WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.279 In the 1997 movie, As Good As It Gets, it starred Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. 00:00:09.820 --> 00:00:13.320 And in the movie, Jack Nicholson, it's not Helen Hunt in the picture, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:18.000 in the movie, Jack Nicholson has obsessive compulsive disorder. 00:00:18.699 --> 00:00:24.839 And he is a very difficult and off-putting person to be around in the film. 00:00:25.460 --> 00:00:32.859 He's difficult, people don't like him, but there's one waitress in a cafe who is kind to him. 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:35.820 And he really likes this person. 00:00:36.219 --> 00:00:40.980 And then she leaves, this is Helen Hunt's character, she leaves to take care of her son. 00:00:41.579 --> 00:00:43.280 And Jack Nicholson pursues her. 00:00:43.899 --> 00:00:47.840 And at the end of this movie, there is quite a famous scene, 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:50.560 when Jack Nicholson says to Helen Hunt, 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:53.840 I have a wonderful compliment for you. 00:00:54.580 --> 00:00:58.160 Because I have obsessive compulsive disorder, because of you, 00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:01.880 I have taken my medicine for the first time. 00:01:03.180 --> 00:01:06.620 And Helen Hunt sits there and his face just says, 00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:08.060 So what? 00:01:08.060 --> 00:01:11.240 And then he says, 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:15.340 You make me want to be a better man. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:18.379 And every heart melts. 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:20.500 And it's quite a famous scene. 00:01:20.600 --> 00:01:21.480 It's really heartfelt. 00:01:22.020 --> 00:01:23.320 And sitting behind it, 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:26.859 I'm sorry if I've spoiled this 25-year-old movie for you. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:31.780 But sitting behind this is that Jack Nicholson has found someone 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:35.640 who is motivating him to change. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:37.879 His motivation is, 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:40.299 I want to be a better man for you. 00:01:41.659 --> 00:01:43.599 Maybe you've had that in your life. 00:01:44.439 --> 00:01:45.620 Not that someone says, 00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:47.260 You must meet these conditions. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:49.980 But maybe you've met someone, 00:01:50.099 --> 00:01:52.439 and you want to be a better friend for them. 00:01:54.240 --> 00:01:55.420 You've met someone, 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:55.920 and you're like, 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:58.519 Actually, I'm going to play the sport that you like, 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:00.120 because I want to spend time with you. 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:04.780 My brother loves board games and card games. 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:08.300 And I hate learning new board games and card games. 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:11.420 But I will do that out of love for him. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:16.099 But what motivates us in our relationship with God? 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:18.979 Is it who he is? 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:22.280 Is it his love and his compassion and his mercy to us 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:24.599 throughout all our lives and across generations? 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:29.939 Are we aware of what motivates us in our relationship with God? 00:02:32.139 --> 00:02:35.840 Or are we motivated by guilt? 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:39.019 What brought you to church this morning? 00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:39.759 Was it just a, 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:42.359 Oh, this is what we do as a family on a Sunday morning. 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:43.560 We just go to church. 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:48.379 Are we motivated by a desire to please other people? 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:51.639 Or to make sure that we're good with God? 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:55.960 Are we even aware of what motivates us? 00:02:56.900 --> 00:02:59.879 We are coming to the end of the book of Nehemiah. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:02.439 Janet has read for us chapter 9. 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:04.219 We're actually doing chapter 9 to 12. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:07.699 But we're going to spend most of our time this morning in chapter 9. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:11.240 And we see that a section of Israel has moved back 00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:13.019 from exile in Babylon. 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:14.379 They've come back to Israel. 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:16.659 The walls have been built up. 00:03:17.359 --> 00:03:20.079 The people have been trusting in God. 00:03:20.299 --> 00:03:21.799 They've not been afraid of their enemies. 00:03:22.840 --> 00:03:25.799 And they've come to the point of remembering 00:03:25.799 --> 00:03:29.280 why the walls were broken down in the first place. 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:31.579 Their sin. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:34.879 And God handing them over to their enemies. 00:03:36.359 --> 00:03:38.280 They've sinned for generations. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:40.000 God patience ran out. 00:03:40.359 --> 00:03:41.900 And so they were exiled. 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:45.200 But in God's great compassion, 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:48.099 He's called them back to the promised land. 00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:52.719 And so now Israel remind themselves about who they are, 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:54.120 how sinful they are, 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:57.060 and how good God has been to them. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:58.980 And they recommit to this God. 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:01.980 They meditate on the character of God 00:04:01.980 --> 00:04:04.240 and it motivates them to recommit. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:06.819 And so the challenge for us today 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:09.340 will be to consider what motivates us 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:10.520 in our relationship with God. 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:13.820 duty, compulsion, family, 00:04:14.100 --> 00:04:15.780 fear of hell, fear of harm. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:19.040 Or will it be like Israel 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:21.139 who are motivated by God's love 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:22.699 and compassion to us 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:26.000 to obey Him because of who He is? 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:28.439 There's three points this morning. 00:04:29.100 --> 00:04:32.019 Confession, character, and commitment. 00:04:32.199 --> 00:04:33.180 They're in the St. Paul's app. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:34.420 You can be writing those down, 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:35.540 taking notes in your phone. 00:04:35.540 --> 00:04:37.260 But as we have a look at Nehemiah 9, 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:38.520 let me pray for us. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:40.120 Heavenly Father, 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:43.879 as we look at Your Word to us today, 00:04:44.640 --> 00:04:47.340 help us to see who You are 00:04:47.340 --> 00:04:50.800 and grow in love and trust and obedience of You. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:52.000 Amen. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:56.100 First of all, confession. 00:04:57.180 --> 00:04:58.379 In chapter 8, 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:00.959 we left Israel celebrating. 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:03.759 They were celebrating and rejoicing, 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:06.459 but now they turn to grief. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:08.779 And they turn to grief 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:10.399 because before you can appreciate 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:12.019 who God is, 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:15.459 we have to know who we are not. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:16.719 And so, 00:05:17.159 --> 00:05:17.879 in your Bibles, 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:18.899 chapter 9, 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:19.739 verse 1. 00:05:21.239 --> 00:05:23.879 On the 24th day of the same month, 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:26.279 the Israelites gathered together, 00:05:26.859 --> 00:05:28.879 fasting and wearing sackcloth 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:31.279 and putting dust on their heads. 00:05:32.219 --> 00:05:34.740 God's people are owning their own sin. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:36.539 They know who they are 00:05:36.539 --> 00:05:37.899 and who they are not. 00:05:38.159 --> 00:05:40.199 And so they put on a burlap sack. 