The Fruit of a True Repentance
How God Builds Churches: Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted
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· 12 viewsWhat are the fruits of true repentance?
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Introduction & Review
Introduction & Review
<<PRAY>> <<CHILDREN’S WORSHIP>>
This morning we return to Nehemiah series //, you can open Bibles to .
The title of our series is “How God Builds Churches,” and we started back in September with two weeks in
. We did that for a very important reason: Nehemiah is God’s Word for you and for me, but it’s about Old Covenant people serving the Lord in Jerusalem before Jesus came. If we’re going to understand both what the Old Testament is about, and what it has to do with us, we have to remember that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fulcrum of all of human history, and the key to applying God’s Word to us. Nehemiah was building a city, but God builds churches not through brick & mortar, but through the Gospel transforming people.
We are back in Nehemiah after a lengthy break. Pastor Keith preached from
on November 25th, and today we’re in chapter 10.
In
, the Apostle Paul calls each Christian to build upon the right foundation - Jesus Christ. To labor together for the mission of the Gospel.
The title of our series is “How God Builds Churches,” and we started back in September with two weeks in . We did that for a very important reason: Nehemiah is God’s Word for you and for me, but it’s about Old Covenant people serving the Lord in Jerusalem before Jesus came. If we’re going to understand both what the Old Testament is about, and what it has to do with us, we have to remember that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fulcrum of all of human history, and the key for us to know how to apply God’s Word to us. Nehemiah was building a city, but God builds churches not through stone & mortar, but through the Gospel transforming people.
In every text of Nehemiah, we’ve considered what it meant for his people, Jews who returned to Jerusalem after the exile, and what it means for us - Christians both from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds - wherever we find ourselves, whether it’s Jerusalem, or Winnetka, or somewhere else.
The title of our series is “How God Builds Churches,” and we started back in September with two weeks in
. We did that for a very important reason: Nehemiah is God’s Word for you and for me, but it’s about Old Covenant people serving the Lord in Jerusalem before Jesus came. If we’re going to understand both what the Old Testament is about, and what it has to do with us, we have to remember that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fulcrum of all of human history, and the key to applying God’s Word to us. Nehemiah was building a city, but God builds churches not through brick & mortar, but through the Gospel transforming people.
In , the Apostle Paul calls each Christian to build upon the right foundation - Jesus Christ. To labor together for the mission of the Gospel.
In every text of Nehemiah, we’ve considered what it meant for his people, Jews who returned to Jerusalem after the exile, and what it means for us - Christians both from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds - wherever we find ourselves, whether it’s Jerusalem, or Winnetka, or somewhere else.
In , as curtain opens, Israel under Persian power
Nehemiah - by God’s grace, now governor of Judea. Neh not just a man of influence and means, but a man of faith, prayer, action.
Nebuchadnezzar, 586 BC
Return 538 (God keeping promise), Temple 516, still no wall 141 years later
Nehemiah - by God’s grace, now governor of Judea. Neh not just a man of influence and means, but a man of faith, prayer, action.
- Rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem // - Restoring the people of Israel
Word of God at the center in Chapters 8-9
And when the people hear God’s Word, they’re cut to the heart, because they see how magnificent, and holy, and good, and merciful God has been, and their sins are shown for what they are. And in chapter 9, they repent.
<<DEFINE REPENTANCE>> Repent is a word that means to turn away, run back to God
People’s confession
Pastor Keith - “You are more sinful than you think you are // God is more merciful than you think He is // A key mark of a true Christian is ongoing repentance” - turning back to God
Q. What are the fruits of true repentance?
What does it look like?
Illust: All know false repentance (a self-serving apology)
All about me. Like someone who asks how you’re doing but then never looks up from their phone. False repentance is “I’m sorry, but...”
But what happens when a person is truly repentant?
Nicodemus - // night // Pharisee // ruler of the Jews // “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs unless God is with him”
Jesus sees thru: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nico: How born old?
Jesus: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Nico: How can these things be?
Jesus: Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? <<Basic to what it means to belong to the Lord>>
Stinger for the man who came to him under cover of darkness: vv 18-21
And then, Nicodemus evaporates from the pages of Scripture. No resolution… for 16 chapters. Then…
After Jesus arrested, condemned by his own colleagues, sentenced to death by Romans, crucified, the man who came to Jesus by night did something remarkable. He stepped out of the shadows.
After Jesus arrested, condemned by his own colleagues, sentenced to death by Romans, crucified, the man who came to Jesus by night did something remarkable. He stepped out of the shadows.
tells us that Nicodemus and another man, Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a disciple of Jesus but in secret out of fear of the Jews, went to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, to ask for Jesus’ body.
tells us that Nicodemus and another man, Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a disciple of Jesus but in secret out of fear of the Jews, went to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, to ask for Jesus’ body.
What happened to Nicodemus?
