And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. 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.
In Paris, Vicki and I learned that, for them, spirituality is a private matter and to talk about it is offensive and “cultish”. They taught their children that way and they have become model students, and the result is that you can live your entire life in Paris and never meet a born again believer who will share their faith. Here is the opposite, when excellent leaders, Nehemiah and Ezra, are COMMANDED by the people to bring out the Scriptures and read them aloud. The result can be found in verse 6.
…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.
That is exactly what happens when healthy churches gather together. The people clamor to hear the word so they can know God better by knowing their own sin. Then they can fall down in public worship of the merciful Savior who went to the cross to die for those sins. If your spirituality is a private matter, may I suggest a public solution? Come to church and feel a very personal connection to others who would love to worship with you!
Dear Lord, thank you for the Bible and for the hearing of the word. May we be spurred on to good deeds by those in our gathering this Sunday. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church