Restored by the Word
Robby Pollard, Lead Pastor
Nehemiah 6:15
15So the wall was finished…
Nehemiah 7:1
1Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors…
Nehemiah 7:73
73So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.
This restoration project was never just about restoring a wall, it was about restoring a people.
Nehemiah 7:73
73So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.
Leviticus 23:24
24“Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.
RESTORE
REVIVAL
Nehemiah 8:1-2
1And 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. 2So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.
3 Leaders in Rebuilding Jerusalem:
Zerubabbel - reconstructed the temple (Ezra 3:8)
Ezra - reestablished worship (Ezra 7-10)
Nehemiah - restored the walls of Jerusalem
Ezra 7:10
10For 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.
Nehemiah 8:1
1And 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.
You cannot have revival without the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12
12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
John 6:63
63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
2 Timothy 3:16
16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Philippians 2:16
16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Proverbs 4:22
22For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
Psalm 119:50
50This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
Jeremiah 15:16
16Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
Psalm 19:7
7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
You cannot have revival without the word of God.
Nehemiah 8:3
3And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
“the ears of all the people were to the book of the Law”
Give attention to the Word of God
Nehemiah 8:4-6
4And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. 6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Revere the God of the Word
Nehemiah 8:5
5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.
Nehemiah 8:6
6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Nehemiah 8:1
1And 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.
2 Peter 1:21
21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Nehemiah 8:7-8
7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. 8They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
Nehemiah 8:9-12
9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
“For all the people wept as they heard the words” (Neh. 8:9)
“Grieved” (Neh 8:10, 11)
Nehemiah 8:12
12And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Nehemiah 8:13-17
13On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. 14And they found it written in the Law that the LORD had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” 16So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing.
Nehemiah 8:13
13On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.
Nehemiah 8:14
14And they found it written in the Law that the LORD had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month,
Leviticus 23:40-41
40And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. 41You shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Leviticus 23:42-43
42You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
Nehemiah 8:16
16So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.
Nehemiah 8:17
17And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing.
Align with the Word of God.
“They found it written in the law that…” (Neh. 8:14)
“So the people went out and…made booths and lived in the booths” (Neh 8:16-17)
“There was very great rejoicing” (Neh 8:17)
Give attention to the Word of God.
Revere the God of the Word.
Align with the Word of God.
John 5:24
24Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Give attention to the Word of God.
Revere the God of the Word.
Align with the Word of God.
Continue the series.
Continue listening to this sermon series or related sermons.
Plan your visit.
Hey there! We know what it’s like to walk into a new place — it can be intimidating. We want you to feel right at home when you visit The Brook.
What to expect.
We’re excited to have you join us at The Brook Church! Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect when you visit for a Sunday morning service. Have questions? See our FAQ below.
65 minute Services
A typical service will last about 65 minutes with a mix of contemporary and traditional music that is led by our worship team. Our pastors share a Biblically-based message relevant to real life.
Students & Kids
Our Students (grades 5–8) and Kids Ministries (infants – grade 4) each offer identical, age-appropriate Bible teaching during both Sunday morning services. High school students (grades 9-12) attend our adult worship services.
Family Worship Days
The last Sunday of each month we come together for Family Worship Services (kids + students + adults worshiping together). Kids ministry is available for infants – pre-K only.
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