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:42.120 It is very itchy. 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:43.819 I don't know if you've got children 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:45.579 and you've ever tried to dress them 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:47.540 in something that looks nice. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:49.060 One of my children, 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:50.740 whenever we put something nice on them, 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:51.259 they say, 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:52.139 this is itchy. 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:53.480 This is uncomfortable. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:54.639 These people, 00:05:54.899 --> 00:05:55.339 the Israelites, 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:57.399 are wearing a burlap sack 00:05:57.399 --> 00:05:59.480 because they know 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:01.360 that they should feel uncomfortable 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:02.759 because of their sin. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:06.079 They see themselves as dirty. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:08.120 It's a wonderful picture of humility. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:10.180 They put dirt on their heads 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:10.959 because they say, 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:12.060 I am a mess. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.579 I am dirty. 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:15.279 And I am in need of help. 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:20.639 This is the place we should be in 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:25.019 when we find ourselves comfortable in our sin. 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:26.560 We have to acknowledge 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:28.459 that we have sin in our lives 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:30.399 and we are a mess. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:32.680 And the only one that can help us 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:34.519 and make us clean is God. 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:37.779 In verse two, 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:39.839 they also separate themselves from the foreigners, 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:41.579 not to say that there's anything wrong 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:42.639 with people of other nations, 00:06:42.779 --> 00:06:45.219 but it is as if they are owning their sin. 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:46.120 We are Israel. 00:06:46.359 --> 00:06:47.300 We are God's people. 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:50.639 And we are going to own our sin 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:52.740 with our God. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:54.180 And so they confess. 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:56.519 They confess their sins, 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:58.019 the sins of their ancestors. 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:00.219 They're not blaming anyone else 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:01.280 for being exiled, 00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:03.300 and they own their sin. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:04.180 And it's not just saying, 00:07:04.340 --> 00:07:04.720 oh God, 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:07.560 we're sorry for all of the sins. 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:09.920 They go through them in detail. 00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:10.840 Verse three, 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:13.620 they stood where they were 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:15.980 and they read from the book of the law, 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:17.460 of the Lord their God, 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:19.220 for a quarter of the day. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:21.600 Imagine if I said, 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:22.100 okay, everybody, 00:07:22.260 --> 00:07:22.960 we're going to read up, 00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:23.880 stand up. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:25.180 I'm going to read the Bible 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.459 for the next six hours. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:29.159 And as we do that, 00:07:29.219 --> 00:07:30.240 you're just going to be reminded 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:31.560 of all of our sins 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:32.540 and our failures. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:33.779 And so after they'd read 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:34.300 the book of the law 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:35.360 for six hours, 00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:36.060 verse three, 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:37.560 they spent another quarter 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:38.399 of the day 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:40.079 in confession 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:41.740 and in worshipping 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:42.899 the Lord their God. 00:07:45.219 --> 00:07:46.300 As they're reading the word, 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:47.459 they would have been seeing 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:48.740 all of the places 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:50.040 that they fell short. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:52.900 and so they spend hours 00:07:52.900 --> 00:07:54.100 in confession. 00:07:54.840 --> 00:07:56.120 Now this might seem 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:57.220 a lot to us, 00:07:58.580 --> 00:07:59.240 but imagine 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:01.180 if we took, say, 00:08:01.260 --> 00:08:02.620 just the Ten Commandments. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:04.180 Even that's too many. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:05.620 Let's just take the very first 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:06.600 of the Ten Commandments. 00:08:07.020 --> 00:08:08.420 You shall have no other God 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:08.860 but me. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.879 I'm sure we could spend 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:13.320 a lot of time 00:08:13.320 --> 00:08:14.640 in confession. 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:17.180 God, I'm sorry 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.980 when I made myself God 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:20.580 over you 00:08:20.580 --> 00:08:21.860 and I chose selfishness 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:23.080 this morning. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:24.879 God, I'm sorry 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:25.879 when I made money, 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:26.560 my God, 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:27.520 yesterday when I was 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:28.040 at the shops 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:29.939 and I worshipped 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:31.360 at the altar of work 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:32.820 or possessions 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:34.039 or consumerism. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:35.620 And Jesus says 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:36.279 of adultery 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:38.039 that lust is just as bad 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:39.019 and murder, 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:40.879 well, anger is just as bad. 00:08:41.060 --> 00:08:42.039 Imagine if we went 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:42.920 into detail 00:08:42.920 --> 00:08:43.840 and just confessed 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:45.240 the last two days 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:46.820 of our lust 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:47.720 and our anger 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.700 and our theft 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:49.600 and our envy 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:50.540 and our jealousy, 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:53.420 we too have 00:08:53.420 --> 00:08:55.620 hours to confess. 00:08:57.060 --> 00:08:58.000 To appreciate 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.400 who God is, 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:01.480 we need to have humility 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:02.620 and take a good, 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:04.280 hard look at ourselves 00:09:04.280 --> 00:09:05.660 to understand 00:09:05.660 --> 00:09:06.400 who we are 00:09:06.400 --> 00:09:07.720 and who we are not. 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:10.200 One of the challenges 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:10.820 of our time 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:11.780 is that we are told 00:09:11.780 --> 00:09:13.020 that our views 00:09:13.020 --> 00:09:13.660 are valuable 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:14.480 and right. 