REVIVAL AT WATERGATE  -
Nehemiah 8:1-10


I. Background
   A. The Tribes of Judah and Benjamin were taken as slaves for 70 years
   B. The Persians let them rebuild the Temple in 516 BC and the city & walls in 446 BC
   C. The Jews were allowed to return to a rebuilt Jerusalem

II. This Revival
   A. Nehemiah realizes that the people are comfortable and are heading for destruction
   B. He calls the people to Revive their love and commitment to God
   C. Five Steps Of Revival
      i) established that the truth was God's word vs. 1- 2
         - they were religious but NOT righteous
         - Nehemiah had led the rebuilding ; now Ezra would lead the spiritual revival
         - Ezra was the Governor , a scribe , and a scribe
         - Ezra established the Truth by reading it aloud to the people
      ii) they read the Word - vs.3
         - from 6  AM to Noon Ezra read the word to the Jews
         - our computers and quick texting can NOT delete the need to READ God's word
      iii) they had respect for God’s Word vs 4-5
          - they built a pulpit so they could see Ezra
         - they stood in reverence for God's word
         - they had a famine for the Word of Go
      iv)  results of reading the Word - vs. 6
         - lifted their hands and cried Amen ; Amen
         - worshipped the Lord and bowed their faces to ground
         - began to cry due to their sin and past of not following God
         - people in the crowd helped them understand - God depends on us to help tell the story
       v)  application of the Word - vs. 9-10
         - this day is sacred
         - today is a day to rejoice - not cry

III. Take Homes
   A. No life is complete without spiritual input
   B. No spiritual emphasis is possible without the Word of God
   C. No spiritual life is complete without obedience
   D. No obedience is complete without joy