Last Sunday, at Chongwenmen Church in Beijing, Rev. Luo Chengzan, academic dean of Yanjing Theological Seminary, delivered a sermon based on Nehemiah 8:1–18, encouraging the congregation to renew their lives through God's word through the example of Nehemiah and Ezra, who guided the returning Israelites in restoring their faith after rebuilding their homes in Jerusalem.
First, Rev. Luo Chengzan emphasized the importance of studying God's word attentively. Citing verses 1 to 8, he noted that the Israelites gathered in the seventh month when Jews observed two significant festivals: the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. By highlighting the significance of these festivals, Rev. Luo explained that Nehemiah and Ezra sought to refocus the Israelites on God's promises, particularly His word, which led them out of slavery to the promised land and later brought them back from captivity to their homeland.
Nehemiah 8:1-3 depicts the deep longing of the returning Israelites for God's word. Rev. Luo explained that their hardship in hearing God's word during captivity made them cherish it even more upon their return. He urged the congregation to learn from their sincere desire for the divine truth as they gathered before the Water Gate.
Chapter 8 also describes how priests and Levites assisted in explaining the Law as Ezra read it aloud. Rev. Luo noted that many returning Israelites had lived abroad for years and were no longer familiar with their native language, requiring interpretation and translation to understand God's word. He pointed out that, similarly, Christians today face a gap in time and culture when reading the Bible. While hymns, creeds, and doctrines help approach God's word, Rev. Luo encouraged the congregation to also utilize modern tools—such as smartphones and AI—not just for entertainment but as valuable resources for knowing God and deepening their understanding of His word.
In Nehemiah 8:9–12, Nehemiah and Ezra urged the people not to weep but to find strength and joy in God's word. Rev. Luo explained that their tears stemmed from self-pity over their previous captivity, regret for having ignored God's commands, and gratitude for His faithfulness in keeping His covenant. He encouraged the attending Christians to rely on God for the strength of joy and to prioritize following His will. Additionally, like Nehemiah and Ezra instructed the people to share food with those who had nothing prepared, Rev. Luo reminded the congregation, "Christians must love God and love others, for God is invisible, and the love for Him is expressed through loving others."
Finally, in his analysis of Nehemiah 8:13–18, Luo encouraged the congregation to obey God's word and live a life of faith. These verses describe how, after hearing God's word, the heads of the families sought guidance on applying it in their daily lives, and Ezra instructed them to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Rev. Luo noted that, although this festival is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, its meaning gradually faded, becoming merely a tradition. He reminded the believers that with Easter approaching, they should not forget its true significance while celebrating. Additionally, he emphasized that Ezra led the people in observing the Feast of Tabernacles to ensure that faith extended beyond merely listening to God's word and became an integral part of daily life and traditions. The pastor concluded, “The revival of life is not just about listening to sermons but about allowing God's word to be part of our lives.”
Following the sermon, the presider, Rev. Zhang Li, announced that the church was seeking experienced volunteers for the public welfare haircutting group for the elderly and was also recruiting a reserve music teacher for the hobby class for seniors over 60.
