The Necessity of God’s Word
Neh. 8:1-12
Intro:
Christian preachers, more than all others, should know that people are starving for God. If anyone in all the world should be able to say, "I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary, beholding thy power and glory," it is the herald of God. Who but preachers will look out over the wasteland of secular culture and say, "Behold your God!"? Who will tell the people that God is great and greatly to be praised? Who will paint for them the landscape of God’s grandeur? Who will remind them with tales of wonder that God has triumphed over every foe? Who will cry out above every crisis, "Your God reigns!"? Who will labor to find words that can carry the "gospel of the glory of the blessed God"?
If God is not supreme in our preaching, where in this world will the people hear about the supremacy of God? If we do not spread a banquet of God’s beauty on Sunday morning, will not our people seek in vain to satisfy their inconsolable longing with the cotton candy pleasures of pastimes and religious hype? If the fountain of living water does not flow from the mountain of God’s sovereign grace on Sunday morning, will not the people hew for themselves cisterns on Monday, broken cisterns that can hold no water . . .?
We are called to be "stewards of the mysteries of God." . . . And the great mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." . . . And that glory is the glory of God. And "it is required of stewards that they be found faithful" - faithful in magnifying the supreme glory of the one eternal God, not magnifying as a microscope that makes small things look bigger; but as a telescope that makes unimaginably great galaxies of glory visible to the human eye.
John Piper, The Supremacy of God in Preaching (Baker, 1990), p. 108-109.
Preaching verse by verse through books of the Bible is the most reasonable way to teach the whole counsel of God. If I am obligated to teach the whole new covenant message and all of the mystery unfolded, the only systematic way that I know to teach it all is to take it the way it comes, one book at a time from beginning to end. If I were to approach the goal of teaching the whole New testament in random fashion, it would be a hopeless maze to lead people through. On the other hand, if I am committed to teaching the Word of God systematically so that all of the revelation of God is brought before His people, the only way of doing that is to go through it one book at a time.
John MacArthur
Body:
1A. The Word of God is necessary because God’s people desire God’s Word.
1B. God’s people want to hear from God. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; (4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
2B. God’s man willingly brings God’s Word to God’s people. John 21:17 NKJV He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
3B. God’s Word is for everyone with the ability to understand.
1C. Men.
2C. Women.
3C. Teenagers.
4C. Children.
2A. The Word of God is necessary because it is the foundation of true worship.
1B. Worship is honoring God according to the Word of God.
2B. Godly leaders gave visual testimony to God’s Word along with God’s man.
NOTE: This is where I get the tradition for standing for the reading of the Word of God.
3B. God’s man led in praising God.
4B. God’s people answered with appropriate worship.
1C. Ready, teachable hearts.
2C. Uplifted hands.
3C. Bowed heads.
3A. The Word of God in necessary because it reveals God’s will.
1B. In order to know God’s will we must understand God’s Word.
2B. God’s man and godly leaders help God’s people understand God’s Word.
1C. It was read in words the people could understand.
2C. It was explained.
3C. It was applied.
NOTE: This is the model of all good Bible preaching.
4A. The Word of God is necessary because it motivates our response to God.
1B. The Word of God reveals sin and brings conviction. Romans 3:20 NKJV Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
2B. The Word of God makes our hearts rejoice!
1C. We rejoice in the truth. John 8:32 NKJV And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 3 John 1:3-4 NKJV For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. (4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
2C. We rejoice because we’ve heard from God!
3C. Joy in the Lord gives us strength in trials. 2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
NOTE: When we respond rightly to God, the natural result is joy!
3B. When God’s people understand God’s Word, they can be in right relationship with Him.
1C. Feasting.
2C. Fellowshipping.
3C. Sharing.
Concl.
