Renewed by God's Grace

Intro: Recommitment in 80’s youth ministry.

As a child of the 80’s my experience in youth groups included lots of camps experiences with our music, emotion stirring, and weak theology and biblical teaching. I didn’t know it at the time, but these ingredients were a big problem for the church and they are one reason the church struggles today. Many churches today literally replicate that youth group emotional rollercoaster or loud music, dim lights, and weak preaching all to tantalize the emotions.

One product of that emotional pyramid scheme was the time of recommittment. It was that time, particularly in youth groups at the end of a long day at camp or church retreat, after you had been fighting with your friends over boys/girls all day, playing in the hot sun during your recreation time, that you were exhausted, pumped full of carbs and sugar from the evening meal. Then you were ushered in to a hot auditorium, where they jam loud music, deliver a hot plate of emotional preaching with little bibilical foundation, and then send you to small groups. In this experience, imagine now its 10 oclock at night and all the elements exist for the emotions to be running on a defcon 5 levels. Its a perfect time for the youth pastor to give a time of response and watch the emotions erupt like Mt St Helens. I watched night after night the same people confessing, recommitting to walk with God only to do it again, and again and again.

I am not trying to criminalize this experience but I don’t think that is healthy recommitment to the Lord. It represents more theatrics and less about true works of the Spirit to generate change. I don’t doubt that the Lord used those moments throughout the 80’s to truly bring people to repentance, but the church and particularly ministry to students was in a precarious state in those days.

But renewing your commitment to the Lord is not a bad thing, just remove all the smoke machines, low level lighting, and mood music. Renewal is about understanding that grace has been provided in our weaknesses and renewal in the Lord requires action on our part!

Grace has been provided

One theme of God’s revelation of himself is the beauty of his grace. Grace is that unmerited love of God that he extends to humanity not based on their works, but based on his sovereign choice to love whom he chooses to love. The unconditional nature of God’s gracious love is what sets the One True God of the bible apart from all other gods.

In a powerful declaration of his own nature, he states,

Exodus 34:6–7 ESV

6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

This is how the Jews were to understand God as was taught to them by their leader Moses at Sinai and passing down that truth to generation upon generation. They did not just learn intellectually about that grace from the Lord but they experienced physically in God’s love for them in spite of their sin. His provision and care was an act of his grace. His leadership and guidance through the wilderness was an act of grace. His power displayed over the Egyptian oppressors was an act of his grace. They did not deserve to be pursued, delivered, fed, protected, and blessed but God gracious gave to them without measure.

This grace is the foundation of the covenants that He made with his people. Ezra stated this similar truth about God’s character in Nehemiah 9:17

Nehemiah 9:17 ESV

17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.

Human nature reveals that sin is bound up in every fiber of our being and as human beings, we will fail God. We will forsake him just as Israel did, just as Adam and Eve did. We will forsake him and yet He will show love for his people continually and for eternity. This is the essence of his loving covenantal grace.

The Jews knew of the availability of God’s grace as we can see in chapters 9-10. You don’t enter into a time of confession of sin and repentance if you are unaware that the grace of God is available. They know the reality of God’s grace and therefore, in their remorse over sin, the go to him like a child who has willfully sinned and yet know that the love of their parents is real and availabile.

May we look to Christ as the church and know that God’s love for his people is real. Let us not forget that his grace is present and sufficient to cover the multitude of sins. You and I need this understanding as we live day to day in the trenches of the human experience.

When I go backpacking…one major rule to consider on a two or three day trip is “know where a water source is located.” If you can’t get to water and fill up, you can get yourself in alot of trouble. You can’t just frolick carefree in the woods without considering the ramifications of such poor planning. Knowing the location and distance of a drinkable water source is key to survival.

God’s grace is that water source for our Christian life. Our journey is rough as we climb through the thick brush and slog through the deep mire of a depraved society. You will get off course and you will make mistakes that dishonor the Lord. But knowing that God’s grace is sufficient and its location is the person of Christ is the key to faithfulness to the end.

He never leaves you nor forsakes you. Paul knew this reality when he battled the persecutions and hardships of ministry. In 2 Corinthians, he writes to the church in Corinth about his difficulties and his need for God’s grace. Paul mentions a “thorn in the flesh” which is widely interpreted to mean many things. I think Paul is referring to a person who tormented and persecuted him and his ministry efforts. He calls this person a “ANGELOS SATANAS” which translates to a “messenger (or demon) from Satan.” But Paul’s response to affliction is powerful,

2 Corinthians 12:8–10 ESV

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Friend, God’s grace is sufficient for your weaknesses in hardships and persecutions and struggles with a sinful world full of temptations. When you understand the grace we find in Christ, then you will rest in him in struggles.

