Renewing the Covenant

Fifteenth message in a series on Nehemiah by Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:36-10:39

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When we come to Nehemiah chapter 10, the people realized they needed to renew the covenant before God. Covenant is a word used throughout the Bible used to describe God’s special relationship with His people. Webster’s Dictionary defines covenant as “a formal, solemn, and binding contract between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.” Ezra and the people understand that the strength of their covenant pledge does not rest in their ability to perform but is God’s faithful character.

God has always used Covenant as a means of relating to His people. God’s Covenant with Adam and Eve, Abraham, David and Christ are examples of how God enters into redemptive relationship with His people.

Nehemiah and the people renew the Covenant in three important areas:

1. They pledged themselves to be a people of God’s Word (Nehemiah 10:29)

God’s Word is the highest authority.

God’s Word defines both sin and righteousness.

All of God’s Word is to be obeyed.

2. They pledge themselves to be a separated people for God’s glory (Nehemiah 10:30-31)

From the beginning of Israel’s calling they were to be a people separated unto the Lord. To walk in covenant relationship with God meant they were  to be a holy nation, God’s special people, a kingdom of priests to him; and  it also meant they were to live and worship separate from the other nations (Exodus 19:1-6)

Two areas of spiritual distinction:

• No mixed marriages
• Sabbath observance

3. They pledge themselves as a people devoted to the house of God (Nehemiah 10:32-39)

And we made ordinances to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the LORD; will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:35-39 NKJV)

 

The Power of Public Confession

Thirteenth message in a series on Nehemiah by Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Scripture: Nehemiah 9

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In Nehemiah 9, Ezra the scribe has taught the people the Word of the Lord.  After a careful reading of God’s word, the people realized they needed to tum back toward God. Hearing the Word has led to a deep conviction of sin and the people realize they must practice the very important step of confession so that the work of repentance is sealed in their hearts. Confession of sin that leads to true repentance is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to us.

• Confession of sin has always been a part of Israel’s worship in the Day of Atonement.

Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send  it  away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. (Leviticus 16:21 NKJV)

• Israel understood the value of a corporate identity.

 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads. Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. (Nehemiah 9:1-2 NKJV)

•  Public confession is an act of worship that involves both faith in God and confession of sin.

• We worship when we confess Christ for who He is and what He does.
• And we worship when we proclaim our faith in the gospel by confessing our sin.

•  The Power of Public Confession

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10 NKJV)

Almighty God, we acknowledge and confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed.  We have not loved You with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. Deepen within us our sorrow for the wrong we have done, and the good we have left undone. Lord, You are full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy; there is always forgiveness with You! Restore to us the joy of Your salvation; bind up that which is broken, give light to our minds, strength to our wills, and rest to our souls. Speak to each of us, and let Your word abide with us until it has wrought in us Your holy will. Amen.

The Marks of Revival

Twelfth message in a series on Nehemiah by Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Scripture: Nehemiah 8

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ln Nehemiah chapter eight we find one of the greatest means of spiritual reform. As Ezra the scribe teaches from the first live books of the Old Testament, a revival breaks out. What a scene! Fifty thousand people are convicted in their heart, fall on their face and begin confessing their sins to God. The question is often asked, what does true revival look like? The story of Nehemiah helps us identify some very important aspects of true revival.

1. Revival comes from a love for God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:1-8) When God’s word penetrates our hearts and we truly yield to what God’s word declares revival takes place. The Spirit of God uses the Word to cleanse and revive the hearts of the people of God. David speaks of God’s word as being a source of personal revival. “My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.” (Psalm 119:25 NKJV)

2. Revival ignites the heart of men to move toward God His Word and their home. “Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.” (Nehemiah 8:13 NKJV) One of the great signs of true revival is men coming of Christ and turning their hearts back to their families. “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6 NKJV)

3. Revival is a renewal of deep gratitude, restoring joy and grace in God’s people. (Nehemiah 8:14-17) “And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths…” (Nehemiah 8:14 NKJV)

How many cases can you remember‘? Such remarkable providence, some wonderful turn of events, that saved you from ruin. Set down the instances of God’s goodness to you when you were in sin, before your conversion, for which you have never been thankful enough; and the marvelous mercies that you have received since. How long the catalogue of instances where your ingratitude has been so black that you are forced to hide your face in confusion? (Charles Finney, Revivals of Religion)

The People of the Book

Eleventh message in a series on Nehemiah by Pastor Craig Diestelkamp

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

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Amazingly in just 52 short days, the walls which fortified the city of Jerusalem had been restored. The city was now able to be reoccupied in safety and security. It’s now time to build the people instead of the walls and so Nehemiah takes one of his most important steps in the restoration of the people of Jerusalem: he appoints Ezra the scribe to proclaim the Word of God before the people. Ezra performs several important ministries through the Word.

1. Ezra brought the Book of the Law before the people – So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding… (Nehemiah 8:2a)
2. Ezra connects the Word to God’s redemptive work – …on the first day of the seventh month. (Nehemiah 8:2b)
3. Ezra uses the platform (pulpit) to address the people – So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose… (Nehemiah 8:4)
4. He opens the Book – And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it… (Nehemiah 8:5a)
5. Ezra raised the book above the people – …for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it… (Nehemiah 8:5)
6. Ezra blessed the Lord – And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with theirfaces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:6)
7. Ezra brought understanding to God’s Word – Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13
8. Ezra showed them the full purpose of God’s Word - …for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10b)

1st Morning: Trust People, Trust God

Pastor Dru Johnson

Ezra 1