GOD'S PRESCRIPTION FOR REVIVAL: Confession Without Pretense

GOD'S PRESCRIPTION FOR REVIVAL: Confession Without Pretense

Nehemiah 1:1–11 NLT

1 These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” 4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. 8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’ 10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.

INTRODUCTION:

All great moves of God began with sincere confession by God’s people.

During the days of Samuel ()

During the days of Ezra ()

During the days of Nehemiah (, )

If we are going to experience real revival, we must involve ourselves in confession that is without pretense.

Note some scriptural principles from our text:

I- BE HONEST: NOT SELF – DECEPTIVE ()

Nehemiah 1:1–3 NLT

1 These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa. 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

A- Do some honest seeking. ()

Nehemiah 1:1 NLT

1 These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was at the fortress of Susa.

1- Ask some probing questions.

a. What is our true condition as a people of God?

b. Is everything really as it ought to be?

B- Do not be afraid to face the facts. ()

Nehemiah 1:2–3 NLT

2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

1- The only way to find healing is to face the problems head – on.

II- BE HEART – BROKEN OVER THE REALITY. ()

II- THE HEART – BROKEN OVER THE REALITY. ()

Nehemiah 1:4 NLT

4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

A- Meditate upon the ramifications of the reality.

1- Who – all is affected?

2- What will be the results in their lives?

3- Wherewith the reality lead us collectively?

B- Mourn about the reality.

1- Allow the reality to create a godly grief about what you have been shown.

A- Do not try to push it out of your mind.

C- Move to your knees because of the reality.

1- Be deadly serious about this time of prayer.

2- Seek the Lord with your whole heart.

III- BESEECH GOD FOR FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING. ()

ESEECH GOD FOR FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING. ()

A- Claim the assurance of God’s mercy and cleansing power way. ()

Nehemiah 1:5 NLT

5 Then I said, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,

1- Recognize that God alone can make everything right.

claim the assurance of God’s mercy and cleansing power way. T

B- Confess the wickedness of sin. ()

recognize that God alone can make everything right.

Nehemiah 1:6–11 NLT

6 listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! 7 We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses. 8 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’ 10 “The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me.” In those days I was the king’s cup-bearer.

1- Confess the collective sins of the body of Christ.

2- Confess the collective sins of your own family.

3- Confess your own personal sins.

4- Confess the corruptness of the sins confessed.

5- Claim God’s promise of forgiveness.

CONCLUSION:

Nehemiah’s prayer resulted in God’s intervention.

Opened the King’s heart

To the plight of the Jewish people in Jerusalem

To Nehemiah’s request to lead an expedition to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

To the King providing the financial backing for the trip and the building project.

Protection for the journey

Success of the building project

Sending revival among the people in Jerusalem.

God can do great things if you and I follow His prescription for Revival in . This prescription requires that we involve ourselves in “Confession Without Pretense.”