(Nehemiah - Remember) Remember, My Lord!

Nehemiah faced incredible difficulty when he received permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. The Returnee’s and Nehemiah faced an enemy who was openly taunting them. Their enemies outnumbered and surrounded them. Yet God protected and provided for Israel. After a lengthy absence to the King, Nehemiah returned to find all of the work neglected and the enemies of God and Israel living inside Jerusalem. Nehemiah had many reasons to be bitter and angry, but instead he chose to remember His God.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction:

If you could dream up anything, what would you dream about?

If you are young person- perhaps you are in the middle of persueing your dreams.

But even us who are not high school and college students - have dreams.

ILLUSTRATION:

I have certain places I want visit -

I want to see Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, James Town and Gettysburg, Alaska.... Israel.

Davis’s just got back from Israel - because it was on their bucket list.

The Brown’s have gone as well - because one of their dreams was to walk in the foot steps of Jesus.

I have dreams for my children and their children.

We all have bucket list of dreams.

I want you to think about your bucket list here for a second - If you could dream up anything, what would be on that bucket list?

Now as you imagined your dreams - I bet none of us dreamed about being sinned against.

Even though we are entrapped in sin, and constantly bombarded by others sin - none of us put that in our dreams.

Even though they are a reality of life - we don’t include imperfection and sin in our dreams.

But as life is lived out - we learn that we don’t live in a perfect world.

And dreams are often shattered by sin.

But

In fact -

The hard reality of living in a world where sin shackles people - is that we will be sinned against.

We struggled when we are hurt, and wronged, and disappointed by others.

We are bitter and angry because someone hurt us - and that is not fair.

Who do you trust in when you are sinned against?

ILLUSTRATION:

I would like you to consider not the person who sins against you,

But your own faith when you are sinned against.

You see,

Every time someone sins against us - our faith is being trusted.Who do you trust in when you are sinned against?

ILLUSTRATION:

We struggle with

So often,

Our children get mad because it is not fair.

It is not fair that my .... sibling, my friend, my neighbor, my teacher … X

{{{{What they are experiencing is the reality of living in a sin trapped world.}}}}}}

But Children are not the only ones - are they?

Talk to children about unfair …

So often - adults are just as captivated by fairness and equality as children.

We are bitter and angry because someone hurt us - and that is not fair.

And let’s put some faces on this a little bit - because sin always hurts those around us.

It is not fair - that your spouse sinned against you.

It is not fair - that your 5 year old kid, your grown up child, your sibling, your neighbor, your boss…

And your right - sin is never fair.

Now let me take a quick rabbit trail - You don’t want what is fair.

You want what the Gospel.

What is fair is that I be punished for my sins.

The Gospel was not fair to Jesus or God,

but God so loved the world he sent his son to die on the cross.

So you don’t want fair, you want the Gospel. - It is so much better than fair.

What about grown ups

When wife ignores your wisdom and does wickedness

When husband doesn’t listen to the council of his wife

When a parent hurts a child

.... employer, teacher, friend …

But this morning,

I would like you to not consider the person who sins against you,

But your own faith when you are sinned against.

We are talking about your faith, and not their faith this morning.

You see,

Every time someone sins against us - our faith is being tested.

Who do you trust in when you are sinned against?

Our struggle, is that we forget who is really in control when I am sinned against.

It is one of the places we have Gospel Amnesia.

ILLUSTRATION:

Amnesia - We all have heard of people who hit their heads and can’t remember what happened.

We as Christians at times forget parts of our faith.

and when we are sinned against - we forget who is really controlling our lives - God.

Consider,

Sin is inevitable … so the real question is not whether will be sinned against,

but whether we are going to trust God when we are sinned against.

We have just completed the book of Nehemiah, but I want us to pause and think about the many times Nehemiah says - remember.

I siched you out and may you think we were done with Nehemiah, but I want to come back and look at these remember statements.

He tells the people to remember,

He asks God to remember.

Nehemiah routinely goes back to remembering certain truths in his faith.

This morning - We will briefly survey these - remember statements.

