An Explosion of Joy
Text: Nehemiah 8:1-12
When you meet with God there can be an explosion of joy!
Q: How do you meet with God?
1) Get in the word of God:
V1-3: The people had a common desire! To hear the word of God!
A) “As one man” - Unity in the assembly - To hear from God! God’s people desire and hunger for the word! “They told...” There is a demand for the word!
B) The people have an ability - “able to understand.” You are able to gain from the word!! Direction and guidance, and hope!
C) “Listened attentively” A real focus and desire and durability! From daybreak until noon!
D) V7-8 - “instructed. Making clear. Giving meaning.” Discovery! You will meet with God!!
Cause for celebration? God’s word! We meet with Him there! Get in the word! But there’s more!
2) Join in the worship of God:
V4 - A) “built for the occasion.” This was a planned event! There was preparation for worship! Preparing for worship - pray for God to be present! Pray for inspiration! Prepare! Tithe, etc. Join in prepared to meet God. Have expectations!
B) V5 “people stood up.” Honor the word. Have a reverent attitude!
C) “Praised the Lord the great God” There is an exalting of God, and a submission of spirit! they bowed down…” Worship God - heads bowed, eyes closed!
James 4:7 “submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
You will meet with God!
Ever noticed how pride can influence relationships? We won’t really open up and reveal ourselves? To meet God means there will be a revealing!
3) Reveal the wounding of God:
V9, 10, 11 - Notice the commands to not grieve or weep. The people had been broken. They had been cut to the heart! In their listening there had been a revealing!
A) We have a wounded God! Jesus Christ died for me and you!
1 Peter 2:24 “ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
You come to brokenness! Don’t hold it or hide it let it go!!
B) Brokenness is blessedness! Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted!
God has revealed his great love and this is the weeping of great joy! Forgiven!! Preach it!!
The leaders tell the people to cheer up!! This is a great day! This is a holy day! A time to celebrate!
4) Consider the wonder of God!:
V10-12 - The Lord gives me a Joy that will see me through! A joy that will revive and renew and empower me forever! A joy that is unspeakable and full of glory! A joy the world can’t take away!
A) I’m forgiven! I have received grace! I have life eternal in Jesus! I have God living in me! I have God watching over me! Consider the wonder of God!
You are an amazing wonder! Redeemed! Forgiven! You have a purpose!
1) Send portions - share and give- this is not a character trait of the flesh
2) Celebrate with great joy - declare the joy of meeting with God!!
You will meet with God when you consider His wonder! His love! His passion for you! You will be revived! You will be renewed! You will be encouraged! You will be strengthened! Is: 40:28-31
Conclusion:
Do you have a most memorable 4th of July? What about your most memorable meeting with God? Friends we can meet with him! We can have a cause for celebration! Each day we can celebrate with great joy! Our very lives can explode the duds! Celebrate the love of God. The life eternal and more abundant! Our life of purpose and hope and joy! A life with the strength of the Lord! Will you meet with God? Get in the word! Join in the worship! Reveal the wounding! Consider the wonder! You can be an explosion of Joy!