Didaskalos Ministries Studying Through Nehemiah

These Sermon outlines were written and submitted by: Joseph M. Willmouth, Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Biloxi, Mississippi 39532. This contributed article is copyright protected, and the sole property of the contributing author. It may be freely copied and used provided the above credits are included. Document expiration: indefinite.

Teaching Through Nehemiah

Twelve Sermon/Teaching Outlines
by Pastor Joseph M. Willmouth
Trinity Bible Church, Biloxi Mississippi, in the Book of Nehemiah

"The Family of God"
Nehemiah 7:1-73

Introduction: Now Nehemiah had to practice the truth Paul emphasized in Ephesians 6:13, "And having done all to stand." Nehemiah had been steadfast in building the walls and in resisting the enemy, and now he had to be steadfast in consolidating and conserving the gains. A city is much more than walls, gates, and houses; a city is people. In the first half of this book, the people existed for the walls; but now the walls must exist for the people. It was time to organize the community so that the citizens could enjoy the quality of life God wanted them to have. This chapter records three important steps that must be taken by any leader in order to protect the people and the work that has been done.

I. LEADERSHIP (vv.1-3).

1. Choosing Assistants
A. Not everybody is called to be a Nehemiah, but all of us can work with God-given leaders to help get the job done right.
B. Nehemiah picked leaders who had two wonderful qualities (v.2);
1) They were FAITHFUL to God.
2) They FEARED God.

Application: Dr. Bob Jones Sr., often said, "The greatest ability is dependability." If we truly fear the Lord, we will be faithful to do the work He has called us to do. Its when leaders fear people instead of fearing God, they end up getting trapped. Proverbs 29:25, "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." And this is what leads to failure. God is still looking for faithful, God-fearing men and women who will have the courage and conviction to serve Him, come what may.

2. Picking your Gatekeepers and Guards
A. Gates and walls are only as good as the people who guard them.
B. They needed to be warned if the enemy approached.
C. The Jews needed faithful gatekeeper and guards to watch so as not to allow the enemy to gain access to their city and overtake it.

Application: We need guards at the gates, faithful men and women who will not allow false Christians to get in and take over the ministry. We need watchers on the walls to warn us when the enemy is approaching so that we can guard our church so that the enemy can't get in to capture our children. It's while God's servants are asleep and overconfident that the enemy comes in and plants his counterfeits, so we must be awake and alert! It has been said that "Every Christian ministry is one short generation away from destruction, and God's people must be on guard."

II. CITIZENSHIP (vv.4-69).

1. Reading this long list of difficult names might be boring to the modern student, but these people were God's "bridge" from the defeats of the past to the hopes of the future.
A. These Jews were the living link that connected the historic past with the prophetic future and made it possible for Jesus Christ to come into the world.
1) Ezra 2 and this chapter in Nehemiah are to the Old Testament what Hebrews 11 is to the New Testament:
2) A listing of the people whose faith and courage made things happen.

2. There are ten different groups listed here, starting with the leaders who returned with Zerubbabel (v.7).
A. These 12 men may have represented the twelve tribes of Israel, even though 10 of the tribes had been assimilated by the Assyrians when the Northern Kingdom was captured in 722 B.C.
B. Verses 8-25, lists the various families or clans, and the number of people in each family who returned to the land.
C. Verses 27-38, lists the people according to their villages.
1) It is worth noting that these returned exiles had maintained their identification with their native towns and villages.
2) They knew where they came from and were not ashamed of it!
D. The Temple personnel are listed next: Priests (vv.39-42), Levites (v.43), Temple Singers (v.44), Gatekeepers (v.45), and various temple servants (vv.46-60).
1) The Singers will play an important role in the life of the city.
A) There are at least 18 references to giving thanks to the Lord.
B) There was not much singing during the exile, when the nation was out of fellowship with God (Psa. 137:1-9).
2) They needed the musicians to maintain worship at the temple.
E. Verses 61-65 brings up another group of people.
1) These people, which included some priest, could not prove their genealogies.
2) These people could not serve in God's house

Application: The important thing to remember as we look at these verses is not to count the people but to realize that these people counted. In leaving Babylon, they did much more than put their names on a list. They laid their lives on the altar and risked everything to obey the Lord and restore the Jewish nation. They were "Pioneers of Faith" who trusted God to enable them to do the impossible. Also ASK YOURSELF: "If I had to prove my genealogy in order to get into God's city, could I do it?" You are heading for one of two destinies - Heaven or Hell - and only those who belong to God's family can enter heaven.

