WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.660 Join me in the book of Nehemiah, chapter 8. 00:00:08.779 --> 00:00:18.320 We are once again taking another break from our study of the book of Romans, and I must tell you why we are doing so once again. 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:29.980 I find that it's not good for the preaching of a church to follow every cultural whim, to bounce from one topic to another as the zeitgeist of 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:36.740 social media chaos dictates. We could just go from thing to thing to thing. 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:45.439 But something has been going on in our country that deserves some particular attention because of its particular spiritual claims. 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:58.920 On February 8th, at a small private school in Kentucky called Asbury University, a chapel service met beyond its intended conclusion and with little break is continuing to meet even today. 00:00:58.920 --> 00:01:07.420 Now, as a little aside, I saw an announcement that they're planning on bringing the meetings to a close and restricting the time and who can attend. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:13.799 This event, though, is being widely referred to as the Asbury Revival. 00:01:14.659 --> 00:01:24.500 And so with the limited amount of time that we will spend together this morning, I want us to think biblically together about what constitutes a revival. 00:01:24.500 --> 00:01:30.280 I think probably most of us in the room have seen or heard something of this. 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:35.480 If not for you, then I imagine your social media threads are more fun than mine. 00:01:36.760 --> 00:01:41.019 I will not make any comments concerning the events at Asbury. 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:48.260 I think it's a little early to make many comments about it, to give it a really solid assessment. 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:56.500 I want to say just simply this concerning the Asbury Revival that I find it concerning. 00:01:57.540 --> 00:02:02.960 I will gladly be proven wrong, and I am praying that it bears much fruit. 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:07.160 I would just be happy to have all of my concerns put to rest. 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:09.640 But I am concerned. 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:14.040 If you'd like to know more about the particulars of that, I'd be happy to speak with you later. 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:21.379 But what I want to do this morning is help us, not so that we can be critical or affirming. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:27.859 I'm not trying to arm you to get on your social media threads and make pithy comments one way or the other. 00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:35.039 But so that we can carefully assess claims made in the place in which we live. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:44.159 This is a far removed thing from us, but we will need to make assessments of things like this in our day. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:48.819 We need to be a discerning people. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:53.699 In fact, we're instructed to be a discerning people. 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:57.620 Many people would say, don't be critical of things that you're saying. 00:02:57.620 --> 00:03:08.580 But John instructs us in 1 John 4 and verse 1, beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirit to see whether they are from God. 00:03:08.740 --> 00:03:13.120 For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:17.379 We're told to be discerning and careful. 00:03:18.640 --> 00:03:25.540 Did you know, for example, that there is a church in Dawsonville that claims to be the home of the North Georgia Revival? 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:30.299 This is an event that has been going on now for some years. 00:03:31.299 --> 00:03:38.840 Maybe, and I hope that you've been insulated from this, that you're likely to encounter people who would believe these claims. 00:03:39.659 --> 00:03:43.719 How are we supposed to think about these kinds of things? 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:48.899 Now, we can't have a problem of definition when we think about revival. 00:03:49.019 --> 00:03:52.840 What is meant by that term, revival? 00:03:52.840 --> 00:04:01.180 It is used in the scriptures, the reviving of things, dead things made alive, or sick things made well. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:06.879 But culturally, a lot of things may pop into your mind when you hear this term. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:21.040 I once attended a conference for a job I held, not by choice, I was forced to go, that claimed, right, on their introductory statement, on literature that was handed out, 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:25.659 we are about to have a good old-fashioned Holy Spirit revival. 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:31.519 Seemed a bit lackluster to me as I attended. 00:04:31.519 --> 00:04:38.180 A revival is not an event put on a calendar and planned for. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:47.139 We do not have the power to bring revival about, nor the power to stop it from happening. 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:56.519 Just this week, a man said to me, I suggested that I think that if revival were to come to our nation, that it would come through the church. 00:04:57.879 --> 00:04:59.879 Just an opinion of mine. 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:05.659 That would come through faithful preaching, week in, week out, in a church. 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:09.300 And his response was, yeah, but what if the church doesn't want revival? 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:17.319 And I said, well, I know some churches that do, and we don't have the power to stop it. 00:05:18.460 --> 00:05:23.540 Revival is a sovereign work of the Spirit of God. 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:26.360 Making things new. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:28.920 Bringing life where there was death. 00:05:29.240 --> 00:05:33.300 Bringing wellness where there was sickness. 00:05:34.840 --> 00:05:39.000 Andrew Murray once wrote, a true revival means nothing less than a revolution. 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:41.860 Casting out the spirit of worldliness. 00:05:42.020 --> 00:05:45.180 Making God's love triumph in the heart. 00:05:46.400 --> 00:05:51.439 J.I. Packer once said, revival is God's quickening visitation of his people. 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:57.019 Touching their hearts and deepening his work of grace in their lives. 00:05:57.699 --> 00:06:04.519 We want to be clear-minded about what revival is and who brings about revival. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:09.000 It is a sovereign work of the Spirit of God. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:15.439 But what kind of filters do we need to assess something claiming to be a revival? 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:20.300 These filters should not be based on our experience. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:22.460 Our thought. 00:06:22.860 --> 00:06:24.340 It felt like revival. 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:26.560 Therefore, it must be revival. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:29.340 It's not a way that God's people should think. 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:35.899 We should rather hold it up to the lens of the Word of God. 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:39.599 That's an issue of the sufficiency of Scripture. 00:06:39.799 --> 00:06:44.019 You probably have experienced this in your social media threads. 00:06:44.019 --> 00:06:45.279 Much opinion. 00:06:45.599 --> 00:06:47.639 Very little Bible. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:55.620 The Bible is sufficient to help us understand what is and what isn't a work of the Spirit of God. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:07:00.699 Paul writes in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 and 17. 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:08.600 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:09.040 Right? 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:11.579 It is an inspired word. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:12.379 It is inerrant. 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:14.160 It is authoritative. 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:23.000 And then verse 17 says that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 00:07:23.220 --> 00:07:27.060 Which includes the work of discerning the spirits. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:28.780 Putting them to the test. 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:35.980 Seeing if something claimed to be a move of God is actually a move of God. 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:44.439 We find, give or take your opinion of it, ten revivals in the Scriptures. 00:07:44.640 --> 00:07:47.000 And we're going to look at one of them together today. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:51.480 And I just normatively don't like doing this, although I do from time to time. 00:07:52.640 --> 00:07:58.319 Yesterday, took a big turn from a plan, from a prepared sermon, to do this instead. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:09.360 I spent four and a half hours watching video of the events happening in Asbury and pulled this together from Nehemiah chapter 8. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:13.519 So I hope it will serve us helpfully in these coming moments. 00:08:14.019 --> 00:08:21.120 Let me give you an outline quickly and I'll reiterate this as we press on before I read the chapter, Nehemiah 8. 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:26.759 These are evidences of God-sent revival we can find in our text. 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:31.659 If revival is God-sent, God's people will, number one, be praying. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:39.139 Number two, they will reestablish the Word of God as the ultimate authority in their lives. 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:46.600 Number three, they will recognize their defiance of God and view His chastisement as just. 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:52.519 And number four, they will turn from their defiance to obedience. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:56.340 They will be praying, the Word of God will be exalted, 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:59.920 and they will be repenting and believing. 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:03.100 So Nehemiah chapter 8. 00:09:03.160 --> 00:09:06.440 Beloved, this is God's Word to us, written for His glory and our good. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:13.139 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:09:15.280 --> 00:09:15.899 Nehemiah 8. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:20.840 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the water gate. 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:26.560 And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:09:27.420 --> 00:09:31.000 So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:35.320 and all who could understand what they heard on the first day of the seventh month. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:39.060 And he read from it, facing the square before the water gate, 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:45.219 from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:50.039 And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:54.799 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:59.259 And beside him stood six men to his right hand. 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:02.379 For the time and embarrassment, I'll skip their names. 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:06.659 And seven men to his left hand. 00:10:07.319 --> 00:10:08.099 Verse 5. 00:10:08.719 --> 00:10:13.279 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people. 00:10:13.359 --> 00:10:16.459 And as he opened it, all the people stood. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:21.120 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:24.559 Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:29.959 And they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 00:10:30.959 --> 00:10:31.759 Verse 7. 00:10:31.899 --> 00:10:37.139 Also, 13 men, not all the exact same, and Levites, 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:43.399 helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places. 00:10:43.979 --> 00:10:46.919 They read from the book, from the law of God, clearly. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:50.719 And they gave the sense that the people understood the reading. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:54.940 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:57.860 and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:00.360 This day is holy to the Lord your God. 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:02.820 Do not mourn or weep. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:07.180 For all the people wept as they heard the words of the law. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:09.099 Then he said to them, 00:11:09.479 --> 00:11:11.979 Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine, 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:14.219 and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:16.539 For this day is holy to our Lord. 