And as we do so, we will learn that -

PROP: When we are sinned against, we ought to trust God for ultimate justice.

TRANS: And Nehemiah will teach us 3 ways that we can encourage ourselves when we are sinned against.

********************Let’s Pray as we begin here.

First, when we are sinned against - we ought

1) Remember to Hope in the Promises of God. ()

Remember to Hope in God’s Promises. ()

I know if we did a survey here, most of us would say we trust God.

But what does that mean?

Part of trusting God is putting faith in God's future promises.

>>> Trust is believing in God's faithfulness to us;

- especially faithful in his promises.

- especially when we are sinned against.

EXHORTATION:

Now perhaps you're thinking, ohh - is he going to say that again.

Sometimes we act like standing on the promises of God is an overused cliché;

but may I remind you that it is not a cliché.

It's good Christian living.

How do I know that?

Because when Nehemiah heard how the enemies of God were taunting Israel,

he heard about how Jerusalem was living in fear of their enemies,

hiding behind a fallen down and broken city.

>>>>>>he prayed to God and claimed the promise of steadfast love to Israel.

Nehemiah 1:8–9 ESV

8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’

Nehemiah 1:8 ESV

8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,

Nehemiah says, I remember that promise you gave us.

If you recall his prayer in chapter 1, you might summarize it this way.

>>>> I know that we don’t deserve God’s protection, but you promised that you would return us as a nation if we returned to you.

>>>>I know we have done evil – but you promised that if I call to your name you would restore me in mercy.

I know we've been wicked – but you promised that if I call to your name you would restore me in mercy.

>>>> I know that we don’t deserve God’s protection, but you promised that you would return us as a nation if we returned to you.

Israel is a mess because of their own sin. (For Sure)

But it is also a mess because they are being sinned against.

Israel is a mess because of the sin of others.

We learned latter in this book how Israel was being taunted on 3 sides by armies far stronger then they are.

We learned latter in this book how Israel was being taunted on 4 sides by

So Nehemiah’s first action - is to pray and claim the promise of God found in the covenant.

NT APPLICATION:

Now I recognize that one of the challenges of this passage is that we are not under the covenant.

We can't claim a promise that was given Israel and not the church.

>>>>But remember we do have a promise that the prophets look forward to.

But remember that we have a promise that the prophets look forward to.

The wonderful promises of the gospel.

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

In Christ, we have every blessing that you could obtain from God available to us.

If there is something you need, you already have it through Christ.

>>>>So picture this … you have been sinned against, hurt, and taken advantage of.

Is that a big deal?

And in sense yes - here and now it hurts. (And I don’t want to minimize that)

But in the vast scheme of your eternal life in Christ.

But in the vast scheme of your eternal life in Christ -It is nothing and doesn’t really define you.

It is nothing.

Further,

If it is a loss you suffered - Christ is right there to provide for you and promises eternity.

It it is a broken heart - Christ is there to comfort and conquer the suffering of this world. He is the source of living water.

If it is protection your need - then Christ is right there standing next to the Father and saying, your child needs help.

Share Devotional - A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent, Pg. 15

His book essentially is a theology of what we have in the gospel.

If you ever wanted to understand all the recorded blessings we have in the gospel in one place, this is the book for you.

[Explain the content of the book}

You walk in to work Monday morning, and face that coworker who loves to harrass you.

You take your children home, your eating your nice Sunday lunch - and your five year old says >>> I hate your food and launches plate across the room.

My daily need

The power of God

You get a phone call tomorrow, and you find out that your spouse broke their promise to you.

My daily protection

"As long as I am inside the gospel, I experience all the protection I need from the powers of evil that rage against me. Is for this reason that the Bible tells me to take up and put on the whole armor of God; and the pieces of armor tells me to put on are merely synonyms for the gospel. Translated literally from the Greek they are: the salvation, the justification, truth, the gospel of peace, faith, and the word of God. What are all these expressions, but various ways of describing the gospel? Therefore, if I wish to stand victorious in Jesus, I must do as the songwriters suggest and put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer.”

What are you going to do?

What a great set of verses and truths for the person who is hurting and has been taken advantage of.

