Rebuilding through the Word
Series: Rebuild
Speaker: John Lau
Date: 13th November 2022
Passage: Nehemiah 7:5-8:18
00:00:00 --> 00:00:07 About 500 years before the Savior of the world was born into a Jewish family of Mary and Joseph,
00:00:08 --> 00:00:12 the nation of Israel was still in exile under a foreign ruler.
00:00:13 --> 00:00:19 The city God had provided for His people to live in is in terrible condition.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 So God raised leaders to rebuild the city of Jerusalem
00:00:24 --> 00:00:29 and provide a place and a community where the Savior would be born.
00:00:30 --> 00:00:38 He's again working in His world to ensure the redemptive story continues.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:45 That is the context behind the book of Nehemiah that we have been looking into during this season.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:52 Chapter 1 to 7 tell us about the external physical rebuilding of the wall.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:58 Chapter 8 onward to the end of the book is a spiritual inward rebuilding
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 of the community of the people of God.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:07 Today, we have come to the junctions between these two buildings,
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 these two rebuildings.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 With the completion of the building on the physical wall,
00:01:13 --> 00:01:16 their attentions turn to building up the people of God.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:23 Their biological heritage is evidenced in the long list of names in Chapter 7,
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 described their lineage to Abraham.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:33 Their spiritual heritage emerges as they are taught God's Word from Chapter 8 onward.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:41 The focus of Nehemiah and the hope of the Bible is not on the people or the world that God created,
00:01:42 --> 00:01:46 but on the Creator, God, our Heavenly Father Himself.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:54 God is behind every word written in the 66 Old and New Testament books that forms the Bible.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 God is the author and creator.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:04 He intervenes in human history to ensure His plans come to fruition.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:09 God is always preparing for Himself a people of His own.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:16 He rebuilds them through His Word to be a light in the world to show His brilliance and grace.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:23 We will look at the preparation and the rebuilding through God's Word today.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:32 Even though the book of Nehemiah is certainly about God preparing for Himself a community of His people,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 there is something very unique about this book,
00:02:36 --> 00:02:41 because there's not a record of God speaking directly to any of the characters in the book.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:47 It's only at the very beginning there's a short revelation of God's speech.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:52 When we read the book of Nehemiah, we should remember that God is the main character,
00:02:52 --> 00:02:54 even though He's not speaking directly.
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 He is the one that set everything into motion.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:08 We can see one example of how God works within people to achieve His goal in verse 4 to 5 of chapter 7.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:10 Nehemiah recorded,
00:03:11 --> 00:03:16 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 And the house had not yet been rebuilt.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:26 So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the common people
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 for registering by families.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:34 God put into Nehemiah's heart to assemble the people.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 People's heart is God's working field.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 It's a heart ready for God's work.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:44 God works in the heart of people like Nehemiah and Ezra.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:50 In the Old Testament, today He's working in our hearts through His word too.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:58 God's word is living and active and penetrates our hearts and is influential in building His people.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:05 From chapter 8 onward, we will see the centrality of God's word among His pilgrim people,
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 bringing about necessary changes to prepare them.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:15 When we read parts of the Bible that do not record God speaking directly like Nehemiah,
00:04:15 --> 00:04:23 we should pay extra attention to avoid missing some fundamental principle to how God prepares for His work.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:31 One of the principles I will draw your attention to will make me very unpopular in the common day and age.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:39 What I'm referring to is there must be a distinction between who is and who is not part of God's family.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:49 There needs to be a sense of exclusivity before we can have a real sense of belonging within a true community of God's people.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:58 Knowing who truly belongs and who is just an attendee is very important to community formation.
00:04:58 --> 00:05:06 There must be a clear commitment for God's people and community to impact where God has placed them.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 For them is Jerusalem.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:13 For us is Chesterwood in the city of Willoughby.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:23 In chapter 7, there's a long list of names of those that can legitimately claim their places within a community of God's people.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:28 However, a group in the list cannot show their family descended from Israel.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:34 Some names should not surprise us because of what they did up to this point in the book.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:38 If you look into verse 61 of chapter 7,
00:05:38 --> 00:05:47 The following come from the tribe of Talmala, Talhasha, Kareb, Abdon, and Imah.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:57 But they could not show their family were descended from Israel, the descendants of De'alaha, Tobiah, and Nekodah.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:04 Tobiah is one of the troublemakers that applied many times during the rebuilding work.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:12 During last week's sermon, Steve pointed out that even Tobiah, even his name means God is good.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:19 Tobiah did not believe the meaning of his name and set out to discredit God and oppose his works.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 Verse 46 says,
00:06:22 --> 00:06:30 These searchers for their family records, but they could not find them, and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:40 The governor therefore ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there should be a priest ministering with a umar and sermon.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:53 We can all agree that not allowing those who do not genuinely have the good of the people in their hearts to hold leadership position is crucial.
