Commit & Covenant Together (after you've confessed)
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Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Do you remember the point of this book, really Ezra-Nehemiah journals of two leaders. Re-building of a physical city, temple earlier, then walls; but more imoprtantly the rebuilding of a people, a community of grace, a kingdom of God. And in this chapter we reach the climax of both Ezra spiritual leader Nehemiah empowered for rebuidlingo f the poeople, and Nehemiah as the poltical leader of physical and every day side of life.
Now this is a curious thing that tells us what God is after! Could have ended with celebration worship - very ioprtant walls done, trun to go, get on with life, but you remember that worship and teaching of God’s torah continues - set time to come back. And you recall what happens when God starts pressing his word, no longer famine - story from Genesis in the first fall into sin, all the way to the very end until Christ returns. The work of the Lord now in this borken world, begins, like his work in Creation, His Word brings forth light out of darkness, and order out of chaos, and life out of death! That Word is no sooner spoken and explained than people start - comiong under conviction - work of God awaken a sinner - conviction of sin. Jesus said Holy Spirit especially tasked with doing this through the word:
And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
ISn’t that how it worked between God and Adam? There was his sin, alienation from God, but God comes to Him God calls to Him, Adam after his excuses bubmling confession - acknowledges that sin before a holy God. Terrifying moment not because of who God is - merciful and just and will forgive us our sins on account of Christ - but because of who we are - so humbling ;
God shows how forgiving is - in Christ see it so clearly - how willing he is to forgive -
It was the same at Mt Sinai - it wasn’t anything Israel did that won the grace of livngin God’s presence, God showed himself forgivngn God - willing to confess in that whole incidient of Godldyen Calf, - picture of Jesus intercedeing through Moses - need to see even experience God in his mercy if really going to turn and confess!
Even within a community of believers understood to be a bssic role after we are saved and come under the disciopine of God or even just the gerneal sufferng of a broken world, in our need and borkenness and sinfulness - recognizing all curse in one way or another what sin has done to us - we turn to God in humble confession.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
I challenged us - like Martin Bucer - only do that with someone you trust some safe, give an opporutnity to draw near to God not as peferct people arend an entrance, but as sinners before a God, who nonetheless through Christ receive us - then you can confess sin - don’t have pretend or preform any more! I hope you can make a beginning at doing that, in marriage, parent child, what about friend to friend seen that here too..
But see when you do, you need more than repentnance, your confess, hating, and then turning from sin - needs more than saying no to sin, it needs saying yes - put on put off… As Jesus put it so colourfully
Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.
Jesus speaks of how He as the Victor, must enter the house of our souls, and bind the strong-man, and he must now take residence there. The NT letter’s show how that must progressively work in our lives - put off the old nature and for each sin and vice you must put off, you must put on the new nature the new virute in Christ. If drinking to excess is the porblem, do you see the sin under the sin - that lack of self-cotnrol - that desire to escape responsbility - that valuing of a buzz over the joy and peace of the LORD ; you put that off, and you put on self-control that Has Christ , find a recreeation that does’t damage helps glorify God, instead of escape find ways to engage God in His creatio, service of his peole, in friendshi with others. The sin is gossip, or insult, you figure out the opposite of how to become an encourager to speak the truth in love, to not only say what is benefitial for your neighbour, but to stopo thinking your better than others, in humility to count others.
Well as I preached about confession, I know I had some of your ears perked up. As I described the surfacey fellowship we have only as saints, but not as sinners before God, that quotation from Bonhoeffer - I sensed a longing to relate to God and to each other in that kind of fellowship honest about and make real progress in battle against sin, and opportunity to be the people of God in truth and in grace!
Well someone asked me, how can we actually start to do that here. And that is what brings us to the climax of this book in God’s Holy Word. Covenant. Of course a theme through out whole Scripture. God’s covenant with Adama and Eve, descrbied as covenant of life in Hosea; God’s covenant of with Adam’s seed - Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham. Opportunity for Abraham to renew that covenant cut in , with his children together - that they knowing the righteousness that is by faith, - having sign and seal of it - that Abhraam’s children like Abhrama himself was instructd might now walk before God in obedience and trust - Not all would some on ly outwardly memebers of that covenant - but the tool God uses to keep pepole walking him is covenant.
Seems like no different with JOb - wroreid about his kids, prays and ssacrfices and intercedes for them. He himself made a coveant with His eyes with the Lord not to look at a young woman lustfully!
