords, they preferred worship to
their safety(Elon Foster. 6000 Classic Sermon Illustrations. p. 766).
That is how we are to worship. We are to be so in touch with God that this
world is closed out and our mind is filled with awe and wonderment at his
presence (Psalm 34:1-3).
STEPS TO REVIVAL: REALIZATION OF HOW FAR WE HAVE DRIFTED FROM GOD, RECOGNITION OF HOW WE ARE TO WALK IN THIS WORLD, REALIZATION THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD, RECOMMITMENT TO GOD’S WORD IN OUR LIVES, REVIVAL OF TRUE PRAISE AND WORSHIP and…
(6) REPENTANCE FOR SINNING AGAINST GOD
NEHEMIAH 9:32-37—“Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and
the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works. Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.”