One the best ways to learn to trust God when someone sins against you – is just to remember what God promised you in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

One answer to that – that I will remember the wonderful promises of God.

This book is a great book to remember all the promises that you have in the gospel so that you can stand on them.

One the best ways to learn to trust God when someone sins against you – is just to remember what God promised you in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2ndly, when we are sinned against we ought to -

2) Remember the Awesomeness of Our God. ()

One of the hardest theology topics We can teach – are the attributes of God.

However, Most the attributes are not hard to understand.

God is all-powerful, God is all-knowing, God is all present… Is not hard to understand.

But what is hard about the teaching the attributes of God – is helping people imagine the world they live in with that God like that.

In irony, if we were to simply take five minutes and list out the attributes of God.

>>>> I can almost guarantee that one of the first ones we will of out is God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all present.

Yet if you spend a few minutes with Christians who are hurting.

Given the right circumstances and the right amount of pain – both same people will forget how awesome their god is.

You will find a - constant theme [ like a steady drum beat] of hurting Christians wondering whether God is awesome enough to overcome their struggle.

The constant theme of hurting Christians is the question whether there God is awesome and not to overcome their struggle.

And never mind, if that struggle is because someone sinned against us.

Someone sinned against us and were suffering – then we really struggle with whether God is awesome enough to overcome our struggle.

Interestingly, That was the same struggle that Israel faced.

Nehemiah 4:6–14 ESV

6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. 8 And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. 10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Nehemiah 4:10–14 ESV

10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” 13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Israel, is doing exactly what God had called them to do.

But that did not mean they would not be sinned against.

They are facing a persecution by the enemies of Israel who want Jerusalem for themselves.

And they're putting all their strength and might into finishing this wall.

But they are terrified it won't be enough.

Even some of Israel is telling them to abandon Jerusalem,

Have you ever felt like that?

You are terrified that your best effort won’t be enough.

Even some of Israel is telling them to abandon Jerusalem,

When we feel that kind of fear - what are are we forgetting.

How awesome our God is.

Having an awesome God doesn't mean

- we will never face persecution for doing what's right.

Having an awesome God doesn't mean we will never face persecution for doing what's right.

- never be sinned against.

Take this principle little bit farther than my: having an awesome God does not mean you will never be sinned against in this life.

It just means - God is bigger then our problems.

When our faith stumbles with fear and doubt,

when our hearts are overwhelmed with hurt -

restore your faith by Remembering how awesome your God is.

Remember those familiar terms - all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present get all but forgotten.

But he always means it for good.

Yet,

When we are sinned against , we so often become obsessed with worry and fear.

What we have done is doubt the awesomeness of God in our lives.

And When we do that - What we have done is doubt the awesomeness of God in our lives.

Nehemiah 4:14 ESV

14 And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Those familiar terms - all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present get all but forgotten.

When our faith stumbles with fear and doubt,

when our hearts are overwhelmed with hurt -

restore your faith by Remembering how awesome your God is.

One of the best ways to trust in God when you are sinned against - is to remember how awesome he is.

And thirdly, when we are sinned against -

3) Remember that God Ultimately Brings Justice.

Coming back to this idea of fairness -

Let’s be honest>>>>doesn’t this world seem a little unfair?

In David’s words,

Psalm 13:2 ESV

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Many times in the moment -

R.C Sproul once said - “We are shocked by justice and presume upon grace.”

we wonder why God allows sin to continue.

And we are tempted to think that God let’s people get away with hurting others.

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/holiness-and-justice

And in emotional sense,, the Gospel doesn’t feel like justice has been served.

And we are tempted to think that God let’s people get away with hurting others.

And that is because we forget about what the Bible says about justice.

Part of God’s rule over creation is to bring ultimate justice.

Only God can bring Ultimate Justice

We forget when this happens.

ILLUSTRATION:

A person sins against us, and we feel like they got away with it.

That they can hurt others, and no one is here to stop them.

But I contend that just because they here and now got away with it - doesn’t mean God will not bring justice.

