Revival Through Gratitude and the Word of God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of gratitude and the power of God's Word in bringing about revival. We began by expressing our thankfulness for the many blessings we enjoy, even in times of trials and uncertainties. We prayed for the Lamont family, our country, and our leaders, asking for wisdom and peace. We then delved into the book of Nehemiah, focusing on chapters 8, 9, and 10, which highlight the completion of the walls of Jerusalem and the subsequent revival among the people.
The central theme of our study was that revival always starts with the Word of God. We discussed the alarming trend of biblical illiteracy in both the church and society, drawing parallels to the dumbing down of education. Just as a lack of proper education leads to ignorance, a lack of biblical knowledge leads to spiritual malnourishment. We emphasized the need for expository preaching, which involves reading and explaining Scripture systematically, as opposed to topical preaching that may only highlight selective passages.
In Nehemiah 8, we saw how the people of Israel gathered to hear Ezra read the Book of the Law for six hours, leading to deep conviction and repentance. This genuine repentance was marked by remorse and a commitment to turn away from sin, which then led to obedience. The people rediscovered the Feast of Booths and other commandments they had neglected, and they committed to obeying God's Word.
We also touched on the dangers of secular values infiltrating the church and the importance of staying rooted in Scripture. The people of Israel made a binding agreement to follow God's commands, starting with the heads of the families taking responsibility. This led to a renewed respect for the Sabbath and other holy practices.
Finally, we discussed the transformative power of regular Bible reading. Studies show that engaging with the Bible four or more times a week leads to significant positive changes in behavior and spiritual growth. We concluded with a call to be "people of the book," committing to regular Bible study and expository preaching.
### Key Takeaways
1. Gratitude in All Circumstances: We must cultivate a heart of gratitude, thanking God for our blessings even in times of trials and uncertainties. This attitude of thankfulness helps us to see God's goodness in every situation and strengthens our trust in Him. [43:16]
2. Revival Starts with the Word of God: True revival begins with a return to Scripture. Just as the people in Nehemiah's time experienced revival by reading and understanding God's Word, we too must prioritize regular Bible study to experience spiritual renewal. [46:01]
3. The Danger of Biblical Illiteracy: A lack of biblical knowledge leads to spiritual malnourishment and a weakened church. We must commit to expository preaching and personal Bible study to ensure we understand and live out God's commands. [48:48]
4. Genuine Repentance Leads to Obedience: True repentance involves not just feeling remorse for our sins but also taking action to turn away from them. This leads to obedience to God's Word, as seen in the Israelites' renewed commitment to the Feast of Booths and other commandments. [01:03:18]
5. The Transformative Power of Regular Bible Reading: Engaging with the Bible four or more times a week leads to significant positive changes in behavior and spiritual growth. This underscores the importance of making Bible reading a regular part of our lives. [01:30:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[43:16] - Gratitude and Prayer
[44:24] - Introduction to Nehemiah
[45:14] - Completion of the Walls
[46:01] - Revival Through the Word
[46:46] - The State of Education and the Church
[47:42] - The Cycle of Ignorance
[48:48] - Biblical Illiteracy in the Church
[49:47] - Spiritual Malnourishment
[50:55] - The Importance of Doctrine
[51:55] - Expository Preaching
[52:59] - The People Gather to Hear the Law
[53:44] - The Significance of Rosh Hashanah
[54:33] - Six Hours of Scripture Reading
[55:57] - Reverence for God's Word
[56:28] - The Power of Amen
[56:56] - Lifting Hands in Worship
[57:36] - Expository vs. Topical Preaching
[58:23] - The Benefits of Expository Preaching
[59:08] - The Power of God's Word
[01:00:02] - Hunger for the Word
[01:00:59] - The Conviction of Scripture
[01:01:50] - Genuine Repentance
[01:02:43] - The Role of Scripture in Revival
[01:03:18] - Remorse vs. Repentance
[01:04:47] - The Story of the Alcoholic
[01:05:32] - Remorse, Repentance, Restitution
[01:06:30] - The Joy of the Lord
[01:07:01] - Turning Weeping into Joy
[01:08:00] - Obedience to God's Word
[01:08:54] - Rediscovering the Feast of Booths
[01:09:40] - The Importance of Obedience
[01:10:27] - Defending Against Secularization
[01:11:22] - The Danger of Drifting Away
[01:12:02] - Staying Rooted in Scripture
[01:13:04] - Bible Jujitsu
[01:13:58] - The Chain of Obedience
[01:14:31] - Confession and Repentance
[01:15:05] - The Importance of Confessing Sin
[01:15:50] - The Need for a Savior
[01:16:41] - The Danger of the Prosperity Gospel
[01:17:25] - The Importance of Repentance
[01:18:06] - The Need for Genuine Conversion
[01:18:44] - The Power of Scripture
[01:19:18] - Ezra's Prayer
[01:19:48] - Making a Binding Agreement
[01:20:23] - The Role of Family Heads
[01:21:09] - Leading Families in God's Way
[01:21:55] - The Problem of Foreign Wives
[01:22:35] - The Danger of Missionary Dating
[01:23:14] - The Importance of Marrying a Believer
[01:23:51] - The Consequences of Unequal Yoking
[01:24:28] - The Curiosity of the Forbidden
[01:25:09] - The Status Play in Marriages
[01:25:49] - The Importance of Godly Spouses
[01:26:29] - The Challenges of Unequal Yoking
[01:26:59] - The Disaster of Unequal Marriages
[01:27:24] - Renewed Respect for the Sabbath
[01:27:48] - Obeying the Sabbath Commandments
[01:28:07] - Providing for the Levites
[01:28:26] - Reverence for God's House
[01:28:55] - The Chain of Revival
[01:29:14] - The Power of Scripture
[01:29:46] - The Impact of Bible Reading
[01:30:20] - Statistics on Bible Reading
[01:30:55] - The Benefits of Bible Engagement
[01:31:30] - Joshua 1:8
[01:32:04] - Commitment to the Word
[01:32:26] - The Importance of Expository Preaching
[01:32:57] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 8:1-3 - "And all the people gathered as one person at the public square, which was in front of the Water Gate. And they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the book of the law."
2. Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow, and to be able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
3. Joshua 1:8 - "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the people when Ezra read the Book of the Law in Nehemiah 8? ([52:59])
2. How long did Ezra read the Book of the Law to the people, and what was their response? ([54:33])
3. According to Hebrews 4:12, what are the characteristics of the Word of God?
4. What does Joshua 1:8 instruct us to do with the Book of the Law, and what is the promised outcome?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the people of Israel gathered as one to hear the Word of God in Nehemiah 8? ([52:59])
2. How does the description of the Word of God in Hebrews 4:12 relate to the concept of spiritual revival discussed in the sermon? ([01:00:02])
3. What does Joshua 1:8 suggest about the relationship between meditating on God's Word and experiencing success and prosperity? How does this align with the sermon’s message on the transformative power of regular Bible reading? ([01:30:20])
4. In the sermon, it was mentioned that genuine repentance leads to obedience. How does this concept connect with the people's actions in Nehemiah 8-10? ([01:08:00])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually malnourished. How did engaging with the Bible help you during that period? ([49:47])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of expository preaching. How can you incorporate more systematic Bible study into your personal devotional time? ([57:36])
3. The people of Israel made a binding agreement to follow God's commands. What steps can you take to ensure that you and your family are committed to living according to God's Word? ([01:20:23])
4. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life, especially during trials and uncertainties? Share a specific instance where gratitude changed your perspective. ([43:16])
5. The sermon highlighted the dangers of secular values infiltrating the church. What are some practical ways you can stay rooted in Scripture to guard against this? ([01:11:22])
6. Studies show that engaging with the Bible four or more times a week leads to significant positive changes. What specific plan can you implement to increase your Bible reading frequency? ([01:30:20])
7. Genuine repentance involves turning away from sin and taking action. Identify an area in your life where you need to repent and discuss practical steps you can take to change. ([01:03:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating Gratitude in Trials
Gratitude is a powerful attitude that can transform our perspective, especially during challenging times. By focusing on the blessings we have, we can see God's goodness even in the midst of trials and uncertainties. This practice not only strengthens our trust in God but also helps us to remain hopeful and positive. The act of giving thanks, even when circumstances are tough, is a testament to our faith and reliance on God's sovereignty. [43:16]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you express gratitude to God for His presence and provision during that time?
Day 2: Revival Through Scripture
True revival begins with a return to God's Word. The people of Israel experienced a profound revival when they gathered to hear Ezra read the Book of the Law. This led to deep conviction, repentance, and a renewed commitment to obey God's commands. Similarly, we must prioritize regular Bible study to experience spiritual renewal and growth. Engaging with Scripture allows us to understand God's will and align our lives with His purposes. [46:01]
Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV): "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading."
Reflection: How can you incorporate regular Bible reading into your daily routine to foster spiritual growth and revival in your life?
Day 3: Combatting Biblical Illiteracy
A lack of biblical knowledge leads to spiritual malnourishment and a weakened church. In today's society, there is an alarming trend of biblical illiteracy, even among believers. To combat this, we must commit to expository preaching and personal Bible study. Understanding and living out God's commands requires a deep and systematic engagement with Scripture. By doing so, we can ensure that our faith is rooted in sound doctrine and that we are equipped to navigate the challenges of life. [48:48]
Hosea 4:6 (ESV): "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me."
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Bible and ensure that your faith is built on a solid foundation?
