Build: The Scriptures and Revival

Preached on 4.11.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes

“Water Gate…they…” in front of temple. The people called for this. Both signs of renewal.

“Ezra the scribe” Priest and scribe, spiritual leader. Forerunner to Nehemiah. Ez. 7:10.

“to bring the Book of the Law of Moses…” The Scriptures.

“…on the first day of the seventh month.” Their equivalent of New Year’s Day.

“And he read from it…from early morning until midday…” 5-6 hours.

P: God’s people should be hungry for God’s Word.

Am I hungry for God’s Word? If not, what needs to change?

“And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.”

P: God’s people should be attentive to God’s Word.

Am I attentive to God’s Word on Sundays and in personal study? If not, what needs to change?

“…a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose.” Both practical and symbolic.

“And beside him stood…” To show agreement and solidarity.

“And Ezra opened the book…as he opened it all the people stood.” Our of reverence.

P: God’s people should have a respect for God’s Word.

Do I have the proper respect for God’s Word? Most ultimately: read and obey what it says?

“…all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” Meaning “it is true.”

“lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Submission and worship before the Lord.

P: God’s people should respond to God’s Word.

Am I appropriately responding to God’s Word? If not what needs to change?

Also… the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. The goal is not information but transformation. This requires understanding.

P: God has given His people teachers to explain His Word.

Am I taking full advantage of the environments that God has given us to learn His Word?

And Nehemiah…said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. When we understand the Word of God, we also understand our violations of it.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength…” “Fat” was a term for the best of foods. They were sharing with those who were less fortunate. This was a call to great joy in the Lord.

P: The Word of God leads us through a process of change.

Communication (of the Word).

Confrontation (of our sin and idolatry).

Conviction (that leads to repentance).

Consolation (being reminded that our sins have been paid for).

Celebration (that our sins have been paid for).

Am I experiencing all of the parts of the process? If not, there will be trouble, What’s missing?

On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. Heads of houses lead their families in the Scriptures both then and now.

And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, Looking back, looking around, looking forward. Tell the others so that we might be the City within a City we are intended to be.

P: The study of the Word of God should lead to a furtherance of the Mission of God.

Is my study of the Word of God further encouraging me on Mission with God?

“Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves…for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so.” This was real, honest transformation.

And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule. The recovery of God’s Word led ultimately to celebration.

The Written Word ultimately points us to the Incarnate Word – Jesus.

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Be Determined by Warren Wiersbe, Numerous Resources from the Logos Electronic Library, Message by Mark Driscoll.