Leadership and Labor

Let’s Work God’s Plan! Honoring His Word Ezra & Nehemiah -- Working Together to Instill Respect for God’s Word Ezra was one of the great spiritual leaders of Nehemiah’s day. Ezra was a priest and a skilled scribe (Ezra 7:1-7) He was dedicated to the work of teaching others God’s will (Ezra 7:10).

Let’s Work God’s Plan! Honoring His Word Workers Listen Respectfully to God’s Word They Show Respect by… Being united (8:1; Eph. 4:1-6; Romans 15:5-6) Having a desire to hear (8:1) Being diligent hearers (8:3; Luke 8:18) Outward displays of respect (8:5) Having a desire to understand (8:8) Nehemiah 8:1-12

Let’s Work God’s Plan! Honoring His Word Hearing & Understanding God’s Word is a Glad Occasion (Nehemiah 8:9-10) God’s commands are not grievous (1 John 5:3)

Let’s Work God’s Plan! Honoring His Word Leaders & Laborers do as God Directs (Nehemiah 8:13-18) The leaders learned that Israel was to keep the Feast of Tabernacles during this month This was to be proclaimed throughout Israel. “The whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths” “They kept the feast seven days…according to the prescribed manner”

The Feast of Tabernacles is ordained in Leviticus 23:29-43 The Feast of Tabernacles is ordained in Leviticus 23:29-43. It was a feast of harvest. Dwelling in tabernacles for the duration of the feast was a reminder to the Jews that the Lord had made them dwell in booths or tents when He brought them out of the Land of Egypt.

Let’s Work God’s Plan! Honoring His Word Leaders & Laborers do as God Directs (Nehemiah 8:13-18) They are doers of the word, and not hearers only (James 1:22). Jesus told His disciples “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17) Jesus indicated that "those who hear the word of God and keep it" are more blessed than His own mother! (Luke 11:28)

Let’s Work God’s Plan! Honoring His Word Workers Commit to Keeping Themselves Separate from the World A Prayer of Penitence (Nehemiah 9) They praise God for His goodness to them. (9:6-15) They confess their sins and thank God for His patience (9:16-31) They acknowledge that God has been just in punishing them; they accept His correction (9:32-38; Proverbs 3:11-12).

Let’s Work God’s Plan! Honoring His Word Workers Commit to Keeping Themselves Separate from the World A Renewal of the Covenant (Nehemiah 10) The people make a covenant to keep the Law of Moses and separate themselves from those who do not know God. (10:29-31; 2 Cor. 6:17; Romans 12:1-2) Leaders take the Lead! (10:1; Matthew 23:4; 1 Peter 5:3; Proverbs 20:7)

Let us Honor God’s Word “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” – Psalm 138:2 If God has so magnified His word, so should we.