Message by Dr. David Drake
Nehemiah 12:27-43
The Outlet of Our Worship
I. Worship Involves the Celebration of an Occasion
Nehemiah 12:27a (NASB)
27 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness,
Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NASB)
15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.
16 When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
II. Worship Involves Elements Expressing Our Celebration
Nehemiah 12:27b (NASB)
27 with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres.
Psalm 150:3-5 (NASB)
3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
III. Worship Involves Leaders Guiding Our Celebration
Nehemiah 12:30-31 (NASB)
30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall.
31 Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on top of the wall, and I appointed two great choirs, the first proceeding to the right on top of the wall toward the Refuse Gate.
Nehemiah 12:38, 40, 42 (NASB)
38 The second choir proceeded to the left, while I followed them with half of the people on the wall, above the Tower of Furnaces, to the Broad Wall,
40 Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me;
42 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang, with Jezrahiah their leader,
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
IV. Worship Involves Spiritual Ingredients Revealing Our Celebration
Nehemiah 12:43 (NASB)
43 and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.