"The Joy of the Lord is found…”
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“The Joy of the Lord is Found… When we look and act.”
— The people of God came together and come together with a HUNGER for His Word. With Joy, Redemption, Confidence in His resurrection power, and a sense to celebrate.
— So we are continuing to look at the Book of Nehemiah and the people as they returned from their 3rd captivity… you see they learned their lessons about as well as we do.
— A this point in history of the Jews they are returning to focus on God and returning in mass from captivity
— Initially, around 50,000 Jews returned to the Land of Judah following the decree of Cyrus. But most of the remained in Babylon
— Around 20% actually worked on the wall so 10,000.
— The other 40,000 you ask… disappeared into the country side. NOT interested in the Things or the Places of God.
—. The return of the Jews took the next 110 years or 3-4 generations.
— Those Jews remaining “stuck” in Babylon had virtually become Babylonians. They spoke the language, inter-married, they had children, buried their dead.
— And many “FORGOT” the Lord
— The returning Jew in Judah who did work, they put their heart, soul, mind and strength into returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the Temple. And Restoring the Worship of Yahweh.
Application: In our spiritual lives, Jesus meets us where we are at. He is ALWAYS available, NEVER distant, and WANTS to hear from us.
— If you believe that… SAY AMEN!!
— I’d like to get to scripture this morning… open your bible to the Book of Nehemiah, chapter 7, Verse 1.
— It is found on page 402 in bibles in the racks in front of you.
— if you will to Nehemiah 7, Verse 1. Nehemiah is speaking here.
1 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,
— Nehemiah knows that even after the Temple walls were rebuilt
— They had a “place” to worship… But did they have “a heart” to worship.
— All of the elements were their for them; The doors, gatekeepers, singers and the “Priests” or the Levities. Were ALL ready to go.
Application: We have ALL we need to return to worship the Lord. Just do it!!
— We have His WORD!
— We have a building, a beautiful building. Maintained by our Trustees.
— We have “gatekeepers” or greeters. To welcome us, to share a connection to make sure you know where the nursery is and to give us a bulletin
— We have extraordinary singers and worship. That lead us into His very presence every week
— And we have “Priests” yes, we are ALL priests in the new covenant.
— If you are a believer in Jesus Christ… you are one of His priests
— Now if you move forward to Chapter 8.
— We are going to look at the two messages of Nehemiah 8.
— The First is…
The Joy of Lord
The Joy of Lord
— Where the people of God come together with a hunger for His Word. That brings the Joy of the Lord.
— Nehemiah 8 unfolds the narrative of revival, repentance, and rejoicing among the Israelites.
— For them gathered at the NEW temple, with it’s walls and worship.
— For us the “JOY OF THE LORD” is HIS demand. Regardless of our circumstances, in plenty or in need we are called to have JOY!!
1 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.
2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.
3 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.
— Imagine being present that day…
— The scrolls were opened, maybe for the VERY first time for many that were born in captivity.
— AND God’s word was read!
— AND they where filled with JOY
— As we delve into this passage, we'll explore three key points that will reveal profound Christ-centered truths.
Christ-Centered Truths from Nehemiah
The JOY of Lord is our strength
There is TRANSFORMATION POWER in His Word
We must REPENT and CELEBRATE
— I hope this journey, this morning will lead us to understand and apply the JOY that emanates from the Lord,
— Grasp the TRANSFORMATIVE power of His Word,
— And we are called to REPENTANCE and CELEBRATION in Christ.
— Nehemiah portrays a community hungry for the Word of God.
— They gather, attentive and responsive, as the Scriptures are read aloud.
Application: The Word is living and active. It penetrates the recesses of our being. Discerning our thoughts. AND demands to interact with it!
.— Let’s turn our attention to Nehemiah 8.10.
10 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.”
— Ezra takes the pulpit. He is surrounded by the congregation. The masses if you will
— Why did they gather… To eagerly hear the words of the Law.
— As the Word is read aloud the people begin to weep.
— When was the last time that you where so overcome by God’s Word that you wept.
— That’s the depth of emotion they felt for God’s Word.
