AM - ABC's to Thrive in 2025 - The PREACHING... part A

Turn in your Bibles to Nehemiah 8 -

Last Week, we commenced upon this POWERFUL chapter in the lives of the RETURNING CAPTIVES from Babylon -

(we will say a little bit more about that later!)

And noticed right out of the gate - VERY IMPORTANT features that are commendable to each and every one of us here, TODAY!

We stated that in order for God’s People to Thrive in 2025 or any other year, or even a lifetime -

The way to success in the eyes of Almighty God is thru YOUR FAITHFUL & COMPLETE OBEDIENCE to the Written Word of God!

WHAT A PREMIUM WE HAVE TO THE COMMUNICATED WORD OF GOD!

As we will see here in just a few moments!

The excitement and unity amongst God’s People who rallied around within a certain space, asking for the preaching of the Word of God!

And of course, the carefulness to the contextual Message that abounds within the Word of God!

What a GREAT responsibility that falls upon the shoulders of God’s Servant & God’s Saints!

In the Giving & the Receiving!

Hence - Your Understanding is PARAMOUNT to the Preaching of the Word of God!

If any pastor, teacher, evangelist, missionary, etc. gets up to speak -

And he uses such high and lofty, educated speech and words -

Let’s say to an audience of blue-collar listeners

What has he proven?

Simply, that he has a golden tongue?

Paul said in 1 Cor. 13 - that “knowledge puffeth up”.

That is certainly NOT commendable to anyone who stands to deliver the Message of God to the people!

There were those who came and desired to see Jesus!

And with that desire, God’s people cannot be let down!

Hence the Message of God HAS to be brought down to the lowest level possible, where everyone can understand it!

We saw a series of examples taken from Matthew 13 -

Where the Lord Jesus Christ had a crowd grow upon Him - desiring to be taught.

Did Christ use such high and lofty language?

Of course not!

Rather He utilized parables to help the common man understand just WHAT God wanted man to hear!

And of course, with such reasoning of the Scriptures DEMANDS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - to RECEIVE the Word of God!

And we left of, with the challenge - WHAT KIND OF HEART SOIL, DO YOU POSSESS, FOR THE DEPOSITED SEED FALLING UPON?

As we will see in a moment - your true desire to hear the Word of God, is dependent upon the proper soil of your heart!

IF you are simply coming to make a show, then you will only get out of the message - that which makes you look good!

But if you are coming to be sincerely fed from God, then you WILL NOT be let down!

So, do you have the soil that where: Seed is cast upon the wayside, only for the birds to pick off the seed?

Do you have the soil that is: Shallow and roots do NOT grow very deep and burnt up by the sun?

Is your heart made of the soil that is: Thorny, and thereby chokes the seed of the Word of God, as it is scattered?

Or, do you have the soil that is: Fertile, good soil - where the ground will eventually produce fruit from the seed?

Hopefully - you have taken the MESSAGE delivered last week, and MEDITATED upon the principles and challenges!

And moving forward this morning - Let’s See what else the Word of God has to say.

IF you have found Nehemiah 8 and are physically able to stand, PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF THE WORD OF GOD!

We will NOT read the entire chapter as we did last week - Notice

Nehemiah 8:1 - “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.” 

Neh 8:2 - “And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.” 

Neh 8:3 - “And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.” 

Neh 8:4 - “And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.”

LET’S PRAY & WE WILL CONTINUE WITH “THE PREACHING FROM THE WORD OF GOD”!

By Way of Introduction -

For those of you who may NOT have been with us when we taught through the Book of Nehemiah -

This great audience, in Nehemiah 8:1, was the returning captives who had come back from the Captivity of Babylon.

God’s people had gotten a little too big for their britches, and would NOT heed the warning of God’s Prophets -

And had to brought BACK DOWN to reality -

And no better way would do it, than at the hands of the Diabolical King Nebuchadnezzar!

Therefore, the Israelites would spend SEVENTY years learning, OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS, DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS HEARTACHE!

In other words, while in captivity, we could surmise, that God broke up the fallow ground of their heart!

HE MADE THE SOIL OF THEIR HEARTS FERTILE TO RECEIVE THE SEED FROM THE HAND OF GOD!

Once God Was Satisfied that His People HAD LEARNED THEIR LESSON, & READY TO LISTEN -

He brought them BACK to their land - only to find it decimated!

An earlier wave of captives had been allowed to come back and rebuild the Temple!

But it was Artaxerxes that decreed for God’s people to return to Jerusalem -

And God used Nehemiah the STATESMEN, SUPERVISOR, & SOLDIER that saw the walls rebuilt and gates rehung in a record time!

As we have commenced this look into Nehemiah 8 - it is a very special time for the Children of Israel.

If you will skim down to Nehemiah 8:2 - you will see WHAT special time it was!

Nehemiah 8:2 - “And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.”

How many of you enjoy the NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION - putting a previous year behind, & ringing in the NEW YEAR!

This FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH, as Warren Wiersbe describes, was the Jew’s equivalent to our New Years!

Turn back to Leviticus 23 - and let’s see what was so special about this SEVENTH MONTH - Tishrei!

