Compromise Kills Revival
From Ruins to Revival • Sermon • Submitted
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· 26 viewsThe decline of spiritual revival doesnt happen immediately, it is a slow fade - perhaps imperceptible for us to notice. It is the constant giving away of things dedicated to God and compromise in life for things not of God. Nehemiah 13 teaches us that we must remain vigilant against compromise, because compromise kills revival.
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Introduction - Compromise — is not a sudden flat but a slow leak
Introduction - Compromise — is not a sudden flat but a slow leak
Slow leak
The slide into spiritual apathy and the death of revival is slow and constant and not a sudden event
Law of Entropy - not only good for apologetics - but also great for understanding how to keep a vibrant life in Christ
Law of Entropy talks about a system left to itself goes to a state of chaos or decay
Relationships play this out - as do material possessions
A house unmaintained begins to break down
A life unguarded and left to itself will gravitate toward a state of death and not life
If we are not vigilant to maintain our revived life in Christ - it will go the same way through small compromises
There is a slow leak of the spirit (quenched and grieved - Ephesians) and we dont realize we are going flat
If it was sudden and big compromise we would resist at the first - but the enemy will come with a small compromise here and there
starts with a summary of the state of affairs some years after the dedication of the walls
Nehemiah describes the situation and then describes the areas of moral compromises that threatened the revival of Israel
We can learn from this and hopefully hear and heed the warning that Compromise will Kill a revival
Its not a spectacular crash and burn - but a slow fade
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It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray
And thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
The compromise of Israel - was the mingling of the Ammonites and the Moabites into the assembly of God
Ammonites was a sin of omission - not doing what was right
Moabites sin was one of commission - doing what they knew was wrong to hurt the Israelites by having Balaam curse Israel
Come into the assembly of God - meant to be regarded as one of the people of Israel and a person of God; it meant that one would participate in the spiritual life of Israel
It is wrong and this verse as well as others have been used as a way to show God to be prejudice or that Israel/Christians are called to be racist etc
Foreigners could become a part of Israel by conversion -
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21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel.
; Ruth 1:16-17
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16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”
The idea that these Moabites and Ammonites were in the assembly of God is something prevalent in churches today as well - its a mainstay of the Emergent Church
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It is a lie that that you can belong to the church before becoming a part of the church
The mixed multitude is composed of those who want to associate with Israel, but did not want to make the full commitment to leave their identity to become part of Israel
This all relates to the spiritual side of Israel and the worship of God
We see that this chapter is about the compromise of the Revival of Israel in the worship of the assembly - lets see what areas of compromise and what we can do to be vigilant against compromise.
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1 On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God, 2 because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 So it was, when they had heard the Law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.
Nehemiah 13:1-
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Nehemiah 13:4-
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with Tobiah. 5 And he had prepared for him a large room, where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, which were commanded to be given to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests. 6 But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king, 7 and I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God. 8 And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room. 9 Then I commanded them to cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
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10 I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field. 11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place. 12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse. 13 And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!
Nehemiah 13:10-
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Nehemiah 13:15-
15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.” 19 So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
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Nehemiah 13:23-
23 In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people. 25 So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. 27 Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?” 28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
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30 Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service, 31 and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!
Here is the setting for the whole chapter
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Nehemiah 13:6-7
6 But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king,
SLIDE - the first area of compromise
Making a Room for the Enemy
Making a Room for the Enemy
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4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with Tobiah. 5 And he had prepared for him a large room, where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, which were commanded to be given to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests. 6 But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king, 7 and I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God. 8 And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room. 9 Then I commanded them to cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
Nehemiah 13:4-9
Tobiah is a character whome we havent seen for a few chapters - but in case we forgot he is someone who is opposed to the work of the Lord and opposed to the safety and security of God’s people
Whats surprising is that here he has been given a room to occupy - right next to the temple of the Lord
Tobiah is an Ammonite a sworn enemy of the Lord - given space to occupy
Basically room was made for the enemy - by Eliashib - the High Priest!
Leaders must be held to a standard of practicing righteousness and being above reproach for this reason
That they remain vigilant in their stance against the enemy of the Lord and refusal to compromise with sin
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Today the world has so infiltrated the church, said Vance Havner, “that we are more beset by traitors within than by foes without. Satan is not fighting churches - he is joining them.”
The only thing to do for this is to throw it all out
Is this speaking to you - perhaps you are justifying something in your life that is a compromise with the enemy or is a compromise against the word of God
Nehemiah dealt with Tobiah being where he shouldnt by throwing him out
He didnt pray about it - no need - never would it be ok with God there was one thing to do - absolutely and decisively get rid of it
Threw him and his stuff out - then he fumigated/cleansed that room and the rooms next to it
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Ignoring Good Stewardship
Ignoring Good Stewardship
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10 I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field. 11 So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place. 12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse. 13 And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!
