Return To The Word

Road To Revival

Here is how Ezra and Nehemiah’s story ends.

“And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God…” (Nehemiah 13:25, ESV)

It is evident something went wrong.

Fourteen years earlier…

“And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel…” (Nehemiah 8:1–3, ESV)

This moment was the culmination of years of hard work.

  • Zerubbabel returned with the first group to rebuild the temple.
  • Ezra returned with the second group to rebuild the Word in the hearts of the people.
  • Nehemiah returned with the third group to rebuild the walls and restore identity.

They believed:

If we rebuild the temple, the glory will return.
If we rebuild the Word, the people will repent.
If we rebuild the walls, the nation will be restored.

But in the end 

The glory of the second temple never matched the first.
The people slid back into their rebellion.
The nation still lived under foreign rule.

It was never about rebuilding old systems or structures. It was always about reviving souls.

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10, ESV)

Three Settings for Revival

1. Set your heart to … Study The Word

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord…” (Ezra 7:10, ESV)

The word “study” means to tread a path with your feet.

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” (Psalm 86:11, ESV)

 “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation…It is not how much you go through the Bible, but how much the Bible goes through you.” DL Moody

Study the Word:

READ – What does the Bible say?

REFLECT – What does it mean?

RESPOND – What will I do with it today?

REPEAT – Who will I share it with?

What path is the Word carving in your life right now?

2. Set your heart to… Live the Word

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it …” (Ezra 7:10, ESV)

The word “do” means to work, to labor, to produce.

They learned how to lay physical bricks. But they never learned to lay spiritual ones.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Ti 2:15).

Living the Word must become second nature to us.

15 benefits of living the Word:

1. The Word gives life.
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone… but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, ESV)

2. The Word makes you wise.
David wrote, “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7, ESV)

3. The Word strengthens.
“Strengthen me according to your word.” (Psalm 119:28, ESV)

4. The Word leads, guides, and directs.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

5. The Word purifies and cleanses.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9, ESV)

6. The Word produces real faith.
Because, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17, ESV)

7. The Word brings freedom.
Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, ESV)

8. The Word heals and restores.
“He sent out his word and healed them.” (Psalm 107:20, ESV)

9. The Word gives peace.
“Great peace have those who love your law.” (Psalm 119:165, ESV)

10. The Word guards and protects.
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5, ESV)

11. The Word bears fruit.
“They… hear the word, hold it fast, and bear fruit.” (Luke 8:15, ESV)

12. The Word builds you up.
“The word of his grace… is able to build you up.” (Acts 20:32, ESV)

13. The Word is your weapon.
“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17, ESV)

14. The Word makes you prosper and succeed.
“Then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

15. The Word brings joy.
“Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16, ESV)

Don’t just study the word… live the word!!!!

3. Set Your heart to… Teach The Word.

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10, ESV)

The word “teach” means to train. To form. To discipline.

Pain may force temporary compliance but will never produce long-term obedience. 

“Be doers of the Word, not hearers only.” (James 1:22, ESV)

I cannot faithfully teach what I have not fully lived.

So where did it all go wrong?

They rebuilt everything but their hearts.

Set your heart to study the Word.
Set your heart to live the Word.
Set your heart to teach the Word.

And the Word will do its work.

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