The First Watergate

TEXT: Neh. 8 - 9:4

INTRODUCTION:

A. DO WE HAVE THE WRONG ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD AND HIS WILL?

1. General lack of interest. Little study and discussion.

2. Sometimes we take the Bible too lightly. Are not impressed as we should be.

3. Hesitation to obey.

4. Behavior in services manifests the wrong attitude sometimes.

B. LOOK AT TEXT FOR GOOD ATTITUDE.

C. BACKGROUND, RETURN FROM BABYLON, LAW NEW TO THEM.

I. THE PEOPLE TOOK THE INITIATIVE( vs. 1 ).

A. THE VALUE OF THE WORD( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).

B. A REVELATION OF GOD'S MIND & PLAN( 1 Cor. 1:10-13, 16 ).

C. PARABLES SET FORTH VALUE( Matt. 13:44; 45 ).

II. DIDN'T MIND THE LENGTH - SPENT TIME WITH IT( vs. 3 ).

A. DAVID'S ATTITUDE( Psa. 119:97; 1:1-3 ).

B. TOLD TO GROW( 2 Pet. 3:18 ). HOW?( 1 Pet. 2:1-2 ).

C. NOT CURSORY READING - INTERESTED IN THE MESSAGE( vs. 3 ).

1. Involves searching( John 5:39; Acts 17:11 ).

2. Long hours( 2 Tim. 2:15 ).

III. REVERENCE - THIS IS GOD'S LAW( vs. 5-6 ).

A. THE PEOPLE STOOD...

1. They understood the nature of God( Heb. 12:28 ).

2. They understood the source of the Law( 1 Thess. 2:13 ).

B. WHAT DO WE DO SOMETIMES?

1. Take a nap. 2. Fidget. 3. Fool with kids. 4. Cut up and distract.

5. Kibitz 6. Talk with a neighbor. 7. Bear it.

C. ENCOURAGING REACTION( vs. 6 ).

D. THEY STOOD THE WHOLE TIME, LISTENING BEFORE COMFORT( vs. 7 ).

IV. EXPRESSED SORROW AT THEIR FAILURES( vs. 9 ).

A. THEY KNEW THE TRAGEDY OF SIN.

B. SO DID DAVID( Psa. 51:1-4; 8 ).

C. SO SHOULD WE( 2 Cor. 7:10 ).

V. FRUIT OF HEARING - JOY( vs. 12 ).

A. BACK WITH GOD.

B. GOSPEL RECONCILES US( 2 Cor. 5:18-21 ).

C. FUNDAMENTAL ATTITUDE( Phil. 4:4 ).

VI. CONTINUED INTEREST - STEDFAST( vs. 13 ).

A. ADMONITIONS OF PAUL( 2 Tim. 1:13-14 ).

B. NECESSARY TO KEEP LIFE PURE & BEAR FRUIT( Phil. 1:9-11 )..

C. WE MUST ABIDE IN IT( 1 John 2:24 ).

VII. THEY RESPONDED BY OBEYING( vs. 16-17 ).

A. WE MUST OBEY( Matt. 7:21; James 1:22 ).

B. NOT TO OBEY BRINGS WRATH( 2 Thess. 1:7-9 ).

C. OBEDIENCE INVOLVES REPENTANCE( vs. 17; Col. 3:9-10 ).

VIII. THEY WERE DEDICATED - HALF OF THE DAY( 9:3 ).

A. WE MUST GIVE OURSELVES( Gal. 2:20; Rom. 12:1 ).

B. TAKES TRUST AND COMMITMENT( 2 Tim. 1:12 ).

CONCLUSION:

A. WE NEED THE SAME ATTITUDE.

B. THE SAME RESPONSE.

C. THE SAME COMMITMENT.
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