Nehemiah 13:10-14
As room was made for Tobiah as an enemy of the Lord - there was no room now for the storehouse of the Levites
When you give room to the enemy there is no room to give to God or His work
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Usually if you dont have room to give to God or His work its because you have made room for the enemy
The Levites had no supplies and no portions - they returned again to the fields
Nehemiah - contended with the rulers
Contended is a strong word - contended, quarreled, agitated, shouted
“Why is the house of God forsaken” - a good question considering they had promised specifically against that
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39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God.
Malachi also addresses this same issue - Malachi is prophesying at the same time as we find ourselves in Nehemiah - Malachi goes a step further and says they are robbing God
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8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
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Giving to others is one method to maintain life and vitality in the Christian life
Warren Wiersbe puts it very succintly
If all we do is receive, then we become resevoirs; and the water can become stale and polluted. But if we both receive and give, we become like channels; and in blessing others we bless ourselves.
SLIDE - Modern Maturity magazine
The world is full of two types of people, the givers and the takers. The takers eat well — but the givers sleep well
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No Time in Worship
No Time in Worship
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15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.” 19 So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
Nehemiah 13:15-
Nehemiah then sees the Sabbath being disregarded - this sin is what brought them to captivity for seventy years
Not only were they refusing to observe their day of rest - the Israelites were inviting in the people from surrounding nations to do business on that day
Nehemiah addressed this issue by appointing those around the gates again to close the gates on the sabbath evening and not opening them until after the sabbath was over
The merchants continued to come and Nehemiah wasnt satisfied to have them waiting outside the walls
He told them dont even come around - or he will lay hands on them
Remember this Sabbath day was not only a day of rest for them - it was a day dedicated to the Lord - it was a day of worship
Revival is lost - when we compromise on the dedicated time to God for worship
It can come in many ways
We skip church or rush church - there are restaurants to go to shopping to be done
Its a time to sleep in
Perhaps its time again that we shut our gates in our life to merchants and we spend that day dedicated to the Lord
The LOrd’s day, the first day of the week Sunday is not a Christian Sabbath
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week
The laws of the Sabbath dont apply to the Lord’s Day
Sunday is the day that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost
We should keep the Lord’s day to the glory of the Lord
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Do not forsake worship - worship keeps our heart connected with the Lord
Even the atheist Voltaire saw this and has been attributed the following quote
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“If you want to kill Christianity you must abolish Sunday.”
Whether you agree with him or not - we all know many (perhaps even ourselves who have killed their joy, witness, power by turning Sunday into an ordinary day and not having Christ be the focus for the start of their week
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Marrying the World
Marrying the World
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23 In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people. 25 So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. 27 Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?” 28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
Nehemiah 13:23-29
Then Nehemiah sees that Israel has intermarried with Moabites and Ammonites and Ashdodites
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The children spoke the language of their mothers and not the language of Judah
This wasnt a law about marrying other races this was about marrying interfaith
Ammonites and Moabites and Ashdodites were identified as that because of the worship of their gods
Nehemiah - with great wisdom - brings up the example of Solomon and his sin of intermarrying
This intermarrying even went as far as the son of the high priest was married to the daughter of Sanballat (remember him - the other sworn enemy of God)
Because of this Nehemiah sent him packing - intermarried with the enemies of God!
God people are to have a different speech than the world
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5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
By their speech they are known - our children should speak the language of God - but that wont happen if we marry outside the faith
We cannot missionary date or missionary marry - it doesnt work - consider Solomon who was turned to the idolatry by his pagan wives
Conclusion - Application
Conclusion - Application
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3 So it was, when they had heard the Law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.
Nehemiah 13
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30 Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service, 31 and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!
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Continue in the word of God - Reading and Obeying
I need to stress the need for us to obey and not give in to sin through either neglect, compromise or worse outright disobedience
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Be ruthless with sin
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We must go as far as Nehemiah - we must contend, withstand, fight and pluck the beard - with ourselves to rid our life of sin and compromise
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29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’
Jesus told us to be ruthless with sin
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Move from following people to following Jesus
For revival to stick in our lives we have to move to following Jesus - because leaders may leave, falter, or fail. Jesus is always there and never fails
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Revival can be renewed through repentance
Even if you start to compromise we see here clearly that Nehemiah drastically deals with the sin and restores the people - the same is true for us as we see the compromise we must deal with it and we can once again find revival
Notice the lack of law or covenant on their behalf to save them -
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3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
If we could be saved by our own promises, by our own commitment to Jesus, then His death would have been noble, but unnecessary. We aren’t saved by some vow we make, or some leaf we turn over, but by trusting in who Jesus is, and what He has done to save us.