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:20.739 And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:24.239 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:26.219 Be quiet, for this day is holy. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:28.079 Do not be grieved. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:34.400 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, 00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:38.080 because they had understood the words that were declared to them. 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:42.960 On the second day, the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:44.280 with the priests and the Levites, 00:11:44.400 --> 00:11:48.480 came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the law. 00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:52.240 And they found it written in the law that the Lord had commanded by Moses 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:56.280 that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seven month, 00:11:56.279 --> 00:12:00.799 and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:06.419 go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:09.759 and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written. 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:13.579 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:17.740 each on his roof, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:22.019 and in the square at the water gate, and in the square at the gate of Ephraim. 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:25.759 And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:28.139 made booths and lived in the booths. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.559 For from the days of Jeshua, the son of Nun, 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:33.659 to that day the people of Israel had not done so. 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:36.740 And there was very great rejoicing. 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:40.319 And day by day, from the first day to the last day, 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:42.720 he read from the book of the law of God. 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:45.059 They kept the feast seven days, 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:47.419 and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.860 according to the rule. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:54.580 Now, a little background for this chapter. 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:56.860 It makes some more sense to us. 00:12:57.539 --> 00:13:00.300 In the book of Nehemiah so far, in chapter one, 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:05.379 we see Nehemiah introduced as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:08.120 who was the ruler of Persia. 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:11.600 Persia had overthrown the Babylonian empire, 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:16.320 and the Babylonians had carried the Israelites off to captivity. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:23.300 So this is the returning, this is the post-exilic period of the biblical narrative. 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:27.980 In chapter one, we see that God brings news of the state of Jerusalem. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.760 It's in disrepair. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:35.640 The walls are still torn down from that Babylonian attack. 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:41.340 And therefore, God's people were in a state of disrepair. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:43.840 A couple of waves had been sent back, 00:13:44.160 --> 00:13:47.180 and Nehemiah is grieved by this. 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:51.200 Not so much because the city is not intact, 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:55.500 because the well-being of God's people is not intact. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:14:00.899 So, Nehemiah is moved to pray for the situation, 00:14:01.320 --> 00:14:04.320 and God had placed Nehemiah in a very unique position 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:09.220 to be trusted by King Artaxerxes as his cupbearer, right? 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:12.860 The one who tasted his wine to see whether or not it was poisoned. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:17.560 King Artaxerxes gives permission to Nehemiah. 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:21.740 That's why he's troubled and gives him permission to return back 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:24.980 against an edict he himself had given 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:28.440 to do the rebuilding of the wall. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:31.180 Nehemiah chapter one and verse eight records, 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:34.700 for the good hand of God was upon him. 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:38.220 So, Nehemiah has returned to Jerusalem. 00:14:38.660 --> 00:14:40.320 He's observed the wall. 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.560 He's reported to the people 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:45.220 God's sovereign goodness for the task. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:47.980 We see roughly 30,000 to 50,000 people, 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.420 Israelites living in the land in this day. 00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:53.860 And the beginning of the building of the wall 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:55.320 has taken place. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:59.460 The Israelites worked in the face of opposition, 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:02.820 for God had given them, chapter four and verse six, 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:05.100 a mind to work. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.740 And then before we get to chapter eight, 00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:09.440 the work is completed. 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:13.879 It took 52 days, an astounding feat. 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:17.660 And the surrounding nations are now afraid, 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:19.480 chapter six and verse 16, 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.320 for they perceived that this work 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:25.360 had been accomplished with the help of our God. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:29.639 And so much good has already begun. 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:33.080 There's a lot happening with God's good favor 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:36.480 leading up to this place. 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:40.180 You could say that maybe the seedbed for revival 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:43.139 was already being laid and prepared, 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:45.720 but yet we see here in chapter eight, 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:51.360 a particular fervency, the pace picks up. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:54.600 And so let's think about these four points together 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:58.120 as we observe this chapter in the life of Israel. 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:01.700 So number one, if revival is God sent, 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:04.980 God's people will be praying. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:09.019 And we have not studied all of the book of Nehemiah together, 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:12.420 but there is much praying leading up to this point, 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:15.220 particularly by Nehemiah, 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:17.200 chapter one, verses five through 11, 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:18.980 chapter two, verse four, 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.779 chapter six, verse nine, 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:23.259 and verse 14. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.759 You can turn with me if you'd like, 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.299 but otherwise just listen. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.500 Nehemiah chapter one, 00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:30.779 verse five and following. 00:16:30.959 --> 00:16:32.419 This is after he hears the news 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:34.899 of the disrepair of Jerusalem. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.480 Nehemiah prays, 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.819 O Lord God of heaven, 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.459 the great and awesome God 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:41.819 who keeps covenant and steadfast love 00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:42.919 with those who love him 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:44.799 and keep his commandments. 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.860 Let your ear be attentive 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:48.100 and your eyes open 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:50.180 to hear the prayer of your servant 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:52.399 that I now pray before you day and night 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.500 for the people of Israel, 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.320 your servants, 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:57.039 confessing the sins of the people of Israel, 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:59.320 which we have sinned against you. 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:02.860 Even I and my father's house have sinned. 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:05.940 We have acted very corruptly against you 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.240 and have not kept the commandments, 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.680 the statutes and the rules 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:10.220 that you commanded your servant Moses. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:13.160 Remember the word that you commanded 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.620 your servant Moses saying, 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:16.199 if you are unfaithful, 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:18.339 I will scatter you among the peoples. 00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:20.219 But if you return to me 00:17:20.219 --> 00:17:22.219 and keep my commandments and do them, 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:24.119 though your outcasts are 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.579 in the uttermost parts of heaven, 00:17:25.699 --> 00:17:27.299 from there I will gather them 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.699 and bring them to the place 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:29.479 that I have chosen 00:17:29.479 --> 00:17:31.939 to make my name dwell there. 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:34.779 They are your servants and your people 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:36.139 whom you have redeemed 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:37.179 by your great power 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:38.919 and by your strong hand. 00:17:39.419 --> 00:17:41.279 O Lord, let your ear be attentive 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.439 to the prayer of your servant 00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:44.239 and to the prayer of your servants 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.920 who delight to fear your name 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:48.380 and give success to your servant today 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.559 and grant him mercy 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:52.140 in the sight of this man, 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:54.500 which is the king. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:58.500 So we see here Nehemiah praying, 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.799 right, being brokenhearted, 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.220 both for the sins of his people 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:05.480 and for his own sin, 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:07.200 recognizing that God 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:09.259 had already been faithful 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.200 to the scattering, 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:12.319 but also calling on God 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.360 to keep his promises 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:16.720 to be faithful in the inn gathering, 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:20.240 that God's name would be known. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:23.200 So this is the thrust of his praying 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:25.680 we can see in the book of Nehemiah. 00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:26.980 We also see the prayers 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:29.799 of the Israelites in the book, 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:32.000 chapter 4 and verse 9, 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:34.420 and then chapter 8 and verse 6, 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:37.539 right, a prayer led by Ezra. 