It Only Takes A Spark

Sermon Text: Neh 9:1-3 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads. 2 Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God. NKJV

Intro: If I were to ask the ladies in our congregation today “how many have or use recipes I supposed all of the would raise their hand. A recipe is a guide, or a road map to the preparation of a great meal or desert. Today I want us to consider what it takes to spark the fires of revival in the heart of each of us. That spark could and will start the fires of revival that could spread across this land.

On 9-11 a group of terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. These actions intentions was to destroy the confidence of the people of the USA. But that attack had a reverse effect on our country. Those actions brought the people to the realization that united we stand and divided we fall. Our people rallied and joined hands in patriotic unity. At the very root of that patriotic unity was God. People join hearts and hands and turn to God for help.

Today it is time again to rally! Our nation is cracked and fragmented. Our political system is polluted and corrupt, our political leaders have only their own interest at heart. As a people we are at each other’s throat. Covid had been the catalyst that has driven a wedge into our society.

Our country is in a precarious position. We are at a crossroads in our country; we must make a choice: Revival or Ruin. Our Churches are in trouble. We see a lack of commitment among God’s people as never before! Our hearts are cold, and our vision is clouded! There is a spiritual battle going on for the heart and the soul of America. We see debate over same sex marriages, 46 million babies murdered since 1973 and pornography is a multi-million dollar a year business. This country is headed down the road the which leads to destruction. Only repentance on the part of God's people will move God's heart to bless America again! God's people must hear his voice and be the agency for God to effect change. Because the lost are oblivious to the seriousness of the situation our country finds itself in! (Selections from "STEPS TO REVIVAL", Author unknown)

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

1st Return to the Word- Neh 9: 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.

Turn to chapter 8 of Nehemiah and you find the people of Israel who have been called to assemble at the water gate. Ezra the priest has brought the Book of the Law not the Torah. The difference in the law and the Torah is that the Law traditionally contained 600+ laws, the Torah was the first five books of Moses. Today we have the entirety of the Word of God. Note the results of the reading of the Law. As the law was being read it moved the hearts of the people to repentance. The reading of God’s Word ignited the flames of repentance and revival in the hearts of God’s people. When we consider the text, it is important to note that it was not just the religions leader or men but all men, and women are assembled all who were able to understand. Nehemiah 9 tells us that those who were not Israelites (all foreigners) were excluded.

Neh 8:1-3 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.