Sermon Library

Our Doctrine

Kenneth H. Good Books

July 10, 2005

Pastor George H. Heiland

Strengthened in His Joy

⁸They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.⁹Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people 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. ¹⁰Then he said to them, “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.” ¹¹So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” ¹²All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them.

A.  The Power of the Word   vs.  8-10

1. Understanding Brings Conviction

Vs.  8 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading. Vs. 9c For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. 

God’s word is powerful as it says in Hebrews 4:12,13  “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

As Ezra read God’s Word and exponded its meaning, the people were dismayed by their ignorance of it and disobedience to it.

2. Understanding Brings Consolation

Vs.  9b “ . . . the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.”

  What a blessing to know that our sins are judged in Christ and we are forgiven!  See  1st John 1:9  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”   How great is our God!

3. Understanding Begets Caring vs.  10b

“Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; . . .”    To reinforce the lesson of God’s goodness and grace, the people were taught to share their resources with others less capable so that all may celebrate as one.

B.  The Pleasure of the Lord vs.  10c

“ . . .  Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

1. The Joy of the Lord; A POSITION

There is a difference between joy and happiness.  Happiness is conditioned upon feeling whereas joy is a deep inner satisfaction.  For the Christian, joy is rooted in our eternal connection to God as our Heavenly Father. See Psalm 71:23  “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to Thee; And my soul, which Thou hast redeemed.”

2. The Joy of the Lord; A CONDITION

There is, likewise, a sense in which we must live out the reality of our position before God in Christ Jesus. David longed for that as seen in Psalm 51:12.  “Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation,  And sustain me with a willing spirit.”

3. The Joy of the Lord; A PROVISION

This joy is to be to them מָעֹוז , — a strong citadel or refuge, because the Almighty is their God; compare Jeremiah 16:19  “O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, And my refuge in the day of distress, . . .”

C.  The Peace of the People         vs.  11,12

1. It Taught Them To Be CALM vs.  11a

So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; . .”   God’s message of hope is soothing to the soul.  Peter says “ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  KJV

2. It Taught Them To Be CONTENT   vs.  11b

 “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.”  Their sense of grief and guilt for disobedience was to be put behind them and they were to rejoice in the Lord their God.  The Word that brings conviction of sin also brings consolation in the forgiveness of sin!  “ . . . in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;”  Rom 3:25b

3. It Taught Them To CELEBRATE vs.  12

¹²All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them.          Praise God!   There is a time and a place to celebrate the goodness and the greatness of God.  In the context of the era of the church, we gather around the communion table and contemplate His death for our sins.  It is a solemn time filled with a deep sense of joy in our God.

If you have never received Christ as you Savior,  you have no assurance of heaven.  Why not trust Him today?  If you know Him, take heart. He loves you!

⁹Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. ¹⁰So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

     Thanks for reading this message.  DO YOU have need of salvation? God's Word tells us to repent of our sins and come to God accepting the fact that Christ died on the cross, rose from the dead and paid the full penalty for all that come to Him in faith.   

See John 6:35-40

³⁵Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. ³⁶“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. ³⁷“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. ³⁸“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ³⁹“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. ⁴⁰“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

Here are some points to consider:

Have you found a church home?  If you are in the area of Port St Lucie, why not visit us?

Have you found new life in Christ? Why not come to Him today? God will receive those who will come to Him.  He has provided the means for you to be saved, baptized and be a part of His New Testament Local Church ministry -- He gave His Son to intercede; all you need to do is cast yourself upon His mercy and grace.  

Jesus said in John 6:37-40

38 “For  I have come down from heaven,  not to do My own will, but  the will of Him who  sent Me. 39 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of  all that He has given Me I  lose nothing, but  raise it up on the last day. 40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who  beholds the Son and  believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will  raise him up on the last day.”

 It is important to note Luke's comment in Acts 4:12 

 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”

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