Day 4: The Power of Genuine Repentance
True repentance involves more than just feeling remorse for our sins; it requires taking action to turn away from them. This leads to obedience to God's Word and a transformed life. The Israelites demonstrated genuine repentance by rediscovering and committing to the Feast of Booths and other neglected commandments. Similarly, we must examine our lives, confess our sins, and make a conscious effort to align our actions with God's will. [01:03:18]
Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
Reflection: Is there a specific sin or habit in your life that you need to repent of? What steps can you take today to turn away from it and obey God's Word?
Day 5: The Impact of Regular Bible Reading
Engaging with the Bible four or more times a week leads to significant positive changes in behavior and spiritual growth. Studies show that regular Bible reading can transform our lives, helping us to develop godly habits and attitudes. By making Bible reading a regular part of our lives, we can experience the transformative power of God's Word and grow in our relationship with Him. This practice not only nourishes our souls but also equips us to live out our faith in practical ways. [01:30:20]
Psalm 1:2-3 (ESV): "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Reflection: How can you create a consistent Bible reading habit that fits into your daily schedule? What changes do you expect to see in your life as a result?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Revival always starts with the word of God. Always starts with the word of God. It's amazing to talk with public school teachers. I mean, if you were to ask, we have a bunch of them here, Anthea or Carrie. I mean, if you were to ask them and just say, hey, how do you think school is going as we progress in our society? Are things getting better? I mean, are the kids getting smarter? I mean, what's happening?" [46:01](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Scripture says something similar about our relationship to God's Word. We're more than just physical beings designed to live off fruit and vegetables and maybe the occasional chicken nugget. But we're also spiritual beings, right? We're designed to live off every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. This means that when we neglect the Bible, the same level of spiritual malnourishment threatens each one of us." [49:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you become a Christian, God gives you this new heart. And you're not perfect, but you are changed. And one of the changes is having a desire for the Word of God. And that's just something special when we read from Scripture. It's unlike any other book. I mean, it's unlike an article or any other material. How do you think these people listen for six hours? Because there's power in the Word of God. It's enticing. It's truth. It's divine. It penetrates you." [01:00:02](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do you ever hunger for the Word? Does it captivate you? Do you hear living and read living words of life? Jeremiah 15, 16. 16 says this, Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart. Hunger for a Word of God. It's when the writer of Hebrews says it penetrates as far as the division of soul and spirit. He means it. It'll cut you. It will convict you." [01:00:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Folks, can we commit to being people of the book? You know, the reason that the Verity logo is on top of the word of God is very deliberate. If you haven't noticed that, take a look next time. And if you want some help and you don't know where to start, and if you want a plan, come and talk to us. We will get you set up on a plan. There's a number of plans out there and available to us. There's apps to use. There's all sorts of good ways to be in the book." [01:32:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Well, unfortunately, we can actually say the same thing for the church today. People in the church. And even Christians in Canada are dumbing down in their biblical knowledge. They are in fact suffering from a lack of biblical literacy. Really like never before in the history of our country. And this too eventually leads to less and less Bible being taught by less and less people. And less and less understanding. Because they know less and they teach less. And that becomes the norm. And it starts to snowball in the same way. And frankly, folks, for Christians, that is very, very dangerous." [48:48](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And too many preachers today have decided that when they're preaching, they're going to do it. Instead of systematically going through the Word of God, they might want to pound a few specific nails. It's kind of topical preaching. And topical preaching is when the preacher just kind of picks topics that maybe they feel are relevant and they just kind of let loose. And there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. So don't get me wrong because we actually do it here. If there's something that you might need to teach on, that could be timely and that could be important. And that's not wrong. But largely, our preaching here is not topical." [57:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And you know, folks, when you become a Christian, God gives you this new heart. And you're not perfect, but you are changed. And one of the changes is having a desire for the Word of God. And that's just something special when we read from Scripture. It's unlike any other book. I mean, it's unlike an article or any other material. How do you think these people listen for six hours? Because there's power in the Word of God. It's enticing. It's truth. It's divine. It penetrates you. That's why it says in Hebrews 4, 12, it says this, For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow, and to be able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." [01:00:02](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And this is where we're starting now as we get into chapter 8. Okay? Chapter 8. Let's go ahead and start there. Here we go. And all the people gathered as one person at the public square, which was in front of the water gate. And they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. So that's the first day of the seventh month. That's really Rosh Hashanah. That's what that is. That's kind of the new year in Jerusalem. Judaism. First day of Tishri of the seventh month." [52:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And you know it's very good when you're convicted and sincere. But let's not do this today. Today is a time for joy. Put away the sadness for now. Look at the bright side. You've heard the word of God. Now you believe it and you want to apply it. That's great. today we celebrate. And they kind of had to pull them out of that, right? So let's keep on going. Chapter 8, still repentance now in this next kind of section. We'll find that repentance that's true will lead to something else. And that is now obedience." [01:07:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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