Sermon: Change Begins Today
Nehemiah 8:13–18 NLT
On October 9 the family leaders of all the people, together with the priests and Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater detail. As they studied the Law, they discovered that the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month. He had said that a proclamation should be made throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, telling the people to go to the hills to get branches from olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees. They were to use these branches to make shelters in which they would live during the festival, as prescribed in the Law. So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate. So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy! The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun. Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God on each of the seven days of the festival. Then on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, as was required by law.
Nehemiah 8:13–14 NLT
On October 9 the family leaders of all the people, together with the priests and Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to go over the Law in greater detail. As they studied the Law, they discovered that the Lord had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in shelters during the festival to be held that month.
1. Learning a New Way to
Nehemiah 8:16 NLT
So the people went out and cut branches and used them to build shelters on the roofs of their houses, in their courtyards, in the courtyards of God’s Temple, or in the squares just inside the Water Gate and the Ephraim Gate
2. Learning that Leads to
Nehemiah 8:17 NLT
So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelters during the festival, and they were all filled with great joy! The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun.
3. Living a Life That Produces
Nehemiah 8:18 NLT
Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God on each of the seven days of the festival. Then on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, as was required by law.
4. Living with Purpose and Joy Builds
Next Step:
Life Group Questions:
Get to Know You
Question: Do you like camping or have you ever liked camping?
What is the most memorable camping experience you have had? (Good or Bad) How did it shape your perspective on daily comforts or God’s creation?
Digging Deeper into the Text
Discovering God’s Commands Read Nehemiah 8:13–14.
Question: The family leaders realized they had missed God’s command to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. What do you notice about their response when they discovered they weren’t following God’s instructions?
Obedience and Joy Read Nehemiah 8:17
Question: The people experienced great joy once they acted on what they learned. What does this teach us about the link between obeying God’s Word and experiencing genuine joy?
Practical Application
Question: Is there an area in your life where you sense God calling you to make a change or obey something you’ve neglected?
What is one actionable step you can take this week to walk in obedience and discover deeper joy?
*Expanded notes are available in the foyer.