Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Jan. 7, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE PREACHER AND HIS PEOPLE

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Text: Nehemiah 8:5

Nehemiah 8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

Introduction: I realize the scripture in our reading tonight is not DIRECTLY related to a local New Testament church. It is about an Old Testament event. It is about a governor of a people who are a nation. However, we DO need to recognize some things from this passage which are profitable for us to learn as New Testament Christians, realizing that

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

We are supposed to learn the Old Testament, so we can benefit from it.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Our passage before us does not mention a New Testament church, but there are enough similarities, based upon what the New Testament SAYS about a New Testament church, that we will miss a blessing if we don’t pay attention to those things.

I have a very simple message tonight of just two points. First, I want you to notice

I. THE PREACHER

Nehemiah 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

Ezra was called a “scribe” in verse 1 and a priest in verse 2.

In Ezra 7:6 he was called “a ready scribe in the law of Moses.”

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Later, he was called

Ezra 7:11 … Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.

A. Notice his preparation

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Ezra 10:1 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

He prepared in secret
He prepared in supplication and prayer
He prepared in study

B. Notice his pulpit

Nehemiah 8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

It was a place of attention — V. 5 – He was elevated. What we call the pulpit is actually the lectern. The pulpit is the platform.
It was a place of assistants — Men stood by his side
It was a place of activity — PREACHING!

C. Notice his preaching

Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

He preached the scriptures
He preached the SENSE of the scriptures. In other words, he told what the verses meant.
He preached against sin

Ezra 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

II. THE PEOPLE

A. Notice their request

B. Notice their reception

Nehemiah 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

C. Notice their respect

Nehemiah 8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

D. Notice their response

Nehemiah 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their
heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

They participated – “ALL the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen'”!!!
They praised and prayed – “with lifting up their hands”
They prostrated themselves – “bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”

E. Notice their rejoicing

Nehemiah 8:12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

They were glad to comprehend the word of God
They were glad to conform to the word of God