Nehemiah 8:1-6 (NIV)

1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the

Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

8 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

I.        Introduction:

And now an important Word from our sponsor. Commercials are considered an interruption of regular programming. For the Christian, a Word from our sponsor is regular programming. It is the basis of our existence as a people.

II.      The Word Requested

A.      A Request by the People

B.      A Request of the Minister

1.        To Bring Out The Word of God

2.        To Deliver the Commands of God

III.   The Word Read

A.      Required For Understanding

B.      Read For Duration

C.      Received with Attention

IV.    The Word Reverenced

A.      The Word Recognized with Dignity

1.        In the Ministry

2.        In the Assembly

B.      The Word Received with Praise

C.      The Word Resulting in Worship

V.      Conclusion: 

Is the Word of God important or an inconvenience? Unless God’s Word is given the place of utmost importance we will remain people in need of renewal. When God’s Word is considered an inconvenience and an interruption to regular life, we have the classic symptoms of decline, and the need for renewal is great. What place does God’s Word hold in your life?