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:16.039 Our emotions are right 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:17.299 and the view of ourselves 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:18.100 is right 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:19.539 and we are losing 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:20.319 the ability 00:09:20.319 --> 00:09:21.600 to say of ourselves 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:22.819 and anyone else, 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:24.379 this is right 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:26.000 and this is wrong. 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:30.100 God sits outside time, 00:09:30.219 --> 00:09:31.439 he sits outside culture, 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:33.819 he himself is good 00:09:33.819 --> 00:09:35.240 and he tells us 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:36.159 what is good and right. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.059 And so Israel 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:39.980 realise how far 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:41.559 they have gone from God 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:43.539 and they confess. 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:45.879 They read the law, 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:47.259 they have clarity 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:48.579 of where they fell short 00:09:48.579 --> 00:09:51.199 but their own sinfulness 00:09:51.199 --> 00:09:53.159 is not what motivates them. 00:09:53.219 --> 00:09:53.739 They don't go, 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:54.979 we are so sinful, 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.319 we're going to work really hard, 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.579 we're going to pull up our socks, 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:59.299 we're going to follow God 00:09:59.299 --> 00:09:59.819 really hard, 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:01.379 we're going to do 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.099 all of the things 00:10:02.099 --> 00:10:03.379 God says in the law. 00:10:04.239 --> 00:10:04.459 No, 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:06.219 their desire to confess 00:10:06.219 --> 00:10:07.500 and their motivation 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:08.239 to change 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:10.500 is based on God's character. 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.580 Second point today, 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:12.639 God's character. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:15.419 In verse 5, 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:17.659 it says that the Levites, 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:18.960 the priests, 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:20.060 they stand up 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:20.919 and praise God 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:22.080 with a summary 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:23.419 of Israel's history 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:25.399 and there's two key highlights. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:29.320 How awful Israel has been 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:32.840 and how good God is. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.960 I'm not sure if you picked that up 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:34.800 as Janet was reading. 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.379 It just says 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:37.780 how good God is 00:10:37.780 --> 00:10:38.800 over and over. 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.940 Verse 6, 00:10:40.140 --> 00:10:41.640 you alone are the Lord. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.060 You made the heavens. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:44.940 You give life to everything. 00:10:45.800 --> 00:10:46.800 God is lifted high 00:10:46.800 --> 00:10:47.540 as the one 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:48.700 who is in charge of all, 00:10:48.800 --> 00:10:49.840 responsible for all 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:51.440 and has power over it all 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:53.000 and he chose Abraham. 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:54.000 Verse 7, 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:55.080 God chose 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:55.880 to make a covenant 00:10:55.880 --> 00:10:56.600 with the people. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.740 God heard that Israel 00:10:58.740 --> 00:10:59.740 was stuck in Egypt 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.980 and so he saved them. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:03.519 Then in verse 13, 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:05.639 God gave them laws 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.720 and regulations 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:07.720 that are good 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:08.300 and right 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:09.560 so they could follow him. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:11.500 Verse 15, 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:13.139 God provided 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:14.399 for their physical needs 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.860 and gave them land 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.420 to live in. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:17.840 Up to this point, 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:18.940 it all looks good 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:19.740 and rosy. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:22.080 God has been good to them. 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:23.440 Israel is following God. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:24.800 It all looks pretty good. 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:26.959 Everything changes 00:11:26.959 --> 00:11:28.479 in verse 16. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.459 Whenever you see the word 00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:32.459 but in the Bible, 00:11:32.599 --> 00:11:33.500 just underline it, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.139 circle it, 00:11:34.219 --> 00:11:35.139 put a tab there. 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:36.659 The buts are really helpful. 00:11:38.339 --> 00:11:39.679 God has been good. 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:40.719 Israel has been following. 00:11:41.599 --> 00:11:41.859 But, 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.419 but they, 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:44.399 our ancestors, 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.459 became arrogant 00:11:45.459 --> 00:11:47.019 and stiff-necked. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.639 They did not 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.500 obey your commands. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.439 God has done 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:52.299 everything for them. 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:56.059 They were not humble. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:57.579 They were unwilling 00:11:57.579 --> 00:11:59.159 to bend their necks 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.339 to follow God. 00:12:01.599 --> 00:12:02.479 And so God 00:12:02.479 --> 00:12:04.179 has humbled Israel, 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:06.620 sent them into exile, 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.719 forced their necks 00:12:08.719 --> 00:12:09.639 to be softened. 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:11.639 Verse 17, 00:12:11.839 --> 00:12:12.740 Israel refused 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.740 to listen, 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.959 failed to remember 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:16.679 the miracles, 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:19.019 failure of memory. 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.779 They forgot the God 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:21.519 who made everything. 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:22.600 The God who, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.399 who took them 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:24.120 and made them a people, 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:24.299 who, 00:12:24.339 --> 00:12:25.159 who saved them 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:25.659 out of Egypt, 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:26.000 who, 00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:27.699 who gave them 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:28.600 good laws to follow, 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:29.139 who gave them 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:29.539 a good land. 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:30.480 They forgot 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.519 their God. 00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:33.799 And this is where 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.679 the beauty of God's 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:35.679 character is revealed. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.319 If you've ever heard 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:39.699 or even thought yourself, 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:40.959 the God of the Old Testament, 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:41.659 I don't know about 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.459 the God of the Old Testament, 00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:43.459 I like the God 00:12:43.459 --> 00:12:44.079 of the New Testament. 