God brings ultimate -

Consider how - God brings ultimate -

a) Justice to the Wicked. (, ; , )

Nehemiah was sinned against a number of times, but there are two times he stops and pays about it.

They were probably times where he was really hurt by their sin.

The first wouldn’t surprise us - it’s God enemies.

We expect God’

Nehemiah 6:14 ESV

14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

Why would he pray this in the middle of chapter 6?

- Because it probably looked like they were getting away with it.

- Nehemiah was powerless to stop their taunting or an invasion .

- and without God's intervention would be powerless to stop them from attacking and destroying the city of Jerusalem.

Feeling powerless

Wondering how long they would seemingly get away with their sin.

He pray that God would remember their sin.

Further, Nehemiah prays for justice over their idolatry of Israel.

He is trusting God - to bring ultimate justice. Paul repeats this in

Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV

35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’

Paul repeats this in .

The fact that God’s people can pray and trust in God for justice should comfort the saved -

should comfort the saved -

We don’t need to despair because God will bring justice.

, Great white throne, what is happeing - God is making all things fair.

He is bringing justice.

Which means none of us should ever want fairness - because we all have sinned against each other.

If we had complete fairness, we would be throne in a lake of fire.

and terrify those who are not trusting Jesus’s death to save us - because one day God is going expect you to pay for every time you sinned against his people.

Now we know this happens in .

All those who have not trusted in Christ to save them from their guilt - will be punished.

We expect God’

But the next one does surprise us.

After finding the high priest has desecrated the temple by allowing Tobiah to live in it.

After finding the temple deserted.

The law, the sacrifices, and the feasts abandoned.

He prays this -

Nehemiah 13:29 ESV

29 Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

Nehemiah 13:29 ESV

29 Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

Neh 13:29

Chapter 13 is a really sad way finish the Old Testament.

The last recorded history describes a nation who has totally abandoned their God.

What is Nehemiah saying in these two passages.

CAVEAT:

Now there is a debate here about whether these are truly God’s people?

Are they saved or not?

But my point today doesn’t matter.

But for the point I am making in this text - it doesn’t matter.

We know

What he is saying -

He is trusting God - to bring ultimate justice.

He probably was thinking of -

Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV

35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’

The fact that God’s people can pray and trust in God for justice should comfort the saved -

We don’t need to despair because God will bring justice.

, Great white throne, what is happening - God is making all things fair.

He is bringing justice.

For all those people who are not followers of God - this should make us afraid.

But if we really think about this -

God promises justice.

And God always keeps his promises.

But in humility, even as believers - we also should confess we don’t really want absolute fairness.

Even though we don’t like being sinned against - we really don’t want absolute fairness.

Really?

Romans 3:10–11 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.

Which means none of us should ever want fairness - because we all have sinned against each other.

>>>>If we had complete fairness, God would exact his holy and good justice upon everyone of us.

[[[[Even those who call upon his name. ]]]]

If we had complete fairness, God would exact his holy and good justice upon everyone of us.

Instead we should want the justice of the Cross.

Those who admit they are wicked, and trust in Christ to pay for their sins

- we get to enjoy justice without God’s wrath.

Justice and Mercy

But if you are an unbeliever, still trusting in your sin filled hands - remember God promises ultimate justice over your sins.

If you believer here,

{{{{{{ describes a day when you will pay for your sins. }}}}}

So admit your sin, and come to Christ

Nehemiah’s prayers should remind us that -

that God promises justice against those who sin against us.

And the Cross represents mercy for those who also deserve God’s wrath.

But what about our Good works?

God also promises -

b) Justice to the Faithful. (, , , )

Sometimes the Christian life is a lonely life.

Why?

Because - it is lonely to be the only one who follows God’s Word.

There are times - where you are the only person doing what God has called us to do.

Now I have to warn us - usually when we say I am the only one,

what we are saying is I am bitter and angry.

what I am saying is - I am to arrogant to think that anybody else is doing right.

And what that statement reveals is our pride and sin.

But there are times - where you are the only person doing what God has called us to do.

Sometimes it is because we are in a workplace of unbelievers.

