If Walls Could Talk

The phrase "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" became famous in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to a series of television commercials for a product called LifeCall, a medical alert system. The commercials featured elderly individuals who had fallen and were unable to get back up, dramatizing a common and serious issue faced by many seniors living alone. In the most iconic version of the commercial, an elderly woman named Mrs. Fletcher is shown lying on the floor after a fall. She presses a button on her medical alert pendant and says the now-famous line, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" A LifeCall operator responds promptly, assuring her that help is on the way. The phrase quickly entered popular culture, often being parodied and referenced in various forms of media. While the line has been the subject of humor, it also raised awareness about the dangers of falls among the elderly and the importance of having a reliable means of summoning help in an emergency. Etymology of Revival: The term "revival" comes from the Latin word revivere, which means "to live again." It is derived from re- meaning "again" and vivere meaning "to live." The concept of revival is often associated with a renewed interest in or attention to something, typically in the context of religious or spiritual awakening. Synonyms for Revival: Renewal Reawakening Restoration Resurgence Rebirth Renaissance Rejuvenation Resuscitation

Text: Nehemiah 1:3-4

Nehemiah 1:3–4 KJV 1900

And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

Thesis: If Walls Could Talk

Introduction Set the scene: Jerusalem, once the crown jewel of God's chosen people, now lies in ruins. The walls, meant to stand as a testament to God's protection and the city's strength, are crumbled. The gates, once grand entrances, now hang askew, a constant reminder of the city's vulnerability. The people, once a proud nation, now walk with heads bowed, their spirits broken. This is the Jerusalem that Nehemiah, a man of God serving in the opulent Persian court, hears about. News of the city's devastation reaches him like a dagger to the heart. He weeps, he mourns, he fasts. He sees not just broken stones and charred gates, but the shattered hopes and dreams of his people. He recognizes the spiritual breach that has left the city exposed, not just to physical attacks, but to the relentless onslaught of despair and hopelessness. The Necessity of Revival: The wall wasn't just a physical barrier; it was a symbol of God's presence, a demarcation between the sacred and the profane. Its destruction signified a spiritual breach, leaving the people exposed and vulnerable. Nehemiah understood that rebuilding the wall was not just about restoring the city's physical defenses; it was about reclaiming their spiritual identity, about rekindling the flame of faith that had grown dim. I. The Wall's Lament: "I Am Broken, But Not Beyond Repair" (Nehemiah 1:3) The wall's pain: The wall describes its own brokenness, a stark reminder of the city's suffering and humiliation.

Echoes of the people: The wall's condition mirrors the state of the people, both physically and spiritually broken.

A glimmer of hope: Even in its brokenness, the wall hints at the possibility of restoration. It's not beyond repair.

Application: We all experience brokenness in our lives. But like the wall, we are not beyond God's reach. He can restore us and make us whole again.

II. The Wall's Witness: "I Have Seen Destruction, But Also Deliverance" (Nehemiah 1:3) The wall's memory: The wall has witnessed the city's destruction, a testament to the consequences of sin and disobedience. A history of God's faithfulness: But the wall has also seen God's deliverance in the past. It stands as a reminder of His power and faithfulness. Unsuccessful Assyrian attack under King Sennacherib Unsuccessful Babylonian attack under King Nebuchadnezzar Unsuccessful attack by neighboring tribes such as the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites Application: We may face trials and setbacks, but we serve a God who is bigger than any challenge. He has delivered His people in the past, and He will do it again. III. The Wall's Challenge: "I Am a Symbol of Hope, Will You Rebuild Me?" (Nehemiah 1:4) Nehemiah's response: The news of the wall's condition moves Nehemiah to tears, prayer, and action. The wall's silent plea: The wall challenges us to respond to the needs around us, to rebuild what is broken, and to restore hope. Application: We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing healing and restoration to a broken world. Will we answer the call? The wall's pain: The wall describes its own brokenness, a stark reminder of the city's suffering and humiliation. Imagine a house that once stood strong but now has cracks in its foundation. Just like the wall, our lives sometimes crack under pressure, revealing our vulnerabilities. Echoes of the people: The wall's condition mirrors the state of the people, both physically and spiritually broken. Think of a family going through a rough patch, where relationships are strained, and the once harmonious home feels fragmented. Like the wall, the family shows signs of wear and tear, both externally and internally. A glimmer of hope: Even in its brokenness, the wall hints at the possibility of restoration. It's not beyond repair. Consider a garden that has been neglected, yet with some care and attention, it can bloom again. Similarly, we too can be restored despite our brokenness.

Application: We all experience brokenness in our lives. But like the wall, we are not beyond God's reach. He can restore us and make us whole again. Whether it's a broken heart from a failed relationship or a career setback, God offers healing and renewal. II. The Wall's Witness: "I Have Seen Destruction, But Also Deliverance" (Nehemiah 1:3)

The wall's memory: The wall has witnessed the city's destruction, a testament to the consequences of sin and disobedience. It's similar to a person who has gone through addiction, witnessing the destruction it brings. The ruins of the wall reflect the ruins of a life once lived in chaos. A history of God's faithfulness: But the wall has also seen God's deliverance in the past. It stands as a reminder of His power and faithfulness. Think of a survivor of a major illness who can testify to the healing power of God. The wall, like the survivor, is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness.

Application: We may face trials and setbacks, but we serve a God who is bigger than any challenge. He has delivered His people in the past, and He will do it again. Just as a phoenix rises from the ashes, we too can rise from our trials, knowing that God's faithfulness never wavers. III. The Wall's Challenge: "I Am a Symbol of Hope, Will You Rebuild Me?" (Nehemiah 1:4) The wall's silent plea: The wall challenges us to respond to the needs around us, to rebuild what is broken, and to restore hope. When we see a friend struggling with depression or a neighborhood affected by crime, the wall's plea is our call to bring support and healing.

Key Point: Prayer is the lifeline that connects us to God's power and provision. It's through prayer that we find the strength and guidance to rebuild.

Those Who Cried Out

* Hannah: Longed for a child, prayed with deep sorrow.

* David: Faced countless enemies, poured out his fears and anxieties.

* Elijah: Overwhelmed and alone, asked for death.

* Job: Lost everything, questioned God in his suffering.

* The Psalmist: Expressed loneliness and despair, sought God's comfort.

How He Restores

* Hannah: Granted her a son, Samuel, who became a prophet.

* David: Delivered him from his enemies, made him king.

* Elijah: Sent an angel to strengthen him, renewed his purpose.

* Job: Restored his health and wealth, blessed him doubly.

* The Psalmist: Assured of God's presence, filled with peace and hope. Application: We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing healing and restoration to a broken world. Will we answer the call? Just as volunteers rebuild homes after a natural disaster, we are invited to rebuild lives and communities, offering hope and restoration through our actions and faith.