Nehemiah 8-12

Intro

Last time: Nehemiah was visited by a guy who claims he is a prophet. Turns out that prophet was not a real one.

Question: What are big issues churches disagree on?

Second Question: Which church is right and how do you know?

Part 1: Nehemiah 8:1-8

Jeremiah 23:29–32 ESV

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Exegesis vs. Eisegesis

Part 2: Nehemiah 13

Temptation 1: Nehemiah 13:1-3

Temptation 2: Nehemiah 13:23-26

Scriptures:

Romans 15:4 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Timothy 1:14 ESV

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Final Scripture:

John 14:26 ESV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Mention the reason for the confusion: Not because the Bible is unclear, but because people are sinful.