"The Power of God's Word in genuine Spiritual Renewal"

Nehemiah 8

Neh 8 - "The Power of God's Word in genuine Spiritual Renewal"

Introduction:

We've invested significant time in the rebuilding of the wall. But let's remember, it's not merely about the physical wall; it's about the Word and worship. Despite the devil's relentless attempts to hinder our progress, we successfully completed the wall.

Nehemiah 6:15 (ESV) So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.

Chapter 7 describes how the people organized themselves, found housing and sustenance, and generously contributed to jumpstart their new spiritual life in the city with the newly built wall.

Although the wall is finished, the real work has just begun. God's true purpose for the wall is only starting to unfold. We must be grateful that the people of Jerusalem didn't have a mindset of idolizing the wall itself. They recognized that what happened within those walls was of utmost importance. The reason for building the walls in the first place was to create an environment where significant things could take place.

Once the wall was completed, the people began to worship, and revival broke out!

And the foundation of it all was the Word! Remember, it's not about the wall; it's about the Word and the worship that took place inside.

A strong emphasis on God's Word is a primary mark of spiritual renewal. Throughout history, God's people have experienced cycles where His Word has been neglected, resulting in spiritual deterioration. But in His grace, God sends renewal, often accompanied by a renewed emphasis on His Word. Today, we will explore the power of God's Word in bringing about spiritual renewal in our lives.

Historical Examples of Renewal through God's Word:

- Judah's revival under King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:14): After a period of godless reigns, Josiah sought the Lord and instituted spiritual reforms. When the priest Hilkiah discovered the law, Josiah called the nation to repentance, leading to revival through obedience to God's Word.

- The Reformation's emphasis on Scripture (John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, John Calvin): The Roman Catholic Church had neglected the Word, limiting access to priests. The Reformers laboured to translate the Bible into common languages and preached the Word to the people, resulting in a revival centred on the authority of Scripture.

I. The revival begun with a Hunger for the Word.

Verse 1: "We want to hear what God has said!" This gathering occurred at the water gate, symbolizing the Word. The people flocked there in large numbers because they had a genuine hunger for the Word. Are we hungry for the Word? Is that why we've gathered here today?

Do we truly have a hunger for it? Does our hunger for the Word extend beyond Sundays? Are we equally eager to seek it on Mondays and Tuesdays?

Allow me to share a story: A young boy brought his father the family Bible from the coffee table and asked, "What is this, Daddy?" His dad replied, "It's the Bible, it's God's book." The boy questioned, "Should we give it back to Him since we don't use it?"

What about our own Bibles? Do they collect dust on a table or shelf? Could they stay in our seats all week because we don't have a genuine hunger for the Word?

Let's not be like the lady who wanted to impress the preacher during his visit. She asked her daughter to fetch "the blessed book Mama loves so much." The daughter returned with a fashion catalog!

I hope you have a genuine hunger today because we have a feast set before us, and it would be a shame not to partake fully!

Psalm 19:9-10 (ESV)

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

True revival will only come when God's people desire the Word more than money, prosperity, or healthcare.

Job 23:12 (ESV) I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

I love food, and I depend on it for sustenance, as we all do. If you disagree, try fasting from it for 24 hours, and you'll quickly realize its significance. In just a few hours, you'll find yourself yearning for that fridge...

Most of us can't go seven hours without eating, yet we can go seven days without partaking from the Word of God. Something is amiss. We abundantly feed our flesh but neglect to nourish our spirits. No wonder our flesh grows while our spirits shrink!

"God has joined these, and no one can part, dust on the Bible and drought in the heart."

Psalm 119:162 (ESV) I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

The Word of God is hidden treasure! David said he embarks on a daily treasure hunt, and it's not challenging to find gold nuggets in this Book. We may call it hidden treasure, but it's hidden right under our noses!

Remember, Nehemiah's people hungered for the Word more than food, gold, or treasure. It's crucial to remember that they didn't all have personal copies of the Word. They didn't have Bible bookstores on every corner. Most of them only heard the Word when someone would stand and read it publicly.

They possessed an incredible hunger. Despite not having their own copies, they yearned to hear the Word. In contrast, we have access to numerous copies but seem content to go about our lives without opening it for ourselves.

II. Reverent Hearing or Intellectual Understanding.

Verses 2-4a, 5: They weren't concerned about the time or thinking about lunch. They stood for five or six hours each day, consistently. We won't experience genuine revival until we overcome our obsession with watching the clock.

Don't misunderstand me; I don't believe the service should unnecessarily drag on. However, we shouldn't rush or quench the Spirit of God. We need to be sensitive to the Lord's leading and the attention span of the people. The truth is, the people need to grow in their ability to pay attention, especially when God offers us such a feast!

I'm grateful for a church that is attentive. It's a common compliment we receive from guest speakers who visit. I rarely receive complaints even if I go long. Well, except for one lady recently who claimed I put her to sleep. But I'll cut her some slack since we share the same bed!

