Sermon Tone Analysis
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Crying out Because We’ve Sinned
Summary: Would we cry out to God to confess that we have sinned and He is just?
Sometimes it is appropriate to cry out as a community for God’s mercy.
The Israelite's knew enough to cry out to God for mercy … can’t we?
Crying out because we’ve sinned
- Nehemiah is a great study of leadership; shows faithful obedience to God
- Last week we discussed a great celebration happening in the city
-- The people gather to have the Law read; and they are convicted of their sin
-- However, this is a time of celebration; to rejoice in what God has done
- Following the time of celebration, comes a time of mourning and repentance
-- This will be our focus today; understanding their hearts and minds before God
-- For you and I, this is a tremendous example of humility before a Sovereign Lord
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – A Time of Mourning
I – A Time of Mourning
The Feast of Tabernacles concluded on the 22nd day of the month (see comments on 8:14).
After one day’s interval, the 23rd, the people assembled on the 24th.
They separated from foreigners (cf.
10:28).
Then they confessed their sins, evidenced by fasting (cf.
comments on 1:4), wearing sackcloth (cf.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ), a dark coarse cloth made from goats’ hair, and having dust on their heads (cf. ; ; ; ; ; ; ).
These were signs of mourning and grief.
For about three hours the people again stood (cf. ) while the Law was read.
Then for another three hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord.
Several Levites, some of whom were mentioned in 8:7, were involved in leading the people in their praise of the eternal God.
Five of the eight Levites in 9:4 are listed in the group of eight in verse 5 (Pethahiah is also mentioned in 11:24).
These five may have been the same or different men.
One group was involved in petition (v.
4) and the other in praise (v.
5).
The stairs (lit., “ascent”) may have led to some part of the temple complex or they may refer to the platform mentioned in 8:4.[1]
- Following the worship and celebration, is a time to ensure hearts are in check
- Following the worship and celebration, is a time to ensure hearts are in check
-- Sackcloth was a dark, course material associated with sorrow/mourning (v2)
-- Throwing dust on their head is a sign of humility; not focused on appearance
-- Is a sign of sorrow for wrongs they have committed; their conviction on display
- Today we no longer wear sackcloth and ash, but we can still mourn and repent
-- These citizens stood and read the book of Law for approx.
6 hours (v3)
-- During this time, would’ve have been a great opportunity to repent of sin
- No different than when we experience God in a collective worship
-- Sometimes there are opportunities to shout/praise … others to mourn/repent
-- How do we know the difference?
Listening to God’s Spirit as He directs us
- They would’ve taken turns reading the Law, over the course of about 6 hours (v3)
-- Then, they spent another 6 hours in confession and prayer before a Holy God
- Consider this for a moment … 12 hours spent in sorrow/repentance for sin
-- 6 hours spent reading God’s word and contemplating what it means to you
-- 6 hours in prayer before God because you value nothing more than Him
-- APP: It’s a definite challenge for you and me: check our prayer motive
- As the priests read the Law (v5), the people were called to stand and praise God
-- This praise, this outcry of worship, is where we need to focus today
- TRANS: Let’s explore their specific cries and worship of God
II The Cries of Worship
- S: He is Sovereign (v5-6)
-- The people begin to praise God for all that He has done
-- They confess His worthiness and proclaim that even His name is magnificent
-- Even more, they leave no doubt for all that He has done (made the …)
-- Their exclamation that God gave life to everything ought to be very encouraging
- S: He is righteous and true (v7-8)
-- It is God who initiated the relationship (first with Adam, then Abram, then US)
-- He brought them out of captivity and set them in a place where they could live
-- God provided them with all they need; to restore His people to Himself
-- Because He is righteous, the people can count on His promise to be kept
- S: He is Savior and Deliverer (v9-12)
neh 9.
-- God is not an absentee landlord from His creation (many treat him like this)
-- He responded to their slavery by bringing them from captivity; grace filled
-- Even in the wilderness, He led His people to safety (pillar of fire & a cloud)
-- He made a name for Himself; a name that has stood throughout all time
-- Because of His namesake, He is the rescuer that we all require (due to sin)
- S: He is the provider (v13-21)
-- Look at the confession of things that God has done, note who initiates this
-- Not only did God provide for their spiritual needs; but physical needs also
-- What they are confessing is God’s grace; His mercy; His supply; His power
-- God’s compassion is on display (v18) EVEN after they created another “god”
-- He is confessed as being trustworthy and faithful to their needs/desires
- S: They have an inheritance (v22-25)
-- Because of God, they were able to enter a land promised to them
-- Even each victory they experienced was because God had ordained it
-- Throughout 40 years of wandering, even their numbers increased (v23)
-- What they have is because God ordained it; even when they disobeyed
-- Re: Moses did not get to enter the land promised because of disobedience
--- They struck the rock with a horrible, angry attitude instead of speaking to it
-- However, God was still compassionate and supplied for them; always does
- “I love, Bro TJ” Here’s our challenge to consider:
-- Why is it that we fail to praise God for what we have?
-- Has He not provided you even the air in your lungs to sustain your life?
-- How is it that we cannot even spend 10 minutes in prayer to honor Him?
- TRANS: When we see a prayer like this, it ought to cut AND challenge us!
∆ Point 3 – The Cycles of History (26-31)
- The people move from God’s praises, to confessing their own disobedience
• they killed your prophets;
• who had warned them in order to turn them back to you;
• they committed awful blasphemies
-- It is in this confession that we can see our cycle of sin as well
-- We pray for forgiveness; we sin; we pray for forgiveness; we sin; etc.
- IMP: In their confession, they accept responsibility for their punishment
-- God turned them over to their enemies to be infiltrated and/or defeated
- However, even though they sinned again and again; God still loved them
-- They still retained an advocate in Heaven, someone was still for them
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