00:06:53 --> 00:07:03 There are many examples of how things have gone badly in the Bible and human history because the exclusion was not applied.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:15 You only need to look into your workplace or your friends and families and relatives to see the damage a self-centered, self-praising person would make.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 They are alone where the dead person is leading.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:27 And so they are excluded from the priesthood, the position of spiritual leaders, and from enjoying the privilege entitled.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:40 But it must be clear that they are not excluded from the community, but are banned from holding leadership position until God provides a suitable way to identify them adequately.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:52 God is rebuilding a community that will represent Him to the world, and only those ready to represent His reign are qualified to serve and lead His people spiritually.
00:07:53 --> 00:08:05 God's people need to be identifiable, stand up to be counted, and are committed to God and His work in Nehemiah's time, even more so for us today.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:35 God is the only way.
00:08:35 --> 00:09:05 God is the only way.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:10 How can we be sure we are growing in our faith as a disciple of God?
00:09:11 --> 00:09:15 Jesus said to the Jews who believe in Him in John 8, 31,
00:09:15 --> 00:09:19 If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciple.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:30 One of the essential measurements we can use is God's Word, His teaching and His truth.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:37 Nehemiah could discern the scheme of his opposition because he knows God's Word.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:44 He leaves his reference towards God and a healthy sense of fear because he knows God's Word.
00:09:45 --> 00:09:49 And he often stopped and pondered on God's Word.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 Some other helpful question would be,
00:09:52 --> 00:09:56 Who are you living for or serving with your life?
00:09:56 --> 00:10:02 Who or what is the treasure of your life?
00:10:03 --> 00:10:07 Are you treasuring Jesus and adoring Him together with other disciples?
00:10:07 --> 00:10:11 Or is something else getting most of your attention?
00:10:12 --> 00:10:19 Do you worship God corporately in gatherings and personally in devotional reading of His Word?
00:10:19 --> 00:10:27 Or are you a part of a community that builds disciples' relationship and serves others with their life?
00:10:28 --> 00:10:31 God is rebuilding a community of His own people.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:36 It is vital to distinguish who truly belongs to Him
00:10:36 --> 00:10:42 to ensure that His name and His brilliant works of salvation reveal to all nations.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:51 As preparation, we need to note those not wholeheartedly contributing to the rebuilding work of God
00:10:51 --> 00:10:56 to ensure that bad influence will not hinder other people's growth.
00:10:57 --> 00:11:03 The majestic God reveals all necessary for life and salvation in His Word.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:07 It is how He builds His people and church.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:11 Our hearts are where God is at work every day.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:19 So your attitude towards God's Word is a good indicator of what's going on and happening within you.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:27 The people in Nehemiah's time demonstrated an eagerness to hear God's Word in chapter 8, verse 1-2.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 After they have settled into the city,
00:11:31 --> 00:11:35 all the people came together as one in the square before the water gate.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:41 They told Ezra, the teacher of the law, to bring out the book of the law of Moses,
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:47 So on the first day of the seventh month,
00:11:47 --> 00:11:51 Ezra, the priest, brought out the law before the assembly,
00:11:51 --> 00:11:56 which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 On that day,
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 all the people listened attentively
00:12:01 --> 00:12:05 to the book of the law from daybreak till noon.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 Teenagers,
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 younger kids too,
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 all who can understand.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 They listened with reference.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:16 They built a wooden platform to excel God's Word.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 Verse 5-6 say,
00:12:19 --> 00:12:23 the people praise and worship God at the opening of God's Word.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 Reading the Bible,
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 the Word of the Great God,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 is a form of worship.
