1. The Proper Response to God’s Word
Nehemiah 8:1-3

2. Give Attention To God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:3)
They came to listen & understand
Priests & Levites helped Nehemiah 8:7b-8
They did understand Nehemiah 8:12
Bereans Acts 17:11
Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 2:13
We must give more earnest heed Hebrews 2:1-4
Too important to be ignored
Worthy of our attention

3. Reverence God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:5-6)
About perception, not posture
Words are God-breathed 2 Timothy 3:16
Word is living & powerful Hebrews 4:12
God’s word is to be glorified 2 Thess. 3:1
No ordinary book. No ordinary message.

4. Rejoice in God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:9-12)
The people told not to mourn, but to rejoice
They learned that they were not living right
Now they could repent
Bible is not designed to condemn, but to save
Story of Jesus is the story of hope
Jesus came to save John 3:16-18
To set man free from sin & death Romans 6:16-18, 23
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Philippians 4:4

5. Obey God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:13-18)
They learned what to do and they did it
Is this really our attitude?
Would we give up “sacred” tradition?
Would we sacrifice self?
If you love Me, keep My commandments John 14:15
Let love be without hypocrisy Romans 12:9
God will punish disobedience Jer. 11:3-8, 11, 14
Children of Israel rejoiced for a week!

6. The Proper Response To God’s Word
Give Attention Give Reverence Rejoice Obey

7. What Must I Do To Be Saved?
You believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1
Unless you repent, you likewise will perish. Luke 13:3
Confess Me before men, and I’ll confess you before My Father. Matthew 10:32
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16:16
Be faithful unto death... Rev. 2:10