From the worship service in Nehemiah 8, we learn five responses we must have to the Word of God in worship.
1. We must give ATTENTION to the Word of God (v. 1-3)
A. Do we, like the people, come together to receive the Word of God? (v. 1a)
B. Are we, like the people, hungry for the Word of God? (v. 1b-3a; cf. Matt. 4:4; Job 23:12)
C. Do we, like the people, desire to soak in the Word of God? (v. 3b; cf. Ps. 46:10)
2. We must APPRECIATE the Word of God (v. 4-6)
A. They respected it enough to prepare for everyone to hear it (v. 4-5a).
B. They stood up out of respect for the Word of God when it was read (v. 5b).
C. Appreciation leads to application (Ps. 119:11, 34, 43b, 54, 72).
3. We must APPREHEND the Word of God (v. 7-8)
A. They understood it because it was taught (v. 7).
B. They understood it because it was made clear (v. 8a).
C. They understood it because it had meaning (v. 8b).
John 14:26
John 16:13
4. We must be ARRESTED by the Word of God (v. 9-12)
2 Timothy 3:16
When the Word arrests us it brings conviction and joy.
A. We will have joy because conviction leads to confession (cf. Acts 2:37).
B. We will have joy because confession leads to cleansing (cf. 1 John 1:9).
C. We will have joy because cleansing leads to celebrating (cf. Ps. 32:1).
5. We must pledge ALLEGIANCE to the Word of God (v. 13-18)
A. They were obedient to the Word of God (v. 13-17).
B. They were faithful to the Word of God (v. 18).