No different with MOses and the children of Israel at Sinaai withthe godlen calf, regive the 10 commandments, re-new the covenat, with next generation Moses gives that law again. And JOshua leads them in the Jordan River Valley in ceremmony of covenantla renewal. Not only aware of their neglect and sin sins of their fathers - hadn’t even circumcised??? But now renew. NO different with Israel greatest King’s after David advances new adminstation of the cveannt of Grace, Israel falls away - and how does renewal work, Josiah rediscovers the Word of God - dusts it off has it read - conviction - we’re not doing this - but oh the word’s of prise right beside the words of curse on sin, they trust God - they covenant again! Hezekiah same thing - he as head of the oepoel withthe people join ing in covenanted with the Lord!
And that’s what we have a model of here, that even in the New Covenant, after Christ has brought Covenant of Grace to Fuflfllment, we have a model for how we are to not only live by confessing sin and turning tot hte Lord but by covenanting together to walk in his ways!
Covenant renewal - as response to God’s goodness and mercy, not as earning.
9:38–10:39 A pledge to keep the law
In this chapter, the community enters into a binding agreement (1) to observe various aspects of the law, mostly, though not entirely, related to the support of the temple and its services (29–38). In its present setting as part of the climax of the combined work of Ezra and Nehemiah. These people listed here earnest to live a life worthy of those who have experienced the restoring grace of God. It is a response to what God has achieved on their behalf, not a condition of restoration in the first place.
In a sense, it what we did this morning, and how we should see the covenant-action of coming in faith to the Lord’s table, examination of our lives and our faith, say, No known unconfessed sin - no relationship aor area of my life - not seeking Your Will - Commiting a new to live by your forgivenss your grace, to seek after your kingdom and your holiness. Formally we are renewing the covenant at this table, formally with theose vows in prfessinon of faith, completing bpatismal covenant - in Reformation some said it was parents or God-parents that stood in their place - but whole process of teaching them all Christ commanded, orf explainging the pormises in their baptism - the vows of profession of faith - vows personalized and accepted from baptism!
But what about more informally - you confess sin, you ong for greater devotoin, consecration of our life after season of back sliding, we become aware of area neglected - more informally this covenantning nature of God’s people, often what brought forth great progress in God’s people lives. Our nation, belonging to the common-welath of British empire - at one time, enter into Sleomn League and Coveantn - recognize King Jesus as head of nation, Word of God - spearatio nof churchin state but freedom of Christ’s church and the repsonsiblity of the stae protect that freedom. - Covenant that not only parliament but many families signed. John Wesley on New Years had whole donemointion each congregation, renew their membership vows how covenant to live. Johnathan Edwards - Resulotuions, JOhnathan Brainaidrd. And here in Nehemiah’s day - most basic general covenant promise: that they make together - not every Israelite, but those going through renewal and reformation seeking that together, - hold me accoutnable help me
H. G. M. Williamson, “Ezra and Nehemiah,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 439.
A. The Context of our Covenanting is Grace Not Works
Historical Prologue in prayer of confession - can’t recall enough the mighty acts of God - what’s empahsized is how - sent proephets again and aaagine
But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies.
Warned them by your Spirit through the prophets… YET we would not give ear, but listen:
Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
What is stressed here is God’s generosity. Pciture yourself guilty and standing evfore but you know that person is good - confess and wait on their goodness - safe place beofer the Lord for sinner at the altar of the Cross,
We are to have a historical recital at Lord’s Suppper recalling saving merciaful work and our unworthiness, in our daily life - recount our story… in hope … Covenanting not to earn this grace but in repsonse t o it - to be people God empowers us to be in Christ. Recall the curses - completely absorbed by Christ for us - now in Him blessings, oath to pursue those (Like Abrhaam with goat, only God passed through… After that appears and says: b
When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,
That’s context of God’s grace. And the response is formal commitment to obeice to God’s law, to a be a people not given to idolatories of own ideas of divinidty, but devoted toWord of God: Nehemiah 1:29
B. We must Personally Commit with Others in Covenant
B. Personally Commit with Others in Covenant
Can you imagine what it meant to sign that paper have your name ed signed on it. Like Magna Carta - King John with barons- how I’m going to live with Parliament - but how I’ll live with God, how I’ll do business with run my farm, how I’ll support ministry in this place, how my family life run. Notice that heads of tribes, households signing for their clan, and Levites as representatives of people. But who are the rest of the people - gate keepers, singers, temple servants who want to follow LORD in renewed way. But look at the middle of
“The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding,
Not just Jew who want to comit to the law of the Lord, but Gentiles in
It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.
