Each of us has experienced times when we realize we need to make some serious changes in our lives. So we vow to do things differently. We resolve to improve. We make promises and set new priorities. The Israelites, whom we find gathered in Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah, could certainly relate. They and their ancestors had broken their promises to God countless times before. But now, after having spent 70 years in exile, God was stirring up spiritual revival in their hearts, and they were bound and determined for things to be different this time around. Join us for this week’s message as we take a closer look at the specific steps they took to renew their commitment to God, and seek to understand not only why they took them, but why it matters to us today.

Related Topics: Discipleship, Priorities | More Messages from Steve Durand | Download Audio

From Series: "Let's Build It Again"

This Week's Sermon: "Inching Away from Spiritual Revival"

Spiritual decline is often like a flat tire. Most flat tires occur because air leaks out over time. Gradually. Imperceptibly. We're usually not even aware that there is a problem until the car becomes too difficult to steer or a worse problem arises.

The decline of one's spiritual life, the loss of one's vitality and first love for the things of God, can be quite similar. It happens gradually and imperceptibly -- and it’s what we see taking place in the nation of Israel in the final chapter of the book of Nehemiah. After having experienced such great spiritual renewal earlier in the book, what went so wrong for Israel in Nehemiah 13? And what can we learn from their story that can help us to maintain our spiritual fervor for God and prevent us from making the same mistakes?

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