Simply put, I was an enemy of God, dead and sin and lost in my own rebellious heart against the Lord. But God in his grace and love, chose to save me, not because of what I accomplished but solely by his love and perfect plan. I know that Jesus lived a perfect life in my place, obeying the law in every respect. He did this because I could never attain perfect righteousness before God. Then he willingly died on the cross, offering the necessary sacrifice to atone for my sin. His blood, as both God and man was the only acceptable sacrifice able to cover my past, present and future sin and rescue from sins dominion and God’s wrath. On the cross, he bore the wrath of God that was planned for me because of my rebellion. He bore it all in my place so it could passover me. Then on the third day, he rose victoriously, just as I also will rise victorious daily against my struggle with sin and in the end, I will rise victoriously from the grave to a life eternally with him.

This is my story of grace and it is the same for you if you believe and trust in Jesus and rest in his grace! His grace sets the stage for you to live a life like the Jews in our passage today, who humbly confess their failures and renew their covenant with God.

Three questions for you?

Do you treasure God’s grace? Is the grace of God the source of joy that moves you day by day along your Christian journey, even in hardships and failures? Is the grace of God a greater treasure that earthly trivialities?

If God’s grace is a treasure, do you live in holiness BECAUSE OF THAT GRACE? Is God’s grace like the snooze button on your alarm? It allows you just a little longer to linger in warm places of sin that you don’t belong?

Renewal requires action

As I said, God’s grace sets the stage for repentance because we understand the character of God to be patient with our sin, we understand his love to overcome our failures and we understand his forgiveness to wash us clean of all unrighteousness. Therefore, God’s grace allows us the opportunity to turn from sin and turn back to the Lord.

Chapter 9-10 is the chapter of repentance for Israel…really 8-9 leads to this. The Law is repositioned in the community of God’s people as the highest priority in their lives. All month, the 7th month they spent celebrating God and his word.

That time before the word leads to repentance. Repentance is turning away from sin and turning back to the Lord. Turning away from sin and turning back to the Lord requires action on the part of those in covenant with God. Chapter 9, if you remember is the honest and beautiful confession of sin before the Lord. They lay it out bare before God as to all the historical failures they committed against God as His people. Their prayer includes two important aspect to any confession:

Confession of God’s good character and rule

Confession of our failures against his character and rule

What comes next is the verse 9:38, which is where we left off a few weeks ago when I stopped to explain in detail the covenants of the Bible.

Nehemiah 9:38 ESV

38 “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.

Now what transpires here is the people reflect back on their failures as a people and they act with change. The law of Moses has now instructed them as to how to live among the nations and they are committing again to live that way. We have the same language that we just studied where the Jews “cut a covenant” but it really a one-sided covenant made with God based upon the existing covenant that was made with the Lord at Sinai.

Look at Nehemiah 10:29

Nehemiah 10:29 ESV

29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.

As they reference the law of God given by Moses, then they are entering again into the covenant established at Sinai. This is a renewal of the covenant. It is interesting that only the people are renewing this covenant because they are the covenant breakers. God never speaks in this reaffirming because he is not in covenant violation.

Notice that they “enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law.” They are acknowledging that if they did not fulfill the obligations of obedience in the covenant, then God would curse them. This curse would be the judgement from the Lord on their disobedience.

The people of Israel had a clear picture of God’s judgement because of their sin. They had just escaped once again the era of oppression as they lived under Babylonian and Persian rule. They clearly acknowledged that captivity was as a result of their disobedience.They had a proper fear of the Lord in these words as they swear to keep the covenant or else they know God will judge them again.

This is why the beginning of Chapter 10 starts with another list of names. This list of names includes the Nehemiah and his subordinates. Also included are the priests, levites and chief elders. Verse 28 begins with the phrase “the rest of the people” to include all the Jews who recognized their sin and in repentance turned back to the Lord.

Why again do we need a list of people to fill these pages? Names represent History and Accountability

These names function as historical documents and therefore tell a story of the Jewish people. A registry of sorts provided accurate representation of the people committed to the task of renewing their commitment to the Lord. That historical list of names shows commitment by the people to change. It shows that they were not comfortable with living in sin any longer and they were choosing that day whom they would serve.

The list also is about accountability. Those names recorded provided a list of people who could be reminded when they fell from obedience. We all need accountability in our lives and God provides a community to take names and hold us accountable for our actions.

Application:

Although the group is different than the church, this idea had great ramification for the church today. I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of the question, “how many people attend your church.” Its a question about numbers as if numbers are a true evaluation of God’s work. I disagree because I have been a part of a large church with many unfaithful to the Lord. Therefore I have concluded that warm bodies in the pews actually do not determine true spiritual growth in a church body.