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:45.279 He's all about love 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.579 and hugs and kisses 00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:47.480 and I like Jesus, 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.279 he's wonderful. 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.559 But the God of Old Testament, 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.659 he's angry, 00:12:50.979 --> 00:12:51.739 he's wrathful. 00:12:52.459 --> 00:12:53.339 If you've ever thought that, 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:54.579 come to this point 00:12:54.579 --> 00:12:55.500 in Nehemiah 9, 00:12:55.619 --> 00:12:56.299 take a friend 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.299 to Nehemiah 9. 00:12:57.819 --> 00:12:58.639 Verse 17, 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.239 but you are 00:13:01.239 --> 00:13:02.599 a forgiving God, 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:03.619 gracious 00:13:03.619 --> 00:13:05.139 and compassionate, 00:13:05.939 --> 00:13:07.099 slow to anger 00:13:07.099 --> 00:13:08.259 and abounding 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:08.979 in love. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:10.119 Therefore, 00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:11.299 you did not 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.159 desert them. 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.299 God had compassion 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:14.779 on Israel 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:15.779 when they rebelled 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:17.579 and made another God 00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:18.539 out of the golden calf. 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.679 Verse 19, 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:21.039 God had compassion 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:21.639 on them 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.939 and didn't leave them 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:23.419 in the wilderness 00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:24.019 to die. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.379 God gave them land 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.339 and then they disobeyed again 00:13:28.339 --> 00:13:28.860 and yet, 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:29.639 verse 27, 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.839 God had compassion. 00:13:33.219 --> 00:13:34.279 And it's this cycle 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.120 that happens 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.399 over and over 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:37.039 and over. 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:38.339 They follow God, 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:39.659 they forget him, 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.079 they take him for granted, 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.199 they worship other gods, 00:13:43.839 --> 00:13:44.899 he sends enemies, 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:45.959 they cry out, 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.719 verse 28, 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.460 and when they cried 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.680 out to you 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.820 again, 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.980 you heard from heaven 00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.580 and in your compassion 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.620 you delivered them 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:58.080 time after time 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.240 after time 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.320 after time. 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.379 God is beyond 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.580 gracious to us. 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.920 Even after we commit 00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:07.980 the most heinous acts 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.620 against him, 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:10.620 against the people 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.340 we love, 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.120 against friends, 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.519 he continues 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.379 to be loving 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:16.480 and compassionate. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.620 And even when 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.139 his people 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.259 are not repenting, 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.620 he doesn't destroy them, 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.699 he loves them. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:24.720 Israel, 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.340 at this point, 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.819 are in a disastrous situation. 00:14:27.579 --> 00:14:28.480 They've been exiled, 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:29.799 their country 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.439 has been 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.379 all but destroyed, 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.480 their nation shattered, 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:34.019 and yet, 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.639 Israel are remembering 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.519 how good 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.759 God continues 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.620 to be to them. 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:40.519 And verse 31 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.519 summarizes 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.559 summarizes 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:43.139 the goodness 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.519 of God's character. 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.460 In your great 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:47.439 mercies, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.679 you did not 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.620 put an end 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.039 to them 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.100 or abandon them 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.100 for you 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.879 are gracious 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.059 and merciful. 00:14:55.199 --> 00:14:56.659 Because of God's character, 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:58.259 his mercy 00:14:58.259 --> 00:15:00.159 and his graciousness. 00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.879 As I read through this, 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:04.500 there's a word 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.259 that jumped out 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:05.759 to me 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:07.299 about God's character. 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.259 I'm not sure 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.179 if you've picked it up, 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:10.360 but it's the word 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.220 compassion. 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:13.120 It's there four times 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.820 in chapter 9. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.279 God is gracious 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.060 and compassionate. 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:18.480 He has great compassion. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:18.800 Again, 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.039 he's got great compassion. 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.639 And in your compassion, 00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:22.440 you delivered them. 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:24.960 God is gracious 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.279 and merciful, 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.080 but key to this 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:29.580 is his compassion. 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.960 I love this word compassion 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:33.639 because it's made up 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.440 of two words, 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:35.539 com 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.759 and passion. 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:36.840 compassion. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:39.139 The word com 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.360 means with. 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.279 So, 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.039 company. 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.460 You're with people. 