CENTRAL THOUGHT
Revival comes when we humble ourselves before God.
TEXT: EZRA 9:1-15
INTRODUCTION:
In last week’s lesson we learned about the preparation made by Ezra to return to Jerusalem. Ezra, being a priest and scribe, knew that God’s people, who had been away from their place of worship, would need help in getting back in touch with their spiritual practices. So, he studied the scriptures so he
would know what God expected from His people when they return home. However, on arriving in Jerusalem, the news he received was so devastating that it was like a sword that pierced his heart. He tore his clothes, plucked his hair and beard, appalled at what God’s people had done again. His
reaction was to kneel in the dirt of the temple courts till evening with hands outstretched, face down, pleading with God for mercy. The people who saw him wailing and in anguish of spirit gathered around him weeping over their disobedience and thus began a revival that would have a lasting consequence on the people.
Revival has never been known in all generations to come easy. The life of Ezra has shown that revival is the outcome of a combination of determination, self-cleansing, self-denial, intimate and unbroken fellowship with God, and compassionate love for the perishing. In this study, we shall consider how Ezra was able to achieve all these and how we can have and maintain personal revival in our daily lives.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
This lesson is intended to accomplish the following objectives:
- To understand what revival is
- To identify the sins that can hinder revival
- To appreciate what is means to tremble at the word of God
- To understand how to get your life revived
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE WORD REVIVAL?
The ordinary meaning of the word revival is to bring back to life or activate life, somebody or something that was once living. In other words, you can only revive somebody that was dead. In Rom. 14:9, Paul says “….Christ both died, and rose, and revived”. Thus, revival in this context refers to a ‘cold’, lethargic (sluggish, lazy, indifferent) believer being renewed in the spirit. It is a reigniting of the
flame of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.
Revival is not one of those special services we organize for the purpose of winning souls to Christ. That is evangelism, which relates to the unsaved and it involves giving life to those who are dead in sin. Revival, on the other hand, involves those who are born again, a spiritual reawakening of those who are alive in Christ but ‘cold’. Revival can involve either the whole local church, ministry, or
individual.
When we speak of the revival that took place in the days of Ezra, we refer to a special season of heart searching when many believers simultaneously experience a deep, Holy Spirit conviction of their sins. It results in their confession and renunciation of sin (sometimes publicly). It culminated in a renewal of their dedication to the Lord. The whole experience often leads to the salvation of many. This type
of group or church revival is at God’s own chosen time. It could be a result of the heartfelt prayers of believers seeking for a move of the Holy Spirit.
There is another type of revival – personal or individual revival, which is more significant and relevant today, it is the daily experiencing of spiritual refreshing that comes from the working of the Holy Spirit in us. There is a special blessing for that believer who is willing to examine his/her own heart and make an honest confession and renunciation of sin. That person can experience a personal revival as the
Holy Spirit does His work within that individual.
QUESTION 2) WHAT ARE THE SINS THAT HINDER REVIVAL TODAY?
(Ezra 9:1-21; 2 Cor. 6:14-18)
In Exo. 19:5-6, God declared that Israel will be a peculiar treasure unto Him above all people if only they will keep His covenant. In Deut. 7:1-6, also, we find that one of the sins what will make them lose this privilege is if they make marriages with the people of the land that they were going to possess. This is because they are a holy people unto God.
It was therefore very distressing to Ezra when he was told that the people indeed have committed this very sin. One of the reasons God gave for prohibiting such unions was that “For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods…” (verse 4). Idol worship in all spheres is a hindrance to revival, as we are commanded to have no other god beside the living and Almighty God. In the New Testament, this same principle and instruction was given to the Church in 2 Cor. 6:14-18. Again, the reasons are similar, that there is no agreement between light and darkness or between Christ and Belial. We are the temples of God where the Holy Spirit dwells.
The sole reason why God forbade this type of relationship was to prevent His people from being led astray from following Him. We are witnesses to the fact that where there has been a marriage between a believer and an unbeliever, that in more cases the believer has been the loser as they lose their salvation. In other words, they stop following God. This does not take place in one full swoop,
but over a considerable period of time. This is the danger of being yoked together with an unbeliever. We can also extend this to other areas of life such as businesses and friends, where the life and influence of the unbeliever can negatively impact the believer and hinder the believer’s spiritual development. We must heed the warning of scripture that every unequal yoke with the unbeliever will
certainly hinder revival (2Cor. 6:14). Generally, our lifestyle and conducts exhibited as greed, in
fighting’s among ministers and believers, immorality, rivalry, disunity, etc. can and will hinder revival today.
