OceanSide church of Christ




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We Will More Than Be Here
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

a.    We need to be more than just pew warmers

b.    It is good to be faithful in our attendance, but just being there isn’t enough

                                          i.    We must be there with the proper attitude

c.    In Nehemiah 8-10 we find a group of people who served God

                                          i.    The people had returned from Babylonian captivity

                                        ii.    They desired to serve God

II.            I’ll be here because I want to

a.    The people asked Ezra to read the law to them (Neh 8:1-2)

                                          i.    They wanted and looked forward to hearing God’s Word

b.    Why do we come to services?

                                          i.    It is because someone else forced us to?

                                        ii.    Is it because we have to or want to?

c.    We should want to come because of what God has done for us (Deut 26:11)

                                          i.    Moses discussed giving back to God for all the good He has done

1.    God is so good to us and asks so little of our time

d.    We should want to come because it is refreshing (Phm 1:5-7, 19-20)

                                          i.    Paul was refreshed just hearing about Philemon’s faith

                                        ii.    Being around brethren ought to refresh us

1.    We are surrounded by sin all week in the world

III.           I’ll be attentive to the service

a.    The people were attentive to the reading of Ezra (Neh 8:3)

b.    We might be hindered from being attentive if:

                                          i.    We are sleepy (Acts 20:9)

                                        ii.    We are stressed (Prov 16:3)

                                       iii.    We have ill feelings toward someone (Matt 5:23-24)

IV.          I’ll come with a tender heart

a.    The people wept when they heard the law (Neh 8:8-9)

                                          i.    They had a heart open to the Word

b.    Some can hear God’s word and not care at all

                                          i.    Isaiah preached to people whose hearts were hardened (Isa 6:11)

                                        ii.    Do we come with an open heart?

V.           I’ll confess and repent of sin

a.    The people realized they had not made booths and not separated themselves from strangers in the land (Neh 8:17-9:3)

                                          i.    They confessed their sin and repented

b.    Some hold their sin in like Achan (Josh 7:20)

                                          i.    Achan hid his sin but God called him on it

                                        ii.    He confessed but it was too late and he was killed

                                       iii.    We can confess and repent now or confess when it’s too late

VI.          I’ll cleave to my brethren

a.    The people clave to their brethren and not the idolatrous strangers

                                          i.    We must cleave to our good brethren alone

                                        ii.    The influences of this world will pull us away from God (1 Cor 15:33)

1.    They weren’t strong enough and neither are we

                                       iii.    Choose good influences who will help you get to Heaven