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.279 And the word passion 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.620 doesn't mean 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.620 strong emotions 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.840 like we tend 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.779 to think these days. 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:51.080 The original meaning 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.100 of the word passion 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.980 means suffering. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:55.480 So, 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.039 if you remember 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:56.539 the movie, 00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:57.740 you know, 00:15:57.819 --> 00:15:58.480 10 years ago 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.100 whenever it was made, 00:15:59.279 --> 00:15:59.980 the passion 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:01.000 of the Christ 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.559 means the suffering 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.039 of Jesus 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:03.700 on the cross, 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.159 the passion 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.679 of the Christ. 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.279 So, 00:16:05.479 --> 00:16:06.979 compassion means 00:16:06.979 --> 00:16:09.379 with in suffering. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:10.899 So, 00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:11.759 if you have a friend 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:13.299 who you're grieving, 00:16:13.979 --> 00:16:14.859 they sit with you 00:16:14.859 --> 00:16:15.359 in your grief, 00:16:15.439 --> 00:16:16.219 they are with you 00:16:16.219 --> 00:16:16.859 in your suffering, 00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:18.079 they have compassion. 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.059 God 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:22.519 is described 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:23.139 as someone 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.859 who has 00:16:23.859 --> 00:16:24.919 compassion. 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.639 He is not 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.239 absent. 00:16:28.979 --> 00:16:29.899 If you remember 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.859 that poem 00:16:30.859 --> 00:16:31.759 about the footsteps 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.899 on the sand, 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.740 it is this picture 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.500 of God 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.980 walking with us 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.199 every step 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:39.100 of the way. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.959 God is with 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:41.840 Israel 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.919 every step, 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.240 when they're faithful 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.240 and when they're not. 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.539 He is ready 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.899 to show mercy 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:50.000 and to forgive them. 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.240 He is present 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.019 and with them. 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:55.039 And how much more 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.840 wonderfully 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.960 does he do this 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.559 in Jesus? 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.779 when he 00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:00.259 is present 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.739 as a human being, 00:17:01.959 --> 00:17:02.979 he knows 00:17:02.979 --> 00:17:03.899 our suffering. 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.799 He knows 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.599 what it is like 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.399 to be a human 00:17:06.399 --> 00:17:07.899 with temptations, 00:17:08.399 --> 00:17:10.079 to love people 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:11.599 and to suffer 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.839 on the cross. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.519 God 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.599 became man. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:16.859 He is 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.519 compassion. 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.659 He is 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:19.179 with us 00:17:19.179 --> 00:17:20.000 in our suffering. 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.460 He knows 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.279 our joys 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.319 and our pains. 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.319 when Jesus 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:25.679 suffered 00:17:25.679 --> 00:17:26.139 on the cross, 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.839 he suffered 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:28.419 in every way 00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.359 like we suffer. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.399 Physical pain, 00:17:31.659 --> 00:17:32.399 he was betrayed 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.579 closest by those 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.299 closest to him. 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.240 He was distant 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.899 from God, 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.740 all so that God 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.500 could have mercy 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.159 and grace 00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:40.759 to us. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.599 God 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.480 is with us 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.460 and he's with Israel 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.299 in their suffering. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.299 His compassion 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.439 is what 00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:50.319 motivates 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.039 Israel 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.819 to change. 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.839 our third point 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.379 this morning, 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.200 commitment. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:55.939 Israel 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:57.299 in verse 37, 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:59.079 cry out to God, 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.220 God we are 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.079 in great 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.519 distress. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.859 In verse 38, 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.879 in view of all this, 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.539 in view of 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.359 history, 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:10.099 in view of 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:11.000 what we have 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.579 been like, 00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.059 in view of 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.599 what you have 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.079 been like, 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.079 mercy, 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:14.899 gracious, 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.220 compassion, 00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:18.279 in view of all this, 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.559 we are making 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.619 a binding agreement. 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:22.939 We're putting it 00:18:22.939 --> 00:18:23.339 in writing. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.220 We're going to 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.980 stamp it with our 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.339 stamp. 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.339 Our leaders, 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.240 the priests, 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.039 the Levites, 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.480 they're all affixing 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.220 their seals to it. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.519 Everybody is on 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:31.980 board. 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:33.720 We are recommitting 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.179 to you. 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.159 The people know 00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:37.700 their history. 