Proselytes. Not enough to have recent converts declare saved and forgiven, going to worship with us, but covenant to live according to God’s ways in all of life - need to accountability,need covenanting to live life together. God’s law not just ethnic thing, for all people!
Personally, means care enough to like in Pilgrims Progress the Interpretters house - set my name down.
C. Committed covenanted life can’t be done in general, only specifically and practically.
Though there declaration started broadly enough “accepting the full obligations of God’s law” - the firm decision they make together in God’s presence with God's people - are in the specifics of how those principles play out in their specific time and place and struggles in their lives.
It is so important not to gloss over these 5 specific promises and just say - well that’s the sampling of T law, old fashion ancient agrarian culture with theonomy - doens’t apply to us, just keep it gerneal.
No in these 5 laws highlighted for keeping covenant, you need to know though those piricnioles in God’s perfect law delievered in context of Mt Sinai and republished in Deuteronoomy ofr people hwo take the land, none of them are just word for word parroting of the OT law from the Penteeuch.
Notice that instead of just when a census is taken is a financial offering given for the house of the LORD, but now a 100 yers later, a yearly offerng of a third of shekel, is given. Notice, that the OT law completley silent about any wood offering (May remember in Joshuea Gibeonite sneak in, became wood cutters for temple. But here it is comitted to as a covenant stiulation that every day commoers like you and me contribute by gathering wood for temple. Notice that the OT law had nothing to say about the first fruits of fruit trees, and indeed DOUGH, only thse fields of grain and wheat. But here it is now fruit. Notice that OT law only forbade marriage of Midianite Moabites… here much more borad peoples of any land. Notice that God’s law only forbade work with your vocation, and only later selling, it was silent about buying from foreigners. Notice that fields lay fallow on seventh year a the same time as debts canceled - combining of timig of two different laws in to one.
What is going on? Careful student of Scripture will realize some laws have been done away with and abrogated in NT - ceremonial laws, and civil laws. There is some change for us, can’t just apply those in NT times. But even in the moral law, what you have through out the OT - a moral principle - enduring and in a sense timeless - but attached to it are applications and interpretations for specific times and circumstances.
And so like Jesus did in 1st paelstine, not abolishing the moral law, but looking underneath layers of rabiis man made writings - applicatino,s to deep inner meaning, restore that - apply to life of his day. So too in , though the OT 5th BC ancient wold application may be different, the principle not that different for us to today. Take them in order v.30 Marriage -
i . The Way of the Lord can be lost in Mixed-Faith Marriages!
Nehemiah realized that like in Israel’s past, for example with Solomn marrying foreign wives, setting up shrines for their worship in theland, that botht he ideas and the practices from other religions corrupt true wayo f the lOrd in Israel.
Elephantine Island -Jewish colony at sametime in Aswan Egypt, marrying involved land - give inheritance away to nations, … but more the principle is about the heart of OT apostacy - marrying foreigners - saying your worldview your gods my gods, Solomon’s stumbling of nation. Ultimaerly led to split of nation in two, 10 tribes idolatrous worship - never heard of again!
Well look howiti s working in Nehemiah’s day:
In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people.
That is not about nationalism, it is about faith and household that no longer wants the language of faith - the law and covenants, the warning and promises. This generation couldn’t understand God’s word!
Do you understand what is at stake in a mixed-faith marriage - God cares about the purity of our faith and the purity/holiness of our lives - he wants a spiritual loyalty in our homes as wells, a doctrinal purity.
Principle in NT -bad company does corrupt good morals… not unequally yoked, ,
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
if principles of life aren’t different not really interested in way of Christ, radically different orientation - to pleasing God, to holiness. Calling of marriage not please self - but to serve spouse to know love of God, joined in his Spirit () testify to children to world - of that kind of covenant love - need another believer to fulfill that calling.
Families involved in shooting for this in marriage!
How about in their commerce, now less agricultural and more business with the peoples around them:
ii. We must obey the Lord in our working & resting!
employment practices. This land that I am in charge of that we do community in together - testimony of MY Creation mY Work, my redemption - sign that speaks so publicly to that Rest , but not only rest from our work a day week vocations, but the other part of that command is to make that day holy - set it apart for other activity - worship fellowship, mercy - not just for believers but for stranger in the gates at that time - know in this house - we don’t stay home apart from worship because visitors don’t worship - we don’t unnecessarly cause others to work - non-essential service. Are work of necessity, but the other work even causing others to do it, as much as we are able we avoid and don’t cause others to have to do it.