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.799 We see in verse 6, 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.759 and Ezra blessed the Lord, 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:43.619 the great God. 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:46.079 I would love a record of that prayer, 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.420 right? 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.920 It was a prayer of blessing 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:50.019 to the Lord, the great God. 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.639 And all the people answered, 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.700 Amen, Amen. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.759 Yes, let it be so. 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:57.500 And they lifted up their hands 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.940 and they bowed their heads 00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.779 and worshiped the Lord 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:02.119 with their faces to the ground. 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.779 So we see in this episode, 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:08.079 God's people are praying 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:10.639 as revival takes place. 00:19:11.719 --> 00:19:12.739 Jesus prayed. 00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:14.939 It's one to learn from. 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:17.239 Luke chapter 6 and verse 12, 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.279 just one example. 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:19.979 In these days, 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:22.659 Jesus went out to the mountain to pray. 00:19:23.179 --> 00:19:27.500 And all night he continued in prayer to God. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:31.019 Paul instructed the Philippian church to pray. 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:33.980 Philippians 4 verse 5 and following. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.779 The Lord is at hand. 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:38.039 Do not be anxious about anything, 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:40.599 but in everything by prayer 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:42.379 and supplication with thanksgiving, 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:46.279 let your requests be made known to God. 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:49.879 God uses the prayers of his people. 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:52.000 God empowers the prayers of his people 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.920 to accomplish the will 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.599 that he has set forth. 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.379 Why? 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:59.160 Because he pleases to involve us 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:02.880 in the process of him doing miraculous things. 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:05.580 I hope that you've experienced this in your life, 00:20:06.020 --> 00:20:07.220 praying for some circumstance 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.660 or for somebody 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:10.860 and you see God answer the prayer 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:12.500 and all the glory belongs to God, 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:14.200 but you've got to be involved 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:17.000 in seeing his will come to pass. 00:20:18.780 --> 00:20:19.320 A.T. Pearson, 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:21.720 who's one of my favorite biographers 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.920 because he wrote one of my favorite biographies 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:25.339 of George Mueller, 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:26.940 wrote this, 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.319 quote, 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.980 From the day of Pentecost, 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:31.460 there has not been one great spiritual awakening 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.680 in any land 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.680 which has not begun 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.880 in a union of prayer. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:38.039 Wherever the church is aroused 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.779 and the world's wickedness arrested, 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:42.200 somebody has been praying. 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.600 Charles Spurgeon, 00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:46.200 whether we like it or not, 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:49.059 asking is the rule of the kingdom. 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:51.240 If you may have everything 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.539 by asking in his name 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.940 and nothing without asking, 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.579 I beg you to see 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:59.720 how absolutely vital prayer is. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:02.919 The rule of the kingdom. 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:05.139 Jonathan Edwards, 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.659 It is God's will 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:07.879 through his wonderful grace 00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:09.159 that the prayers of his saints 00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:09.879 should be one 00:21:09.879 --> 00:21:11.539 of the great principal means 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.519 of carrying on 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:14.240 the designs of Christ's kingdom 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.559 in the world. 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:17.339 When God has something 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:18.539 very great to accomplish 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.480 for his church, 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.839 it is his will 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.960 that there should proceed 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:23.940 at the extraordinary prayers 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.379 of his people. 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:28.099 And then one more quotation 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.659 on prayer. 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.960 Matthew Henry wrote, 00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.579 When God intends 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:34.099 great mercy for his people, 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.079 the first thing he does 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.079 is set them 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.440 a praying. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.319 So, 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.619 true God-sent revival 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:44.319 will involve 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.599 prayer. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.500 Prayer that precedes it, 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.759 prayer that is included 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:50.140 within it. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.460 Oh, 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.240 that we would be 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.059 a people 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.380 that are praying. 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:55.359 Secondly, 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.460 if revival is God-sent, 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.059 God's people 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.480 will reestablish 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.160 the word of God 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:00.119 as the ultimate 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:01.000 authority 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.799 in their lives. 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:05.099 It grieves me today 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.079 that there are many Christians 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.019 who take the Bible 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.960 and mix in 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.319 other authority, 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:09.900 right? 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.279 Pop psychology, 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.900 business ideas, 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.980 the ungodly advice 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.519 of a friend. 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:17.300 They mix it all together. 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.580 Instagram memes 00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:20.560 are really classic 00:22:20.560 --> 00:22:21.640 for this. 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.840 God's people 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:25.340 will reestablish 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.100 the word of God 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:27.140 as the ultimate 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:28.180 authority 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:30.160 in their lives. 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.019 Now, 00:22:31.320 --> 00:22:32.160 remember, 00:22:32.300 --> 00:22:33.060 we're talking about 00:22:33.060 --> 00:22:33.900 things that were dead 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:34.560 coming to life 00:22:34.560 --> 00:22:35.360 or things that were sick 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.420 being made 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.440 well. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.500 And I just in a moment 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.279 want to encourage you 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.580 if you already find 00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:42.900 that this is true 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.519 in your life, 00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.259 that the word of God 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.100 is the ultimate 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.059 authority in your life, 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:47.259 you may not need 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.900 reviving. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.299 You may already 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.620 have a good 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.259 and healthy 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.039 fervency 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.820 for the things 00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:55.059 of God. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.980 Like we live in a 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.500 day, 00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:57.799 I think, 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:58.340 where people are 00:22:58.340 --> 00:23:00.420 looking for experience 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:02.100 over and above 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.539 the regular work 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.340 of gathering 00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:05.559 with the church. 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.980 The day in, 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.900 day out 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.500 revering 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.779 God's word, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.900 opening it together, 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.880 learning from it, 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.900 giving it application 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:15.460 in our lives. 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.920 It is just possible 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:19.920 that we don't need 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.500 revival 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.519 in our 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.759 church. 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:23.940 But, 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.700 the word of God 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.680 must be 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.380 the ultimate 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.519 authority. 