My goal is to be concise and respectful of your time. Ideally

, I would finish before you do! I strive to leave you desiring more. Therefore, when we genuinely desire more and the Lord leads us to continue, we should do so!

Some say if you can't strike oil in 20 minutes, you should stop drilling. That's true, but it doesn't mean you have to stop there either. We don't answer to the clock; we answer to God!

Allow me to share an illustration: A little boy attended a big church for the first time. He usually attended junior church. Everything he saw intrigued him, and he continuously asked his father, "What does that mean?" (choir sings) "What does that mean?" (ushers come forward) "Ditto!" (preacher opens his Bible) "Ditto!" Then, the preacher takes off his watch and sets it in front of him. The boy asks, "What does that mean?" His father responds, "Son, that doesn't mean anything!"

3b. They were attentive. Why would they bother coming if not to listen? We're teaching our children that when they attend the main service, their purpose is to listen. Church isn't just a place to color or pass the time; it's a place to show reverence to God and His Word.

True hearing goes beyond the mere reception of words. Reverent hearing reflects our reverence for God and His Word. Jesus emphasized the need for attentive and careful listening, saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Mark 4:9, 23).

Verses 7-8: Merely reading the Word wasn't sufficient; someone had to explain it. That's called preaching! We need more than people standing up and giving a talk; we need the preaching of the truth of the Word! It doesn't matter how eloquent the speech, clever the outline, or touching the poem is—if it's not rooted in the Bible and doesn't manifest the power of the Word, it's worthless!

I'm not impressed by "preachers" who read one verse and then proceed to deliver a talk without returning to the Word. Do they believe what they have to say is more important than what God has to say?

Biblical preaching involves taking the Word, explaining it, illustrating it, and applying it to everyday life! Unfortunately, there's a famine in the land for that kind of preaching. This is the type of preaching that builds strong Christians and, ultimately, great churches!

Sound teaching is crucial for spiritual renewal. It must be accurate, clear, and applicable to everyday life. We can learn from Martin Luther, who aimed to teach even the simplest believers, desiring their edification through the clear communication of biblical truth.

Verse 7b: "Their place" refers to their Sunday school class or small group. The 13 men mentioned in verse 7, along with the Levites, were leaders who explained the Word in greater detail, even on an individual basis. That's genuine discipleship!

I'm grateful that we have pastors, teachers, and disciples here who handle the Word with utmost seriousness.

Hunger, hearing, honoring, handling... Emotional Response

III. Honouring the Word.

A. True Hearing and Engagement:

Mere hearing is not enough; we must truly hear and engage with God's Word. Our minds can wander, preventing us from grasping the message. True hearing requires attentiveness and receptivity to God's living Word.

Verses 5-6: There it is! They said, "Amen!" Do you? When you say "amen," you honour the Word of God, and it encourages me as well. Saying "amen" to a preacher is like saying "sic 'em" to a dog!

They lifted up their hands. Do you? Why not?Is it because you don't want to be associated with some overly enthusiastic believers? I understand that concern, but do you want to be associated with God in the manner the Bible instructs? If you wish to differentiate yourself, you don't have to do it precisely as they do, but let's not allow the devil to steal this from us. Let's not quench the Spirit. If you feel prompted, let it flow!

You may say, "It's too easy for people to get carried away." Perhaps, but it's easier to calm down a zealot than to awaken a corpse! As Baptists, our greatest danger isn't becoming fanatics; it's becoming so cold and indifferent that we can't get excited about the Word of God!

The Bible instructs us in multiple places to lift up holy hands to Him. Is He worth the effort? Is He worth the effort of saying "amen"? If you're uncomfortable because you don't want to be associated with certain extremes, I understand. However, we don't have to follow the same approach, but let's not allow the devil to rob us of this expression. Let's not quench the Spirit. If you feel prompted, let it flow!

If you're uncomfortable doing these things, don't worry about it for my sake. The important principle we're emphasizing is that God's Word deserves honour. I understand that things should be done decently and in order, but the Bible is clear that God doesn't expect us to sit in church like immobile statues with stone faces! Is He worth the effort of an "amen" or a holy grunt? Look at the end of the verse...

Is He worth the effort of coming forward and bowing our faces to the ground at the old-fashioned altar?

IV. Volitional Response - Responding to God's Word for Spiritual Renewal - Heeding of the Word.

Verses 9-12: Tirshatha in verse 9 refers to the governor. The goal of Bible preaching is life transformation. However, it's not merely hearing the Word or understanding it that brings about transformation. It's obeying the Word that truly transforms lives. Giving heed. "Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only" (James).

The Transformative Power of God's Word:

Accurate interpretation and understanding of Scripture are essential. Clear communication and application of biblical truth have the power to transform lives. The Word must penetrate our hearts and lead to personal transformation. Their transformation began with:

A. Repentance: • Weeping*

Verse 9b: What were they weeping over? Their sin! Their separation from God!

