The Forgotten Word
Introduction
We have been talking about- Kingdom of God- Pt 5.
Today- an essential discipline for Kingdom people.
Neh 8:1
God’s people requested- Word of God be read to them
There were times Israel- ignored God’s Word.
2Chr 34:14, 18-21
King became distraught when he heard God’s Word.
He realized- living in contradiction to God’s Word.
He also realized- there would be consequences … there are consequences in our lives as well.
Word- physically lost- lost first from people’s hearts.
For many Christians- Word of God is a missing book.
It may be on their coffee table, front seat of their car-
… but- largely unread- therefore missing.
I recently set daily goals for reading the Bible.
If you leave it up to happen-chance, chances are it will not happen.
Neh 8:2-3
People hungered for the Word- wanted to understand.
Neh 8:5
What does it mean when we stand for someone?
Showing them honor, they are important to us.
Neh 8:6
As they worshiped they were saying- here I am God.
They were declaring- willingness to hear and obey.
Neh 8:7-8
God gives teachers to help understand- God’s Word.
Eph 4:11-13
We live in a time when- knowledge increasing rapidly
Da 12:4 … seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase." NLT
Knowledge is doubling every so many months.
Animal channel lovers- tell you all types of trivia …
group of fish- school, group of birds- flock,
group of leopards- a leap,
group of toads- a knot.
Others- Mickey Mantle’s career batting average: .298
History channel lovers can tell what happened today in history- Marilyn Monroe found dead on in 1962.
How much knowledge do we have of God’s Word?
Have we neglected- important source of information?
Bible- not just information, but the door into revelation concerning the eternal truths of God.
1Jn 2:27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie … NLT
It is not that we do not learn from others, but we have this wonderful gift within us that will teach us.
Jn 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. NASU
HS will teach us all things- but He built on the Word they had already heard from Jesus.
We also need to give Him so raw material to build on.
Neh 8:9-10
The Word of God brings conviction to our hearts.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
This at first will produce a mourning, but after …
Heb 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. NASU
Neh 9:1-2
Without the Word of God the people-
would never have understood their sin-
they had learned to call evil good/good evil.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! NASU
W/O Bible- no choice but to be wise in our own eyes.
Neh 9:5
After dealing with repentance, the Word reminded them of all God had done for them.
They gained a different perspective on life.
Where there was grumbling- now thanksgiving.
Neh 9:6-38
Now they were able to acknowledge that …
God answers prayer (Neh 9:9)
God as a God of deliverances (Neh 9:11)
God as a God of revelation (Neh 9:13)
God as a God of provision (Neh 9:15)
God as a God of mercy (Neh 9:17)
The Word of God changed how they interpreted life.
W/O- Word we see ourselves as victims/pawns, w/Word we see ourselves as servants of God.
In Conclusion
To become Kingdom Minded men/women, Kingdom Builders, we must search out truth in God’s Word.
When you hear or read God’s Word, you must constantly be saying to yourself, "It is talking to me, and about me." (Soeren Kierkegaard)
Pastor Clyde Oliver …
I am what the Bible says I am.
I have what the Bible says I have.
I can do what the Bible says I can do.
Francis Frangipane …
Christ not only came to set captives free, He came to train and empower the recently freed to be warriors. Francis Frangipane
We are not perfect people, but we can walk in victory.
To be victorious- need- living knowledge- Gods Word
We must learn to believe it and speak it.
Isa 55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. NASU
Pastor Clyde Oliver …
God’s Word in my mouth is as powerful as God’s Word in His mouth.
Instead of murmuring- proclaim the word of God.
Heb 10:23 Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. MSG
The Bible will equip and train us for life …
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NASU