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.700 And it will be 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.559 the ultimate authority 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:32.140 in a revival. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.380 Paul writes this, 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.819 1 Thessalonians 2.13, 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:37.059 and we also thank God 00:23:37.059 --> 00:23:38.839 constantly for this, 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.179 that when you 00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:40.899 receive the word 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.279 of God, 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.819 which you heard 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.379 from us, 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.679 you accepted it 00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:44.700 not as the word 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.299 of men, 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.200 but as what it 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.279 really is, 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.279 the word 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.439 of God, 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.839 which is at work 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.960 in you, 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.919 believers. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.619 People who are in 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.480 the midst of revival, 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.759 who have the spirit 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.639 working in them, 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.539 will take up 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.379 God's word 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.399 and see it 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:01.299 for what it 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.639 really is, 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.660 the word 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.660 of God. 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:06.060 God's very 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:07.000 word 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.220 to man. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.060 They will not 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:11.320 throw out 00:24:11.320 --> 00:24:11.900 parts of it. 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.800 They will 00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:13.880 want to adhere 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.660 to it 00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:15.259 in its 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.840 entirety. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.580 Hebrews 4, 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.240 verse 12, 00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:20.680 for the word 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.040 of God 00:24:21.040 --> 00:24:21.640 is living 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.300 and active, 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.620 sharper than 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.160 any two-edged 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:24.520 sword, 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.320 piercing to the 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.120 vision of soul 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.680 and of spirit, 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.200 of joints 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.820 and of marrow, 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:29.179 and discerning 00:24:29.179 --> 00:24:30.359 the thoughts 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.339 and intentions 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.879 of the heart. 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.319 And this happens, 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:34.720 beloved, 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:36.259 by the work 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.480 of the spirit. 00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:39.279 This is the 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.379 tool that the 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.159 spirit uses 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:42.759 to bring about 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.539 revival 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.740 in people. 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.319 The word 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:46.919 of God 00:24:46.919 --> 00:24:48.319 is the spirit's 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:48.919 sword. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.399 The spirit 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:50.720 of God 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.579 begins working 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.019 in the hearts 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.259 of men 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.939 by first 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:54.179 drawing this 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:54.819 sword 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:56.220 from its 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.679 scabbard. 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:58.240 The word 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.600 of God 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:58.920 is the 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.380 supreme 00:24:59.380 --> 00:24:59.759 rule 00:24:59.759 --> 00:24:59.960 and 00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.460 authority 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.600 for our 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.200 lives. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.860 Many people 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.840 give lip 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.460 service to 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.120 the sufficiency 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.940 and efficacy 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.420 of the 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:07.740 Bible, 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.460 but yet 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.480 they do 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:09.880 not read 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.120 it, 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.019 they do 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.539 not apply 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:11.779 it in 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.200 the life 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.900 of their 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.279 church, 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:13.880 and this 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.480 should not 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.860 be so. 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:17.620 So note 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.440 three things 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.660 from Nehemiah 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.360 chapter 8, 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.500 three observations 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.840 about the 00:25:22.840 --> 00:25:23.940 opening of 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.480 God's 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.080 word. 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.180 Notice 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:26.799 first their 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.920 eagerness. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.060 We see 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:29.680 a record 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.039 in verse 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.539 three that 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.660 all the 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.460 people are 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.980 there. 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.360 We see 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:33.860 men and 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:34.539 women and 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.000 I don't 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.340 think there's 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:35.920 any exclusion 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.420 for nursery 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:36.740 workers. 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.000 I think 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.380 they've all 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:37.680 gathered 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.340 together in 00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:38.840 this place 00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:39.140 to hear 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.620 God's 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:39.980 word 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.960 open. 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:42.299 And then 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.580 in verse 00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:42.960 one, 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.560 they told 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.019 Ezra, 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:44.880 the scribe, 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.860 to bring 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.240 the book 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.440 of the 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:46.759 law of 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.279 Moses that 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.660 the Lord 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.380 had commanded 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.680 Israel. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.279 Right? 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.660 They built 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.220 a platform 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:53.080 for him 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:53.740 just for 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.320 the occasion 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:54.820 to get him 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.560 high above 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.399 the crowd 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.039 that everybody 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.720 might be 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.119 able to 00:25:59.119 --> 00:25:59.559 hear. 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:00.879 And they're 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.779 gathering for 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.779 a particular 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:04.019 feast. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:04.980 In the 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.279 Hebrew, 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:05.839 and I just 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.559 hesitate to 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:06.859 say these 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.019 things, 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.480 I'm sure 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:07.639 I'm going 00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:08.099 to mispronounce 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:08.299 it, 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.079 but Rosh 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:09.519 Shoshana, 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.899 the feast 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.539 of trumpets. 00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:12.960 This is a 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.759 feast that 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:15.240 preceded the 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.339 day of 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:16.799 atonement. 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.659 They would 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.139 have known 00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:18.419 that they 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:18.699 were to 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:19.159 do this 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.960 thing because 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:20.619 of Ezra's 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.639 14-year 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.199 ministry 00:26:22.199 --> 00:26:22.839 amongst 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.139 them. 