PART 8
MARKS OF A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
April 13, 2025

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What is at stake is the WORSHIP of God and the CITY for the future.

1. DESIRE for the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:1 - When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, All the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

Psalm 19:9-10 - The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Psalm 119:162 - I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.

2. HEARING the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:2-3 - 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. ³ He read it aloud from daybreak till 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. ⁴ Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion.

3. HONOR given to the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:4-6 - Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. … 5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. ⁶ Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

* Psalms 119:89* - Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

4. HANDLING the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:7-8 - The Levites-Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah — instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. ⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God,making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

5. TRANSFORMED by the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8:9-12 - Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. ¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ¹¹ The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.” ¹² Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

First, there was MOURNING.

Nehemiah 8:9 - …This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

John 10:10 - …I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Secondly, it produced JOY.

The enemy will bring you down to keep you there. The Holy Spirit will bring you down to lift you even higher.

Nehemiah 8:10 - Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

o Thirdly, it produced OBEDIENCE.

Nehemiah 8:13-15 - On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law. ¹⁴ They found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month ¹⁵ and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths”-as it is written.