Becoming People Of The Bible

06/10/2019 Becoming People Of The Bible

Series: The Story Of The Bible 

https://vimeo.com/339260467

What Does The Bible Say?

Nehemiah

In October, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, 8:1 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey. 2 So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law. (Nehemiah 7:73–8:3 NLT) 

We should want to know what the Bible teaches.

5 Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. 6 Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:5–6 NLT) 

Whatever God’s Word says, we should obey.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—then instructed the people in the Law while everyone remained in their places. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. (Nehemiah 8:7–8 NLT) 

Discipleship should always be a dialogue.

11 And the Levites, too, quieted the people, telling them, “Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.” 12 So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them. (Nehemiah 8:11–12 NLT)

When we get what the Bible really means, it is sometimes overwhelming.

17 So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy! The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun. (Nehemiah 8:17 NLT)

When we align our lives to God’s plan, it brings joy like nothing else. 

“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 3:1 NLT)

We need to prepare people for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

How Can You Obey?

Be able to say Amen, “so be it” to God’s plan.

Question 1 of 5

Why is it so important that we do more than just know the content of the Bible, but actually obey what the Bible teaches?

Question 2 of 5

God worked through King Artaxerxes to send the exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and reestablish worship. How have you seen God use surprising people and circumstances to accomplish His will in this world?

Question 3 of 5

Nehemiah not only prayed hard but he worked hard. What is the danger of praying hard but not working hard? What are some possible consequences of working hard but forgetting to pray?

Question 4 of 5

As the people were seeking to rebuild their relationship with God they got very serious about reading the Bible. In what ways can we help the next generation learn to know, love, and follow the teaching of the Bible in our homes and our hotspots?

Question 5 of 5 

Malachi was the last prophet of the Old Testament. He challenged the people to give God the first and best, not their last and leftovers (see Malachi 1:6-10; 3:6-12). What are some ways we give God our leftovers rather than our first and best?