In this 23rd chapter of Leviticus, we find four times - “It is to be a perpetual, or ongoing, statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.”

The first TWO of the occurences, of this IMPORTANT PHRASE, takes place in vss. 14, 21.

And Wiersbe consequently takes note of the appointed feasts of the Lord, God’s People!

These were not merely cultural traditions, but instituted times of remembrance & worship to God.

Lev. 23:23 - “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” 

Lev 23:24 - “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.” 

Lev 23:25 - “Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.” 

Lev 23:26 - “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” 

Lev 23:27 - “Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.” 

Lev 23:28 - “And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.” 

Lev 23:29 - “For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people”. 

Lev 23:30 - “And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.”

NOTE THE NEXT VERSE! 

Lev 23:31 - “Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” 

Lev 23:32 - “It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.” 

Lev 23:33 - “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” 

Lev 23:34 - “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.” 

Lev 23:35 - “On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.” 

Lev 23:36 - “Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.” 

Lev 23:37 - “These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:” 

Lev 23:38 - “Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.” 

Lev 23:39 - “Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.” 

Lev 23:40 - “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”

AGAIN NOTE VERSE 41! 

Lev 23:41 - “And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.” 

Lev 23:42 - “Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:” 

Lev 23:43 - “That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” 

Lev 23:44 - “And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.” 

WE CAN RECKON, THEREFORE - This SEVENTH month to the Jew was PRETTY special to them - THINK of, & REMEMBER, ALL that God had brought them through!

REMEMBER - the 400+ years of being in the Land of Egyptian Bondage?

REMEMBER - the hardships imposed at the hand of unrelentless taskmasters?

REMEMBER - the juggling Moses & Aaron went through and the compromises initiated before Pharaoh?

REMEMBER - getting word that release was coming, by the Hand of God, for these tortured Hebrews?

REMEMBER - what took place when they were instructed to apply the blood on the door post & lintel?

REMEMBER - the GRAVE instructions - NO BLOOD, DEATH FOR THE FIRST BORN!

REMEMBER - the warning to stay inside or INSTANTANEOUS DEATH would result?

REMEMBER - the mass Exodus and the events at the Red Sea?

REMEMBER - wandering in the wilderness & the dwelling in booths?

REMEMBER - how God took care of their food & water issues?

YES! THIS ENTIRE MONTH WAS CERTAINLY A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE & JOY!

They would thus in turn, celebrate -

The Feast of Trumpets on the FIRST DAY,

The Day of Atonement on the TENTH DAY,

The Feast of Tabernacles from the FIFTEENTH DAY - TWENTY-FIRST DAY,

SO - THIS FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH WAS AN EXCELLENT TIME FOR GOD’S PEOPLE TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD!

When WE get our own heart right with God, & obtain a clear focus of HIS GOODNESS, we TOO will be ready to offer the sacrifice of JOY, BACK unto the LORD!!

David could reverently cheer, in Psalm 122:1 - “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Psalm 16:11 - “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures (NOT TEMPORARILY, BUT) for evermore.”

Psalm 107:2 - “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”

COMMUNICATION OF THE WORD OF GOD is IMPORTANT FOR YOUR THRIVING AS A CHILD OF GOD!

Since Your Understanding is PARAMOUNT to the PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD!

Consider A UNIFIED Desire for the Preaching of the Word of God.

It certainly IS a verifiable truth, based upon the content of our passage -

When God has allowed you to come to the end of yourself, by whatever means, or avenue, of His Choosing -

For the Children of Israel - it was 70 years in Babylonian captivity

AGAIN - It was the chastening of the Mighty Hand of God that turned the proud fallow hardness of their hearts eventually into the rich fertile soil where fruit could eventually be evidenced!

Your Breaking & Being Remolded, by God, Will THEN Move You “To Desire” to HEAR the Word of God !

The problem for a lot of God’s People TODAY is -

They have NOT been brought DOWN, low enough!

Their pride has YET to be broken!

BUT - WHEN that happens, and God knows THE RIGHT way to accomplish this -

It might financial ruin!

It might be the death of a loved one!

It might be your sheer misery!

It might be putting you upon a shelf, to not be used of God, for a while!

REMEMBER - HE IS THE MASTER POTTER, YOU are JUST the simple clay!

He CERTAINLY knows what He is doing, and trying to accomplish within you!

And if you will simply LET HIM HAVE HIS WAY WITH YOU -

YOU, just like His People, will CERTAINLY be ready to hear what God has to say!

ILL: Just like when I was growing up -

There were times when I used to think that - what Dad & mom used to say, did NOT apply to me!

They would let me go for a SHORT TIME - I might add!

BUT - When enough was enough, chastisement SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!

The NEXT time that either of them spoke - BUDDY, I WAS READY TO LISTEN!

And that is the predicament that these Children of Israel had found themselves in~!

With hearts that had been broken up, where the soil was FIT FOR THE SEEDING FROM THE WORD OF GOD -

NOTICE - The DESIRE for THE WORD of GOD! - Nehemiah 8:1 “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.”