Repentance - a radical change that works out in what we do. A transformation that bears fruit. And the first fruit of repentance that we see in and 10 is:
I. A Decisive Commitment: Fixed on the Word of God (9:38, 10:28-29)
I. A Decisive Commitment: Fixed on the Word of God (9:38, 10:28-29)
First 4 words - “Because of all this” - point us back to ch. 9 - THIS IS ISRAEL’S CONFESSION
Starts with God’s grace. Grace is God’s undeserved favor. Founded on recognition of God’s holiness, our sin, His grace
Founded on recognition of God’s holiness, our sin, His grace
9:6 - God had graciously, freely created; by grace He had chosen Abraham, not because Abraham deserved it but out of His grace and mercy; He had delivered Israel out of bondage in Egypt, purely out of grace; He led them through the desert, and brought them to Mount Sinai, and gave them His Word, the Law.
In verses 16-21, we see that He remained faithful, gracious, and abounding in steadfast love in spite of Israel’s ongoing faithlessness, rebellion, disobedience, and blasphemy. By grace, He brought them into Canaan, the Land of Promise, subdued their enemies, multiplied their children, filled the land with good things.
But they continued to rebel. Verse 26 says that they cast God’s Law behind their back and killed His prophets who He had sent to warn them to turn back to Him. So, by grace, God gave them into the hands of their enemies, so that they cried out to Him, and by grace, He rescued them. Again, and again. And finally, He sent them into exile.
By His grace, he brought them back. By grace, not because of any goodness in them but by His sheer, undeserved love, they were able to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.
And they looked around and realized, “Even this torn-down city is better than we deserve. Here we are, a remnant, a tatterling leftover from a soiled and torn garment. We are a reminder of our own catastrophic decisions.”
This is their confession. Nehemiah’s people saw the magnitude of their sin against the backdrop of the incredible mercy of God. They looked back and saw grace, grace at every turn. Steadfast love in spite of their headstrong sin.
The bright glory of the holiness, mercy, and steadfast love of the LORD stood in sharp contrast to their own character.
And yet, they still remained. After all their fathers and mothers had done, after all they had done and were still doing, the Lord had not cast them off.
“Because of all this...”
Their covenant is a reflection of His own firm Word
A covenant is a commitment that defines a relationship. In its most ancient form, it’s a permanent commitment by God to His creation, an unbreakable word from Him to us. God makes an explicit covenant with Noah in , committing to rescue Noah and his family from the flood. In , God covenants with Abraham to bless all families of the earth through him. And in , God establishes what we call The Old Covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai. This is the covenant that defined the relationship between Israel and the Lord. Once again, it starts with God’s grace:
A covenant is a commitment that defines a relationship. In its most ancient form, it’s a permanent commitment by God to His creation, an unbreakable word from Him to us. God makes an explicit covenant with Noah in , committing to rescue Noah and his family from the flood. In , God covenants with Abraham to bless all families of the earth through him. And in , God establishes what we call The Old Covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai. This is the covenant that defined the relationship between Israel and the Lord. Once again, it starts with God’s grace:
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
exod 19.4-
The Ten Commandments and all the laws of the Old Covenant are borne out of this statement of how the Lord will relate to Israel.
So at the end of , when the people make their own covenant, they have a rich and wonderful, God-written history to draw upon. The Lord has said it, and said it firmly. He literally set it in stone.
In their repentance, the first thing the people do reflects God’s own Word. It’s a firm covenant in writing, signed and sealed. Every element of that statement reflects the depth of their commitment. Here’s what I mean:
Small illust: There aren’t many examples of real covenants anymore. Our world has decided that impersonal things are more reliable than personal ones. So we rely on contracts more often than covenants.
Covenants are relational and enduring. They’re meant to bind people together. God’s covenant to Abraham is an everlasting covenant. There will never be a day when He revokes it.
Because a covenant is only as good as the name on it
Illustration: Giving house
Depth of commitment demonstrated by the outward gesture
But notice what they commit to:
<<READ 10:28-29>>
The covenant in reflects God’s covenant to Israel at Sinai. Over and over in the Law of Moses, the blessings of the Covenant are dependent on their complete obedience. The exile itself was a result of their failure to keep all of God’s commandments. The confession in chapter 9 is a litany of Israel’s failure to keep the Law. But here, in , Nehemiah’s people pledge to keep all of the Law.
Costly & comprehensive because He is sovereign
"enter into a curse and an oath” - invoking - just before entering the Promised Land, half the tribes on one hill, half the tribes on another, Levites in the valley between.
But we have a better covenant to reflect back to God.
“ ‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
“ ‘Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
“ ‘Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’
Leaders in every area and all who understand (children)
The covenant in reflects God’s covenant to Israel at Sinai. Over and over in the Law of Moses, the blessings of the Covenant are dependent on their complete obedience. The exile itself was a result of their failure to keep all of God’s commandments. The confession in chapter 9 is a litany of Israel’s failure to keep the Law. But here, in , Nehemiah’s people pledge to keep all of the Law.
