Make Your Commitment

Decision Made - vs. 38

“Now because of all this...”

“We are making an agreement in writing...”

Significant steps and major milestones always begin with a determination of the will.

The kinds of commitments that are included in this moment are not the type of thing that others can do for you.

Personal ascent to a new reality

Names Attached vs.1-27

“And on the sealed document are the names...”

Nehemiah

Priests

Levites

Leaders of the People

Commitment Publicized - vs. 28-39

Taking on a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law

To keep and to observe all the commandments, ordinances and statutes

Not inter-marry

Keep the Sabath

Provide fo the House of God

The decisions that are made here are expressions of the people’s surrender to God’s will for their lives.

For the Jewish people in this time it was expressed through their commitment to follow the teachings of the law, not for the law’s sake but as a means of worship and surrender to the Lordship of Jehovah.

They didn’t hide their decision or shy away from the implications of accountability. They embraced it because they knew that the only way to live as God desired was in community with others who were doing the same.

Today, God is asking you to do the same. Make your decision to live obediently to the call and way of the Gospel.

Stand if today, you realize you have never given your life to Jesus Christ and you are willing to make that decision today.

Today, God is asking you to do as the Israelites did here, they repented of their sins, and publicly committed themselves to obedience.

Stand if today, you realize that there are areas of your life that you need to repent of and you want to publically demonstrate your commitment to follow God’s will in those areas moving forward.

Today, God is asking you to do as the Israelites did and make themselves accountable to one another in community. That is expressed in the New Testament through Church membership where believers agree to do more than worship together, but to commit to serve one another and their community by encouraging, discipling and holding one another accountable to the standard of God’s Word.

Stand if today, you realize that you need to unite with this Church as a member committing more than your presence but your efforts, time and resources to the challenge of spreading the Gospel and ministering to the needs of one another and our neighbors.