1. Nehemiah Part 7: The Joy Of The Lord

2. Something’s Missing Here “Four walls and no roof do not make a house.” Strong walls and strong gates but no knowledge of God does not make a strong city.

3. The Word Of God Forgotten 70 years since the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon. No public worship in all that time. No reading of the word of God. Largely forgotten.

4. A Famine For Hearing The Word Amos 8:11 -- “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the Lord.

5. Fighting The Mundane Have you ever… Found the Bible to be boring? Wished the preacher would sit down so you could go home? Realized your Bible is covered in a heavy layer of dust? Felt like worship is a waste of time?

6. Does Familiarity Breed Contempt? Can there be too much of a good thing? Think about how many different Bibles you have. Does that make you appreciate the word of God more?

7. Nehemiah 8:1-6 People ask Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses. Ezra read from it from “early morning until midday” – about 6 hours The people “lifted up their hands” “bowed low” and “worshiped…with their faces to the ground.”

8. Discovering The Joy Of The Lord Grief and shame when they first heard the word. Realized how far they’d fallen. Illustration: asthma and breathing. Illustration: the frog in the hot water

9. A Day Of Rejoicing Nehemiah 8:9 -- “Then Nehemiah…said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.”

10. Feasting On The Riches Nehemiah 8:10 – “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

11. We Are Commanded To Rejoice Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Revelation 19:7 – “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”

12. 1 Peter 1:6-8 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith…may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory….”

13. Celebrating The Feast Restored the Feast of Booths. Nehemiah 8:13-18 Celebrating the goodness and provision of God. Count your blessings.

14. And There Was Great Rejoicing! Rejoice because we have been freed from sin. Rejoice because we have been freed from death. Rejoice because God is good. Rejoice just because!