Show Notes
In this fourth week of Epiphany, we reflect on Nehemiah 8 and the sharing of God’s word. Let us be encouraged to highlight the joy and hope that come from a relationship with God in our evangelism.
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Episode Transcript
As we journey through Epiphany, we are reminded of the call to bear witness to Christ and the public square. Reformed theology emphasizes the importance of engaging with the world around us, seeking to bring God’s truth and love to bear on the issues of our day. As we reflect on the example of the early church, we are inspired to live courageously and faithfully, proclaiming the gospel in word and in deed.
Hear now a reading of God’s word from selections in Nehemiah chapter eight:
1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear[a] and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
In Nehemiah 8, we find an incredible moment where God’s word takes center stage. The people of Israel gathered together, hungry to hear the Book of the Law. They didn’t just sit back passively. They stood up, listened attentively, and responded with worship. It’s a powerful picture of what happens when God’s Word is shared. This passage reminds me that evangelism isn’t about flashy presentations or perfect speeches. It’s about simply sharing God’s truth and trusting that His word will resonate with hearts that are ready to hear. What’s striking is how deeply the people were moved. Some wept as they realized how far they had drifted from God’s commands. But Nehemiah and Ezra didn’t let them stay stuck in sadness. Instead, they pointed them towards joy, saying, the joy of the Lord is your strength.
In evangelism, it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong in the world or in someone’s life. But this passage encourages us to highlight the joy and hope that come from a relationship with God. Sharing the gospel isn’t about making people feel guilty. It’s about inviting them into the freedom and joy of God’s love. Finally, Nehemiah encouraged the people to celebrate and include others in their joy.
Some sin to those who have nothing prepared, he said. This is a beautiful reminder that evangelism isn’t just about sharing words. It’s about sharing our lives. Whether it’s inviting someone to dinner, serving them in practical ways, or simply being present, we reflect the goodness of God when we open our hearts and lives to others. Evangelism is less about pressure and more about creating space for others to experience God’s Word, His joy, and His strength.
A reading from 1 Corinthians chapter 12, beginning in verse 12:
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
A prayer inspired by the writings of John Calvin:
Almighty God, Lord, make us instruments of your grace. Let our lives reflect your light that by our example and our testimony, others may see your goodness and be drawn to the salvation found in Christ Jesus. Remove all fear and hesitation and replace it with an unshakable confidence in the sufficiency of your word to accomplish all you have purposed. May your kingdom come and may the glory of your name fill the nations. Let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the praise of your everlasting glory. Through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
And finally, a reading from the 19th Psalm:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
