You Were Made Alive, So Be Revived

Introduction

I truly enjoy vintage, antique, and classic cars. Even though I know next to nothing about cars, I love to walk around at look at them at car shows, or to see one drive past me on the road. A well-restored car immediately catches your eye. It doesn’t matter if you are particularly fond of the make or model, you are able to appreciate the time and attention to detail. My great-uncle enjoyed vintage cars, like the Model T. I, on the other hand, specifically enjoy antique or classic American muscle cars, particularly street rods or ‘hot rods.’ But no matter what, I am always able to appreciate the touch of a master’s hand that has revived a car.

The car has been stripped down to its bare metal frame where the rust is ground off or cut out. Each part has been meticulously removed and cleaned or replaced. The interior smells of thick leather and each of the dials and gauges works like new. Windows have been scrubbed to remove film until they are perfectly transparent. New black tires are complemented by shining chrome. A glossy coat of paint gleams in the sunlight. Every aspect of a restored car screams revival, a new life being breathed into the chassis, the upholstery, and the engine. It has been restored to new life, to new purpose.

Often, I hear people say we need revival in our nation, or revival in our schools. But revival means to return to consciousness or life, meaning something must first have life in order to be revived. So, biblically speaking, genuine revival only applies to the Church, those who are “made alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). When you became a Christian, you were spiritually resurrected, because you were spiritually dead. You can only be revived after first being made alive.

The true Christian has been made alive by the blood of Jesus.

The true Christian has been released from the power of sin and death.

The true Christian has been commissioned, trained up, and sent out on a mission to make disciples of Jesus.

But many a true Christian lives a decommissioned life, rather than living the commissioned life Christ commanded us. Much like a car, we allow our spiritual lives to deteriorate. We find it is far easier to be religious than to be an obedient follower of Christ.

We have been spiritually resurrected, yes, but we require a fresh breath of God’s Spirit to light a fire and revive us at our core. We need everything stripped out, everything sanded down, everything cleaned, and everything put back together. We require the touch, or maybe a good slap or kick, of the Master’s hand! Why? Because we have been given a mission, and Scripture tells us to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ as that day draws near.

What day? The rapture of the Church and the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ!

And Scripture tells us as that day draws near, perilous times will come (2 Timothy 3:1). Now, you tell me, can you see that day drawing near?

Do you see people who despise what is good?

Do you see a clear dividing line between darkness and light?

Do you see an unloving, unthankful, unforgiving, unholy spirit in this world?

Do you see humanity loving themselves more than they love God?

Our world is in a state of peril, and it has been since the Garden of Eden. We are deeper into that peril and closer to that day than we ever have been before, and as we sink deeper and deeper, the more we as a Church must be focused on what we are doing and why we are meeting.

We, as the Body of Christ, must be revived to our God-given purpose, and that revival begins solely with the Word of God.

Just as there are physical characteristics that alert our eyes to the fresh life of a vehicle, there are attitudinal characteristics which alert our spirit to individuals and churches who are experiencing revival through the person of Jesus Christ. Today, I want to take you through five of those characteristics, so I invite you to turn with me to Nehemiah chapter 8.

Nehemiah is in the first part of your Old Testament, after 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, and Ezra.

If you are able, please stand together as we read the Word of God.

The attitude of a revived church is:

Intentionally gathering to seek God’s direction

Instructing persons of all ages

Immersed in God’s Word

Impassioned to worship and action

Interpreting under prayerful guidance

I. Intentionally Gathering to Seek God’s Direction (v. 1)

A. Church is not primarily about entertainment or an emotional experience. Church is about equipping Christians to prepare for Christ’s return so that we may best be used on mission for Jesus Christ.

The American Church often has it backwards. We come to be entertained, and if we aren’t entertained, we quickly tune out. But the primary reason you should be coming to church, as the Church, is to seek direction from God.

As Christians, we need to come with an intentional attitude. In other words, you come to church knowing what you are doing and why you are doing it.

What are we doing? — We are gathering together as the Body of Christ.

Why are we doing it? — To hear directly from God, to apply His direction into every aspect of our life, and to encourage our brothers and sisters in that process.

It’s football season. I know because one of my coworkers won’t let me forget. The other day we got together to watch the Chiefs game. We went to watch the game with intentionality. We knew what we were going to do (watch the game), when we were going to meet (7:00 p.m.), and how we were going to do it (eat food and yell at the TV).

We are intentional in some ways. One way a local church intentionally gathers to seek the Lord’s direction is by hiring a pastor. You hired me with the intention that I would prayerfully seek the Lord’s voice and expound upon His Word. Why did you do that? Because you rightfully desire someone to shepherd you and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

Even with a Godly, faithful pastor though, we are only vessels. You come with intentionality to hear God speak directly to you.

B. We say we want revival.

The first step to revival is gathering together to seek the Lord’s voice. The primary way we hear God’s voice is through His Word. It is for that reason that Scripture is the primary foundation of our service here each week.