— They recognized where they have missed the mark; where they have sinned and continue to sin
— But Nehemiah does NOT want them to “live” there.
— Christ DOES NOT want US to live there
— Instead… He wants to hear this…
— His words, "for the joy of the Lord is my strength," often repeated, these echo through the ages, reminding us of this profound truth.
— He steps in to encourage us and them, not to look back but to look forward
— At least 65 times in the New Testament this idea of profound JOY is given to us; so we give it back to Him.
—Let me give you just a couple of examples of the Joy that we see in the New Testament
— To night that Jesus was born
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
— To the morning that Jesus was resurrected
8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
— To John 15.11. JESUS said..
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
— There is NO LAW in regards to the JOY that we have as believers. It says… “against such things there is no law.”
— This joy is not contingent on our circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging character of God.
Application: Are we finding our strength in the joy of the Lord? Draw on the deep well of joy that comes from knowing Christ.
— Let His joy permeate your being, transforming our moments of weakness into opportunities for strength.
— let’s examine our lives. Take time to cultivate a relationship with Jesus through prayer, meditation on His Word, and communion with Him.
— Next we are going to look at Hebrews 4.
— Of course this is a New Testament passage. It can be found on page 1002 in bibles in the racks in front of you
The Word of God, TRANSFORMS and REDEEMS
The Word of God, TRANSFORMS and REDEEMS
— From Hebrews 4.12
12 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.
— In this and many of the places that we’ve talked about this morning
— God is calling us, He has NEVER stopped calling; we though have stopped listening.
— He is calling us to be transformed from where we are to where He wants us to be.
— He wants for us, what He gave the world… REDEMPTION for our lives.
— He wants us to be RECONCILED to Him.
— Getting our lives, our spirit inline with His.
— Letting us be fully immersed in Him and Him alone
Application: God’s word becomes our main battle tank. It’s sharp, and piercing. It divides soul and spirit and knows our thoughts and intentions.
— That may be a bit scary
— In the best and worst of our thoughts, deeds and actions… Jesus is celebrating or weeping. But ALWAYS loving.
— He loved us all the way to Calvary, to Golgatha, where he died, but didn’t stay dead!
— Let’s us approach the Word of God with a renewed understanding of its power.
—The Scriptures a living encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.
— As we delve into the Bible, let us do so with an expectation of encountering the living Christ.
— Allow the Word to penetrate your heart, discern your thoughts, and transform your intentions.
— Make studying the Scriptures a vital part of your journey with Christ.
Repentance and Celebration in Christ
Repentance and Celebration in Christ
— Our standing with God is entirely on the shoulders of Jesus Christ on that Cross.
— Jesus in John 10.10 gives us this
John 10:10 (ESV)
10b “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
— The call to repentance, celebration and abundant living finds its fulfillment in the mission of Jesus Christ.
— His coming inaugurated a new covenant, inviting all to turn away from sin and embrace the abundant life He offers.
— In Christ, we find reason to celebrate the freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life.
— As the people of Judah listened to the Word, conviction led to tears, but Nehemiah encouraged them not to wallow in sorrow.
— Instead, turn mourning into a celebration and action.
— This act marked a season of repentance and a recognition of God's faithfulness.
The CALL of Lent
— These 40 days prior to Easter is Lent
— When we turn our eyes towards home
— It begins for some with the smudge of ashes on the forehead. Indicating a journey being taken in REPENTANCE and SACRIFICE.
— For me and maybe for you… Lent, Lenten sacrifice, repentance, confession, redemption and reconciliation are not marked by days on a calendar.. but are practiced throughout the year.
— But regardless of your tradition… It ends with the RESURRECTION OF CHRIST on EASTER MORNING.
Application: Where in your life is repentance needed? Embrace the forgiveness and grace offered through Jesus. In this repentance, find cause for celebration.
————————-
Communion
Servers Please Come Forward
— As we approach the communion table I want to ask each one us to pause
— Take some time… we will wait for you… reflect on your life and on your relationship with Christ.
— Confess your sins; ask forgiveness for your transgressions.
— With a clean heart and open hands please join us at the communion table.
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.
15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.
18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
— Jim