12-11-22 Kasey Campbell: Joyful Celebration

Morning! I am going to finish Nehemiah today. Two weeks ago, we saw that the Israelites did finish building the wall. There are more chapters in the book (there are 13 total, and we went through 6), but today I‘m going to skip through the rest of the chapters and pull it together for us thematically. Let’s pray before we jump in. Today I want to show you how many of the themes we see in Nehemiah also appear in Jesus' life. It often works this way in the Bible - God shows us a principle in the Old Testament and then shows us again in the New. The first central theme is that nothing is ever ruined beyond God’s ability to restore. It doesn’t matter how broken you may be, how hurt you are, how poor in spirit, or how many times you’ve messed up; God is both willing and able to heal, restore, and redeem us. And He does it by salvation through Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. A second central theme in Nehemiah that I want us to see is that the Holy Spirit can and does use people for His work of restoring lives, homes, and dreams. Nothing is ever broken beyond God’s ability to restore it, and God uses people (people like you and me) to do His work. God likes using people so much in His work that Jesus (who is God) became a man and did his redemptive work as a human. God became a person so He could redeem and restore us into the people He has created us to be, people who follow Him wholeheartedly, free from the trappings of sin and death. And so I want to close out our story of Nehemiah in the context of God becoming man to save, redeem, and restore His people. And here’s the thing, God wants everyone to be His people. God wants everyone to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because He loves them and wants to see them made whole. So as I skip around in Nehemiah, I want to show you some parallels in the After the Wall | 1 life of Jesus, and I want to help you see just how God’s process works in terms of His plan and purpose of redemption. The first thing that happens after the wall is built is that Nehemiah reestablishes the people as citizens. In other words, he’s making it official that the city is ready to go. It’s inhabitable. It’s a great place to live and set up for those who would choose to come. That’s the same message of the gospel - Jesus has come, he’s made a way for us to be reconciled with God, He has a place with many mansions, with many rooms, and He wants us to be with Him. Everything is set; we just have to choose to walk with the Lord; we have to choose friendship with God. Nehemiah 7:4-5 NKJV Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt. 5 Then my God put it into my heart to gather the nobles, the rulers, and the people, that they might be registered by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of those who had come up in the first return, and found written in it: Nehemiah wants to establish the people’s national and corporate identity. He wants them to remember what family they belong to because it will help them become the people God wants them to be. And this registration is the first thing that happens after the walls are complete. If you’re in Christ, you have a new identity. You also have a new genealogy. Psalm 68:6 AMP God makes a home for the lonely; He leads the prisoners into prosperity. Your new identity is in Jesus Christ, you are in Him, and He is in You. Your new genealogy is God Himself. He is Your Father. God doesn’t have any grandchildren; he only has children. And in Christ, the Ancient of Days, the Most High God Himself is now your Father! Romans 8:15 NKJV For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” After the Wall | 2 When we’re born again, Jesus doesn’t just set us free from one form of slavery (to sin) just to impose on us another form of slavery (to God). He restores the original freedom the human spirit had before the fall, and then He calls us to follow Him as our Lord. The new birth makes it possible for my spirit to rule over my body and mind and to exercise the authority I was originally intended to have. He puts ME back in charge of me. But if I’m truly free, then I’m also free to disobey. I can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to sin. I can go back to being dominated by my flesh or draw on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to become more and more like Jesus. Our relationship with God undergoes a profound change when we're born again. We no longer relate to Him like a slave with a tyrannical master, fearfully trying to avoid punishment. Instead, we intuitively know and sense that He has adopted us into His family. Our heart knows we’ve been joined to His Son and that we have become His children. And because of that, His love for us is deep and unwavering, even though we’re weak and sinful. Like children running into the arms of a beloved parent, we boldly come to Him in prayer and worship, addressing Him in the same way Jesus did, “Abba Father!”1 So we find, in our new genealogy, that we’re in the family of God. We are sons and daughters of the King. You may remember some other people who went for a genealogy check. You’re right. It was Mary and Joseph. Luke 2:1-6 NKJV And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the 1 Schell, Steve. Romans: A Verse by Verse Study, P79-80. Federal Way, WA, Life Lessons Publishing, 2015. After the Wall | 3 house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. The Holy Spirit wanted us to see the genealogy of Jesus because He wanted us to know that Jesus was the true and rightful king, both king of the Jews and Son of God. He wanted us to know that the Messiah has come according to the prophecies and that because He is here, we get to be a part of His family and live in His city, in a mansion He’s made just for us if we’ll accept Him into your hearts, follow Him and call out His Name. The walls are built, and the city is prepared for habitation. With the city prepared, the word is brought forth. God’s word is spoken and taught to people. Nehemiah 8:2-3 NKJV So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Before we can live and operate in the city of God, we must know what He thinks about things and how He operates. And so the word is read to the people. God does this in the New Testament, too. Once the stage is set and the house is ready, the word of God comes to us in human form. Luke 2:7 NKJV And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. How many of you know that Jesus is the living word, the One who models God’s heart and ways for us? After the Wall | 4 John 1:14 NKJV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. In other words, the Spirit of the Eternal Son came down from heaven and took residence in a ‘tent’ of human flesh. John is using Old Testament imagery here. He’s referencing the tabernacle. It’s the place where God met with the Israelites as they walked along in the wilderness. The tent of meeting, it’s called. And Jesus comes to show us the way, living in a new tent, a human body. By using the image of the tabernacle here, John emphasizes that Jesus was a pre-existing person; Just as God came down and camped in a tent among the people, Jesus came down and camped among the human race in the physical body of Jesus Christ.2 And a response should come from us for this miracle, the miracle of the incarnation. The response is worship. Nehemiah 8:5-6 NKJV 