Remeber God's Charicter
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Handout
Handout
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Opening
Opening
A friend comes to you after a long period of living to please self instead of God. As in the story of the prodigal son (), he/she expresses a desire to turn from such a sinful life and “come home” to God? What is necessary for this person to get right with God?
Is forgiveness a condition, a feeling, or both?
A growing number of voices today are arguing that worship has become, in many churches, very “creature-centered.” In other words, the focus is not truly on God-—His greatness and worth—but rather on us—our needs and desires and what we can get from God. Do you agree with this critique? Why or why not? If this is an accurate portrayal, what is wrong with the status quo?
What is the most moving worship service you’ve ever experienced? What made it so powerful?
Passage Background
Passage Background
The focal point of is not walls, not the enemies of God, not a great leader, not even the people of God. The focal point is God Himself. The public reading of the Word of God () has pricked the hearts of the weary wall-builders. The result is that the listeners have been reminded of God’s greatness and of their own failure to adequately live for His glory.
The long confession of sin that follows (vv. 4–37) occurs in the context of the recitation of God’s mighty redemptive acts on Israel’s behalf. This prayer of humility brings to mind many of the psalms in their theme and purpose. This season of national humiliation centers on adoring God for His great mercy in the forgiveness of their multiplied iniquities, in delivering them from judgment, protecting them, and blessing them graciously.
Apparently, this great prayer of worship offered to God was recited by a group of Levites (vv. 4, 5) indicating it had been prepared and adopted beforehand, probably by Ezra. This prayer initiated three hours of confession and worship (v. 3), which led to a national promise of obedience to God in the future (v. 38). The prayer itself is a quick lesson in Israelite history. It recounts God’s mercy and power in the Exodus (vv. 9–12), during the months at Sinai (vv. 12–19), during the 38 years of wandering in the wilderness (vv. 19–21), during the period of possessing the Promised Land (vv. 22–25), and during the period from the judges to the Assyrian deportation (722 B.C.) and Babylonian exile (586 B.C.) (vv. 26–31).
Though well-intentioned, the people of God would ultimately fail to maintain this revival.
with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust (v. 1)—The out-ward demonstration of deep mourning and heaviness of heart for their iniquity seems to have been done in the spirit of the Day of Atonement, which was normally observed on the tenth day of the seventh month
separated themselves from all foreigners (v. 2)—This call for divorcing all lawful wives taken from among the heathen was needed, since the last time, prompted thirteen years before by Ezra, had been only partially successful. Many had escaped the required action of divorce and kept their pagan wives. Perhaps new defaulters had appeared also, and were confronted for the first time with this necessary action of divorce. Nehemiah’s efforts were successful in removing this evil mixture.
Understanding the Text
Understanding the Text
How did the people of God demonstrate their spirit of repentance in this chapter?
What role did the Levites play in this solemn assembly?
What does this prayer reveal about the character and nature of God, and why is this important in all our praying?
What does this prayer say specifically about human stubbornness and pride?
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1jn.1.5-10
What does this New Testament passage teach believers about confessing sin?
Summing Up
Summing Up
“The church today is often guilty of supplying believers with the paper armor of good advice, programs, activities, techniques, and methods—when what they need is the godly armor of holy living. No program, method, or technique can bring wholeness and happiness to the believer who is unwilling to confront and forsake his sin.”—John MacArthur
Reflecting on the Text
Reflecting on the Text
What lessons from the past do you need to remember today to keep you from making foolish choices with devastating consequences?
If you were to write your own spiritual history, how would it compare to Israel’s experience? How would it be different?
What are some specific ways God has revealed His love and mercy to you?
In what ways are your prayers man-centered? God-centered?
What is the right response when we become aware of overt sin or subtle rebelliousness in our lives?