Does anyone know what Oxford’s Word of the Year is? It’s Brain-Rot!
Yep, that’s right, Brain-Rot! It refers to the overconsumption of trivial online content.
Who knows? Maybe people are beginning to understand that overconsumption of social media really does harm their brains.
And how about this: Did you know that books experienced a resurgence this year? That’s right—books are back in a big way.
Barnes & Noble, which faced bankruptcy six years ago, has opened 60 new stores this year, including one in Newmarket Square a few months ago.
And as this year comes to a close, there’s even more exciting news:
Bible sales increased by 22% this year!
So what are we to make of all this?
Well, Christian author Ian Harber sees all of this as good news.
He writes, “When you combine these three data points, you’re looking at people who are tired of their brains being rotted by social media, deciding to pick up books and read, and some of them are deciding to pick up the Bible for the very first time.”
Oh, how I hope his analysis is right, don’t you?
Tomorrow marks the beginning of our year-long journey through the Bible together. I hope you are as excited as I am to explore God’s Word together this coming year!
The Bible is one of the most precious gifts God has given us. It is God’s self-revelation, and in its pages, we find all that we need to know God, to know Jesus, to know the Good News of the Gospel, and to know how to live as God’s people.1
God is there, and he is not silent. To hear from Him, we need only read His Word, which we plan to do in 2025!
This morning, I want us to look at Nehemiah chapter 8 because it demonstrates the concept of God’s people reading his word together, but before we read it, let me provide some context to set the stage.
After 70 years in exile, God’s people returned home to rebuild the temple and the walls around Jerusalem. After thirteen years of limited progress, Nehemiah arrived and inspired the people to complete the wall in just 52 days. During the celebration, the people invited Ezra, the priest, to come forward and publicly read the Book of the Law. All of God’s people were eager to hear and receive God’s Word.
So, let me read our passage; you can follow along in your Bible or on the screen.
Nehemiah 8:2-6
2 On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. 3 While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law. 4 The scribe Ezra stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. [with other leaders on his right and his left] 5 Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they knelt low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.[1]”
The rest of the chapter—which you’ll read later this year—shows the power of God’s Word to change people’s hearts. It led to a revival among God’s people! Abiding in God’s Word collectively leads his people to grow in their knowledge and worship of Him.
As we embark on this journey through the Bible, I pray that a revival will ignite within our hearts and draw us closer to Christ and his gospel message.
The Bible tells the greatest of all stories because it’s not just a human story—it’s God’s story!
I want you to know the Bible’s story, be confident in it, and make it an integral part of your life. And again, I pray that as you read and begin to understand it better, you’ll develop a constant hunger to know more and more biblical truths.[2]
Tomorrow is the day we embark on our journey to read the Bible in 2025. I want you to join us.
If you’re still unsure about committing to make this journey, I challenge you to say yes right now! Decide right here, right now, that you’ll do it. Then, get up in the morning, follow through, and incorporate the Bible readings into your daily life.
One hour each week spent listening to the Sunday sermon isn’t sufficient. Reading the Bible should be part of our daily routine. The Bible is like manna for your soul. It’s “daily nourishment,” something “delightful to the taste.”
Make today the day you commit to engaging with God’s word daily. Why? Because spending time daily in God’s Word and applying His truth to our lives is the antidote to our “desperately wicked hearts.”
Don’t overthink it. We can tend to overcomplicate it. Don’t do that. Just read it. Read it to know the story. We want you to grasp the Bible’s story, feel confident in it, and make it a core part of your life. It really is that simple.
And if you’re already spending consistent time in the Bible, I want to challenge you to keep leaning in and setting the pace for your loved ones, friends, small group members, and others around you. Let the Word of God fill you with all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
To complete this journey through the Bible, we must be willing to invest the time and effort necessary. Listen to me; there will be hardships and difficulties along the way, but that’s simply part of life. Everything beneficial requires effort.
This is why we’re embarking on this journey collectively. You’ll need your brothers and sisters in Christ to support and motivate you during challenging times, and I assure you, you’ll also have the opportunity to encourage them in return. Sharing your experiences and insights with others will enrich your journey, making it more enjoyable and rewarding as you discuss and share what you’ve read with others.
I can only imagine the blessings God has in store for our church as we strive to become the people He has called us to be, living for His glory and renown.
God gave us the Bible to reveal Himself, not to hide Himself.
Commit, be resolved, and spend time in the Bible—God’s Word—daily.
Let it encourage, challenge, and edify you as you come to know Jesus better. LET’S DO THIS!
Let’s Pray:
Father, You are the God revealed in the Bible. Thank You for Your Word, which allows us to know, love, and serve You. Holy Spirit, please bring revival amongst Your people, capture our hearts this year, and don’t let go! May we live for Your glory in all that we do. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ne 7:73–8:12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Mohler, R. A., Jr. (2021). The Grace and Truth Study Bible: Introduction. In R. A. Mohler Jr. (Ed.), The NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible (p. vii). Zondervan.