Neh. 8:1-18 – Voice: God’s work is guided by His Word

Introduction

Why do we bother teaching you week by week from the Bible? Why spend time each staring at a book over 2,000 years old and is, arguably, outdated, irrelevant, patriarchal, sexist, homophobic, intolerant and exclusive? What is the point of reading such a book?

Nehemiah had a very different perspective on the bible and today we get to see why it is that the community’s first activity following the reconstruction of the wall was to hear the Word of God as taught by Ezra the priest.

Sermon Notes

The ___________________ is authored by a God who ____________________ __________________________ to ______________ ___________________________.

The ______________________ primary role is to _______________________ the church from the _________________________.

The Bible, when correctly understood, produces ________________ and __________________________ _____________________.

The Bible is _____________________ in the ___________________ so it can be _______________________ in the ____________________ (home, work, society, etc.).

Conclusion

The problem with evangelicalism is that we SAY we believe that God’s word is true, reliant and authoritative and yet too often our bibles simply collect dust on our shelf. This is evidenced by the increasing biblical illiteracy in our culture as well as the increasing generation of young adults who are opting out of the church. My prayer is that CCCov will always be a place where God’s word is taught, applied and rejoiced over!

His Work, His Way, His Glory: The Life & Times of Nehemiah

Neh. 8:1-18 – Voice: God’s work is guided by His Word

Notes

Questions for Reflection:

1) Why was Nehemiah’s first act after the wall was built was to have Ezra bring out the Word of God?

2) Why do you think that Ezra and Nehemiah emphasized that this was to be a day of celebration and not mourning?

3) What do you personally do to nourish your spiritual life through God’s word?