The American Family Association wrote an article about a survey that included these findings:

“… while the vast majority of American evangelicals are satisfied with things like the style of music … an increasing number would like to see more in-depth teaching from the pulpit.”

You should be encouraged by this, because it means there is an increasing hunger and thirst for God’s Word! God is beginning to revive the spirit of intentionality within His Church!

Christian apologist Dr. Alex MacFarland said:

I really do believe that the churches that are willing to have a very strong teaching ministry — in the pulpit, in classrooms, in small groups — that open the Word to people, are the churches that are going to flourish in the days ahead.

Just as the people assembled together and asked Ezra to read the Law to them, the American Church has a bourgeoning desire hear in-depth teaching in pulpits, classrooms, and small groups across America. Praise God, because our nation is currently in this mess because we allowed our intentionality to deteriorate.

What do you mean?

Three years ago, we allowed the American government to instruct us to be intentional about everything except our assembling together to seek and hear God’s voice.

Be intentional about wearing a mask

Be intentional about getting the vaccine

Be intentional about social distancing

Be intentional about shutting down your businesses

Be intentional about not attending church

Hebrews 10:25 NASB95

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Can I offer to you that we are currently experiencing the disastrous effects of our, the American Church’s, lack of intentionality in our spiritual lives?

2020 did not start this process. We have been throwing gasoline on the fire with our lack of biblical literacy and spiritual apathy for years, but in 2020 we lit a match and tossed it on the fire.

C. The attitude of a church and people being revived by Jesus Christ is one who intentionally seeks His voice.

II. Instructing Persons of All Ages (v. 2)

A. God’s Word, and thus His direction and instruction, are for all people and all ages.

Who should be intentional? Parents? Children? Only the really spiritual people?

In Nehemiah we read that it is everyone.

Nehemiah 8:2 (NASB95)

2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.

In other words, the attitude of a church being revived is one that values instruction for all ages. It means this, parents you come to church with intentionality to be equipped to pursue Jesus Christ’s mission for your life. And because of the necessity you see for seeking His direction, you bring your children along too so that they may be equipped.

Well, I don’t want my children to be a distraction or disturbance. When I hear kids laughing, making random comments, or even screaming from the pulpit, you know what I hear? I hear a church that’s alive. Keep your kids in the sanctuary. You take them out and everyone loses.

Well, I don’t think my kid gets much out of sitting in church. Can I offer to you that they probably pick up on more than you think? You child does not have to be very old to have some level of understanding, and what kind of weak God do we claim to serve if God cannot speak to the four year-old and the eight-four year-old alike?

Even if they can’t grasp hold of the theological concepts they hear the pastor preaching, you know what instruction they are grabbing hold of every time you bring them with you to church? That church is important, and if my mommy and daddy are making time to attend church each Sunday then maybe I should to.

Proverbs 22:6 NASB95

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

In 2001, the Barna Research Group found that “71% of American adults had a period of time during their childhood when they regularly attended a Christian church … [A] majority of those who attended church as a youngster (61%) still regularly attend today.”

By contrast, “78% of those who were not church-goers as children are still absent today.”

The church I attended as a child was 45 minutes away, one way. Yet, nearly every Sunday, my parents faithfully attended not only the service, but Sunday School. For years, I would draw pictures in the sanctuary and my sister’s would comb dad’s hair. But that didn’t mean we weren’t paying attention. And even if we didn’t hear a word the pastor said, through our parents faithfulness, God was helping to instruct us, children, on the importance of being a part of a church body.

B. The attitude of a church and people being revived by Jesus Christ is one that places value on the importance of instruction of all people and all ages.

III. Immersed in God’s Word (vv. 3-4)

A. As an American culture, we seem to be immersed in everything except God’s Word.

The word ‘immerse’ means ‘to plunge into’

You may remember a song called ‘Dive’ by Stephen Curtis Chapman. The chorus of that song says:

I’m diving in, I’m going deep, in over my head I want to be

Caught in the rush, lost in the flow, in over my head I want to go

The river’s deep, the river’s wide, the river’s water is alive

So sink or swim, I’m diving in

God’s desire is that we immerse ourselves fully in His Word. He wants us to jump in head first. Don’t worry, His Word is far more than you can possibly handle! But that is good because it only draws you nearer and deeper into Christ.

B. Ezra preached the Law for three hours to the people

When it says ‘the Law,’ we can’t know for sure exactly what that means. Here’s what we do know:

Ezra is reading from the really scary, super dense books we would call the Torah, or the first five books of the Bible.

It’s completely possible that Ezra is reading all, or portions, of all five books.

Just so you know, this means I have biblical precedence to preach for 3 hours. I’m kidding, but there is an important lesson I want us to see here.

There is also no indication that the people sat down while Ezra continued to read.

The people have intentionally asked Ezra to preach the Law to them. Ezra is preaching to both adults and children alike. The people sat listening (or possibly standing) for three hours listening to Ezra expound upon God’s Word.

Nehemiah 8:3 (NASB95)

3 … and all the people were attentive to the book of the law.