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.339 They know who 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:38.879 they are 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:40.379 and they know 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:41.220 who their God 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.960 is 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.460 and they're 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.439 motivated by 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:45.480 who he is, 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.519 by his compassion. 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.419 And so they want 00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:49.379 to better represent 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:49.819 God. 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.720 They want to 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.179 honor him. 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.439 They want to 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.059 remain God's 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.939 people and not 00:18:53.939 --> 00:18:55.179 take it for 00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:55.500 granted. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.259 And so they 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.439 rededicate themselves. 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.279 There's something 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.399 really significant 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:01.359 going on in 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:01.939 these verses. 00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:03.579 They make a 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.779 binding agreement. 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:05.579 They put it in 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.079 writing. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.500 This is what we 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.639 continue to do. 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:10.439 We are people 00:19:10.439 --> 00:19:11.079 who have mostly 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.139 moved away from 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:12.619 paper, 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.099 but still if we're 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.299 signing up for 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.720 something, 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.259 it gets put in 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.720 writing. 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.460 The leaders, 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:19.960 the Levites, 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:20.500 the priests 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.680 sign up for it. 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.519 It's representative 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.399 that it's not just 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:24.740 some people who 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.220 are committing to 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.480 the Lord, 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.879 it is the whole 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:28.659 people recommitting 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.159 to God. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.180 God in his grace 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.819 has called them 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.940 back to the land 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.279 and they've seen 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.779 that and they're 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.019 saying, 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.539 yes, 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:38.299 we want to be 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.519 a people following 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.559 this God. 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:41.859 We're going to 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.119 commit. 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:44.399 And then the 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:44.959 next three 00:19:44.959 --> 00:19:45.439 chapters, 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.099 10, 00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:46.859 11 and 12, 00:19:46.959 --> 00:19:47.500 show the people 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:47.879 commit. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.879 Starts with all 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.579 the people in 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:53.119 verse 10 and 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.500 they remind 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.619 themselves of 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.839 God's laws that 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.339 they're committing 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:57.699 to. 00:19:58.719 --> 00:19:59.439 It's as if what 00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:00.000 they're saying, 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.379 we swear that 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:01.899 we're going to 00:20:01.899 --> 00:20:02.859 follow this God 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:05.239 and if we don't 00:20:05.239 --> 00:20:06.039 walk in this way, 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:07.119 we'll let God 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.739 curse us because 00:20:08.739 --> 00:20:09.579 we want to 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.319 follow this God. 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:12.639 the first step 00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.639 towards recommitting 00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:14.319 to this God is 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.240 to turn back to 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.639 him in his 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:15.919 scriptures. 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.460 That's what 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.759 they've done. 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.460 They've spent 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.419 hours reading 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:19.079 the law, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.740 remembering the 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.000 law. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.139 They're going to 00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:22.559 honour the 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:22.859 Sabbath. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.480 They're going to 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.399 rest and trust 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.000 that God will 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.599 provide. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.399 They're not going 00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:27.960 to give their 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.500 daughters in 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.000 marriage to 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.339 people of 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:29.939 other nations 00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:31.339 because those 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:31.839 other nations 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.279 are going to 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.740 bring in other 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.379 religions, 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.480 but they want 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.519 to worship God. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.039 They want to 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.700 continue to 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.339 worship God for 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:38.899 generations. 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:39.939 They're going to 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.299 honour God, 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:40.899 God's temple, 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.159 the place where 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.079 sacrifices are 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:43.299 made. 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:43.879 They would 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.259 tithe, 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:44.799 they would 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.419 give of 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:45.960 their money. 00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:47.480 They're 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.579 recommitting not 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.139 just with their 00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:50.000 Sundays or their 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.480 Saturdays, 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.200 they're recommitting 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:52.039 with all that 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.740 they earn, 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.500 their money, 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.059 their first 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.279 fruits, 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.779 their crops, 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.460 their animals. 