And we start talking...
REnewing Our Covenant With God :)
Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2009
REBUILDING OUR COMMUNITY SERIES
BOOK OF NEHEMIAH
TITLE: RENEWING OUR COVENANT WITH GOD
REFERENCE: NEHEMIAH 9:38 - 10:39
SPEAKER: Wen Jiang
(INTRODUCTION)
The Israelites were disobedient and rebellious, taking God for granted yet not repentant of their sins. They had broken their covenant with God.
Now they come together once again to renew their covenant with God.
(1) THEY RENEWED THEIR COVENANT WITH GOD SERIOUSLY AND COMPLETELY
[NEHEMIAH 9:38, 10:28-29]
God deserves nothing less than my whole heart - He is worthy!
God knows all my struggles and thoughts, yet He is also sovereign and in controL!
(2) THEY RENEWED THEIR COVENANT SPECIFICALLY
[NEHEMIAH 10:30-39]
(2.1) NO MORE MIXED MARRIAGES (10:30)
To not be unequally yoked - in their context, they prohibit mixed marriage because of the conditions it entails, which will eventually result in the Israelites' deviation and backsliding from God.
PRINCIPLE: Righteousness - Follow God, not worldly systems!
Matthew 6:33
PERSONAL QUESTION: Do I consult Godly counsel? Do I only selectively listen to God's Truth?
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be swayed by worldly advice.
1 Peter 2:9-10 Walk out from the darkness - do not dwell in it!
(2.2) OBSERVE THEIR SABBATH BETTER (10:31)
Without Jesus's cleansing us, we'll not be able to be holy. But now that He died for us, we can be holy!
PRINCIPLE: Holiness - Be set apart and holy, just as I Am holy.
1 Peter 1:13-16
My mind needs to be renewed - to have the attitude of Christ and to live according to His Word!
PERSONAL QUESTION: We often bring our mentality from our old way of life (or our perspectives while growing up) into our present life. What are some unbiblical or unsure ideals I hold on to dearly?
Make a clean break from my old ways!
(2.3) TAKE CARE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD (10:32-39)
We serve God and bring our firstfruits to His House. We grow and mature through humbly receiving guidance and feedback, and improving in serving God and His people!
Malachi 3:10 Time, resources, money, talents - it's more blessed to give than to receive!
Malachi 3:14-15 Give to God my commitment to serve Him and follow His ways all the way!
Matthew 13:24-26, 29-30 God had sown good seeds in our lives but somehow weeds had grown and crowded the wheats!
Whatever God had started in your life, He had started by sowing the good seed of salvation =D Along the way, we all need some weed cleansing!
PERSONAL QUESTION: What do we need to weed out today so that God can lead us to a harvest of righteousness in our lives!
Psalm 119:105
I may not see the full picture yet but as much and as far as I know, I will choose to respond fully and wholeheartedly to God.
BOOK OF NEHEMIAH
TITLE: RENEWING OUR COVENANT WITH GOD
REFERENCE: NEHEMIAH 9:38 - 10:39
SPEAKER: Wen Jiang
(INTRODUCTION)
The Israelites were disobedient and rebellious, taking God for granted yet not repentant of their sins. They had broken their covenant with God.
Now they come together once again to renew their covenant with God.
(1) THEY RENEWED THEIR COVENANT WITH GOD SERIOUSLY AND COMPLETELY
[NEHEMIAH 9:38, 10:28-29]
God deserves nothing less than my whole heart - He is worthy!
God knows all my struggles and thoughts, yet He is also sovereign and in controL!
(2) THEY RENEWED THEIR COVENANT SPECIFICALLY
[NEHEMIAH 10:30-39]
(2.1) NO MORE MIXED MARRIAGES (10:30)
To not be unequally yoked - in their context, they prohibit mixed marriage because of the conditions it entails, which will eventually result in the Israelites' deviation and backsliding from God.
PRINCIPLE: Righteousness - Follow God, not worldly systems!
Matthew 6:33
PERSONAL QUESTION: Do I consult Godly counsel? Do I only selectively listen to God's Truth?
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be swayed by worldly advice.
1 Peter 2:9-10 Walk out from the darkness - do not dwell in it!
(2.2) OBSERVE THEIR SABBATH BETTER (10:31)
Without Jesus's cleansing us, we'll not be able to be holy. But now that He died for us, we can be holy!
PRINCIPLE: Holiness - Be set apart and holy, just as I Am holy.
1 Peter 1:13-16
My mind needs to be renewed - to have the attitude of Christ and to live according to His Word!
PERSONAL QUESTION: We often bring our mentality from our old way of life (or our perspectives while growing up) into our present life. What are some unbiblical or unsure ideals I hold on to dearly?
Make a clean break from my old ways!
(2.3) TAKE CARE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD (10:32-39)
We serve God and bring our firstfruits to His House. We grow and mature through humbly receiving guidance and feedback, and improving in serving God and His people!
Malachi 3:10 Time, resources, money, talents - it's more blessed to give than to receive!
Malachi 3:14-15 Give to God my commitment to serve Him and follow His ways all the way!
Matthew 13:24-26, 29-30 God had sown good seeds in our lives but somehow weeds had grown and crowded the wheats!
Whatever God had started in your life, He had started by sowing the good seed of salvation =D Along the way, we all need some weed cleansing!
PERSONAL QUESTION: What do we need to weed out today so that God can lead us to a harvest of righteousness in our lives!
Psalm 119:105
I may not see the full picture yet but as much and as far as I know, I will choose to respond fully and wholeheartedly to God.
Labels: esermon
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