A sermon idea, based on Nehemiah 8 about worship and acknowledging the goodness of God in our lives, in our churches, and in our world.
It’s ALWAYS time to acknowledge the goodness of God. This is worship.
- When you have experienced breakthrough…
- When you are waiting on your breakthrough…
- When you wonder why it didn’t happen…
Worship doesn’t happen by accident. Worship is something we have to be intentional about. And worship is both our reaction to and our preparation for spiritual breakthrough.
Nehemiah 8:1-8 NLT
In October, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, 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. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion… 5 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. 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.
first…
Worship involves actively hearing from God.
God is always willing to speak truth into our lives, but we are responsible to create the capacity for hearing it.
When we open our Bibles.
When we show up at church.
When we gather with our small group.
When we talk about spiritual things at home.
and then…
Worship involves responding to what we learn about God.
Nehemiah 8:9-12
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”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.
Worship invokes both humility and excitement.
Genuine worship both highlights and heals our brokenness.
Worship honors God.
Worship changes me.
Worship is a witness to a watching world.
What brokenness do you need to acknowledge before God?
What is God saying to you that deserves a response of your heart?