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:23.519 He'd 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.079 already been 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.359 back there. 00:26:25.439 --> 00:26:25.699 They had 00:26:25.699 --> 00:26:27.059 rebuilt the 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.599 temple and 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.039 he had been 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.119 ministering God's 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.619 word to 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:31.039 them already. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.639 They had 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.759 some knowledge 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.220 that this 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.879 thing needed 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.799 to be done 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.200 and so 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.799 they are 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.720 eager and 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.460 they invite 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.279 Ezra to 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.500 come and 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.119 to teach. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.019 Notice also 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.700 verse 3, 00:26:42.919 --> 00:26:44.240 from early 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.279 morning until 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.919 midday, 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.279 and we 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.759 don't know 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.379 the exact 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:49.359 time of 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.279 early 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.299 morning, 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:51.599 but it 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.220 was likely 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.039 around 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.339 sunrise, 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.619 all the 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:55.919 people, 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:56.879 including 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:57.379 the littles, 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.659 get this in 00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:58.980 your mind, 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:01.200 five to 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.980 seven hours 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.099 the law 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.579 of God 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.259 was opened 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.700 and it 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.160 was read. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.660 And not 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.059 only that, 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.500 notice in 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.119 verse 13, 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.700 there's a 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.400 second day, 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.180 maybe perhaps 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.859 for logistics, 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.539 I'm not 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:13.799 sure, 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.240 but this 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.619 time the 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:14.879 heads of 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.259 household 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.900 come back 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.379 to learn 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.299 more and 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:17.500 I would 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:17.839 imagine 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.619 then disperse 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.200 that teaching 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.680 amongst 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:21.160 the people. 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:22.359 They're eager 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.160 that God's 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.519 word would 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.220 be opened 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.359 to them. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.099 Notice 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:27.759 also their 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.839 reverence, 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.279 verse 5, 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:30.759 as he 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.900 opened it, 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.879 all the 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.359 people, 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.699 stood. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.000 I don't 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.399 think this 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:36.619 is a 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.139 prescriptive 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:37.479 thing, 00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:37.879 right? 00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:38.179 Some 00:27:38.179 --> 00:27:38.619 traditions 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.139 always 00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:39.559 stand 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:39.779 when 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.139 God's 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.379 word 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.079 is 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.399 read. 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.079 I'm 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.259 not 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.599 concerned 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:42.939 about 00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:43.339 our 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:43.819 bodily 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.379 position, 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:44.859 but the 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.219 position 00:27:45.219 --> 00:27:45.619 of our 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.240 hearts 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.079 as the 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.439 scripture 00:27:47.439 --> 00:27:48.479 is opened 00:27:48.479 --> 00:27:49.419 to us, 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:49.679 right? 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.179 They 00:27:50.179 --> 00:27:50.899 revered it, 00:27:50.979 --> 00:27:51.819 they respected 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.019 it, 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.359 they knew 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:52.839 it was the 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.599 very words 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.379 of God 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.259 himself. 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.539 And so 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:56.979 they treated 00:27:56.979 --> 00:27:57.679 it with 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.679 reverence. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.440 they were 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.420 hungry for 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.120 this thing 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.460 that was 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.220 being opened 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:04.019 before them. 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:05.720 Perhaps 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.940 it's possible 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.620 that we have 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.340 too much 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:08.720 Bible, 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.220 too many 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:10.640 copies, 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.420 too much 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.299 access. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:12.680 There are 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.240 people in 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.860 the world 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.440 that travel 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.340 great distances 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:16.019 and spend 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.660 vast amounts 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.279 of time 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.440 to be around 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.220 the reading 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.600 of the 00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:21.940 scripture 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:23.440 who longed 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:23.920 to hear it 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.580 opened up 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:25.660 for them. 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.160 And yet 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.660 we, 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.460 and I'm 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.940 guilty of 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.259 this just 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.680 the same, 00:28:28.800 --> 00:28:29.019 try to 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.320 compress 00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:29.740 our time 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.100 down, 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.460 right? 00:28:30.800 --> 00:28:31.259 Got things 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.519 to do, 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.000 places to 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.200 go. 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.040 We don't 00:28:34.040 --> 00:28:35.100 revere the 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:35.800 coming together 00:28:35.800 --> 00:28:36.360 and opening 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:36.940 up God's 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.600 word the 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.180 way I 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.900 would suggest 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:40.460 we should. 00:28:41.540 --> 00:28:42.019 Notice 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.600 also verse 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.000 six, 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.600 the lifting 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.040 of their 00:28:44.040 --> 00:28:44.960 hands and 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.740 the bowing 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.700 of their 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.500 heads, 00:28:47.580 --> 00:28:47.720 right? 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:48.040 Their 00:28:48.040 --> 00:28:48.759 prostrate, 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.400 faces to 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:49.960 the ground, 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:50.920 a position 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.580 of reverence 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.480 which communicates 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.960 we are not 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:55.120 worthy to be 00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:55.740 in your 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.640 presence. 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:57.560 God's 00:28:57.560 --> 00:28:58.460 word opened, 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.019 right? 00:28:59.340 --> 00:28:59.920 Prostrate 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.500 on the 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:01.860 ground. 00:29:03.300 --> 00:29:03.720 And notice 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.220 also as 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.740 they're eager 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.180 and they're 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.540 reverent, 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.259 notice their 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.980 responsiveness, 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:08.660 right? 