WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.780 In the mid-18th century, after a short-lived career in the Royal Navy, 00:00:04.560 --> 00:00:08.820 a young Englishman found himself an active participant in the slave trade, 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:11.779 traveling to the Caribbean on more than one occasion 00:00:11.779 --> 00:00:15.960 and participating in selling slaves. 00:00:16.580 --> 00:00:20.580 That economy was very much a part of who he was. 00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:24.339 And although he had a religious conversion to Christianity, 00:00:24.620 --> 00:00:29.719 he continued in this slave trade for just about a decade before becoming 00:00:29.719 --> 00:00:31.799 an Anglican cleric. 00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:36.399 Very interesting change of careers. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:39.820 Realizing that he had participated in evil, 00:00:39.979 --> 00:00:43.820 he penned possibly the most famous Christian hymn of all time, 00:00:43.879 --> 00:00:44.979 and that's Amazing Grace. 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:49.599 He would go on to play a big part in the abolition of the slave trade 00:00:49.599 --> 00:00:56.179 in the empire at the tail end of the 18th century into the 19th century. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:00:57.560 His name is John Newton. 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:02.640 A slaver turned Anglican minister and hymn writer turned abolitionist, 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.379 and at the end of his life, it was reported that he said this, 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:11.100 My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:15.420 that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior. 00:01:15.420 --> 00:01:21.560 How do you deal with sin in your life? 00:01:22.260 --> 00:01:23.299 How do you approach it? 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:28.420 How do you deal with patterns of thoughts or actions that are hurtful or destructive 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:30.599 to yourself and others? 00:01:32.379 --> 00:01:38.280 How do you address evil when you see it rear its head in your day-to-day? 00:01:39.219 --> 00:01:40.500 How do you deal with regret? 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:47.920 In no way do I want to suggest that the self-help or self-improvement 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:51.900 kind of industry or apparatus is wrong. 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:52.620 Not at all. 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:58.700 But I find it remarkable that this industry is worth multi-billions in North America. 00:01:58.700 --> 00:02:07.219 And I think that truth speaks to this recognition that many of us know that our lives aren't what they ought to be, 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:11.180 and we desperately want to do something about it. 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:18.219 We want to deal with the evil that we see or the hang-ups that we have or the habits that we can't kick, 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:21.640 the regret that we just can't shake. 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:27.679 Our text today will speak of sin and its destructive power, 00:02:28.019 --> 00:02:33.159 but more importantly, it will give us a roadmap of how to experience freedom. 00:02:34.339 --> 00:02:39.199 It will speak to the importance of conviction and repentance and amendment of life 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:47.339 and how these things are fundamental for a full and free personal life and societal life. 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:56.300 So the text will help us to see and recognize that sinful behavior is always selfish and exploitative. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:03.180 The second thing it will help us to do is recognize that the only path to freedom is through repentance. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:11.039 And then finally, this text will help us to recognize that repentance must lead to amendment of life. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:15.680 And that amendment of life has to be rooted in the fear of the Lord. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:21.319 So if you're following with me, if you can follow with me with your Bible, that would be huge. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:23.140 There's a stack of Bibles at the back. 00:03:23.260 --> 00:03:25.939 Grab one at any time and follow along. 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:30.840 We're going to be in Nehemiah chapter 5, the text that Steve read for us. 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:34.939 So we've been in Nehemiah for now four weeks. 00:03:34.980 --> 00:03:35.840 This is the fourth week. 00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:45.100 We have witnessed Nehemiah using his influence and skill set to address the horrendous situation of Jerusalem's walls. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:46.740 He hears the news. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:48.300 The walls are broken down. 00:03:48.640 --> 00:03:50.379 He is broken about it himself. 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:51.840 He prays. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:52.580 He fasts. 00:03:52.620 --> 00:03:54.180 He looks for an opportunity to do something. 00:03:55.080 --> 00:04:06.840 We then saw that he was incredibly bold in approaching the Persian king and asking for a leave and then resources to help rebuild the wall. 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:13.700 And finally, we looked last week at his courage and standing up to a very credible threat that threatened the rebuilding of the walls. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:16.819 It's been walls, walls, walls for three straight weeks. 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:19.060 This week says nothing. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:21.100 Chapter 5 says nothing about the walls. 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:22.840 Very interesting. 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:24.639 Why is it here? 00:04:24.840 --> 00:04:25.480 It doesn't... 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:28.899 It seems in a way, potentially, that there's a break in the narrative. 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:30.819 In fact, some scholars say just that. 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:32.199 They say, you know what? 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:34.079 Chapter 5 actually shouldn't be right here. 00:04:34.159 --> 00:04:35.860 It should be maybe at the tail end. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:42.920 This is an editor's insert of something that happened later on. 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:53.240 But it's really interesting if we consider this placement of Chapter 5 and what it addresses, specifically, the societal breakdown. 00:04:53.400 --> 00:05:01.120 And we remember that the rebuilding of the walls was never just a building project for a physical rebuild of Jerusalem's walls, 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:05.160 but a rebuilding of the people that, much like the walls, lay in ruin. 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:08.000 So here we kind of... 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:22.120 We see an aspect of how these people are in ruins and how much they're in ruins and how destroyed they are and what they need to, in a sense, be rebuilt. 