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 Sadly,
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 many people,
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 or many of us,
00:12:34 --> 00:12:38 only worship God on Sunday in a building
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 and do not worship by reading into God's Word.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 Reading the Bible
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 has become something
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 they must do
00:12:47 --> 00:12:50 to ensure God is pleased with them.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:53 They will try very hard to do it every day,
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 often at the end of the day,
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 just before they went to sleep.
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 The attitude of the people
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 gathered at Nehemiah's time
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 is not like that.
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 They want to understand what is being read,
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 so they break into small groups
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 to read God's Word,
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 allowing the leaders
00:13:10 --> 00:13:12 to make the clear to them in verse 7-8.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 Referent,
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 awe,
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 and worship
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 flowed
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 throughout the assembly
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 as they read
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 and got to understand God's Word.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 Is that what you are experiencing
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 with God's Word
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 while reading on your own
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 during the week
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 or sitting at church on Sunday?
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 What feeling
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 do you usually have
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 towards the Word of God?
00:13:36 --> 00:13:36 What weight
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 does the Word
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 bring to bear on you?
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 I think the end of verse 9
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 is not far from reality
00:13:43 --> 00:13:46 as our typical responses
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 to the Word of God.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:48 It says,
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 for all the people
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 have been weeping
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 as they listen to the words of the Lord.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:56 They can be tears of joy
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 as we realize
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 the death of God's love for us,
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 but they are often tears of conviction
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 as we recognize
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 the distance between
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 our way of living
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 and our commitment to God's Word.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 The people in Nehemiah's time
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 weep and grieve
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 because they were convicted.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 In the New Testament,
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 just after Jesus' resurrection
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 and ascension,
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 the people of God
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 gathered
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 and heard Peter
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 preach about Jesus' life,
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 death, and resurrection.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 They were also convicted.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 And when the people heard this,
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 they were cut to their heart
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 and said to Peter
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 and the other apostles,
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 Brother,
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 what should we do?
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 The people in Acts
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 responded better
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 because their conviction
00:14:40 --> 00:14:42 makes them willing
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 to take action.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 However,
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 Nehemiah and the leaders
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 say to people
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 in verse 9 to 11,
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 This day is holy
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 to the Lord your God.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 Do not mourn or weep.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 Go and enjoy
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 choice food
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 and sweet drinks
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 and send some to those
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 who have nothing prepared.
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 This day is holy
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 to our Lord.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 Do not grieve
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 for the joy of the Lord
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 is your strength.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 Be still
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 for this is a holy day.
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 Do not grieve.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 They repeat it three times,
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 This day is holy.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 Which time side
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 they are telling them
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 to have a holiday?
00:15:15 --> 00:15:18 How would they be
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 appropriate
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 when someone
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 is convicted
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 of their sin?
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 It is
00:15:23 --> 00:15:25 because this day
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 is holy
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 to the Lord.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 God wants us
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 to be convicted
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 of our sin
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 but does not want us
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 to stay
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 in our sin.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 They should grieve
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 no more
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 because the joy
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 of the Lord
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 is their strength.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 If you can go back
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 one slide, please.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:47 In other words,
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 don't let your tears
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 be your strength.
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 Don't let your grief
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 be your strength.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 The joy of the Lord
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 is your strength
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 which means
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 being satisfied
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 in the Lord.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 Then,
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 verse 12,
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 all the people
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 went away
00:16:07 --> 00:16:09 to eat and drink
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 to send
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 a portion of food
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 and to celebrate
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 with great joy
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 because they now
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 understood the word
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 that had been
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 made known to them.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 People have
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 incredible joy
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 and deep satisfaction
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 because of the words
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 that have been
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 made known to them.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 God's word
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 has sunk in
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 and taken root
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 in their hearts
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 and now
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 they understood them.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 They understood
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 that if God
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 could rebuild
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 the wall
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 in 52 days,
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 they could transform
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 them
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 and cleanse
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 them from all sins.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 They understood
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 that God
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 already forgives
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 them.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 Because they know
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 they are forgiven,
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 they can worship
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 and have satisfaction
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 in the living King
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 their Lord.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 The opposite
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 would be true
00:16:51 --> 00:16:53 if God's word
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 only grieves you.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 If listening
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 to God's word
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 only causes
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 further worry
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 that you cannot
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 fulfill God's
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 requirement.