Business, employment practices. This land that I am in charge of that we do community in together - testimony of MY Creation my Work, my redemption - sign that speaks so publicly to that Rest. Leisure and relaxation are vital to life - during Egyptain slavery none of that. God wants the Sabbath principle understood,
And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
Neh 10:3But not only rest from our work a day week vocations, but the other part of that command is to make that day holy - set it apart for other activity - worship fellowship, mercy - not just for believers but for stranger in the gates at that time - know in this house - we don’t stay home apart from worship because visitors don’t worship - we don’t unnecessarily cause others to work - non-essential service. Are work of necessity, but the other work even causing others to do it, as much as we are able we avoid and don’t cause others to have to do it. Of course changes in the day, the ritual OT part of it, but God wants His day set apart from the distractions of the other six days, he wants His Sabbath which OT prophet says will be kept perpetually and the NT wirer of Heberews says be Sabbath-keeping that remains for the people of God. He wants his day understood, publically afirme, and frequently applied, covenant to worship like this with each other - family, congregatoin! It is a covenant sign declaring our allegiance to God, morehtan the almighty dollar, or the regular pleasures of our week!
And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.
But not only rest from our work a day week vocations, but the other part of that command is to make that day holy - set it apart for other activity - worship fellowship, mercy - not just for believers but for stranger in the gates at that time - know in this house - we don’t stay home apart from worship because visitors don’t worship - we don’t unnecessarily cause others to work - non-essential service. Are work of necessity, but the other work even causing others to do it, as much as we are able we avoid and don’t cause others to have to do it. Of course changes in the day, the ritual OT part of it, but God wants His day set apart from the distractions of the other six days, he wants His Sabbath which OT prophet says will be kept perpetually and the NT wirer of Heberews says be Sabbath-keeping that remains for the people of God. He wants his day understood, publically afirme, and frequently applied, covenant to worship like this with each other - family, congregatoin! It is a covenant sign declaring our allegiance to God, morehtan the almighty dollar, or the regular pleasures of our week!
But not only rest from our work a day week vocations, but the other part of that command is to make that day holy - set it apart for other activity - worship fellowship, mercy - not just for believers but for stranger in the gates at that time - know in this house - we don’t stay home apart from worship because visitors don’t worship - we don’t unnecessarily cause others to work - non-essential service. Are work of necessity, but the other work even causing others to do it, as much as we are able we avoid and don’t cause others to have to do it. Of course changes in the day, the ritual OT part of it, so called special holy days, and new moon Sabbath, special fesitval Sabbaths. But God wants His regular one in seven, sabbath day set apart from the distractions of the other six days, he wants His Sabbath which OT prophet says will be kept perpetually and the NT wirer of Heberews says be Sabbath-keeping that remains for the people of God. He wants his day understood, publically afirme, and frequently applied, covenant to worship like this with each other - family, congregatoin! It is a covenant sign declaring our allegiance to God, more than the almighty dollar, or the regular pleasures of our week!
One aspect of work ethics - but how do business - cna’t tell you how harmful to weake Chrstian, and thosei n the church refuse to believe because burned by Christains.
What about agriculturally?
iii. We must value God’s Creation and ‘Husband’ It
The 7th year laws principle applied - that don’t exhaust the land and squeeze every penny so land has no rest, so next generation left with nothing - keep LORD’s law for the land.
“We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
Responsible stewardship - more than general lip service but actual farming practices… Economically - first fruits - reapplied in their time - that regular token - that first fruit belongs to the LORD, like nations around acknowledge fertility prosperity, our lively hood from God, but unlike nations didn’t sacrifice their children, - but an offering in place that - regular token that all belongs to God we are but stewards… Live in an age that lives beyond its means, that says be generous later when don’t need my crumbs to get more stuff… principle regardless of church and its ministry - live below my means, give back to the LORD show I trust him , and know given to me to be generous. Forgive debt of brother in dire need. Trust God always gives us enough to rest, to be generous. Rabbi Jonathan Sax, shows how the Sabbath, the seventh year, and Jubilee - also Israel’s environmental education plan. Faith for future generation is the teaching don’t live by motto of our world: Short term gain at the cost of long term desolation! No ruthless exploitation for mere profit,wihtout replensihing resources. An area that also showed a real love for the needy! Three years ago Chrstians Against Poverty, not just handouts but hard work of walking beside some in terrible debt, present Biblical princioples, hard work - teach to cook no interest in… but show and teach Christ - new way… have a love forthe lost , the needy like that?
