THE BOOK, THE WORD OF GOD
NEHEMIAH 8:1-8
Introduction:
Nehemiah wrote of their worship service, “And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.” (Nehemiah 9:3).
Without the Word of God there is no knowledge of God among the people of this world. The importance of the Bible continues to be paramount in society. Unfortunately many no longer consider it relevant to their lives and have little or no knowledge of it. However, that does not relieve man of his responsibility to “seek the Lord.” Consider the following thoughts.
I. THE BIBLE IS AN INFALLIBLE BOOK
A. God’s Word is Pure, Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
1. God’s Word is Right Rejoicing the Heart, Psalm 19:8, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
2. The Word of God is holy, just and good, Romans 7:12, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
3. The wisdom of God’s Word is full of mercy and good fruits, James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
B. The Word of God is Perfect, Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
1. It is a tried stone and a sure foundation, Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
2. It is the foundation that the Apostle Paul laid, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
II. THE BOOK OF GOD NEEDS TO BE EATEN
A. Jeremiah found and ate the Word of God, Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
1. The Word of God is sweet, Ezekiel 3:1-3, “Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it ; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.”
2. For those called by His name it is the joy and rejoicing of the heart, Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
3. Sometimes, however, the Word of God is a bitter dose of medicine, Revelation 10:9, “And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it , and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.”
B. It is rebellion not to partake of the Word of God, Ezekiel 2:8-10, “But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.”
III. THE WORD OF GOD IS THE BASIS OF JUDGMENT
A. The books of judgment, Daniel 7:10, “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
1. The book of the covenant, Exodus 24:7, “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.”
2. The Book of the Upright, Joshua 10:13-14, “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.”
3. The book of life, Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
a. The Book of rejoicing, Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
b. The Book of Citizenship, Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” [we live or conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven].
c. The Book of Terror for those whose names are NOT written there, Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
CONCLUSION
The Book of God, the Word of God, the Bible is still the most important book in this world. It is still the basis on which man will be judged and the only guide to reach heaven. The old Negro spiritual says, “Ev’rybody talkin’ ‘bout Heav’n ain’t goin’ there.”