III. WORSHIP (vv.70-73).

1. Citizenship and Leadership together can make a state, but it takes worship to make that state into a godly nation.
- Here we have the leadership setting the example by their giving.
2. The 7th month.
- This is when Israel was expected to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev.23:23-44).

Application: There could be no better time for Nehemiah to call the people together to honor the Word of God, confess their sins, and dedicate themselves and their work to the Lord. Nehemiah knew that there was a desperate need for the people to come back to the Lord and turn away from their secret sins that were grieving Him. As we serve the Lord, we must always do our best; but without His help and blessing, even our best work will never last.

On Your Own: Review this chapter at a later time and ask yourself the following questions to see if there are other applications for us to apply in our walk with the Lord. Is there an example for me to follow? Is there a sin for me to avoid? Is there a command for me to obey? Is there a promise for me to claim? Is there a difficulty here for me to explore (more research needed)? Is there something in this passage that I should pray about today? What does this passage teach me about God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit? ("How To Give Away Your Faith" by Paul E. Little, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL., pp.126-27, 1980)

"Learning To Worship God"
Nehemiah 8:1-18

Introduction: Ted Malone, whose radio show came on early in the morning, told of the Idaho shepherd who wrote: "Will you, on your broadcast, strike the note 'A'? I'm a shepherd way out here on a ranch, far away from a piano. The only comfort I have is my old violin. It's all out of tune. Would you strike 'A' so that I might get in tune?" Malone honored the request. Later he received a "thank you" note from the distant shepherd saying, "Now I'm in tune." One of the purposes and responsibilities of personal and public worship is to enable the aspirant to keep tuned to the Great Shepherd. One of the joys of the Christian life is to help others recapture the missing note!

I. Worship Begins With A Hunger For God's Word (v.1)

1. "And ALL THE PEOPLE...Spake unto Ezra...TO BRING the BOOK of the Law."
A. It is important to note the Ezra and Nehemiah put the Word of God first in the life of the city.
B. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to cleanse and revive the hearts of the people of God

Application: We will defend the Bible as the Word of God, but we don't always treat it like the Word of God. It took 70 years of captivity to make these Jewish believers hunger for God's Word and worship. Are you hungry for God's Word? If we truly want to experience worship, then we need to come with the right attitude, and a desire to learn what God's will is for us.

II. Worship Involves Gathering Together As One Body (vv.2-3)

1. All the people who could understand God's Word gathered (v.2)
2. Ezra started his reading and teaching early in the morning and continued through midday (v.3).
- 5 to 6 hours
3. The people were attentive to God's Word.

Application: Nobody in this group of believers had the attitude that "I don't have to go to church!" Nobody in this group went to "church" hoping that the preacher wouldn't preach to long so they could get to the restaurant before the other "churches" got there. Worship begins in the heart, it's a "Heart Thing." To "gather together" is more than just showing up, it's coming together in fellowship and a desire to feast upon God's Word (Heb.10:24-25).

III. Worship Involves A Response Of The Whole Person (vv.4-12)

1. This describes a perfect worship service.
A. The people all assembled to listen (vv.1, 5)
- The people all stood when the Word was read
B. The Word was exalted
- The People responded with AMEN, So Be it (v.6).
C. The preacher read and explained the Word so that the people could understand it (vv.7-8).
D. The people wept at hearing the Word, with grief of their sins (v.9).
1) The clear reading and teaching of the law caused them to be convicted of sin.
2) It caused a great emotional outburst, and the tears of repentance flowed.
E. The Word brought joy to the people (vv.10-12)

Application: The Word of God brings conviction and leads to repentance, but it also brings us joy. The Word of God is supposed to bring you joy, and if it doesn't, something is radically wrong with you. You ought to go to God in prayer and say, " Lord, I want your Word to bring joy into my life. Whatever cloud there is, I want it removed that I may experience the joy of the Lord when I study the Word."

IV. Worship Calls For Obedience To God's Word (vv.13-18)

1. There was a desire to learn God's Word so they could obey it (vv.13-15).
A. They discovered God's command to observe the feast of booths (v.14)
B. They discovered that they were to proclaim God's Word (v.15)
2. There is joy in hearing the Word, but greater joy at obeying it (vv.16-18).
A. The people went forth and obeyed (v.16)
B. All the congregation took part (v.17a).
C. Their obedience brought great joy (v.17b).
D. They continued to obey God's Word (v.18)

Application: It's one thing to read and study the Bible and have it bring joy to you, but that joy will end unless you obey what you have read and let it have its way with you.