Sermon Tone Analysis

God’s People…Gather (1)

One of the first truths we see in verse one is that God’s people gathered together.

Take a look at what they did here:

They gathered as one.

They found a place large enough.

They had the Word.

Take a look at verse 1.

It says, “they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses.”

They asked him to bring it.

They had someone who could confidently read the Word.

God’s People…Read (2-4)

They listened to the Lord’s command

Notice that it says “the Lord’s command.”

It wasn’t a suggestion that they gather together.

Listen to these key words that miss out on in our church sometimes:

brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

God’s People…Read (2-4)

God’s People…Read (2-4)

by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

God’s People…Listen (2-4)

Ezra brought the law (2)

Why did they listen to Ezra?

Ezra 7:6

He stood where people could hear (4)

He read it in the open (3)

The people were attentive (3)

Notice that the Bible doesn’t say they were listening for advice on where to stand politically or socially.

It says they were attentive to the Word of God.

Moses called for a reading of the law at the festival of Booths.

This had been neglected from the time of Joshua. .

The reading of the law did something for the people.

Reading > Hearing > Learning > Fearing > Obeying > Living

God’s People…Worship (5-6)

When he opened it he stood.

They weren’t hearing someone’s ideas or even being polite because an elder was talking.

They were listening to the very Word of God.

Standing is a worship posture:

Ezra and the people didn’t just stand for five or six verses,

they stood for 5 or 6 hours as they listened!

He blessed the Lord:

It was common that they would say words of blessing before and after the reading of the Word or worship.

Public worship is a foretaste of heaven

BEEKE, JOEL R., and PAUL M. SMALLEY.

2017.

"Why You and Your Family Should Go to Church: Biblical Answers to "Churchless Christianity."

Puritan Reformed Journal 9, no.

1: 231-246.

Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed January 23, 2018).

God’s People…Teach (7-8)

It reminds us we are strangers in this world and pilgrims on the way to heaven.

It is an appetizer on the menu of heaven.

God’s People…Teach (7-8)

Believer, not only do we need to listen to God’s Word, but we need to teach it.

Children don’t need a babysitter at church; they want to learn God’s Word!

Teens are dropping out of church at an alarming rate due to the fact that they’ve “let Jesus come into their heart” without having an understanding of sin and redemption coupled with the duplicitous life they see their families and other “Christians” lead.

We need to not only teach a Biblical Gospel message, but properly disciple those who are born again.

Young adults don’t need to know how to make their lives better, they need to submit to a Savior who fixes their sin!

You can get a financial class from Dave Ramsey, a parenting class at the Y, and answers for a troubled marriage at the counselor.

But without Biblical truth, it is for nought.

Senior adults don’t need another tea gathering, golf outing, coffee club, or grandchild roundtable discussion-those are everywhere; they need someone to teach them the Word of God!

Seniors who are solid in the Word, active in their church, and following Jesus are like a magnet!

You want to be in their presence!