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Nehemiah 8:1-6
As we begin a new year, instead of making resolutions that never seem to last, why not just commit to one simple decision worship the Lord on each Lord’s Day. If you do not currently have a church home, we invite you to worship with us at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Here are some questions for Christians! How many of us would like to see a national revival? How about revival here in Royal Center? Would you be willing to personally start the revival? I realize in that last question I quit preaching and went to meddling. The truth is that if we who are true Christians don’t allow God to start a spiritual revival in us, there will be no revival at all. Our text today is from a chapter that is an emotional roller coaster. There were highs because the walls had been rebuilt after returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, the reading of God’s Word, and because revival “broke out” among the people. There were emotional lows because the after being gone for 70 years the place was a wreck, the people realized their sinful condition and wept. One of the major reasons Israel experienced the national revival was because it involved
- ALL THE PEOPLE who ASSEMBLED! The phrase “all the people” appears 11 times in this chapter. In this case probably 40,000-50,000 people gathered at the Gate. After 70 years of captivity they couldn’t wait to gather and worship. Compare that with today where the common attitude (among many Christians) is “once in whenever is enough.” Even among those who attend every Sunday the attitude is often just one of duty. So the question is why do you attend the Sunday morning, evening services? Duty or true worship? Do you come to meet with a thrice holy God, or to be seen? The first sign of revival is a hunger for the Word of God. Notice also
- ALL THE PEOPLE LISTENED ATTENTIVELY. One writer said if preacher today want to be true Biblical preachers they should do what Ezra did. If you went to service one Sunday and your pastor started reading the Law of God and just kept reading, would you stay? Would you stay if you were outside the whole time? Would you stay if you were outside standing the whole time? The second sign of revival is a heart that wants to listen to the Word of God.
- ALL THE PEOPLE STOOD UP! The third sign of true revival is deep reverence and respect from God’s people who stand in awe before Him and His Word. Finally, notice the reading of the Word caused
- ALL THE PEOPLE to BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP! There was no theophany, no thunder or earthquake; just the reading of God’s Law. Notice, ALL the people raised lifted their hands and said “Amen.” Then they ALL bowed and worshiped. In so many local churches if worship occurs at all it is sparse and occasional at best. We’ve lost the art of worship and have become more focused on other people than on God! We’ve become afraid to let God stir our hearts to pure worship because we don’t want others to snicker, ridicule, or gossip about us being “weird.” We’ve taken our eyes off our God and Savior and like Peter we are sinking in the angry waves of formalism and legalism. What would happen if we began to worship as these people did? What would happen to our own hearts and then our communities if we allowed God to touch our hearts with His Word, His Law, and His Spirit? How willing are YOU, Christian, to let God show you?
If we can help you with your spiritual questions call us at (574) 643-9419.
