Message Notes
Revival in a Godless Nation
Today's Songs:
O Praise the Name (Anastasis) - Hillsong Worship
Great Are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters
I am No Victim - Bethel Music
It is Well - Bethel Music
King of My Heart - John Mark & Sarah McMillan
Remember, you can find all the songs from this week and previous weeks in a publicly shared, accumulating playlist on Google Play and in weekly playlists on YouTube (like this one).
Summary: The passion of the Church ought to be our witness to a dying nation.
1. The context and culture of Ezra's time
The people of the land worshiped God but also their own gods, and they did not fear the Lord.
They discouraged God's people with fear and distracted them with sin.
They conspired against them. They organized against them. They even oppressed the poor.
As a result, the church was in great trouble and shame. (Nehemiah 1:3)
Contemporary context and culture
Believers today are caught in the middle of a fractured nation.
On one side are the overtly godless who make no qualms about opposing God.
On the other side are those who say and believe many of the things that a believer ought to believe, but are underwritten by hatred, vitriol, and a lack of compassion coupled with a syncretistic blend of flags, guns, and Jesus and the cross.
The western church mimics Nehemiah 1:3: great trouble and shame.
What is the believer to do? How must we have revival in the midst of a godless nation?
Ezra answers that in 7:25: according to the wisdom of God.
From Matthew 10:16, we must be as wise as serpents when sent out as sheep amidst the wolves.
And our wisdom informs and drives our passions.
- We have a passion for God (Ezra 7:10) to study, do, and teach the Word of God.
- We should have a passion for engagement. Ezra appointed judges and magistrates, administrators, who executed their duties but also didn't shy away from teaching the word of God. They engaged culture and people.
- We should have a passion for people. Nehemiah, as the governor, saw the suffering of the people and took no salary as a means of alleviating their suffering.
Our nation is devoid of passion because they having nothing to be passionate about.
They have faux passion.
Lust masquerading as passion, possession masquerading as passion, position masquerading as passion, and experience masquerading as passion.
This has led to a nation of people striving after dry and empty pursuits.
The world ought to see the Church as a people of passion, like in Ezra's day.
A passion for God, a passion for engagement, and a passion for people.
