Nehemiah Series #14

Revival In Action

Text:Nehemiah 10

Introduction

Nehemiah Chapter Fourteen: Declaration of Dependence (Nehemiah 10–12)

On July 4, we celebrate the birth of our country in 1776. A document declaring our independence from Great Britain was drawn up and voted on July 2 in the city of Philadelphia, although it was dated July 4. It would be another month before those famous signatures would be appended to that historic paper marking the birth of a new nation under God, the closing words of which solemnly declare:

With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

We have been witnessing the nation of Israel experience revival. We have learned that it all began with a hunger for God’s Word and with a strong desire to obey all that God had commanded.

Let’s consider a few thoughts about revival:

It is not a one and done event in your life.

One person likened it to remodeling your home—takes longer than you planned, makes a bigger mess than you thought possible, cost more than you though, most definitely inconvenient, and can possible turn your life upside down.

Revival is not something that can be planned. It can only be prayed for. All you can do is ask God for it.

It has less to do about emotion and more to do with action.

If there is true emotion of revival, action of revival will shortly follow.

This chapter is revealing the action that follows the emotional experience of revival.

VERSES 1, 28, 29

Remember, this vowel renewal was a response to hearing and understanding God’s Word.

God’s Word having authority over their life was not an optional guide!!!

A covenant was written up, signed and sealed by all the leaders, Levites, and Priests.

Why this covenant? Did they not already have a covenant with God?

The covenant that was already in play was a covenant God created and made with them.

God’s covenant spoke to the fact that they would be His people and He would be their God.

The covenant (recommitment of previous vowels) of Nehemiah’s day came from the hearts of the people following their FULL STORY CONFESSION.

Confessing God’s faithfulness throughout the years fo their wickedness.

APPLICATION:

Keeping close accounts with the nature of God’s faithfulness will guide you to making decisions and commitments to God.

I’m talking about decisions and commitments that are full of heart and zeal.

Short accounts with scripture (God’s revelation) will launch you into long term faithfulness to those commitments.

Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

“Dwell” — take up residence / making it welcome in your home / rolling out the welcome mat.

“Richly” — extravagantly

Nehemiah When You Rededicate Your Feet to Follow after God’s Precepts

A believer doesn’t say to the Word, “Come into my life, but stay over there in the corner. Don’t go into the family room. Don’t go into the bedroom. Don’t go anywhere except to church with me on Sunday. And whatever you do, don’t go to work with me! Just stay here in your designated place, until I need You!” No, this verse urges the believer to let the Word have full reign in every compartment, department, and segment of life.

Notice the collection of people who joined in:

Leaders —

Levites —

Priests —

Not only these groups but also all those who had understanding of the truth of God (vv28-30)

APPLICATION:

Think about the positive strides that could be made from someone like YOU when there is continuous faithfulness attached to your commitments to God.

They firmly griped their covenant to God!

Not only was the passed story of God’s interaction with them accredited to them drafting and signing this covenant, but also the fact that God would show them grace even if they sometimes faltered in their commitment.

Of course God does discipline and bring judgement on their sins. Yet, they also knew the sun would rise again.

God’s mercies are new every day!!!

In the O.T., the leaders, Levites, and Priests were separate groups of people.

In the N.T. every believer is described as such:

1 Peter 2:5 “5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

VERSES 28-39

A. What can we learn from the details of their covenant?

They established a base line for all future decisions (v29)

Illustration: Mathematics & Chemistry

This included the stewardship of their families.

They had learned where to draw the line!

2 Corinthians 6:16-17 “16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

They had reached a point that they would agonize over issues of godly distinction.

They placed a high value on all things holy; days, work patterns, money, relationships.

(v31) Can you imagine not planting crops every seventh year?

Wiping every loan off someone owes you?

How unlikely would you loan out money in December of the sixth year?

This was not a class they could audit!

Anyone who trust God like that had a FULL DOSE of revival.

They placed a high value on sacrifices.

Worship was priority #1.

No tolerance for neglecting all things pertaining to ministry.

(v32-34) They essentially put their money where their heart was.

Matthew 6:21 “21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Revival is a surrender of your soul, wallet, family, will, and your personal all to our great and awesome God.

Quote: Winston Churchill stated, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

(v39) Notice the last powerful statement of love toward God.

At this time, God dwelled/met with them in an exterior structure.

APPLICATION

Paul made it clear in Galatians 4 that we are not bound to special days or festivals. EVERY DAY IS HOLY!

God does not dwell in an exterior temple today. He dwells within YOU!

Your body is His temple.

This is why you are able to worship Him everywhere you go!

So, when we join them in saying, “I will not neglect the temple of God,” we should apply that in two different ways:

I will not neglect the command to worship corporately.

I will not neglect the temple of which God dwells in; WITHIN ME!

B. God’s grace allowing and our need to renew ourselves to God

This covenant was simply a renewal to the covenant God had made with them.

Why does the Spirit continue to draw you who are believers? He is desiring renewal for your life.

The more you grown in your Christian life, the more you realize your imperfections.

You might say, “If I did it once, what is so important that I do it again?”

Illustration: Think of wedding vowels that are exchanged on the wedding day and those same vowels repeated following 10 years of marriage.

For better or worse

sickness or health

Joy or sorrow

All of these aspects of life come with greater depth the longer you live.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 11: Ezra / Nehemiah / Esther Renewing Our Commitment in Reliance Upon God’s Amazing Grace

The grace of God enables us to renew our covenant with Him—the Covenant Maker. Not only do we respond to Him with first-time commitment, but also with frequent times of renewal. In the words of “Amazing Grace,”

Revival is coming to God and saying “I do” all over again.