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 If you have
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 a heavy heart
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 and feel that
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 all being said
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 from the Bible
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 is easier
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 than done,
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 a sense
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 of self-pity,
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 you have not
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 fully understood
00:17:13 --> 00:17:13 his words
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 because you have
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 not become
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 sorrowful
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 as God
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 intended
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 and you were
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 driven further
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 away from God
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 by your conviction.
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 Paul comforted
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 the Corinthians
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 church
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 after his
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 very strong
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 letter
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 and in his
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 second letter,
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 2 Corinthians 7-10,
00:17:33 --> 00:17:33 he said,
00:17:33 --> 00:17:35 Godly sorrow
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 brings repentance
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 that leads
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 to salvation
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 and leaves
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 no regret.
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 When God
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 convicts you
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 of your sin,
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 he wants you
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 to focus
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 on repentance
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 and as you
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 repent
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 of your sins,
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 you will have
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 a deep sense
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 of satisfaction
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 knowing God
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 is working
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 to transform
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 and save you.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 This is the
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 same essence
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 of the teaching
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 of James
00:17:58 --> 00:18:01 in James 1-25.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 Do not merely
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 listen to the
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 word and so
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 anyone who
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 listens to the
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 word but
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 does not do
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 what it says
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 is like someone
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 who looks at
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 his face
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 in a mirror
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 and after
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 looking at it
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 goes away
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 and immediately
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 forget what
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 he looks.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 But whoever
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 looks intending
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 into the
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 perfect law
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 that gives
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 freedom
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 and continuing
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 not forgetting
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 what he has
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 heard but doing
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 it,
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 they will be
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 blessed in
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 what they do.
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 Make the
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 necessary change
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 you have learned
00:18:30 --> 00:18:30 from God's word
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 and you will
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 experience the
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 same death
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 of joy as
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 those people
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 in Nehemiah
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 as God
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 rebuilds your
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 life through
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 his word.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 You will
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 experience the
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 blessed freedom
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 that Jesus'
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 gospel promised
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 a deep
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 satisfaction.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 A couple
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 days ago
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 it was the
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 11th day
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 of the 11th
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 month.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 Historically
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 and traditionally
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 in the West
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 is a date
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 of remembrance.
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 The hostility
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 of World War
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 I formally
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 ended at
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 the 11th
00:19:02 --> 00:19:02 hour of
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 the 11th
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 day of
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 the 11th
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 month of
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 1918.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 But that
00:19:08 --> 00:19:08 was 104
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 years ago.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 Most people
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 impacted
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 directly by
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 the war,
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 by this
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 World War
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 have not
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 passed.
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 And sadly
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 the events
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 that replaced
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 this momentous
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 day tells
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 a lot about
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 the failure
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 our city
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 and our
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 society
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 holds.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 In China,
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 with the
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 day having
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 so many
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 ones,
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 it has
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 been
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 commercialized
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 to represent
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 a single
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 state.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 Beying the
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 hope that
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 single people
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 will find
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 their other
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 half to
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 complete the
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 life.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 The concept
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 that someone
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 needs to get
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 married and
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 have children
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 to represent
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 a blessed
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 life is worth
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 another sermon.
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 In Australia,
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 when November
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 comes, we're
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 reminded of the
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 race that
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 stopped the
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 nation.
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 Once that
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 is done,
00:19:57 --> 00:19:57 we are
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 bombarded
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 with
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 advertisement
00:19:59 --> 00:20:01 that feeds
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 our FOMO,
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 our fear
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 of missing
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 out.
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 Regarding
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 an online
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 shopping
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 event,
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 that will
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 stop the
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 nation once
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 again a week
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 after the
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 race.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:17 We live
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 in an
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 environment
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 with information
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 overload that
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 fights for
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 our attention.
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 we often
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 end up
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 remembering
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 or being
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 reminded of
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 things that
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 are not
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 important.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 But remembering
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 the essential
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 is vital for
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 our existence.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 Remembering
00:20:36 --> 00:20:36 the right
00:20:36 --> 00:20:39 thing was
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 also vital
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 for the
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 people in
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 Nehemiah's
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 time.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 And they
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 have been
00:20:43 --> 00:20:45 reminded of
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 something that
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 they have
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 neglected.