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.220 God has 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.359 committed to 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.539 them and they 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.379 are recommitting 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.639 to God with 00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:03.200 their money, 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.720 their success, 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:06.000 their families, 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.139 with their time 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.700 and with their 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.119 worship. 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:10.459 And finally, 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.439 at the end 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:12.459 of chapter 12, 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:15.759 we return to 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.379 the wall, 00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:17.179 which is what 00:21:17.179 --> 00:21:18.000 this whole book 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.639 seems to have 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:19.179 been about, 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.039 building this 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.299 wall. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.959 But the wall 00:21:20.959 --> 00:21:21.899 was built and 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.419 it's almost like 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.159 an afterthought 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:23.619 that we come 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.159 back to it. 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.039 But the wall 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.739 that Nehemiah 00:21:26.739 --> 00:21:27.439 came to build, 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:27.759 which was 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.639 finished a couple 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.279 of chapters ago, 00:21:29.959 --> 00:21:30.759 it had not been 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.259 dedicated. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:31.899 It had been 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:32.339 finished, 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.679 but they hadn't 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.619 smashed the bottle 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.239 of bubbly on it 00:21:35.239 --> 00:21:36.019 like you do with a 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.619 ship as you 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:37.139 commission it. 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:40.440 God first 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.300 needed to work 00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:42.280 on his people 00:21:42.280 --> 00:21:43.380 before they could 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.280 celebrate what 00:21:44.280 --> 00:21:44.840 he is doing. 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:46.420 They've read 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:46.860 the law, 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.600 they've confessed 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:49.259 their sins, 00:21:49.520 --> 00:21:50.460 they've recommitted 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.060 to the Lord, 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.860 and now they are 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.840 ready to celebrate 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:55.200 what God is doing 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.000 in their midst. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.560 And so Nehemiah 00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:58.360 orders all the 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:58.740 musicians, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.580 the choirs, 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.259 the priests, 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:01.060 he positions them 00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:01.759 all on different 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.940 parts of the wall, 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.240 they offer many 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.020 sacrifices, 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.340 and in chapter 12 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.119 verse 43, 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:09.019 they were rejoicing 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.899 because God 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.980 had given them 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.740 great joy. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.740 The women and the 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.539 children rejoiced, 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:16.079 and the sound of 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.579 rejoicing could be 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:19.659 heard far away. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.480 I wonder what it 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.299 would look like 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.299 to have even the 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.199 people walking 00:22:25.199 --> 00:22:27.119 past church hear 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:28.439 us rejoicing this 00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:28.720 morning. 00:22:29.199 --> 00:22:30.099 In a couple of 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.019 minutes, we're going 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.859 to sing our last 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.359 song. 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.439 What would it look 00:22:33.439 --> 00:22:34.099 like for us to be 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:35.240 singing so loud 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.279 that people, 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.740 two streets away, 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.679 could hear us 00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:40.719 rejoicing in our 00:22:40.719 --> 00:22:41.159 God? 00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.980 Jerusalem is 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.000 becoming the 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.899 city of God 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:47.299 again. 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.919 Not just the 00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:50.000 place, but the 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.279 people. 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.839 Restoration and 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.980 reconciliation with 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.799 God and his people 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.819 should always be 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.399 celebrated. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.039 When a sinner 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.859 comes to God, 00:22:58.919 --> 00:22:59.879 there is a feast 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.559 in heaven. 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:01.919 When someone 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.339 commits their 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.000 life to God, 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.919 we get a big 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:04.799 water tank, we 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.720 do a baptism. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.779 It is a good 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.679 thing to celebrate. 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:10.039 Brothers and 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.639 sisters, Israel 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:13.179 has gone on a 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.059 wonderful journey. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:16.059 God has restored 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.519 them to their 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:16.879 land. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:17.899 They've read the 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.099 Bible. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.720 They've confessed 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.259 their sins. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.399 They've meditated 00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:21.940 on how good God 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.720 has been to them, 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.220 particularly his 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.980 compassion for 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.700 centuries. 