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:09.420 They're actually 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.480 hearing the 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:10.860 word, 00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:11.300 they're 00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:12.040 understanding 00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:12.640 the word 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.140 as it's 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.019 being explained 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.980 to them 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:16.120 and they 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:17.040 have a 00:29:17.040 --> 00:29:17.740 response 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.620 to that. 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.620 Last part 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:19.940 of verse 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.380 nine, 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.620 for all 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.279 the people 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.300 wept 00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:24.180 as they 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.140 heard the 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.580 words 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.539 of the 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:26.839 law. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.439 As Ezra 00:29:28.439 --> 00:29:28.819 and the 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.399 other men 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:30.740 read and 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.500 explained, 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.480 helped them 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.460 to understand, 00:29:33.699 --> 00:29:34.439 they recognized 00:29:34.439 --> 00:29:35.159 that they 00:29:35.159 --> 00:29:36.339 had transgressed 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.299 this good 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.799 law of this 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.379 merciful God 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:40.859 and an 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:42.220 ever-widening 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.720 chasm opened 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.919 between them 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:46.119 and him. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:46.679 Like they 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:48.559 wept over 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:48.759 it, 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.559 over their 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:51.179 sinfulness. 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:52.839 But, 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.220 they are 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.000 told not 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.639 to weep, 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:55.980 right? 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:56.980 This 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:58.700 celebration, 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.700 this feast 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.700 of trumpets 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:02.000 preceded a 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.779 time, 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:05.000 preceded a 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.379 time of 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:05.759 repentance, 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.240 but it was 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.700 meant to be 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.179 a time of 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:08.039 rejoicing because 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:09.159 it looked to 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:10.480 the day 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.839 of atonement. 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:12.740 So they're 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.220 commanded in 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.819 verses nine 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.379 and ten 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.039 and eleven 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.839 to there to 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.740 be holiness 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:18.099 and joy, 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:18.680 right? 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.319 To look 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.740 toward the 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.759 future promise 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.120 of the 00:30:21.120 --> 00:30:22.120 atoning work 00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:23.700 of Christ. 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.259 Their sins 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:25.720 would be 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.160 forgiven, 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:26.819 that their 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.319 relationship 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:27.900 with God 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.440 would be 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.620 restored. 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.579 There will 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.480 be no revival 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.420 amongst people 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.059 who do not 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.660 love, 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:36.880 read, 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:37.779 hear, 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.839 and proclaim 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.599 the words 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.599 of the living 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.519 God. 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:44.160 Ask me 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:44.839 if I think 00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:45.660 something is 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.259 of the spirit, 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.619 I will say 00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:48.059 to you, 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.480 how much 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:51.119 exaltation of 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:52.420 Christ through 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:54.000 his word is 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:54.359 happening. 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:56.019 This is what 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.099 the spirit does. 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.180 He exalts 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.500 Christ using 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.579 the word. 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.339 Number three, 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.859 if revival is 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.259 God sent, 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:05.900 God's people 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.740 will recognize 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.259 their defiance 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.359 of God and 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:08.920 view his 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.619 chastisement 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:11.740 as just. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.579 Again, 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:13.960 we see 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.960 verse nine, 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.759 this weeping, 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.860 this concern 00:31:18.860 --> 00:31:19.720 as they heard 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.559 the words 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.660 of the law. 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.340 And then we 00:31:22.340 --> 00:31:22.960 look further 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:23.860 in Nehemiah 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.620 chapter nine. 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:24.960 There's an 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.100 extended prayer 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:27.100 there. 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.380 The first 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:28.779 two verses 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.299 of Nehemiah 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:29.860 nine says, 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.220 now on the 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.860 24th day of 00:31:30.860 --> 00:31:31.180 this month, 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.519 the people 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:31.880 of Israel 00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:32.460 were assembled 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.799 with fasting 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:34.700 and in 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.819 sackcloth, 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.259 right? 00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.460 Outward signs 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.039 of repentance 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.099 and with 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.720 earth on 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.339 their heads 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.180 and the 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.480 Israelites 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.159 separated 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:42.579 themselves 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:43.059 from all 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.399 foreigners 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:44.019 and stood 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.920 and confessed 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.759 their sins 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.440 in the 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.099 iniquities 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:48.059 of their 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.619 fathers. 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.599 There will 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.839 be repentance 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.759 if revival 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.579 is happening. 00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:54.700 People will 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.839 be confessing 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:57.139 their sin 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.379 and turning 00:31:58.379 --> 00:31:59.799 from it. 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:02.359 Verse 33 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:02.799 of chapter 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.460 nine says, 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:05.720 yet you, 00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:06.440 speaking of 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:06.700 God, 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:06.980 have been 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.400 righteous 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:08.120 in all 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.500 that has 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.680 come upon 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.039 us. 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:10.779 For you 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.200 have dealt 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:11.840 faithfully 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.640 and we 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.680 have acted 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:15.299 wickedly. 00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:16.960 There's going 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.240 to be a 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.660 preaching of 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.059 the word. 