QUESTION 3) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TREMBLE AT THE WORD?
In verse 4 of our text, we read that everyone who trembled at the word of the God of Israel joined Ezra in his prayers of repentance. To tremble means to have a near paralyzing fear or awe for something or somebody. In this context, the people understood the seriousness and consequences of their sin and were filled with awe. As they listened to the Word being read, the prophecies, their fulfillment and
judgements that came because of disobedience, it became clear that they faced imminent judgement if they failed to repent. The realization of the truth and power of the Word gripped their hearts with fear. Thus, to tremble at the Word is to be awed (overwhelmed) with the efficacy, authority, and power of the Word. There is no escape if they fail to obey the Word.
Most believers do not hold the Word of God in awe as did the prophets of old. The Word no longer received the respect and honor it deserves. Ezra through studying of the Word and prayers, trembled at the Word. It was therefore not surprising that the people readily followed him. If people are to tremble at the Word, believers must humble themselves before God and hold His Word in high esteem.
This we do by letting our lifestyle to reflect the glory and authority of the Word of God. Trembling at the Word of God brings repentance, renewal of commitment, blessings, and in summary, revival to the total man.
QUESTION 4) DISCUSS WHY WE NEED REVIVAL TODAY.
The Church is not living up to God’s expectations. It has lost the power of the Word and is almost becoming irrelevant to our generation. There is immorality to such a level that people who claim to be the custodians of the Word can openly say they are homosexuals. The message of the Laodicean church was a call to repentance because they were lukewarm (Rev. 3:14-19). The Church today
mirrors very much the Laodicean church. Like Isaiah puts it: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way…” (Isa. 53:6). We have failed to measure up to God’s expectation for the Church.
Tragically, we are often aware of just how spiritually cold and indifferent we have become. For this reason, we need revival and must look up to heaven to send us revival.
The Church has become lethargic and not experiencing the spiritual levels at the higher plane God desires of us – a life controlled and filled by the Spirit. Most Christians today are living on a sub-standard level and have left their first love. We have lost sight of that which is heavenly and
eternal; we have become enamored with the earthly and temporal. Thus, we need the Lord to send us revival, to raise us from the subnormal spiritual level to the normal.
QUESTION 5) WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO SPIRITUAL REVIVAL?
The revival that took place in the days of Ezra started first with him. He spent time in the study of the Word and encouraged himself to obey it. Thus, when people saw the effect of the Word in his life, they had no difficulty in following him. We can all experience personal revival if we do the same by following these steps:
1.) Acknowledge our spiritual need. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us” (1 John 1:8).
2.) Confess our sins and accept God’s pardon. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
3.) Spend time daily in God’s Word. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11). The Word of God is a means by which the Lord shows us His will. We will never be
victorious believers if we neglect the Bible.
4.) Talk to the Lord in prayer. Commune with Him, worship Him, thank Him for His many blessings,
and tell Him your needs. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
5.) Resist sin. Say no to every temptation of the world, flesh, and the devil. The Holy Spirit who dwells
within us is more powerful than satan and all his forces of sin combined. “Ye are of God, little
children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
(1 John 4:4).
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Ezra, on hearing the sins of the earlier exile returnees, fell on his knees and began to confess the sin of the people. He did not excuse himself from their sin or castigate the people, but identified with them. The people who saw his brokenness trembled at the Word of God, joined in confession and repentance,and began a national spiritual revival. He was able to lead the people in revival because
he saturated himself with the Word and gave himself to prayers. In doing this, he left for us an example if we desire personal and group revival.
While it is important to have group revivals, it can only come if we desire to have personal or individual revival. In order to have a personal revival, we must confess our sins, rededicate ourselves to doing God’s will, and look to Him for strength and guidance to live for Him. When we do this,
we will experience for ourselves the refreshing, quickening work of the Spirit of God.
MEMORY VERSE:
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”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Be ye not equally yoke with unbelievers. 2 Cor. 6:14
18; Deut. 7:1-6
TUE: Trembling at the Word. Ezra 9:4; Acts 2:37; Acts 5:11
WED: Steps to personal revival I. Psa. 53:3; Prov. 28:13; Isa.
53:6; 1 John 1:8
THU: Steps to personal revival II. Isa. 55:7; Micah 7:8; 1
John 1:9
FRI: Steps to personal revival III. Psa. 119:11; 2 Tim. 2:15;
Heb. 4:16
SAT: Steps to personal revival IV. Rom. 6:12; 1 Peter 2:11; 1
John 4:4
Talk to the Lord in prayer. Commune with Him,
worship Him, thank Him for His many blessings,
and tell Him your needs. “Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.
4:16).