The People of God CAME Ready For the Word of God. Neh. 8:1 says, “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man in the street”.

I Have Come to Notice, There are TWO types of Church-Goers.

There are those who may say, and consequently act out - We GOTTA Go to Church!

These are characterized by those who have a lax about attending the House of God for the Preaching of the Word of God!

It generally starts on Saturdays, their characteristics evidence themselves!

They will be all busy with things that need to be done!

Grocery shopping -

Chores around the house -

Running endless lists of errands -

Nothing necessarily wrong with any of these and more activities!

Unless it affects you getting ready for WHAT is truly IMPORTANT - COME SUNDAY!

HELLO!

THEN - Saturday EVENING rolls around -

They are pooped from all the activity!

They are prepped for taking a nap before bedtime!

Then they postpone getting ready for the preaching of the Word of God UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

SUNDAY MORNING HAS ARRIVED!

AND THE DRAMATIC ACTIVITY BEGINS!

FIRST - the alarm clock did NOT go off!

“OH MY STARS!” - My shirt and tie that I wear - IS FILTHY DIRTY!

Then - “I GOTTA IRON” what I am gonna wear!

LOOK AT THE CLOCK! - ARE WE GONNA MAKE IT ON TIME!

Then the ARGUING ENSUES!

Momma & Daddy find the MOST opportune time to ARGUE on Sunday Mornings!

Each blaming each other - for what is going on!

Then the husband is driving like a maniac to TRY to get to church on time!

The wife is fulfilling her duties to WARN about speeding!

The children are caught in the cross-fire along the way!

No TIME PRESENT to stop for a Bojangles Biscuit!

FOR THE ARRIVAL AT THE CHURCH FRONT DOORS!

Daddy comes to a screeching HALT - giving his entire family WHIP-LASH!

The arguing ceases for the smiles to commence - while opening the car doors!

The hands are extended for the shaking, and the facade is ever-present within that family unit!

ONLY FOR THE ANTAGONIZATION IN THE CAR WHILE HEADING HOME!

And this pitiful scenario is played out probably in nearly every town & church around the globe!

THE PROBLEM IS THEY TRULY NEVER HAD A DESIRE TO BE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, FOR THE PREACHING, THE COMMUNICATION OF GOD’S WORD - IN THE FIRST PLACE!

Their hearts were certainly NOT in tune to the propositioning of the Holy Spirit of God -

Evidencing a lack of movement to get the heart right during the INVITATION!

They leave out, unchanged, just the way that they entered!

BECAUSE THEY “GOTTA GO” TO CHURCH!

AND THEY MISS OUT ON ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR THEM!

THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO EXHIBIT, BY THEIR ACTIONS, “WE GET TO GO TO CHURCH”!

Are these some GOODY-TWO SHOES that display this kind of heart for God? - OF COURSE NOT!

But they CAME - ALREADY to hear from God - out of His Word!

Do things come up in the week, that can keep you from preparing beforehand for the Sunday Services!

Of course, we are NOT obliterate to the facts that LIFE HAPPENS!

BUT ON A NORMAL PAR - this particular Christian PREPARES AHEAD of TIME - for Sunday!

He may limit what he allows to take place on Saturday -

Not PURPOSEFULLY staying gone all day

Not PURPOSEFULLY staying busy all day

Allowing yourself to spend SOME time for REST

Nothing is MORE disheartening to a preacher than to preach to those asleep in the pew!

So - He (THE ONE WHO “GETS TO” GO TO CHURCH) Prepares Adequately - Ahead of Time!

Maybe it is the time to look over a SS Lesson, if you are a teacher!

Maybe it is the time to go over a song ONE MORE TIME before singing on Sunday!

Maybe it the time to go ahead and get your shower in before going to bed!

Maybe it is the time to lay out, AND IRON, what you intend to wear - making necessary adjustments!

Maybe it is the time to go ahead and get the gas in the car before retiring for the night!

SO - WHEN SUNDAY ARRIVES - you are NOT Scurrying Around!

You CAN get out of the house in plenty of time!

You MIGHT have a decent conversation going down the road!

You MIGHT entertain the forethought to pray for the services & your pastor beforetime!

YOU MIGHT EVEN GET THAT BOJANGLES BISCUIT IN TIME!

YOU MIGHT GET TO CHURCH BEFORE THE LAST SECOND!

These Kinds of Actions Come About By Those -

Who Have Prepared to be READY FOR SUNDAY -

It is SO IMPORTANT TO THEM - that they take preemptive action!

God HAS moved in their lives!

God HAS stirred their hearts!

God HAS rightful place in their lives

And they desire to have a heart - PLEASING BACK TO HIM!

HENCE - SUNDAYS ARE SPECIAL TO THEM!

CONSEQUENTLY - They Have PLACED Their Treasure in the Things, the Teaching, and the Preaching of the Word of God!

This Morning - I Challenge You With This - “Where is YOUR TREASURE, Christian”?

Matthew 6:19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:”

Matthew 6:20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

For these returned captives, in Nehemiah 8:1 - their heart was FOR the preaching and teaching of the Word of God

They Were Asking for It! - HOW ABOUT YOU?