Nehemiah 9

“The Power of God’s Word”

February 15, 2015

First Baptist Church

Jackson, Mississippi

USA

What’s the number one thing?

The Glory of God!

http://dynamiqueprofesseur.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/liftupthecross1c.jpg

1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of

God.

February Memory Verse:

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from

yourselves, it is a gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

References

• 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know By Heart, Robert J. Morgan, B & H

Publishing, 2010.

• Now, That’s A Good Question, R. C. Sproul, Tyndale House Publishing, 1982.

• The Baptist Faith & Message, A Statement Adopted by the Southern Baptist

Convention, June 14, 2000.

Introduction

• Cyrus allows exiles to return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C. after captivity in

Babylon.

• Zerubbabel rebuilds the Temple in 516 B.C..

• Ezra returns to Jerusalem to lead the Temple.

• Nehemiah returns in 445 B.C. to lead rebuilding of walls of Jerusalem in 52

days.

• The people are registered by families and assigned housing areas in

Nehemiah 7.

Nehemiah

• Story begins 1st day of seventh month, 445 B.C. with the reading of the

Book of the Law of Moses by Ezra in Nehemiah 8.

• The people stand as the Torah (Pentateuch) is read from daybreak until

noon inside the Jerusalem wall by the Water Gate.

– Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Ezra Reads the Torah Scrolls

Torah or Pentateuch or Law

• Written by Moses after crossing the Red Sea and while wandering in the

wilderness for 40 years with Israelites.

• Deuteronomy written around 1400 B.C. in Plains of Moab before his death.

• Pentateuch was written as one continuous narrative (maybe 5 scrolls).

• God wrote the 10 Commandments on stone and the tablets were carried

in the ark of the covenant.

Introduction

• The people are weeping as the scripture is read in Nehemiah 8, but are

told to be joyful – to celebrate by eating “Choice foods and sweet drinks”.

• On the next day, they begin the celebration of the “Feast of Tabernacles

or Festival of Booths” (Tent Revival!) for 7 days in a renewed spirit not seen

in 900 years.

The Feast of Tabernacles

Nehemiah 9:1 1 On the twenty- fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together,

fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads.

– The people came prepared and dressed for ceremony of

confession and repentance.

Meaning of Nehemiah 9:1

• A day of penance in the spirit of the Day of Atonement (usually observed

on 10th day of the 7th month) was observed with fasting, wearing sackcloth

and dust on their head.

– Symbolic of great mourning and penitence

– Idea of focus on God instead of self (hunger, discomfort and dirt)

• Strict observance of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) required High

Priest entering the “Holy of Holies”, sin offerings of goat, scapegoat,

fasting, rest with no work as prescribed in Leviticus 16.

Sackcloth and Ashes

Nehemiah 9:2-7 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They

stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their

God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in

worshiping the Lord their God. 4 Standing on the stairs of the Levites were Jeshua,

Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out

with loud voices to the Lord their God. 5a And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani,

Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said: "Stand up

and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting." 5b "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing

and praise. 6 You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the

highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the

seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of

heaven worship you.

7 "You are the Lord God, who chose Abram …

• reviews history of Israelites

• skip to verse 32

Nehemiah 9:32-33 32 "Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who

keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your

eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our

priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days

of the kings of Assyria until today. 33 In all that has happened to us, you

have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted

wickedly. 34 Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our ancestors did not

follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the

statutes you warned them to keep. 35 Even while they were in their

kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and

fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil

ways.

36 "But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors

so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. 37 Because

of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over

us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in

great distress.

What was used to lead the Israelites to repentance and revival?

• The public reading of the Book of the Law of Moses to the people.

– Preparation by celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles

– Remembering the commitment of their forefathers to God in Exodus

19:6 “to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

• How does reading scripture lead to repentance and revival?

• Why is God’s word so powerful?

How did God speak to man in the Old Testament?

• He spoke directly to man individually and collectively and thru the written

words:

– Adam & Eve; Cain & Abel; Noah …

– Moses; Joshua …

– Period of the Judges …

– Prophets (spokesperson for God): Samuel; Nathan; Gad … Isaiah

– Special Prophets: Daniel through dreams, visions

– Prophetess: Miriam, Deborah, Isaiah’s wife, Huldah

Was John the Baptist the last Old Testament Prophet?

Luke 16:16 16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time,

the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is

forcing their way into it.

• The ministry of John the Baptist was the dividing line between the old

covenant and the new.

• His ministry prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry.

How does God speak to man in the New Testament?

• Jesus’ words spoken on earth.

Matthew 24:35 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass

away.

Hebrews 1:1-2 1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to

the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His

Son.

• Apostles & other spokespersons through the direction of the Holy Spirit

John 16:13. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the

truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears,

and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Divine Authorship & Authority of the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting

and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly

equipped for every good work.

- Biblical authority and authorship are inseparable.

- If God is the author, then it must be our only infallible authority, because

God is infallible.

Does the Bible claim authority over the life of the believer?

• Yes!

• The authority that the Bible has over you as a believer is the authority that

Christ has over you.

