Our hope for this sermon series: God often calls us to realistically evaluate our spiritual condition, and embrace His work of restoration, renewal, and revival in our lives. Through studying and applying the timeless truths in the book Nehemiah, we will respond to God in repentance, faith, and action like Nehemiah, thereby experience God’s restoration and renewal in our personal and community lives.

The structure of the book of Nehemiah: Section 1 (Chapters 1-2) Wake Up to The Call of Restoration Section 2 (Chapters 3-6) Fight for the Progress of Restoration Section 3 (Chapters 7-13) Commit to the Fullness of Restoration

Good progress, but still more to be done: Nehemiah 6:15, 7:1-2 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed. I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

Good progress, but still more to be done: Nehemiah 7:4-5 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families. Focusing on the people available to live in the city, and preparation for the spiritual renewal of the people

Revival Through God’s Word Neh. 8:1-12

Our hope for this sermon: By studying this passage we will affirm that we all need spiritual renewal, and we can not have spiritual renewal apart from God’s Word.

Revival through God’s Word: 1.God’s Word need to be read and taught 2.God’s Word need to be revered 3.God’s Word need to be responded to by faith

1. God’s Word need to be read and taught Nehemiah 8:1-3 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

1. God’s Word need to be read and taught Are you hungry for God’s Word? Amos 8:11b... not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

1. God’s Word need to be read and taught Nehemiah 8:7-8 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

1. God’s Word need to be read and taught Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

2. God’s Word need to be revered Ezra 8:4-6 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

2. God’s Word need to be revered Do you revered God’s Word or try to stand in judgment of it?

2. God’s Word need to be revered The young Billy Graham reached a decision that changed the course of evangelical events. Shaken by his friend Charles Templeton’s growing skepticism of biblical authority, Graham wondered whether he could continue to preach. The doubts grew so strong that he even considered going back to North Carolina to work as a dairy farmer. With evangelistic meetings being planned for Los Angeles that fall, Graham needed a quick resolution one way or another... He confessed his concerns to God and wrestled for an answer. Fortunately for evangelicals, Graham resolved to accept God’s Word by faith. “I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts,” Graham prayed, “and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word.”

3. God’s Word need to be responded to by faith Nehemiah 8:9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

3. God’s Word need to be responded to by faith Nehemiah 8:10-12 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Progression of revival:  Hunger and reverence for God’s Word  Read and understand God’s Word  Conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit through God’s Word  Joy of forgiveness from the Lord Do you realize you need a spiritual revival? Do you know that it can not happen apart from God’s Word? Do you have the right attitude and response to God’s Word?

Do you realize you need a spiritual revival? Do you know that it can not happen apart from God’s Word? Are you seeking healthy intake of God’s Word? Do you have the right attitude and response to God’s Word? (mourn over sin, rejoice in forgiveness)