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, all the people stood up. 6 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 their faces to the ground. They lifted their hands and bowed their heads. They’re pentecostal. Do you see that? The angels worshipped Jesus when he was born, as he was the word incarnate. Luke 2:13-14 NKJV And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 2 Schell, Steve. John: A Verse by Verse Study, P22. Federal Way, WA, Life Lessons Publishing, 2021. After the Wall | 5 The angels are worshipping here because they know God has come down to bring healing, salvation, and redemption to all people. And He’ll do it by setting captives free, healing the brokenhearted, and bringing freedom to anyone bound in sin and fear of death. Just like Ezra, the prophet and priest, Jesus is both prophet and priest. And he stood and opened the book and talked about His mission. Luke 4:16-20 NKJV So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” The people marveled at the words of Jesus. They were amazed by it. They loved it but didn’t understand it. So God helped them understand. With Jesus, He explained to them His ways more fully, or He gave them progressive revelation as they grew and walked with Him. By progressive revelation, I don’t mean there was a different message than Jesus or His word; I just mean that God opened up more of the meaning of His word and actions to them as they got to know Him more. Ezra helped the people in Jerusalem better understand God’s word, too. Nehemiah 8:8 NLT They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. After the Wall | 6 And in the Christmas story, the angels helped the shepherds understand what Jesus' birth meant. Luke 2:10-11 NKJV Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. God has come to rebuild and restore us to Him, and He sent a man to do it. He came down in human form to personally show us that we’re never too far gone to receive His salvation. And if you’ll notice, the angel says that the news should bring us joy. God wants our first response to Him to be one of joy. There will be time for more business with God later on. But first, celebrate that a God of love wants to make His home with you! Nehemiah had to explain this concept to the people in Jerusalem. Apparently, as they heard the word of God, the people were overwhelmed by feelings of failure and inadequacy. They felt guilt and shame for violating God’s law. This situation is one most church and ministry leaders would probably revel in. A repentant, sensitive response to the fact that God’s commands had been neglected. This is obviously the awakened understanding of passionate concern for God. Or was it? In an amazing and baffling move, both Ezra (prophet and priest) and Nehemiah stop the display and correct the people. They say, ‘no, this is good tidings of great joy! Freedom has come; salvation has come; God is living among us, and we get to dwell in His city. Mourning, weeping, shame, sorrow, and grief are inappropriate!3 Nehemiah 8:8-12 NKJV So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and 3 Hayford, Jack W. Rebuilding the Real You: God's Pathway to Personal Restoration, P224-225. Gospel Light Publications, 1986. After the Wall | 7 the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly because they understood the words that were declared to them. This is mind-boggling, confusing, and baffling. It’s a total reversal of expected religious tradition. And then, as though stopping tears of repentance wasn’t enough, the leaders tell the people to go celebrate! They actually celebrate so long it takes them through the feast of tabernacles. I want you to see that this shows us a mighty statement about how we should receive God’s word. Receiving can be difficult. But the message is implicit here; we should receive God’s word with joy. The process of digging into the Bible, the journey of getting to know Jesus better, and going deeper in relationship with Him should result in our joy. Now, if you keep reading, you’ll find that this celebration of God’s word wasn’t shallow, it wasn’t irreverent, and it wasn’t just a glib, emotional response to the Lord. In chapter 9, the people take a lot of time to confess sin, to fast and pray, and to ask for forgiveness. But God wants our first response to His word and His Son and His message to be one of joyous hope because He is the God who restores hope to the hopeless, who heals the brokenhearted, and who sets the captives free. He is the One who brings light to the darkness, sets all wrong things right, and overcomes all of the plans and schemes of the enemy. Jesus is the One who came to earth to save us and empower us to move into His kingdom, and that’s a reason to celebrate! After the Wall | 8 Nehemiah tells the people to respond joyfully to what God has done. And they do. They also take time to repent in chapter 9. After they do that, they worship again. Nehemiah 9:5-6 NKJV And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: “Stand up and bless the Lord your God Forever and ever! “Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise! 6 You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. Good tidings of great joy results in worship. Matthew 2:11 NKJV And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men brought gifts and worshipped Jesus for who He was. This is the essence of true worship - honoring God for who He is and choosing to give Him what’s valuable to you. The fancy word for that is sacrifice. The wise men came, bowed, gave, worshipped, and obeyed.4 As they did, they received something. And we do too. As we accept Jesus, as we worship Him, and as we obey Him, we receive a covenant. It’s a new promise in His blood that He’ll never leave us or forsake us, that He’ll be our Father and we’ll be His children, and that we’re guaranteed eternal life and an eternal place with Him. He gives us the best agreement ever; a promise that He will be our God and we can be His people, and He’ll watch over us. And He never breaks His promises; He never breaks His covenants. Luke 22:20 NLT After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant 4 Barton, Bruce B. Matthew, P29. Edited by Philip W. Comfort and Grant R. Osborne, Tyndale House Publishers, 1996. After the Wall | 9 between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. God also made a covenant with the people in Nehemiah’s day who followed Him. Nehemiah 9:38 ESV “Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests. Jesus, born in a manger, came to earth so we could see just how deep His love for us is. And He modeled for us what perfect worship and submission to God look like. And so as we receive His good tidings with great joy, let’s remember that He is the God who always makes a way for restoration. He sends the Holy Spirit to empower us and make us priests and kings who can share the message of hope and restoration. He calls us unto Himself so that we can continue to grow into people who look like Jesus. You see, Jesus' story didn’t end at the manger. That was just the beginning of the good news. And so today, let’s receive the Holy Spirit with joy. Let’s allow our hearts to be filled with the joy of the Lord so that we can be strengthened in Him. And let’s allow our joy in Him to lead us to worship, repentance, and a covenant journey with Him where we choose to live by the sound of His voice. Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” After the Wall | 10