• Christ rules His church through the ministry of the Word.

• The Bible is our rule for faith and life (conduct).

Inspiration of Scripture

• All scripture in the Bible was from ‘divine inspiration’ by God.

• God chose to convey His words through humans as instruments.

• Arguments begin when we use the words “infallible” and “inerrancy”.

Inspiration of Scripture

Infallible vs. Inerrant

• Infallible = Without error

– Original manuscripts in original language were perfect or infallible

as directed to the writers.

– We don’t have these for comparison.

– Translational differences do exist.

• Inerrant = All that the Bible affirms is true

– Bible is fully truthful, trustworthy and reliable.

– Without any mixture of error.

Interpretation vs. Inspiration

• It is wrong to say, “My interpretation of the Bible is infallible.”

• We don’t have to be identical twins to be brothers/sisters in Christ.

• We can disagree with each other over interpretation and still believe in

the inspiration and authority of scripture.

Interpretation of Scripture

• The Holy Spirit guides each believer in personal interpretation of Scripture.

• Priesthood of believers and personal accountability to God.

• With freedom comes responsibility.

• Catholic Church.

– Pope has final authority to interpret scripture.

– His view considered infallible and final authority.

Why are new books not added to the Bible?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for

reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God

may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

– If books were added, it would equate to saying the Bible is

incomplete.

– The Bible was complete after Revelation was written by John in 95

A.D.

The Bible is complete

Jude 3 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common

salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly

for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

- Jude was defending the faith and truth held by believers.

- The truth has finality and is not subject to change.

Warning about altering the Bible

Revelation 22:18-19 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If

anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in

this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this

prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city,

and from the things which are written in this book.

What is the canon?

• Canon = “reed” or measuring stick or ruler.

• Biblical Canon = a list of books considered to be authoritative scripture

(Word of God).

• The 66 books of the Bible were mostly agreed upon by 3rd – 5th century

A.D.

• Tests of the Early Church for canon

– Was the book written by an eyewitness of Jesus?

– “Truth Test” – agree or conflict with other scripture?

Canon Consideration for Old Testament

• Jesus mentioned the existing Hebrew Bible.

Luke 24:44 44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was

still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of

Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."

Why should Christians study the Old Testament?

• Jesus quoted Old Testament scriptures continually; even when being

tempted.

• The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament.

• Saint Augustine quote: “The Old is in the New revealed; the New is in the

Old concealed.”

The Power of Scripture

Hebrews 4:12-13 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged

sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges

the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from

God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to

whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:12

• Characteristics of the Word of God.

– 1. Alive, living

• Not dead or archaic.

• Not irrelevant to today.

– 2. Active, effective

• Greek word for “energy”

Isaiah 55:11 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to

me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the

purpose for which I sent it.

Hebrews 4:12

• The Word of God is a double-edged sword.

– This idea based on the idea of knives used by Levitical priests to cut

through deepest sections of sacrificial animals.

– God’s Word can penetrate to the depths of our inner most being.

Double Edged Sword

• God’s Word judges the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

– Judge comes from Greek word for “critic”.

– Shows us where we are weak and need improvement.

– Guilty conscious from sin.

The Power of God’s Word

Ephesians 6:13 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you

may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to

stand.

Ephesians 6:17 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of

God.

• Remember the battle is spiritual and must be fought with God’s strength,

depending on the Word and on God through prayer.

Quote from D. L. Moody

Sin will keep us from the Bible, or the Bible will keep us from sin.

Psalm 119:11 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

Comparing the 3:16’s

2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for

reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever

believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

• John 3:16 talks about the Savior, and 2 Timothy 3:16 talks about the

Scriptures. These 2 entities comprise the two greatest gifts ever bestowed

on humanity.

• Both are called “The Word”.

• One is the living Word, and the other is the written word.

• Both are utterly unique. Jesus is like no other person the world has ever

seen, and the Bible is like no other book the world has ever read.

• Jesus as the Savior was without sin, the Scriptures are without error.

• The Savior is the God-Man, and the Scriptures are from both God and

man.

• The Savior came to save us, and the Scriptures were given to tell us how to

be saved.

• The Bible is Jesus in print, and Jesus is the personification and fulfillment of

the Scriptures.

• So, these 3:16’s are twin verses about the Savior and the Scriptures.

The Key to Success in Life

Joshua 1:8 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so

that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be

prosperous and successful.

The Valentine in John 3:16

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

John 3:16 NKJV 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever

believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 14:6 NKJV 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the

Father except through Me.”

Romans 3:23 NKJV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a NKJV 23a For the wages of sin is death,

Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.

Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to

pay the penalty for our sins.

The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in

Revelation 21:8.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV 8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,

sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with

fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Romans 6:23b NKJV 23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 NKJV 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,

Christ died for us.

Revelation 21:7 NKJV 7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be

My son.”

Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to accept Jesus as our Savior.

Romans 10:9-10 NKJV 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that

God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one

believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto

salvation.

Romans 10:13 NKJV 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

If you have questions or would like to know more, Please, contact First Baptist

Church Jackson at 601-979-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/