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:30.800 So, we see right off the bat there's haves and haves-nots in Jerusalem. 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:42.600 And the haves are not doing the kind, merciful, loving thing by lifting up the have-nots out of their poverty, 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:50.780 but rather they're seeing it as an opportunity to get more rich, to press them down so that they could rise higher. 00:05:51.100 --> 00:05:59.639 And there's actually three groups of these have-nots or disenfranchised people that are in progressively dire situations. 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:06.360 So, look with me, Chapter 5, starting in Verse 1, and we'll read 1 to 5 and see if you can see these people. 00:06:08.099 --> 00:06:13.240 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:15.860 For there were those who said, 00:06:17.599 --> 00:06:22.959 With our sons and our daughters we are many, so let us get grain that we may eat and keep alive. 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:25.479 There were also those who said, 00:06:25.479 --> 00:06:31.859 We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:34.060 And there were those who said, 00:06:34.739 --> 00:06:38.259 We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. 00:06:38.659 --> 00:06:44.560 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children, 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:48.299 yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:53.240 And some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help them. 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:56.759 For other men have our fields and our vineyards. 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:57.560 And I'll stop there. 00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:02.259 We have some people that just have enough money to buy food. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:05.280 They're starving, otherwise they're gone. 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:12.800 There's another group of people that are selling and mortgaging everything they have just to put food on their table. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:19.439 And then still another group of people who are so desperate, they have nothing, just to eat. 00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:21.319 They're selling their children into slavery. 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:22.939 Just a pause real quick. 00:07:23.020 --> 00:07:24.160 This is not chattel slavery. 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:31.040 This isn't man-stealing, as in the slave trade in West Africa and the Caribbean. 00:07:32.340 --> 00:07:36.500 There was a period of time that people could be slaves, at least in the Jewish life. 00:07:36.840 --> 00:07:39.220 The seventh year they were supposed to be let free. 00:07:39.220 --> 00:07:44.880 It wasn't based on race or necessarily race or ethnicity. 00:07:45.580 --> 00:07:46.960 But they were still slaves. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:48.720 This is still slavery. 00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:54.800 And if they were sold into slavery, the family could get some money to buy some food. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:58.540 They would be sure that their children, now slaves, would have food. 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:01.620 But nevertheless, this is a terrible, dire situation. 00:08:02.760 --> 00:08:08.100 The people have enemies on all sides, and now they have financial hardship on all sides. 00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:15.640 There's the people that have left their livelihoods to rebuild the walls. 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:20.040 About two months of not working for their livelihoods. 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:23.240 And this, of course, would bring financial stress. 00:08:23.780 --> 00:08:25.400 Not only that, we see that there's a famine. 00:08:26.880 --> 00:08:33.080 And on top of all of that, there is this heavy tax from the Persians that they have to pay. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:38.700 They are being pinched on all sides, mortgaging property, selling their children. 00:08:39.220 --> 00:08:40.759 This is a giant mess. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:43.400 Like the walls, the people are broken. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:53.519 All of the borrowing and selling of lands is also, on top of all of that, is at the hands of their fellow Jews. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:57.240 Who are taking advantage of this situation to get rich. 00:08:58.340 --> 00:08:59.840 This is kicking people while they're down. 00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:01.120 And not just some people. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:05.100 Brothers, sisters, cousins, distant relatives. 00:09:05.699 --> 00:09:09.059 This is supposed to be the people of God looking after each other. 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:14.659 And instead, they are using this as an opportunity to further the riches. 00:09:16.419 --> 00:09:17.500 It's gutless. 00:09:19.099 --> 00:09:22.139 It's lacking any kind of compassion and mercy. 00:09:22.359 --> 00:09:24.859 It is zero love here. 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:28.399 And not only that, it's detestable in God's sight. 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:38.120 As the Lord has specifically, and in many different instances, instructed his people to not engage in usury. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:42.740 To not lend money demanding a heavy tax in return. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:44.439 Especially among the people of God. 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.159 So it's extortion. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.139 And it's something that God hates. 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:52.259 Because for sure, it doesn't reflect who God is. 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:57.259 But also, remember, these are the Israelites who have been slaves themselves. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:10:00.759 And God has rescued them out of slavery. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:05.819 And then they turn around to, in a sense, extort and enslave others. 00:10:07.179 --> 00:10:12.299 It's a very weighty, weighty chapter and a terrible problem. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.120 And you start to see why these people, like their walls, are broken. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:21.379 Selfishness and sin is the characteristics of God's people. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:24.279 Not justice and kindness and love and mercy. 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:26.580 They're no longer reflecting God. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:29.900 They're not even trying to reflect God's character in all of this. 00:10:31.540 --> 00:10:34.920 Selfishness and sin never affect just us. 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.920 It will always abuse and neglect others. 00:10:37.020 --> 00:10:37.300 Why? 00:10:37.800 --> 00:10:39.840 Because at the heart of a... 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:45.960 At the very bottom, at the core of a selfish heart, is pride. 