Responsible stewardship - more than general lip service but actual farming practices… Economically - first fruits - reapplied in their time - that regular token - that first fruit belongs tot he LORD, like nations around acknowledge fertility prosperity, our lively hood from God, but unlike nations didn’t sacrifice their children, - but an offering in place that - regular token that all belongs to God we are but stewards… Live in an age that lives beyond its means, that says be generous later when don’t need my crumbs to get more stuff… principle regardless of church and its ministry - live below my means, give back to the LORD show I trust him , and know given to me to be generous. Forgive debt of brother in dire need,
How about in these four areas - any conviction of sin - in our communtiy . Xn marriage, - cohabitation… marrigae just for me … my satisfction don’t see calling, Think Nehemiah covenant in regard to marriage has nothing to do with us - live in pluralistic society - wtiness compromised, Paul sees it so clearly quotes a pagan poet - they nkow that people around us influence so greatly - bad company corrupts good morals. Some relationshis daamge faith. We are to be a missonary people, whose lives in every apsect speak of Chris and God His ways. -
How about in these four areas - any conviction of sin - in our communtiy . Xn marriage, - cohabitation… marrigae just for me … my satisfction don’t see calling, Think Nehemiah covenant in regard to marriage has nothing to do with us - live in pluralistic society - wtiness compromised, Paul sees it so clearly quotes a pagan poet - they nkow that people around us influence so greatly - bad company corrupts good morals. Some relationshis daamge faith. We are to be a missonary people, whose lives in every apsect speak of Chris and God His ways. mixed faith marriag - pull you away from the Lord. , Cor 6:14,17 - authority of Scripture is questions -
- authority of Scripture is questions -
Authority of scripture in the speicfic principles, struggle to apply to gether in commuity with accountablity - put on Christian way for our sins. From time to time look at our lives, and when conviction of sin heavy on us, pray like Ps 1390 show me … Goddoes - tell it to another - covenant before the LORD walk in your ways! Might dwell more fully among us. Not just OT listen to NT
Authority of scripture in the speicfic principles, struggle to apply to gether in commuity with accountablity - put on Christian way for our sins.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
But it is the last set of laws v.32-39 that receive the greatest emphasis. This closing pledge is the longest
D. Focus on care of God’s House AMong Us
D. Focus on care of God’s House AMong Us
Some of you have sweat equity in this building, others financial equity… Something awesome about that skin in the game, with how ministry goes. But if its the building the institution, like Jews before fall, The Temple the Temple the Temple.
What God is looking for is a people to do what they can for the fellowship and the ministry the Presence of God in Redeeming Revealing Loving Mercy Giving Presence. You see both Darius and Cyrus provided funds for the rebuilding - kinnd like us now - building prettymuch paid off - could just put it on cruise control.
But Nehemiah said for the operations withinthis building -the people need to provide - make a financial priorityt to suppport work of the kingdom of God on earth!
So much about porvisions for sarafices, now minsitry of God’s Word, - care about it - gospel word - brings peole to a high priest, that brings peopel to their king , to their prophet - to Jesus.
Aksing about another church planter, check out fellowoshop f 200plus with Gurret - Steeve intern -, plant a church . So interesting that the wood offering added, same principles, but some of you not in position to give salary to Deirdre in Ottaw U, fixed income maintianing .. not all give … Wood offering, gift of something other than money. You know what it is? Time - Nehemiah took pricniples of Leviticu and Deuteronomy and applied them for all types of people to be able to contribute.
This was regular obedient planned giving. Not just a passing emotion of thakful rebuilt here ‘s a gift.Impulse giving. But regular ongoing giving. Copmassion Canada monthly commitment over 13 years, mother stroke, regular prayer… calling to that hear too. Surprising statistic from previous church - well over 75% of budget was coming from just 10 households. Revealed that many were not giving in proportion to income. The point is not the amount somuch as the mentality.
Our use of money should show God comes first in our lives. And a work and ministry that is for all here, must not rely on the charity of a few. There was nothing optional about supporting the work of the LORD, nothing forced - not a tax - obligation to give in one form or another.
These people gave as praise for God’s goodness and they gave that the gospel of atonement the sacrfices available to all!
for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
So many differnt way to give, and they empoqeree the Levites to make sure it was happening among all the people - much like our deacons. And Look waht the v\coveant vow was here:
For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.”
The wrecking ball levelled Central Untied Churchinthe centre of Barrie this week. Tearing down we should mron - how many churches are being Moth-Balled - don’t mean their building - but I mean the gospel minstry there - that’s what we need to covenant together for - gospel mnistry to our communityfor the glory of Christ and the edifictation of God’s peole and the salvation of the lost go on. Frist time met our budget - may it be that we covenant together for effective gospel minsitry. Amen.