July 9th | Nehemiah 8

I heard someone ask a pastor recently, “If the sermons recorded in the book of Acts are short, why do preachers today preach so long?” The question was asked in jest, but I know I have sat through sermons wondering, “When will this end?” As a preacher myself, I recognize that we can sometimes be a bit long-winded, but the job of preaching holds great importance in the church. Some might say, “Well, I can read the Bible on my own, I can pray with other believers, I can share my faith, so what is so important about these sermons that seem to last so long?”

I want to give one reason we have preachers who give sermons and two ways we can prepare our hearts for these sermons. 

1. God Has Given Pastors to the Church for Understanding

Ezra came to the gathered exiles and preached from the book of the Law. Now, remember that the people had been in exile in Babylon for 70 years. They likely hadn’t heard this law in a long time or ever in their life! Therefore, they needed help to understand. 

Nehemiah 8:8, “They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” 

God has given the church preachers so we can have a better understanding. We know from the book of Acts that the apostles instituted deacons in the church so they could focus on the task of studying and preaching the word. We need preachers to help us understand God’s word and apply it to our lives. 

2. Listen to Sermons With A Hunger for God

Preachers preach, and the congregation listens. But I know I have been distracted by the person in front of me, or by a child fidgeting in their seat during a sermon. I don’t always get everything I think I could out of the sermon. Yet, I don’t believe it is distractions that are the problem. It is my heart that comes to worship. 

Nehemiah 8:2-3, “2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.” 

The adults AND kids who could understand listened to the Law from midday until noon? How?! It says they were attentive the entire time. They were attentive because they had gone without the Law for so long. They were hungry to hear from God. In our lives, we get so filled up on the world that Sunday mornings are more of a chore because we have no hunger for the Living God. Before you come to church this Sunday, pray and ask God to make you hungry to hear from Him. 

3. Come To Church To Worship God, Not Yourself

Too often in our culture, we can make church and the service about us. “Are they playing songs I like?” “Is the preacher keeping this sermon to 20 minutes or less?” “Are we going to get out in time for lunch?” Sadly, church can be just another meeting about us on our endless journey through life to satisfy our desires.. Yet, the church is meant to bring us to worship before our great God. 

Nehemiah 8:6, “6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

They were interactive throughout the worship service. They responded vocally with Amen. They lifted their hands and bowed their faces before God. These are all things that take focus off of self and put it onto God. As we prepare for Sunday, ask God to give you a Spirit of worship. Let Him purge your heart of any self-centeredness and come expecting to give God all your praise.