But I will say that numbers are important in the church for accountability. The parable of lost sheep where the shepherd has the 99 sheep and the 1 sheep gets lost that was lost is a good example that spiritual accountability matters in the church. In that parable, the shepherd knew how many sheep he had in order to know one was lost. The number provides accountability but God’s people are not just a number. You are loved by the elders of this church and a clear understanding of church membership solidifies your commitment to this family and your number is a way that we can know you are committed to us and we are committed to shepherd you. Jesus loved that sheep enough to leave the 99 sheep safely in order to search out the one. As Jesus treasures all the sheep given to him by the Father, which is the church, then so the under-shepherds of the church, the elders, also prize you as important and each one a spiritual responsibility given to us.

So please see as a matter of application, that a list like this provides a historical record of commitment and it provides a means of accountability similar to those in their journey of faith with a local church. Our lists are member lists and we take them serious. We believe that as you join with our church in covenant, you are not cursed by God if you forsake that covenant but it should be taken more serious than your Kroger Plus card registration.

God has placed you in this family to walk side by side with like minded believers who are called to be a source of strength, safety, and sanctification in the Lord.

T: These Jews enter into covenant again with God and they provide some specific aspects of that renewal with God they highlight for us.

Specific commitments

Family 30

One of the great failures of the Jews relationship with God was the intermarriage to foreign wives that was allowed in the community. This intermarriage was forbidden by God because it drew the man’s heart into idolatry and the worship of false gods. The community of God’s people allowed this to happen in abundance, even such that Israel’s kings participated in it instead of standing firm in prohibiting it.

As they renewed the covenant, they were quick to acknowledge their need to protect their worship of the Lord and their family by avoiding intermarriage of foreign women. This was not a matter of racism…this was a matter of worship! This commitment then was to lead their family in a lifestyle that honor YHWH and his commandments to remain pure among the nations that surrounded them.

Young people, consider how this might apply to your life as you search for that special someone to love and marry one day. The people commands in the New Testament what it learned from the old…do not be unequally yoked. This does NOT mean you cannot marry someone from a different nationality or ethnicity. You don’t have to have the same color skin as the person you love....but you do have to worship the same Lord. Being unequally yoked means that you love a person who does not love your Lord. You should not want this in your life!

I could relate this your family. What if the person you are interested in hates your family? That is bad! Even worse, what if they think you are visually attractive except for face. You would not agree to love someone that thinks your face is hideous? Then don’t give your love over to someone who is disinterested or disbelieves in the preeminence of your Lord. His power to save you from sin and death allows you to rest easy that he can sovereignly send a partner your way who equally loves Him and will love you as the Lord intended.

Holy Days 31

Secondly, the Jews recommitted themselves to observing the Sabbath day which was commanded by the Lord in the fourth commandment. The first four commandments given by the Lord to Israel were focused on Israel’s relationship with God and the trust that they had in the Lord over false gods and in themselves. The Sabbath was one way that the Jews could demonstrate a true faith in the Lord.

Jim Hamilton writes,

“Keeping the Sabbath is evidence of faith. This commitment to keep the Sabbath is not about legalism. It is a declaration of trust in Yahweh. An old covenant Israelite could only keep the Sabbath by trusting the Lord.”-Jim Hamilton

What Dr. Hamilton means that taking a day of your week and abstaining from work was a way to demonstrate that the Lord provides your ever need. Many of us possibly understand this if our work is hourly and not salaried. When you consider the amount of money you could earn by laboring that extra day of the week, the temptation is real.

For the Jews, abstaining from work was faith in knowing that God would bless their obedience and they would have what they need. In addition, the Sabbath year is mentioned at the end of verse 31. The Sabbath year was when financial debts were absolved between Jews and the land was able to rest from any agriculture working or harvest. That means that farmers had no way to earn a living in the Sabbath year. Imagine not farming an entire year on your fields and being forbidden to even harvest what naturally grew wild during that year. The intention was to point to rest for the earth and during eternity when man and creation would be in harmony and eternal rest.

But it took faith of the Jews to know that God would provide just as it took faith in the wilderness that manna and birds would be present to eat every morning.

The Jews read that command in Lev 25 and therefore were going to demonstrate faith in the Lord in obedience to his word. What is striking is the temptation to violate the Sabbath when the vendors and traders came around on Saturday to trade and do business. When the Jews refused to be like the nations around them, they had an opportunity to explain, not their crazy religious practices, but their faith in a God who had faithfully demonstrated his provision throughout the generations. What a great opportunity to worship and evangelize the nations!

How are you displaying a trust in the Lord when your faith conflicts with the culture? Are you taking a necessary stand for Christ when pressure from the world presses upon you? In our recent day with wars and a poor economic season, are you displaying faith by trusting in the Lord to provide instead of living in fear? For all my workaholics out there, the Lord has called you to love your family well instead of being married to your work. It is a matter of faith in the Lord that He will provide all your needs so you can adequately spent time with your relationship with Him and with your spouse and children.