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:18.519 There's going 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:18.960 to be a 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.220 returning to 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:20.860 God through 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.340 repentance 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:23.059 and faith 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.880 if revival 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:25.000 is happening. 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.340 Second 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:26.620 Corinthians 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.279 chapter seven 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:27.680 verse eight 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.200 and following 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:29.580 Paul says, 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.019 for even 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.120 if I made 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.620 you grieve 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:31.980 with my 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.259 letter, 00:32:32.340 --> 00:32:32.820 I do not 00:32:32.820 --> 00:32:33.500 regret it, 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.420 though I 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:34.940 did regret 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.160 it, 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.779 for I see 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.140 that the 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.320 letter 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.919 grieved you 00:32:36.919 --> 00:32:37.579 though only 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.439 for a 00:32:38.439 --> 00:32:38.960 little while. 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.339 As it 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.500 is, 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.079 I rejoice 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.619 not because 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:41.879 you were 00:32:41.879 --> 00:32:42.259 grieved, 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:42.639 but because 00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:42.899 you were 00:32:42.899 --> 00:32:43.379 grieved 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:43.939 into 00:32:43.939 --> 00:32:45.039 repenting. 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.139 For you 00:32:46.139 --> 00:32:46.799 felt a 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.279 godly 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.819 grief 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:48.439 so that 00:32:48.439 --> 00:32:48.539 you 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:48.919 suffered 00:32:48.919 --> 00:32:49.200 no 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.599 loss 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:49.819 through 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.200 us. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.220 For 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.659 godly 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:51.980 grief 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.359 produces 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:52.519 a 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:52.939 repentance 00:32:52.939 --> 00:32:53.279 that 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:53.599 leads 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:53.799 to 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.319 salvation 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:54.759 without 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.259 regret, 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:55.919 whereas 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.579 worldly 00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.099 grief 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.919 produces 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:58.480 death. 00:32:59.539 --> 00:32:59.659 For 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.039 see what 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.599 earnestness 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:00.799 this 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.119 godly 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.299 grief 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:01.480 has 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:01.859 produced 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.039 in 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.119 you, 00:33:02.179 --> 00:33:02.240 but 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.519 also 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:02.740 what 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.179 eagerness 00:33:03.179 --> 00:33:03.839 to clear 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.339 yourselves, 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:04.859 what 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.619 indignation, 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.059 what 00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.559 fear, 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.000 what 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.559 longing, 00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:08.000 what 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.459 zeal, 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:08.719 what 00:33:08.719 --> 00:33:09.239 punishment. 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:09.459 At 00:33:09.459 --> 00:33:09.719 every 00:33:09.719 --> 00:33:10.000 point 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.119 you 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:10.259 have 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.500 proved 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.019 yourselves 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:12.079 innocent 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.079 in the 00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:13.399 matter. 00:33:14.719 --> 00:33:15.279 When 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.019 revival 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.519 comes, 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:16.879 people 00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:17.279 will be 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:18.059 grieved 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.399 for their 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:18.719 sin. 00:33:19.659 --> 00:33:19.839 They 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:19.979 will 00:33:19.979 --> 00:33:20.419 repent 00:33:20.419 --> 00:33:21.179 and 00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:21.279 they 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.439 will 00:33:21.439 --> 00:33:22.099 turn 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:22.279 to 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:22.599 God 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.579 in 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.099 obedience. 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:25.879 Jonathan 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.139 Edwards 00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:26.899 wrote a 00:33:26.899 --> 00:33:27.079 great 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.239 little 00:33:27.239 --> 00:33:27.459 book. 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:27.699 If 00:33:27.699 --> 00:33:28.139 this 00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:28.939 thought 00:33:28.939 --> 00:33:29.059 of 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.399 revival 00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.619 is 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:29.839 on 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:29.979 your 00:33:29.979 --> 00:33:30.339 mind 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:30.519 and 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:30.639 you 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:30.859 want 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.099 to 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:31.979 read 00:33:31.979 --> 00:33:32.119 and 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.339 study 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:32.639 more 00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:33.019 about 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.219 it, 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.680 Jonathan 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:34.920 Edwards 00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:35.240 was one 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.539 of the 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:35.960 Puritan 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.360 pastors, 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:36.980 New England, 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.500 that was 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.440 part of 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.160 God's 00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:39.680 bringing 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.100 about 00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:40.539 what's 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:40.799 called 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.000 the 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.299 great 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.819 awakening. 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.000 And he 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.200 wrote a 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.519 great little 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:43.960 book called 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.600 A Faithful 00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.079 Narrative 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:45.500 of the 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.100 Surprising 00:33:46.100 --> 00:33:46.579 Work 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.539 of God. 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.680 One of 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:48.759 the 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.220 All-Time 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.680 Best 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:49.980 Book 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.319 Titles, 00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:50.759 A Faithful 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.180 Narrative 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.019 of the 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.659 Surprising 00:33:52.659 --> 00:33:53.180 Work 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:54.379 of God. 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.420 And there 00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:55.700 in it 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.059 he wrote 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.379 about 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:56.960 godly 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:57.339 grief. 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.680 There 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:58.879 is a 00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.359 great deal 00:33:59.359 --> 00:33:59.519 of 00:33:59.519 --> 00:33:59.940 difference 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.259 in the 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.139 distinctness 00:34:01.139 --> 00:34:01.639 of these 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.379 awakenings. 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:03.420 Some 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:03.839 people who 00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.159 have not 00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:04.779 had such 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.119 a clear 00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:05.680 sight of 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:05.980 God's 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.460 justice 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:06.799 in their 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.440 condemnation 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.259 still mention 00:34:08.259 --> 00:34:08.860 things that 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.460 plainly 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:10.239 imply it. 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.259 They 00:34:11.259 --> 00:34:11.679 develop 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.300 disposition 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:12.619 to 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.059 acknowledge 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.619 that God 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.320 is just 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:15.019 and righteous 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.739 in declaring 00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.599 that he 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.119 will inflict 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.679 punishment 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:18.699 on those 00:34:18.699 --> 00:34:19.679 who sin. 