Receive the WORD to be Strengthened by Joy
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Part II: Re-building the Community of Faith Receive the WORD to be Strengthened by Joy Receive the WORD and be strengthen with JOY!
Receive the WORD to be Strengthened by Joy
HP: Continually receive the Living Word into your life, and you will be strengthened with a joy for true renewal!
1. True Renewal/revival/reformation happens only when God visits His people!
Message: Strengthened by Joy for True Renewal
You will remember that the first 6 chapters recount 52 day wonder of physical rebuilding. But now begins even more difficultwork ofthe spiritual, social, community re-building of the people of God. In Chapter 7 some time ago we see Nehemiah recruiting and delgateing, organizing - Gatekeepers, singers, Levites, priests. Heads of tribes, like small groups. INcredible commitment of resources! But that is not true renewal is it. Have all the program, staff, buildings, even say God is with us in the instituationalized, outward doings of church. Liek Elijah, we lay the wood, but God must send the fire from heaven!
But the key word in v.1-12 occuring a remarkable 13x = people! Remarkable occurence month after all returned to homes, come back - sun up to noon Bible Study - meet back in Jersusalem. All the people show up as one man…all the poeople listened atentively to Word of God…all stood before great scribe Ezra..all lifted up their hands…all bowed down faces to the ground worshippped…all gathered in smaller groups to hear TOrah, instruction of God through words of Moses - promises and curses - law wisdom - explained in own Aramaic language. All the people wept…all feasted…and ate and drank and shared!
What’s going on is the first necessity of a true renewal: God must visit His people. Wasn’t he there before. All through Scripture’s story, all through Christian history - times when God drew near to his people. Has this happened to you - your family - our Church family.
Often in times of earnest seeking - prayer, confession -
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Tell this was something planned and people rearranged their schedule for - prayer meeting, small group meeting,…even family devotions!
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”
We ought to expect God to draw especially near as he promised, when we are seeking him.!
He GOT THEIR ATTENTION MADE HIS PRESENCE FELT on the first day, seventh month 444BC =
And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.
Moments when minds and hearts are inundated and overwhelmed by the reality of God in his holiness and grace!
All the rest is prepratory work and useless without this visitation of God with His People! #1 Sheshbazzar and Zerubabbel had rebuilt the temple, then #2 Nehemiah the walls. BUT what happens with Ezra, commanded by the Persian Emperor himself, in making sure the Law was observed in Judah and Jerusalem, is NOT something we can maniupulate - but if as whole people of God - children, men and women - gather to really hear to be rebuilt, to give glory to God - #3 in this public square at hte public reading of God’s Word, they renew their COVENANT with eacho ther and the living God. What we do in gathering here too! Expect that He will come - that he will use the regular means of grace! WHy it happened at the Watergate - where God’s people gathered to have Him work in them!
But maybe like some little gaffer wondering, stand here all morning - doing here - and then feels mighty power of the Word of God, the working of the Holy Spirit in worship, the excitement of a people whose hearts are soft and tender to re-molded by the Living God, and a community that is ready to start living like new society of God on earth. Like that little gaffer you might ask: Why didn’t God visit us like this before?
2. There will be spiritual draught, dryness, when there’s a famine of hearing God’s Word.
Understand the context here. The day is the feast of trumpets, celebrating the 7th month in their church calendar. But it was the end of the harvest, and the feast marked the beginning of their civil calendar. ROSH HASHANAH – head of the year! The Shophar would be blown, just like at the Second Coming of the Messiah – and it was a call to attention.
Why? God had commanded that every year the whole Torah be read to his people - story of creation, sin, their redemption, brilliant vision of new society inwhich he dwelt, the will of God for life in his kingdom! They understood the priest must teach them God’s word! And the 10 day feast would be concluded with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement that will make the new kingdom possible!
But that had all stopped for over a hundred years - imagine like when I was in Slovakia - sit in family even a Christian one - only great grandmother ever read a Bible - could happen here couldn’t it? Then communism fell - brightest minds - studying God’s word, families going to camps - week long courses… That’s what going on here!
They understood as Amos had prophesied before the exile: “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. They had just lived through those times - new times of refreshing coming if God’s Word honoured once again!
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.