Sometimes it is because our spouse has turned from the things of God.

Sometimes it is because - our churches are really good at looking Good, but miss the call of the great commission.

(Or what has been called the great omission)

And in those times - the Christian life can be really lonely.

You can feel like you work doesn’t matter.

It makes no difference.

I am just banging my head against the wall.

But I don’t believe Nehemiah thought that; and neither should we.

Nehemiah 5:19 ESV

19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

Nehemiah 13:14 ESV

14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.

Nehemiah 13:22 ESV

22 Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

(This is also found in , )

Nehemiah 13:31 ESV

31 and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Nehemiah repeatedly prays to God to remember, that even though the rest of Israel had abandoned the Law and Covenant,

he was still faithful - calling out to his God.

I think of which teaches us that God blesses those who follow His path.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Sometimes the Christian life - is a lonely life where you wonder if what you are doing matters.

But may we remember - God is a God of justice.

Which means he makes right the injustices in our lives,

but it also means he rewards those who are faithful.

Colossians 3:23–24 ESV

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

When you are sinned against

- don’t let your hurt cause you to despair

- Don’t be disheartened when your faithfulness seems unfruitful.

Instead, remember that God is a God of justice.

CONCLUSION:

So this morning, who are you going to trust when you are sinned against?

I warn you

Think about this,

You walk in to work Monday morning, and face that coworker who loves to harrass you.

You take your children home, your eating your nice Sunday lunch - and your five year old says >>> I hate your food and launches plate across the room.

You get a phone call tomorrow, and you find out that your spouse broke their promise to you.

What are you going to do?

>You can get angry, bittern, and holler it is unfair. You can respond with your old nature.

You can get angry, bittern, and holler it is unfair - or you can trust God to bring ultimate justice.

> Or you can respond with compassion, grace, patience, self-control - Because you know that the Gospel will ultimately bring the only justice worth having.

So often -

We look to the government, to lawyers, our revenge - to bring justice.

We yell and scream at each other as though it really makes that sin - ok.

When really what we need is to have faith and hope in the Gospel.

ILLUSTRATION:

Some years back, there was a Pastor who was driving down the interstate in Chicago.

A construction truck lost a tool and it punctured the gas tank.

The car caught on fire so fast that the Pastor and his wife were able to get out,

but then were helpless to save their children.

>>>>>They watched their children burn because of someone else’s negligence.

You tell me how the government or lawyers could ever make that right?

They can’t - it just is an injustice that can’t be fixed by human hands.

Only the justice God promises in the cross will ever make that right.

>>>>So consider your faith when you are sinned against.

If we can get our hearts to remember

- God’s promises,

- his awesomeness,

- and his ultimate justice;

then we can no longer respond in the flesh, with fear and trembling

but by faith in Jesus Christ - the only one who can actually bring justice.

We can respond to other’s sin not with the flesh,

but with love, compassion, peace, patience, and wisdom.

May we consider how we respond to those who malicious hurt us and wickedly abuse us.

May we be challenged to trust God when our dreams are shattered by sin.

ILLUSTRAITON:

Can’t cover all - but consider thise one

Negligence that lead to yoru children being burned alive.

Imagine a world where God’s people let God be the one who remembers the good and the bad.

This is easy to understand, but hard to apply.

We can know it in general, and forget in practice.

The emotions take over, the fear, and frustation blind us … and

APPLICATION

Pray to God

Claim God’s Promises

Trust God

Those who trust, love, cover a multitude of sins ....

So think about this,

You walk in to work Monday morning, and face that coworker who loves to harrass you.

Response:

You take your children home, your eating your nice Sunday lunch - and your five year old says >>> I hate your food and launches plate across the room.

a) What is your first response when you are sinned against? Why is it so difficult to respond to sin with Christlikeness?

You get a phone call tomorrow, and you find out that your spouse broke their promise to you.

b) What do we forget when we respond with anger and bitterness?

c) How should a Christian respond to sin? What Scripture teaches this?

What are you going to do?

d) Pray and Meditate on a Christian response to sin.

One answer to that – that I will remember the wonderful promises of God.

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