Genuine repentance is necessary when God's Word exposes areas of sin and disobedience. It involves recognizing our wrongdoing and turning away from it, seeking God's forgiveness and restoration.

B. Joy and Gratitude: (8:9-10). God never wounds us to hurt us, but only to heal. The joy of knowing that He has forgiven all of our sins and that we are His people should fill our hearts.

Nehemiah and Ezra demonstrated wisdom by encouraging the weeping ones, assuring them that there was hope and help in the Lord. The devil wants to turn conviction into guilt, but there's a difference between a broken spirit and a morose spirit.

The devil wants to bring you down and keep you down. On the other hand, the Spirit of God wants to bring you down initially in order to lift you higher than ever before! Preaching may initially make you angry, but then it makes you sad so that the Lord can make you glad!

There's nothing sweeter than experiencing the joy of the Lord. And there's nothing more appealing to the world than entering a church where the joy of the Lord is palpable. I pity those who sit in church with downcast faces, determined not to laugh, smile, or show any signs of enjoyment during the service. They may not like it here because we're going to delight in the Lord!

As we experience God's forgiveness and salvation through His Word, our hearts are filled with joy. Reflecting on His abundant mercies and expressing gratitude fuels our spiritual renewal.

C. Compassion and Good Deeds v 10 :

Ezra and Nehemiah reminded the people to send portions from the part of the sacrifices that they could eat to those who had nothing (8:10). God’s Word should produce compassion in our hearts for the needy. His salvation is “to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14).

God's Word should cultivate compassion within us for the needy. Responding to His Word involves actively demonstrating acts of kindness and living out the love of Christ in our daily lives.

D. Obedience:

Verses 12-17a: What's happening here? It's the restoration of the feast of Tabernacles or booths. In biblical times, God's people were commanded to hold a yearly festival where they would leave their homes and reside in temporary shelters, celebrating joyously. It served as a reminder that they had once dwelled in temporary shelters during the time of Moses. It was a memorial.

Responding to God's Word requires obedience. We must promptly obey His commands and align our actions with the teachings of Scripture. Obedience is an integral aspect of spiritual renewal.

Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (John 14:23).

E. Worship and Thanksgiving:

Engaging in worship is a natural response to God's faithfulness and grace. As we reflect on His faithfulness throughout history and in our lives, heartfelt worship and thanksgiving flow from our renewed hearts.

So, here they are, restoring the feast of Tabernacles.I can almost envision them gathering sticks to build their booths. I can imagine their enemies, such as Sanballat, asking, "What are you doing?" The people respond, "Building booths." "Why?" "Because God commanded it!" That's revival!

Mourning leads to joy, and joy leads to obedience, which, in turn, leads to revival!

It's not about the wall; it's about the Word and the worship

- The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths, was an important festival in Israel, lasting for seven days. It commemorated God's faithfulness during the wilderness journey, where Israel dwelled in temporary shelters (Leviticus 23:42-43).

- The temporary shelters symbolized Israel's dependence on God's provision and protection during their pilgrimage. It served as a reminder of their humble beginnings and the faithfulness of God in sustaining them.

Jesus, the Fulfilment of the Feast of Tabernacles:

Jesus' Incarnation and Dwelling Among Us:

- The Feast of Tabernacles takes on a profound significance in light of Jesus' incarnation. John 1:14 states, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." The word "dwelt" can be translated as "tabernacled" or "pitched His tent."

- Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh and dwelt among humanity, becoming the ultimate fulfilment of the temporary shelters of the Feast of Tabernacles. He pitched His tent among us, revealing the glory of God and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His people.

It's not about the wall; it's about the Word and worshiping Him.

Encountering Jesus through God's Word leads to heartfelt worship and thanksgiving. Jesus proclaimed, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him" (John 4:23). Worship becomes a natural response to the grace and faithfulness of Christ.

Allow me to share an anecdote: A man bought his wife a brand new car. He informed her that if she were ever in an accident, he had placed the insurance information in the glove compartment. One day, she had an accident and was terrified to inform her husband that she had wrecked the car he had bought her. Shaking and flustered, she remembered the insurance binder in the glove compartment. As she opened it, a note fell out. It was from her husband. The note read, "If you're reading this, it's probably because you've wrecked the car. I'm just glad you're well enough to read. Remember, it's just a car, and you are what's truly important."

For the last few months, we have dedicated much effort to our building, but let's remember what truly matters. Let's pray for what transpires within this building and the impact we aim to make beyond it as we go about our daily lives.

Conclusion:

Some people come to church with reverence for God and His Word, saying, “God, teach me! I want to know You more!” They are ready to respond to the Word. They profit from the teaching. Others come to the same service with sin in their hearts that they don’t want to deal with. They are turned off by the very same message that helps others to grow. If you want spiritual renewal, check your heart. It comes when responsive hearts read and reverently hear God’s Word faithfully proclaimed.