What about us 40% of those who say committed Xns, only once a year or less = those who neglect the privelege and discipline of daily Bible reading are severing their links with vital spiritual resources…“
LifeWay Research, surveyed 2,390 U.S. Protestants who said they attend church at least once a month, according to the Christian Post.
According to the results, 19 percent of respondents said they read the Bible outside of church services “every day,” nearly identical to the 18 percent who answered “rarely or never.”L
According to the results, 19 percent of respondents said they read the Bible outside of church services “every day,” nearly identical to the 18 percent who answered “rarely or never. In Canada, Bible League and EFC study, only 1/7th or 14% of Christians read their Bible at least once a week. The Majority read the Bible seldom or never. Listen weekly Bible reading has fallen in half since 1996 in Canada. More encouragingly almost half of Evangelicals still read their Bibles compared too Mainlineand Catholics. Though only 7% of the population. But the scary thing is that of all these Christians who even read their bible, adopting attitude of world – only 23% of Christians , ¼ strongly agreed that the Bible is relevant to modern life. 60% of Xns said that the scriptures and all major world religions teach essentially the same thing. ½ of the Christians believe that the Bible has not just hard teaching, but irreconcilable contradictions! LifeWay Research Director Scott McConnell told the Christian Post he attributes the results to modern American culture. “Regular Bible engagement is both personal and requires discipline. Neither are popular in Western culture today,” McConnell told the Post. “Too many churchgoers want the benefits of salvation without investing in personally knowing Christ and the abundant life he offers.”
LifeWay Research Director Scott McConnell told the Christian Post he attributes the results to modern American culture.
“Regular Bible engagement is both personal and requires discipline. Neither are popular in Western culture today,” McConnell told the Post. “Too many churchgoers want the benefits of salvation without investing in personally knowing Christ and the abundant life he offers.”
About a decade ago, changes in home church, my Dad surprised with a visit- asked do you read God’s law in worship - generation missing that - don’t know it - people murder, commit adultery, need to hear what God says is the way of faithful living - 8thgrade education, never led a bible study in his life… God’s pressed on his heart for little church he’s part of!
Many note that actual reading of the Bible amount, down the tubes… verse, video clips topical preaching - but not explanation and application of God’s Word!
Many note that actual reading of the Bible amount down the tubes… verse, video clips topical preaching - but not explanation and application of God’s Word!
Mark Dever says: Most important thing we do as a church is teach God’s Word, because God’s word alone generates lifes ;
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
= People who hear God’s Word and believe it have their lives changed! Peter says:God’s word is the seed that gives birth to God’s people!
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
Best serve church if Word at centre -elders serve best ensure God’s Word is preached accurately and forcefully applied, small group, discipling relationships, educational min - encourage in home.
3. Mere reading and preaching with application will not be enough!
In
And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
we see that all the people were there listening attentively. Picture that huge Scaffold and Ezra this preist who been there 13 years
earlier - spent years getting a complete copy of the Law - he reading the whole thing. But what is the result: Defintely not warm fuzzies, walk away with inspiration:
earlier - spent years getting a complete copy of the Law - he reading the whole thing. But what is the result: Defintely not warm fuzzies, walk away with inspiration:
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
For all the people had been weeping as they listened to he words of the Law. Not just because they hadn’t heard them for over a hundred years. But this is the first work of the Holy Spirit in renewing a people by the Word, next chapter see the power of confession. The Spirit and Word do a work of conviction - ever experience grief for sin - ever feel how utter sinful offensive sin is - Saint Augustine in Confessions - Thank you for the sins I didn’t commit. Understand even those areas kept pure - not areas to boast bu t only by grace …
First sign is Scripture as Looking Glass -”There God is seen especially and Christ, but also there you see yourself and your own dirty face; there also you see the creatures - see their empitness and the emptiness of all comforts and relations” William Bridge; = realize fall short, tragic consequences of human sin
This is why they are weeping. Most likely the Law Ezra is reading, is Deuteronomy that 2nd giving of the law for the generation inheriting the promised land. Why we have the Levites not only translating but
They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
In exile they developed new language Aramaic, living now in new circumstances, the Levites were doing what author of Hebrews calls all of us to do:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
right divide the Word of God, let it be powerful pentertraing and discerning your thoughts and attitudes; let it reprove correct, recallibrate your whole life - Isn’t this what Jesus said would keep you abiding in His life - abid ein my Word!
