A Pattern for Personal Renewal: Nehemiah #10
This is an exposition of Nehemiah 8:1-18. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 31, 2016
Intro:
This evening I want to talk about an event that drastically impacted the nation. An event that altered the course of history. An event from which it took years to recover. It happened at the Water Gate. Not the hotel in Washington D.C. but the Water Gate in Jerusalem in the year 444 B.C. Nehemiah has changed hats. He had moved from being the cupbearer to king Artexerxes in the palace at Susa, to builder of the wall of Jerusalem to now, governor of Judea.
The wall has been completed. It was a monumental task accomplished in just 52 days. It had lingered for a century but by God’s grace and through Nehemiah’s leadership the 1.5 – 2.5 mile wall was restored and the gates in place in less than 2 months. This was accomplished in spite of constant opposition and harassment. The city was settling into a routine. The government is operating like a well oiled machine. The people have returned to their homes. The temple is functioning and all is well…or is it? Something just isn’t right. Something is missing. Life seems empty, hollow and unfulfilling. The need is for a fresh work of God. A movement of the Spirit of God renewing and refreshing His people. Our text this evening is found in the 8th chapter of Nehemiah.
Text: Nehemiah 8:1-18
The book of Nehemiah gives us insight into godly leadership.
It helps us understand principles about leadership and ministry that impacts the culture.
Ministry that makes a difference.
Last time we noted that we are called to live and work for the glory of God in the place He has planted us. We are where we are by God’s design. Where we live and work, the circumstances in which we find ourselves are not accidental but are rather the work of providence. Yes, our world is sinful and wicked but it is in this sinful, wicked world that we are to live out our faith. And we are to live out our faith together!
The people have returned from exile.
They are trying to put their lives back together.
Living for God was not easy.
They have been living in a pagan land – singing the Lord’s song in a foreign land is hard work.
Back “home” doesn’t seem any easier!
Having rebuilt the wall it is now time to rebuild the nation.
It is clear there is a need for a renewing of the people of God.
The need is for revival.
Renewing the people of God is what revival is all about.
Evangelism is not revival.
Revival is the work of God in the midst of His people. It is a reanimation of the people of God. Revival rekindles the passions of God’s people. It restores the joy and wonder of salvation. It creates longing for holiness and obedience. The rebuilding of the wall was not an end it was a means to an end. The end was the greater work to be done in the hearts of the people of God. We are going to finds some principles in our text that point the path of renewal. A renewal need as much today is in the 5th century B.C.
William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army described the conditions of his own time calling for revival in the church. As you hear them I think you will recognize them in our own day:
- Religion without the Holy Spirit
- Christianity without the Christ
- Forgiveness without repentance
- Salvation without regeneration
- Politics without God
- Heaven without Hell
There is a desperate need for a moving of the Spirit of God in revival and personal renewal. Life for many has become a meaningless existence. They go through the day but there is no joy, no lasting fulfillment. Life is shallow, empty and void. They have lost the joy of their salvation. Life has become a drudgery.
In Nehemiah 8 we find a pattern for personal renewal.
If you have lost the joy of your salvation – you are a candidate for renewal.
If you have had a closer walk with Christ than you do today – you are a candidate for renewal.
If you cannot say that Christ has full control over your life – you are a candidate for renewal.
Thesis: Personal renewal demands openness to Word of God, devotion to the call of God and obedience to will of God.
Three keys – openness, devotion and obedience.
- Personal renewal demands an openness to the Word of God. (8:1-8)
- Personal renewal demands a whole-hearted devotion to the call of God. (8:9-12)
- Personal renewal demands a life of joyful obedience. (8:13-18)
Conclusion:
Are you in need of renewal?
Open yourself to the Word of God.
Devote yourself to the call of God.
Give yourself to joyful obedience to His Word and will.