Believers of Faith
Building Blocks of the Church Sermon Series #3
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Ezra reads from God’s Word to the people
We’ve seen over the past several weeks how the book of Nehemiah is a guide for us to build a healthy and growing church. Two weeks ago, we talked about being a people of vision with a gospel-centered view for ministry opportunities. Last week on Father’s Day, we learned that the church needs real men of action who carry a burden and cause a battle. In other words, we need men who are passionate about the things of God and are willing to act. This week, we see what happened in the story of Nehemiah after the wall is built.
A healthy church has believers of faith who…
THE WORD OF GOD!
#1 the Bible to all ages (v. 1-2)
1all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. 2So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.
#2 Bless the Lord with your (v. 3)
3He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
3 reasons to pay attention:
#3 the Lord as you read (v. 5-6)
5Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. 6Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
#4 Help each other (v. 7-8)
7The Levites…instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. 8They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
#5 Respond with (v. 9-12)
9Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast…12So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.