The Elements of Worship

Introduction: What do we really know about ?

Scripture verses: 

You and I need to be from the Word of God. We need to hear, “Thus says the LORD … ” We need what fellowship provides – STRENGTH!

Acts 2:42 – And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

I. Bring Word – 8:1

¹ Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel.

As the people were making their way to the , they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses (the first five book of the Old Testament).

We gather for and a big part of that worship is instruction/teaching from the Bible.

September 15, 1996 –

II. Set aside – 8:2-3

² So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. ³ Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

Charles R. Swindoll writes,

These Jews were gathering for worship to commemorate these three feasts –

Tithe Your Time

hours

• Psalm 118:24 – “This is the DAY that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
• Psalm 122:1 – “I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

   III. Come under  – 8:4

   ⁴ So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

   Ezra the of scribe was the chosen to bring forth the teaching of God’s Word on this specific day.

Come Prepared

IV. Demonstrate proper – 8:5-6

⁵ And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. ⁶ And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

When Ezra opened the book of the Law, notice what the people did. They  to their feet.

Ezra the people, and they responded, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands.”

V. One Another – 8:7-8

⁷ Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. ⁸ So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

13 individuals –

Nehemiah 8:8 – “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave sense, and helped them to understand the reading.”

VI. is Necessary – 8:9

⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, 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 nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

The Jews here in our text became broken as they heard God’s Laws being read and then explained to them.

An Invitation to Come

To repent means to away, to around.

VII. with Joy – 8:10-12

¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ¹¹ So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” ¹² And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

The Christian should be able to celebrate. We have the greatest God to celebrate, we have the greatest event to celebrate, we have the greatest people to celebrate with. What’s keeping us from celebrating?

“Joy is the flag that is flown in the heart when the master is in residence.”

How to Experience JOY

Conclusion: Worship doesn’t just – worship is . Nehemiah, Ezra, and other spiritual leaders planned and well-organized this day before the gate. They knew what must be included to make worship a reality. And I have sought to do my best to explain them to us in this chapter. If we truly want to worship God, we must intentionally add these to our gathering before the water gate (the place where we hear God’s Word). Take Notes here:

1. Being God’s Word with us to
2. Set aside for Worship.
3. Come under the of God’s Word.
4. Show proper for God’s Word – stand up when it is read.
5. One Another – help others to understand God’s Word.
6. is Necessary – Turn from sin and turn to God.
7. with Joy – Don’t live in the past, live in the presence of the Lord.