Ezra&Nehemiah“Building God’s People and Projects”

If we would live out our commitments the way God intends…we must understand:

1. That celebrations are Part of God’s Plan for us2. That God’s celebrations always invite us toward Greater Personal Purity.3. That God’s celebrations are supposed to be Memorable and Joyful.4. That God’s celebrations are intended to produce Greater Trust and Generosity Toward God.

Celebrations are Part of God’s Plan for us

12:1-19

Celebrations of God always invite us toward Greater Personal Purity

12:30

Hebrews 10:16 and 21-22

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my

laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds…….. since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our

bodies washed with pure water”

Ben Patterson(Westmont College)

We are not sinners seeking to live a saintly life, We are saints seeking to

resist a sinful life.

Celebrations should be Memorable and joyful

12:31-43

Ezra and “Thanksgiving” Choir

Nehemiah and “Thanksgiving” Choir

Celebrations are intended to produce greater Trust and

Generosity toward God12:44-47