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.359 And God's 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.440 character, his 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.160 compassion has 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.120 motivated them 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:31.740 to change, 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.080 motivated them 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:33.759 to recommit. 00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:35.380 And so they've 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.120 signed up to 00:23:36.120 --> 00:23:37.460 follow him again 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.100 today. 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.799 Maybe today is a 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.680 good day for us 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.460 to do the same 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:42.759 thing. 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.559 Actually, let's 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:44.940 take out that 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.380 word maybe. 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.920 Today is a good 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.720 day for us to 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.180 do the same 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.480 thing. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.340 To confess our 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:50.720 sins. 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:52.799 To remember 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.460 where we've 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.500 walked far away 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:54.960 from him. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.700 To remind 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:58.120 ourselves of 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:58.840 his great 00:23:58.839 --> 00:24:00.439 compassion for 00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:01.019 us in 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.419 Jesus. 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.159 That he has 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.659 dealt with 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.439 our sins so 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:05.039 that we can 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.480 know him. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.240 And then 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.099 remind ourselves 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.859 to commit 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.659 to him 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:11.220 tomorrow, 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.459 the week to 00:24:12.459 --> 00:24:12.720 come. 00:24:13.699 --> 00:24:14.559 Because he 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.919 is with us 00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:16.819 when we are 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.240 suffering. 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.699 When we feel 00:24:18.699 --> 00:24:19.159 that we are 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:20.039 far from him, 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.679 he is with 00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:21.000 us. 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:21.959 When we are 00:24:21.959 --> 00:24:22.859 busy and 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.740 tired and 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.159 stressed, 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.139 he is with 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:25.639 us. 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:26.619 When we are 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.639 celebrating and 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:28.200 joyful, he 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.880 is with us. 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.820 When we are 00:24:29.820 --> 00:24:30.920 grieving, he 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.660 is with us. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.340 He is with 00:24:33.340 --> 00:24:33.440 us. 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:33.900 He's not with 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.680 us like a 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.500 puppy dog who 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.580 is just there 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.640 to be warm 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.620 and comfortable 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.460 even though 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.259 they're great. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.100 But God is 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.880 not just with 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.840 us passively to 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:43.400 make us feel 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:43.720 better. 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.500 He is with 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.420 us like a 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.140 parent to a 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:46.720 child who 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.180 says, I 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.259 know this 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.400 is hard, but 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.220 I have good 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.400 plans in store 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:51.860 for you. 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.720 Who carries 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.460 us in our 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.800 grief. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:57.359 God in 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.379 his compassion 00:24:58.379 --> 00:25:00.159 calls us to 00:25:00.159 --> 00:25:00.879 walk closely 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.359 with him, 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.759 trusting him, 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.319 living in 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.180 obedience to 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:05.419 him. 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:07.799 Jack Nicholson 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.299 said to 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:08.799 Helen Hunt, 00:25:09.159 --> 00:25:10.039 you make me 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.319 want to be a 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:11.899 better man. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.299 God's 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.379 compassion in 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.619 Jesus means 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.339 we get to 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.099 be his 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.460 people, 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.039 reminding 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.759 ourselves of 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.339 his goodness 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:23.279 and calling 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.000 us to obey 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.299 him. 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.539 Let me pray 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:25.919 for us 00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:26.359 right now. 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:30.599 God, your 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.740 compassion and 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:34.019 love calls us 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:35.180 to be your 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.539 people. 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.000 Thank you, 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.599 God, that you 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.200 are with us 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.919 each step. 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.139 Help us to 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.859 recommit to 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:44.139 you today, to 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:45.220 love your 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.279 word, to 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.139 confess our 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:47.559 sin, to 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.480 choose to 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.240 follow and 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.079 obey you, 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.359 trusting in 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:51.799 you each 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.119 day. 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.399 Amen. 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.639 community, to 00:25:56.639 --> 00:26:00.740 never 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.779 help us. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:08.919 That's 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:10.700 right. 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:12.159 Thank you.