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.019 They know 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.299 that they 00:34:21.299 --> 00:34:22.119 are undeserving 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:22.619 of his 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.779 comforts. 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.679 Many times 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:24.940 though they 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.319 did not 00:34:25.319 --> 00:34:25.960 have such 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.299 a clear 00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:26.719 sight of 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:26.940 it at 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.359 the beginning 00:34:27.359 --> 00:34:28.319 they have 00:34:28.319 --> 00:34:28.920 very clear 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.519 discoveries 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.099 of their 00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:31.099 unworthiness 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:31.900 soon after 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.299 their 00:34:32.299 --> 00:34:32.980 conviction 00:34:32.980 --> 00:34:34.359 along with 00:34:34.359 --> 00:34:34.859 being made 00:34:34.859 --> 00:34:35.400 humble 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:35.980 in the 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.460 dust 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.359 before 00:34:37.359 --> 00:34:37.739 God. 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.779 They're 00:34:38.779 --> 00:34:39.579 grieved 00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:40.559 over their 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:40.859 sin. 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.400 They see 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:41.960 God's 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.339 wrath 00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:43.159 as just 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:43.679 before 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.079 them. 00:34:44.839 --> 00:34:45.279 And in 00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:45.900 other places 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.239 in the 00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:46.639 text he 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:46.980 talks about 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:47.440 them turning 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.099 to God 00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:48.380 for the 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.920 mercy he 00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.480 shows 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:51.240 in Christ. 00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.019 So 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.440 fourthly 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:54.219 and lastly 00:34:54.219 --> 00:34:55.480 if revival 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:55.840 is God 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.420 sent God's 00:34:56.420 --> 00:34:56.940 people will 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:57.679 turn from 00:34:57.679 --> 00:34:57.840 their 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.380 defiance 00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:59.179 to 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.679 obedience. 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.599 Verse 14 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:02.960 we see 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:04.380 them discover 00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.300 the feast 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:07.099 of booths 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:07.340 right? 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:08.280 It's a 00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:08.880 feast that 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.199 has not 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:09.599 been kept 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.000 for a 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:11.079 long time 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:12.559 and they 00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.099 decide 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:14.579 to celebrate 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.280 this feast. 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:15.639 It's a 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:15.980 feast that 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.480 was designed 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.039 to remind 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.320 them of 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:17.599 the way 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:17.940 that God 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.500 cared for 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:18.659 their 00:35:18.659 --> 00:35:19.240 ancestors 00:35:19.240 --> 00:35:20.199 when they 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:20.800 tarried in 00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:21.280 the desert 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.320 after being 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:22.820 delivered 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.940 from Egypt. 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:24.320 So they 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:24.679 set up 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.500 booths or 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.139 tents, 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:26.639 temporary 00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:27.300 structures, 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:27.619 and they 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.139 dwell in 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:28.719 them all 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:30.619 over the 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:30.920 city. 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:32.719 The mark 00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:33.480 of Christian 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:34.740 maturity. 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:35.740 And this 00:35:35.740 --> 00:35:36.320 is why 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.119 it is 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:38.179 dangerous to 00:35:38.179 --> 00:35:38.800 call something 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:39.619 a revival 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.440 that has yet 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.039 to be given 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:42.139 time. 00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:43.539 the mark 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:43.960 of Christian 00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:44.379 maturity 00:35:44.379 --> 00:35:45.339 is not 00:35:45.339 --> 00:35:45.779 how much 00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:46.299 you know 00:35:46.299 --> 00:35:47.699 or feel 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:49.079 how expressive 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.659 you are, 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:50.699 but what you 00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:52.119 do with 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:52.579 what you 00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:52.960 know. 00:35:53.359 --> 00:35:53.940 Do you 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.719 faithfully 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:56.579 pursue God 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:57.179 having turned 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.679 from your 00:35:57.679 --> 00:35:58.039 sin, 00:35:58.480 --> 00:35:59.219 turning to 00:35:59.219 --> 00:36:00.279 the righteousness 00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:01.099 that is found 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:02.319 in Christ? 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.379 Notice the 00:36:04.379 --> 00:36:05.639 result of their 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.159 obedience, 00:36:06.359 --> 00:36:07.279 verse 17. 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:08.440 Now, 00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:09.080 this is 00:36:09.080 --> 00:36:09.460 obedience. 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.260 This is 00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:11.340 obedience 00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:12.320 brought 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.740 joy. 00:36:14.120 --> 00:36:14.519 They've been 00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:15.260 doing something. 00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:15.620 They've been 00:36:15.620 --> 00:36:16.080 active. 00:36:16.180 --> 00:36:16.400 They've been 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.060 going out 00:36:17.060 --> 00:36:17.620 of the city 00:36:17.620 --> 00:36:18.300 and gathering 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:18.960 up wood 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.440 and bringing 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:19.800 it in 00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:20.340 and building 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:21.180 things and 00:36:21.180 --> 00:36:21.760 celebrating, 00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.720 cooking food, 00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.320 doing all 00:36:23.320 --> 00:36:23.580 this stuff. 00:36:23.720 --> 00:36:24.160 They've been 00:36:24.160 --> 00:36:25.260 obedient over 00:36:25.260 --> 00:36:26.580 time and 00:36:26.580 --> 00:36:27.060 verse 17 00:36:27.060 --> 00:36:27.400 says, 00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:28.660 there was 00:36:28.660 --> 00:36:29.160 great 00:36:29.160 --> 00:36:30.780 rejoicing 00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:32.100 results in 00:36:32.100 --> 00:36:33.980 joy that 00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.820 couples with 00:36:34.820 --> 00:36:36.600 their obedience. 00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:38.580 so, 00:36:38.640 --> 00:36:38.780 beloved, 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:39.180 we need 00:36:39.180 --> 00:36:39.740 to be 00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:40.860 discerning. 00:36:41.140 --> 00:36:41.340 We need 00:36:41.340 --> 00:36:41.740 to have a 00:36:41.740 --> 00:36:42.820 biblical lens 00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:43.380 for which 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:44.160 to run 00:36:44.160 --> 00:36:45.560 claims of 00:36:45.560 --> 00:36:46.100 spirituality 00:36:46.100 --> 00:36:47.440 in our 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:47.780 day. 00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:48.960 We must 00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:49.980 be thoughtful. 00:36:50.140 --> 00:36:50.400 We must 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.519 be hopeful. 00:36:52.220 --> 00:36:52.740 We certainly 00:36:52.740 --> 00:36:54.380 must pray. 00:36:55.660 --> 00:36:56.040 May we be 00:36:56.040 --> 00:36:56.600 a people who 00:36:56.600 --> 00:36:57.900 pray for 00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:58.360 revival, 00:36:58.620 --> 00:36:58.860 for our 00:36:58.860 --> 00:36:59.080 local 00:36:59.080 --> 00:36:59.540 communities, 00:36:59.680 --> 00:36:59.940 for our 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.220 region, 00:37:00.340 --> 00:37:00.620 for our 00:37:00.620 --> 00:37:01.060 country, 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:02.120 and for 00:37:02.120 --> 00:37:02.620 the world. 00:37:03.660 --> 00:37:04.120 May we be 00:37:04.120 --> 00:37:04.720 a people who 00:37:04.720 --> 00:37:05.740 are discerning 00:37:05.740 --> 00:37:06.420 of the claims 00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:07.000 of revival 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:08.739 for the 00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.099 good of 00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:09.400 people, 00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:10.360 and for 00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:10.780 the glory 00:37:10.780 --> 00:37:11.699 of our 00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:11.980 God. 00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.480 And may 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:13.940 we be a 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.340 people who 00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:14.760 embrace 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.260 revival, 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:16.940 if and 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.260 when it 00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:17.599 comes. 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.460 Let's 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:18.840 pray together.