Revive Us Again Nehemiah 8 1 13 I

Revive Us Again Nehemiah 8: 1 -13

I. God's People Needed Revival in That Day. A. You and I are of God's people today. 1. The Jews in Nehemiah's day were certainly God's people. 2. They were in need of revival but didn't realize it. B. "But I am actively involved in God's Work now. " 1. The Jews were actively involved in His work. 2. Actually, their involvement may have created greater need for revival.

I. God's People Needed Revival in That Day. C. "But I have just had a notable spiritual achievement. " 1. The Jews had just had a notable achievement. Nehemiah 6: 16 b, for they perceived that this work was done by our God. 2. The need for spiritual revival actually may be greatest after a great victory.

II. The Revival We Need. A. It involves a renewed emphasis on the Word of God (v. 13) 1. All Scriptural revivals are based on the Word of God. 2. It involved understanding the meaning (application) of the Word. (v. 7 b) – And the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place.

II. The Revival We Need. B. It produces certain effects. 1. A recognition of personal spiritual need – they wept. v. 9 b, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not morn nor weep. " For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 2. A sense of great joy and rejoicing came. v. 12, And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them. 3. A renewal of spiritual interest. v. 13, Now on the second day…all the people…were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.

II. The Revival We Need. C. Always exalts the Lord. 1. The people stood out of reverence for the Word. vs. 5 -6, And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people…and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

III. How You Can Know Genuine Revival Today. A. Admit the needs in your life. 1. If you have ever been closer to the Lord than now. 2. If the Word of God has become routine or neglected in your life. B. Turn back to the Word of God. 1. Take time to expose yourself to it afresh. 2. Pray that God will use it in your life.

Hebrews 4: 12 For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

III. How You Can Know Genuine Revival Today. C. Respond to what God shows you through the Word. 1. Confess your sin. 1 John 1: 8 -910, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ” 2. Make your commitments to God. Nehemiah 9: 38, “And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it. ”

III. How You Can Know Genuine Revival Today. D. Seek in every possible way to exalt the Lord. Mark 8: 38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. ” Romans 10: 11, For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. ” Romans 1: 16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

IV. What is the Result of True Revival? A. The forgiveness of our sins. Col. 1: 14, (Christ) in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. B. It brings joy. - Ps. 51: 8, Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. & 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. C. Our relationship is restored. Ps. 28: 7, The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. D. Our assurance is renewed. Rom. 15: 13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

V. The Consequences: "The Joy of the Lord is your strength. " (v. 10 b) A. It is our strength in time of trouble! B. It is our strength in time of testing! C. It is our strength in time of temptation! D. It is our strength in time of dullness & dryness!