Ethan, are you saying that in order to be a revived church we have to listen to you ramble for three hours? No, but I am saying if we come with an intentional attitude to receive a direct message from God, we shouldn’t care about how long it takes. We should be longing to plunge into God’s Word, not dip our toes in it.

When I was in preaching class in college, I was taught to preach for no longer than 20 minutes. As you can see, I listened well. And even though I haven’t been preaching for long, I have had many friends and listeners make comments on the length of my sermons. I’m not singling anyone out, but here’s what I want to challenge you with:

When I watched the chiefs game the other night, I watched as several grown men sat in one place for three hours cheering on a team that they will never have any real part of other than wearing a replica jersey or drafting players in fantasy football. (Now no one is going to invite me over for game night because I might use them in a sermon illustration).

I know many people, including myself, who have binged an entire Netflix show in one sitting. And even if it’s just one episode, many are still 45+ minutes. Or how about a movie that is 2+ hours long?

I’m not saying we need to be here for three hours, but I am encouraging us to stop paying so much attention to the clock. Trust me when I say I pay more than enough attention to it for all of us.

As a Christian, you are on the team! You wear the real jersey, and not only that, but God Himself wants to put you in on the action. What He needs from you is to plunge in and listen to the plays He’s calling. As a Christian, you are an integral part of the story, but you need your script to know what role you are to play.

Just as you lose track of time when you are immersed in a good book, or movie, or game, how much more do you think you can lose track of time when deeply immersed in the Word of God?

C. The attitude of a church and a people being revived by Jesus Christ is one that plunges themselves into His Word.

IV. Impassioned to Worship and Action (vv. 5-6)

A. The revived church who intentionally instructs and immerses themselves in the Word of God will see evidence in their worship and actions.

The word ‘impassioned’ means ‘to cause feelings or passion for’

Our God is powerful and so is His Word. The people recognized this.

What Ezra was reading was so important that the people constructed a platform large enough for him and the other elders, so that everyone could see and hear what was being said. In other words, the people were reverent in their attitude. This is why they stood when Ezra began to read. It is why I had you stand this morning as we read. In fact, there is no evidence in the text that the people ever sat during the entire discourse!

The people responded verbally. They said, “Amen, Amen!” In other words, let it be said. Ezra is blessing God, He’s appealing to the character and nature of God, and the people are saying, “Yes, this is the God we serve!”

Can I just say I love it when people respond like this? It shows me not only that they are listening, but that God is speaking something to them that is impactful.

The people responded physically. They bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord. What are they doing? They are praying, and they are doing so in a way that publicly admits they are praying in the midst of the gathering! Why? Because God is using His Word, in this case His Law, to deeply convict the hearts and minds of the people. In fact, just a few verses later we read this:

Nehemiah 8:9 (NASB95)

9 … For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.

And in chapter 9, we see that God’s Word has prompted the people to a humble and repentant spirit.

B. We as the Church say we want to see change in our nation and world, but we forget it is through intentionally immersing ourselves in God’s instruction that must first impassion a spirit of revival in us, God’s people.

V. Interpreting Under Prayerful Guidance (vv. 7-8)

A. There is one true interpretation of Scripture. There are many different applications for each of our lives.

Not just Ezra, but the other elders, helped to expound upon the Scripture Ezra was reading to the people. God has appointed specific spiritual leaders within each local Church. It is their responsibility to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

This does not mean I inject my opinion. It does mean any other leader injects their opinion. We are always interpreting under prayerful guidance from the Holy Spirit.

God is not dependent upon fallible men to prompt His Church to action, but faithful, Godly men play an integral role in helping God’s people understand how God desires for them to respond.

B. Only a church who believes God’s Word is inerrant can rightly divide the Word of Truth.

For us as a church, we believe that God’s Word is true and right:

anything that opposes God’s Word,

anything that disagrees with it,

anyone that changes it,

anyone that adds to or takes away from or redefines it,

Without exception … is 100% wrong!

We are to treat Scripture exactly as that — as the Word of God. And in doing so, we admit we do not have all the answers, but will seek the face of the One who does.

C. The attitude of a church and people being revived by Jesus Christ is one that prayerfully seeks how to interpret the whole council of God.

Conclusion

I want to close with the words of Amos, and a striking warning that sounds like it was written yesterday for the Church today:

Amos 8:11–12 NASB95

11 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the Lord. 12 “People will stagger from sea to sea And from the north even to the east; They will go to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, But they will not find it.

We say we want revival in our nation and world, but what we are really saying is we need change. We need revival as Christians, as God’s Bride, in order for any change to be recognized. God’s Word, and it alone, is the antidote for the spiritual dryness we are currently experiencing, a dryness that is prophesied to occur before the return of Christ.

It starts with our commitment. It requires intentionally seeking to instruct others by immersing them in God’s Word, so that they may be impassioned to worship and interpret what action God requires.

Every one of you who has accepted Christ as your personal Savior has been made alive in Him. Now, He calls you to be revived.