Text: Nehemiah
8: 1-8
Message 8: The
Book of Nehemiah – Chapter 8
1.
Chapter
1: Nehemiah’s concern and prayer. Learn to pray rightly
2.
Chapter
2: Petition to the king; journey to Jerusalem
3.
Chapter
3: Division of labour to do God’s work – orderly and properly organised
4.
Chapter
4: Opposition by mockery, conspiracy and discouragement
5.
Chapter
5: Internal strife and Nehemiah’s response and personal conduct
6.
Chapter
6: Opposition by compromise, slander & betrayal yet wall was completed
7.
Chapter
7: No complacency after wall was completed and spontaneous giving
1. Bible Reading at the Water Gate
(8:1-4)
(a) Building the people to be
spiritually strong is very important. God’s Word has not been heard and taught
for a long time since the captivity.
(b) Hunger and thirst for God’s
Word:
i) the people asked for it
(v.1)
ii) the people heard it (v.2)
iii) the people were attentive for
long period (v.3)
iv) the people were willing
learners (v.4)
2. Spiritual Revival (8:5-18) – 6 characteristics
(a) Reverence for Scriptures (v.5) – the
people stood up.
(b) Worship of God (v.6) – In spirit and in truth.
What is meaning of Amen? In worship, we should say Amen together as expression
of our agreement to the prayer.
(c)
Understand Scriptures (v.7-8) – expository
preaching.
(d)
Remorse for sins (v.9) – true repentance with
sincere tears (cf. 2 Cor 7:10).
(e)
Rejoicing in fellowship (v.10-12) - Joy comes
after weeping.
(f)
Obedience
to God’s Word (v.13-18) – Reading of God’s Word continued in 2nd
day. Feast of Tabernacles was kept. How long has it been stopped? Note v.18
that God’s Word continued to be read for 7 days.
Nehemiah: Man of Concern; Man of
Prayer; Man who waited upon God; Man of Action; Man of Planning; Man of
Teamwork; Man of Courage; Man who fear God; Man who reverence God’s Word.
Memory
Verse: Nehemiah 8:10b “for the joy of the Lord is
your strength.”
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