Evening Series: Starting and maintaining a revival

P3 Getting out of a spiritual rut by the Spirit & obedience

Introduction: Let me remind us of six ways to escape a spiritual rut, four of which we have explored in the prior two messages:

            *Humility toward God, Ezra 5:1

            *Teachability to the leading of God, Ezra 5:2

            *Sensitivity to the presence of God, Ezra 5:3-5

            *Trust in the Providence of God, Ezra 5:6-6:12

            *Leaning on the Spirit of God, Ezra 6:13-18

            *Commit to obey the will of God, Ezra 6:19-22

What is a spiritual rut? A paralyzed, powerless, pattern of life. As we unpack Ezra 5, we shall compare how Jesus avoided getting into spiritual ruts, and how we can avoid and get out of them.

1. Leaning on the Spirit of God. Ezra 6:13-18

            *Heed the Scriptures.

            *Hasten to holiness.

2. Commit to obey the will of God. Ezra 6:19-22

             *Luke 4:18

            *John 3:33-35

            *Acts 10:38

            *Hebrews 3:1-2