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Our Great God Series
Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 20, 2000 (message contributor)
Summary: Our God is truly great, as shown in the Israelites' prayer.
OUR GREAT GOD
Nehemiah 9,1-29
BACKGROUND - Vss. 1-5
Vs. 1 - There was fasting and the wearing of sackcloth and
earth on the head. These indicate mourning.
Vs. 2 - There was separation. God's people got together to
do business with God. This was not an evangelistic campaign.
This was revival. God's people were getting right with God.
Vs. 3 - This was a time of examining God's word and
confessing sin.
Vss. 4-5 - At the end of this came a season of prayer led by
the Spiritual leaders, the Levites. Notice that they began with
praise and worship. Next came a history of Israel that shows
us how great our God is.
I. GOD IS GREAT IN CREATION – (6)
II. GOD IS GREAT IN CONVENANTS – (7-8)
A. The word "covenant" has to do with an agreement.
B. God's covenants are really God's promises to do
something for us.
C. Some covenants are conditional and some are
unconditional. Here the covenant with Abraham is cited.
III. GOD IS GREAT IN CONFLICTS – (9-15)
A. Against Pharoh (9-10)
B. At the Red Sea (11)
C. In the wilderness (12-15)
1. Leadership (12)
2. Giving of the Law (13-14)
3. Provision (15a)
4. Promise (15b)
IV. GOD IS GREAT WITH COMPASSION – (16-20)
A. Israel sinned against God. (16-17a)
B. God showed compassion by not forsaking them, guiding
them, instructing them, feeding them and giving them
water. (17b-20)
V. GOD IS GREAT IN COMPLETION – (21-25)
A. God kept His promises.
B. He preserved Israel in the wilderness for forty years.
C. He gave victory over their enemies, multiplied their
children and enabled them to conquer the land. God
completed the work which He had started.
VI. GOD IS GREAT IN CORRECTION – (26-35)
A. Even though God shows compassion, He still exercises
discipline.
B. God will correct.