Type Of Church

I. EXORDIUM:

GOD meant us to be His Body from the start.

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To compare Old and New Testament and see the church in both.

IV. TEXT:

Compare:

Nehemiah 8:12 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.

with

Acts 2:42-47 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

V. THESIS:

GOD meant us to be His Body from the start.

VI. TITLE:

Type of church

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: uncertain. Autobiography of Nehemiah

B. Date written: 445 B.C. to 430 B.C.

C. Purpose: To document the political restoration of Judah, under Nehemiah's leadership

D. To whom written: Restored remnant in Jerusalem and future generations

E. Main themes:

Rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem

Rehearsal of certain divine laws

Restoration of ancient ordinances

F. Keyword: wall

G. Key verses:

Nehemiah 6:3 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

Nehemiah 6:15-16 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun.

When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. The people ate and drank together

"So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal"

Nehemiah 8:10 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Isaiah 35:10 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

B. The people sent portions of food

"to share gifts of food"

C. The people celebrated with great joy

"and to celebrate with great joy"

D. The people understood GOD's Words made known to them

"because they had heard God’s words and understood them"

Reason of our joy:

1. We choose to be joyful in GOD's Presence and if not we find our pleasure, joy and delight in GOD's Presence.

Psalms 37:4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

2. We find joy in answered prayers and divine instructions

John 16:24 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

3. That is simply what GOD's Kingdom is all about:

Romans 14:17 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

4. The LORD JESUS CHRIST brought us joy by telling us many things.

John 17:13 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.

5. Hearing GOD's Words is a festival

Nehemiah 8:18 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God on each of the seven days of the festival. Then on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, as was required by law.

IX. CONCLUSION:

GOD meant us to be His Body from the start.

Colossians 1:18 (New King James Version)

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.