SO they’ve explained and applied whole of God’s will for there lives, but do you remember how Torah ends? Mt Gerrizim,Mt Ebal -read covenant promises, covenant blessings. So heard all of how God saved, mercy ,forgave, grace set them to be kingdom in whom he dwells at cetnre - but recalling how lived breaking God’s will, law, instruction - hearing the curses they’ve jsut been experiencing! Where renewal,new direction,new filling with the Spirit for servie starts, but it cannot end here!
read covenant promises, covenant blessings. So heard all of how God saved, mercy ,forgave, grace set them to be kingdom in whom he dwells at cetnre - but recalling how lived breaking God’s will, law, instruction - hearing the curses they’ve jsut been experiencing! Where renewal,new direction,new filling with the Spirit for servie starts, but it cannot end here!
4. So then must come the reading and preaching of God’s Word with an apprehension of the gospel promises!
Look at the change that comes over the people in v.10,12 Nehemiah understands there is more than threats, bad news in God’s Word.
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
When the Word of God is received in its fullness it is not only conviction of sin, the bad news it will bring, but also the forgiveness and the new life . The promised of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. They now understand these words -
And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
and they party like the nation had never partied before - here is a new beginning with the Lord - and the joy they experience in their merciful, beautiful, power-filling God - that Joy becomes their strength!
Have you experienced this in your reading of God’s Word - fulness of the Torah in the NT. Warnings , mroal instruction - but not enough - have you found the grace, new beginning, in Christ?
Not only see condemns sin, but remedy of sin too! Ten days after this holiday would be the day of atonement… = anual public declaration of Gods’ mercy on all the uncleanness and rebellion of Israel would be fully, immediately and inrrevocably pardoned - whatever their sins had been! = sins cleansed strength renewed! No strength spiritually without living in the joy of forgiveness !
Do you read the Bible looking only for moral direction, rabbit foot, fluffy inspiration; or do you believe what Christ spoke: All these SPEAK OF ME - I Appeared to Abraham - READ TO HAVE MORE OF GOSPEL APPLIED TO YOUR LIFE = 1 PETER TELLS US WE WERE REBORN BY THE wORD, NOW WILL YOU LIVE BY THE WORD LETTING CHRIST TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH HIS TRUTH!
“Embraced with greatest reverence and ask God to make it possible for us by the spirit of revelatoin - Calvin!
Experiencing that in study of James in small groups - what happens that joy in the Lord together gets in your bones, strengthens you to lvoe and serve those people, Read the love fo Christ compels us - bursting with joy!
5. When we ourselves are receiving God’s Word in this strengthening joy, we will share it with others.
We see this first in works of mercy and love to those who Nehemiah said had nothing! Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. Scripture does that doesn’t it: it opens our eyes to the need of others! As Christ has come to our rescue, we are sent by Him to meet the needs of others in need!
But then we also see it as they read God’s word and desire that joy, celebration, that saving knowledge for others!
Think of it with Paul and that angel – faith in God – foundation shall be just as he said. You may not have an angel delivering message but we do have the Word of the prophets made more certain. We have God’s Word inscripturated with most important message for life and death – for wisdom and hope, for …. All sufficient to equip.
They found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem.
And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.”
Those who had been unable or unwilling to attend this remarkable renewal service - they actually love them enough to go to them and invite them to the next event! The Feast of Tabernacles. Let me read how a modern Jew describes its significance:
Sitting in the sukkah underneath its canopy of leaves I often think of my ancestors and their wanderings across Europe in search of safety, and I begin to understand how faith was their only home. It was fragile, chillingly exposed to the storms of prejudice and hate. But it proved strong than empires. Their faith has survived.
That really is at the heart of the matter -even the pagan Greek philopher knew it: Thucydides: It is the people not the walls that make a city! The spiritual, moral, social contribution of committed men and women is of greater importance than strong bulwarks.
What King George said when London in shambles – but indominable spirit of the people:
As those ancient Jews gather at the Watergate for their Bible study and worship,as they sat under their temporary little tents remembering their exodus - they have something crucial to teach our gloomy age: Peace and joy and strength are to be found in the Lord alone; in His word, in His worship, and in His service! There alone will we find continual strength to be a church that is reformed and always reforming! Amen.