Temple Function 32-39

Finally, in their covenantal renewal the Jews renewed their commitment to the temple. Their love for the temple was more than just about the building, but it represented their relationship to the Lord. They had been stripped of the Lord’s presence during the exile and now with the temple being rebuilt, they renew their agreement to follow the commands of the Lord involving the operation of the Temple. The Priests, Levites and temple servants all worked in the temple in various ways and the people, with their sacrifices and gifts to the Lord, which were brought to the temple, were used to aid in keeping the function and operation of the temple going.

The final statement in verse 39 sums up the idea, “we will not neglect the house of God.”

The summary of these verses are about the people of God giving towards the function of the temple. Notice with me,

v 32- giving a yearly offering

v 34- harvesting wood for the sacrifices that are burned on the altar

v 35 giving a firstfruits of the abundance of the blessings of the Lord as an offering to God

These acts in the temple were not busy work like your substitute teacher would give you in school when your regular teacher was out sick. These acts of giving and sacrifice of the people were directed at the worship of the Lord. I love how this simple passage reminds us that even chopping wood and giving it to the temple was necessary for the operation of the sacrifices so that cleansing of sin for by the fires of the altar.

This is an important lesson to us as we consider our service to the Lord. The church today may not ask for wood to be chopped and given, but their our menial tasks that required for the gathering of the church to commence. If you tape down the wires to the floor, as we set up each Sunday, consider that task an act of worship to the Lord. Let me be clear, this building is not the Temple, and the presence of the Lord is not found in some special room in the back. The bible says that we are the temple and the spirit of the lord dwells in all believers. It is our spiritual act of worship as we serve the Lord, not out of obligation to gain his favor, but instead out of love for him.

But these verses do show us the need for contribution from everyone, not just with financial gifts, but with your physical service to the Lord. I am thankful that our members do not sit idly by and expect to be served. Instead, we all serve in some way to make our church function properly. Some of do more visible acts of ministry to the church while others do more acts that are behind the scenes. Because of that our elders are grateful your your faith to serve and the labor put forth in doing so.

I think the instruction of the temple importance in the OT has led many churches to fall into building worship. I am not against owning a building (if you have one to donate for our church that would be great). But the more time I spend pastoring a church without a building, the more I realize how freeing it is to not own such a burden. If the Lord designs for us to own a building one day, I know he will provide all the means necessary to make that happen. But as I drive around the city and see these church buildings, and I find myself wishing for one ourselves, I remind myself that owning a building does not define fruitful ministry.

The global church exists in many context in homes, without any property to call their own because the church is not about buildings, its about a community people living life togethers, growing together for the glory of Christ representing him as a holy nations and a kingdom of priests.

Conclusion

But the summary of these passage is about God’s grace in allowing us an opportunity for change for renewal. He brings about the power to change by his Son’s death and resurrection. He gives us the desire to change when we fail him and he calls us to action. If we can take any major point away from this passage is that spiritual change in a daily action that is necessary for all believers that must be taken. God’s word brings to light our sin, Christ has redeemed us from the slavery of that sin and empowers us to overcome. Our response is repentance and renewal. We set out to turn from that which dishonors the Lord and we make strategic steps based on God’s word to effect change. We acknowledge that God empowers that change and yet obedience is a laborious act for all Christians. In other words, change will not happen when we simply, “let go and let God.”

Let me correct some of your Carrie Underwood theology made possible by her entertaining and yet incorrect lyrics,

Jesus, take the wheel Take it from my hands 'Cause I can't do this on my own I'm letting go So give me one more chance And save me from this road I'm on Jesus, take the wheel

I appreciate her sentiment and I will acknowledge that Carrie brings in themes of repentance and trust in the Lord. I am not trying to knit pick but if we are not careful, we sing these songs and expect God to magically bring change to our spiritual lives by just “being full of faith.” Faith and repentance requires action. The Jews took steps of action in this renewal to set out to follow the law of God, all the while resting in the grace of the Lord and finding strength in him to change.

If you want spiritual change to happen, begin with trusting in Christ to bring about that change in you by his power and might, stop sitting on your hands and get to work. That work might be your physical health, your marriage, your prayer life, your relationship with your kids, that lost tribe on the amazon jungle that needs Jesus. None of this happens when we sit back and sing, Jesus take the wheel. Instead, we might sing, Jesus I trust you as I steer in obedience toward what you command knowing fully that change can happen in Christ. Grace has been provided, the call to repentance and change has been declared and obedience is necessary in our lives to see fruit as we persevere until the end.

Philippians 2:12 (ESV)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Philippians 2:13 ESV

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.