1. BECAUSE OF OUR SINS

2. NEHEMIAH 9 - PREAMBLE Also called the Levites Psalm or Ezra’s Grand Psalm Essentially a corporate prayer

3. KEY FEATURES a) C itation of Israel’s history b) P rayer of praise and thanksgiving c) P rayer of repentance for generational & corporate sin d) E nds in lamentation “we are in great distress”

4. FEAST OF TABERNACLES Israelites had just completed the Feast of Tabernacles – 8 days of reading the law and worshipping (8vs 18) Israelites gathered voluntarily for this assembly – ¼ day to read Scriptures, ¼ day confessing sin and worshipping God.

5. Nehemiah 9:5-37 Prayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (1) For life and creation (v 6) For His Covenant, faithfulness and righteousness (v 7-8)

6. Nehemiah 9:5-37 Prayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (2) Through delivery from hardships 1. I n the desert and at Sinai (v 12-21) 2. F rom the enemies in Canaan (26-27) 3. F rom surrounding nations ( v 28-31)

7. Nehemiah 9:5-37 Prayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (3) For provisions and abundance of blessings Sustenance during Exodus (v15,21) Health, Wealth & Prosperity (v22-25)

8. Nehemiah 9:5-37 Prayer of Praise & Thanksgiving (4) For Mercy, Compassion & Graciousness –E–E–E–Even when we are disobedient (v17-18); (v 26-27); (v28); (v29-31) For Guidance & Spiritual Truths (v 13-14); (v19); (v 29-30)

9. Repentance For Proud & Arrogant Ways Became arrogant and stiff-necked (v16) Failed to remember (v17b) Became stiff-necked (v 17c) They turned their backs on you (v27b) Became stiff-necked (v29c) Refused to listen (v29d) They paid no attention (v30)

10. 2 Chronicles 7v14 If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face……. Key OT characters fell into sin at their peak – King David, King Solomon Supporting verses: Stubborness of Israelites (Deut 1:26-33; 31:37) Did not remember God’s goodness to them (Psalms 106:6; 78:11; 42-45)

11. CHARACTERISTICS 0F SINS ►S►S►S►Sin Is Subtle – (corruption of Israelites began by grumblings after being rescued from Egypt) ►S►S►S►Sin Can Be Repetitive/Cyclical (pattern of Israelites’ disobedience and rescue from God) ►S►S►S►Sin Has A Corporate Effect (Israelites confessed the sins of their forefathers and take responsibility) ►P►P►P►Punishment For Sin Can Be From Outside Forces allowed by God (God used Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians armies to punish Israelites).