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 They have
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 not celebrated
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 the festival of
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 the booth,
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 or the
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 festival of
00:20:53 --> 00:20:53 the
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 tabernacle,
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 as stipulated
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 by God
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 since God
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 settled them
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 into the
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 promised land.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 In chapter
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 8,
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 verse 17,
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 towards the
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 end,
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 it says,
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 from the
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 days of
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 Joshua,
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 son of
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 Nun,
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 until that
00:21:08 --> 00:21:08 day,
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 that Israel
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 had not
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 celebrated
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 it like
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 this.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 So why
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 is the
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 festival
00:21:13 --> 00:21:15 vital to
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 their
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 existence?
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 What is
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 the meaning
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 behind this
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 festival for
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 them?
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 And is
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 this relevant
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 to us?
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 We're told
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 in brief
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 what they
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 need to
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 do in
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 chapter 8,
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 verse 13
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 to 16.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 If you
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 go to
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 Numbers 29,
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 12 to
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 40,
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 and Leviticus
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 23,
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 33 to
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 43,
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 there's a
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 much more
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 detail of
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 the meaning
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 of the
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 festival.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 But I'll
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 try to
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 summarize for
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 you.
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 After the
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 harvest,
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 each year,
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 the people
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 of God,
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 Israel,
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 are to
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 live in
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 booths,
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 temporary
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 tents,
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 for eight
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 days,
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 to remember
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 that God
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 has led
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 them through
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 the wilderness
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 after he
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 redeems them
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 out of
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 Egypt.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 The idea
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 was to
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 point back
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 to when
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 Israel
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 experienced
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 God's
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 faithfulness.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 It reminds
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 them of
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 all the
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 sins and
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 grumbling
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 that God
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 had put
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 up with
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 over that
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 time and
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 how gracious
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 God had
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 been to
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 them even
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 so by
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 providing
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 harvest in
00:22:24 --> 00:22:24 due time.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 They were
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 to remember
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 how God
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 has saved
00:22:29 --> 00:22:29 them every
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 year so
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 they will
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 remain grateful
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 and faithful
00:22:33 --> 00:22:33 to the
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 creator that
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 provided
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 everything.
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 They were
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 also to
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 remember that
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 God chose
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 them to be
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 the light
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 of the
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 world to
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 point people
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 back to
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 him.
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 The
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 people in
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 Nehemiah's
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 time got
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 into all
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 sort of
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 troubles and
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 grief because
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 they did not
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 remember who
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 God was and
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 who they
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 were.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 And they
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 were restless
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 and insecure.
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 The
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 festival is
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 God's way of
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 saying remember
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 me.
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 Remember where
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 you come from
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 and who has
00:23:04 --> 00:23:04 been looking
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 after you all
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 your life.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 God is
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 their ultimate
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 security and
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 rest.
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 He is also
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 our ultimate
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 security and
00:23:13 --> 00:23:13 rest.
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 In our
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 day and
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 age when
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 we are
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 also restless
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 and tempted
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 to forget
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 God's
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 goodness we
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 need to
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 remember that
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 God is the
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 origin and
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 source of
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 our life.
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 Only when
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 we remember
00:23:28 --> 00:23:30 God has
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 always been
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 looking after
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 us and
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 get back to
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 a relationship
00:23:34 --> 00:23:34 with God
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 can we
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 truly say
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 we are
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 living out
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 the ultimate
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 purpose of
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 human existence.
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 You will
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 only find
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 true freedom
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 and deep
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 joy for
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 your life
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 in remembrance
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 and reference
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 of God.
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 If you are
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 not yet a
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 worshiper of
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 the great
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 God and
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 want to
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 find out
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 more,
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 please let
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 me know.
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 I would
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 love to
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 help you
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 to become
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 part of
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 God's
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 rebuilding
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 community.
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 community.
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 If you
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 consider
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 yourself
00:24:02 --> 00:24:05 part of
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 God's
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 community,
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 let's
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 join
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 together.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 In
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 rejoicing that
00:24:10 --> 00:24:10 you have
00:24:10 --> 00:24:10 God's
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 work to
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 build our
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 life on
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 and God
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 is always
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 working in
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 our hearts
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 to transform
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 us.
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 through
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 the
00:24:19 --> 00:24:21 la
00:24:21 --> 00:24:23 vol
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 brought
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 into
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 in
00:24:24 --> 00:24:24 that
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 Kita
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 puis
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 ,
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 we