And on and on.
This covenant
Under the Law of Moses, our sin is ever before us. By God’s good design, the Law forces us to grapple with our own sinfulness before the Holy God. If we keep all the Law, if we obey all His commandments, then and only then will we be found righteous before God. But Israel’s own history shows that way can never lead to anything but despair.
But we have a better covenant to reflect back to God.
As we said so often in our Romans series, there is a righteousness that God requires. And the Law demonstrates that none of us - no matter our background, our religiosity, our strength of will - none of us is righteous. Not even one.
Repentance - turn back to the Word (9:26)
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Our only hope is not a renewed covenant of works, but a new covenant entirely. A new birth. “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.” And this New Covenant was promised in the Old Covenant:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
This New Covenant is a promise from God, a change to the relationship. The Lord has promised, in a decisive commitment, to transform our relationship by transforming us.
When Jesus explained the meaning of His death on the cross to His disciples at the Last Supper, He took bread, and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “This is my body, which is for you.” He took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
Our
Every covenant was accompanied by an outward gesture. The outward sign indicates the depth of the commitment. The rainbow demonstrated God’s covenant to Noah. The stone tablets demonstrated the covenant at Sinai. Here in , the signed and sealed document is the outward sign of the covenant.
But the New Covenant is enacted and demonstrated by the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on our behalf. For us, his body was broken. In our stead, His blood was poured out. Every covenant renewal in Israel was a reminder that the previous covenant renewal hadn’t fixed what was wrong. And by chapter 13, Nehemiah’s people will break every element of their covenant.
We don’t need a renewed commitment to trying harder. We need new hearts. We need to be rescued from the darkness and come into the light.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Nicodemus heard Jesus say, “
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Fixed on this Word from God the Son, Nicodemus made a decisive commitment. The fruit of repentance. He came out of the darkness and into the light. And it was made possible by the death of Jesus for him. The decisive commitment of the Word made flesh to ransom people for God.
APPLY
CALL TO JESUS
Baptism - Decisive commitment, declaration: I have died with Christ and my life is now hidden with Him.
Note that in some places where conversion to Christianity is illegal, you’re safe as long as you don’t get baptized. Because it’s understood - this is a decisive commitment.
Old Covenant - curse & oath
Marriage
Old Covenant - curse & oath
New Covenant
jer 33.34
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
God’s covenant with Abraham is everlasting - through Abraham’s offspring, Christ, all nations blessed. But God’s covenant with Israel on Mount Sinai, the Law, the Old Covenant, could never provide that blessing.
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
heb 9.15
New Covenant - better than the old, enacted on better promises, gives complete forgiveness and salvation. New Covenant is enacted by the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ, Abraham’s offspring. Now, through Jesus Christ, instead of entering into the curse and the oath, we are called into a new way of serving God, not under the curse of the Law, but under the promise of salvation and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Good news,
Acts 15?
II. A Determined Change: Following the Holiness of God (10:30-31)
II. A Determined Change: Following the Holiness of God (10:30-31)
II. A Determined Change: Following the Holiness of God (10:30-31)
II. A Determined Change: Following the Holiness of God (10:30-31)
Family & work - two of most intimate areas of life, two areas where our commitments are most tested
It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.
- Passover “eaten by the people of Israel who had returned form the exil, and also by everyone who ha
Principle: True repentance by nature involves an about-face, therefore must produce change
Change rooted in holiness of God
If you’re walking with a party, turn around to pursue another, you separate yourself from the group. Holiness - to set apart for God. If not...
Sabbath - under constant tension w/ a surrounding culture. <<MORE>>
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,
Christ is our Sabbath - He is rest from all our labors
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
III. A Devoted Charge: Focused on the Worship of God (10:32-39)
III. A Devoted Charge: Focused on the Worship of God (10:32-39)
III. A Devoted Charge: Focused on the Worship of God (10:32-39)
III. A Devoted Charge: Focused on the Worship of God (10:32-39)
1/3 shekel, wood, firstfruits, tithes all in obedience to God’s Word
Summed up in 39 b/c <<more>>
Temple - OT reality ; NT - =>Not church building (lack of animal sacrifices is a clue).
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
john 4:
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
- Caring for one another, serving one another
IV. A Dependent Confidence: Founded on the Grace of God (9:38)
IV. A Dependent Confidence: Founded on the Grace of God (9:38)
IV. A Dependent Confidence: Founded on the Grace of God (9:38)
IV. A Dependent Confidence: Founded on the Grace of God (9:38)
"Because of all this” - were they confident they would not break their commitment? Or that God would be their help? Ch. 13
Acts 15
Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