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:51.540 The elevation of self to be more valuable, more worthy, more divine than others. 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:55.919 But what really happens is that human dignity is suppressed. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:01.579 Pride and selfishness will always lead to treating people as a means to an end. 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:05.059 Not as people made in God's image. 00:11:05.319 --> 00:11:07.319 Not people who have inherent dignity. 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:11.879 But mere stepping stones to whatever goal they're trying to achieve. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:13.399 It's a problem. 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:14.720 Selfishness never... 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:16.480 It never flourishes. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:21.840 It is like a flower in a desert. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.340 How long will it last? 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.399 Not sure. 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.360 Not very long. 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.039 No water. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:30.059 Selfishness never flourishes. 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:31.259 It always destroys. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:37.220 God created humanity to be at peace with one another. 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:39.600 And this is a very interesting fact in all of this. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:46.279 It's not as if the Israelites, some have, some don't have. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.299 But the some that do have, okay, you know, it's not nice what I'm doing, but who cares? 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:51.100 It doesn't affect me. 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:57.620 God has designed all of human life so that we need other people. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:03.840 So that if we are a part of a community, we can't fully flourish if those around us are suffering. 00:12:04.040 --> 00:12:05.060 It doesn't work that way. 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:10.600 God has designed our lives as individuals to be lived in community. 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:17.080 And when one suffers, we can turn a blind eye and think things will be okay. 00:12:17.160 --> 00:12:18.279 But we will suffer. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.340 We will. 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.940 And this is what is happening here. 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:24.340 The community is not functioning properly. 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:30.399 It would be like a group of Israelites are building one portion of the wall. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:33.240 There's some 40 different portions of the wall that had to be rebuilt. 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:37.120 They rebuilt this wall and said, listen, my wall, my portion, it looks great. 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:38.600 It's excellent. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.100 We use the best materials. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.759 I'm done early. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:43.360 Like, who are you? 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.100 What are you doing? 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:46.440 You know, tough to be you. 00:12:46.560 --> 00:12:47.840 You haven't built your portion of the wall. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.860 I'm safe and secure. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:50.680 But that doesn't work. 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:51.960 It doesn't work that way. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.919 The wall has to be unified. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.120 It has to be strong. 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.980 There can't be any breaches in the wall. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:13:00.080 Or the wall ceases to do what the wall is supposed to do. 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:01.820 Provide protection. 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:10.580 Here, the Israelites are a breached wall in every sense of the term. 00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:18.540 Friends, do you have a relationship where your pride and selfishness is causing the hardship of others? 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:20.360 Think about it. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:20.639 Think about it. 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.079 Pray. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.779 Ask the Lord to open your eyes. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:31.779 Are you a source not of blessing but of destructiveness in somebody else's life? 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:37.399 You lord something over other people. 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:40.720 If so, by God's grace, stop this. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:44.699 And conversely, if you are experiencing hardships because of an injustice, 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:49.860 because of somebody that, for whatever reason, just pushes you down, 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:52.620 you can be sure that God sees it. 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:55.659 That he is not blind to what is happening. 00:13:55.659 --> 00:14:01.319 The Lord sees you and he is not indifferent to your situation. 00:14:02.339 --> 00:14:04.980 So, here we have the problem. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:12.980 We have a perfect example of how selfishness is leading to the destruction of the community 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:19.600 and to the people that are doing the prideful stomping of others, so to speak. 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.879 So, what will Nehemiah do? 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:24.019 How will he respond as God's representative? 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:29.159 He sees the exploitation of the poor and he is incensed. 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.379 Look with me in verse 6. 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.139 Nehemiah speaking. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:36.960 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.819 I'll pause really quickly there. 00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.059 So, what's to be done? 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:41.480 Nehemiah is angry. 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:45.960 How will he, as God's representative, respond? 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:51.159 And this gets to our second point where we see that there's great freedom in repentance. 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:53.779 So, I'll tell you what Nehemiah doesn't do. 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:56.699 He doesn't get angry and do nothing. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:15:01.379 Nor does he get really angry and seek to destroy these people. 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.879 He doesn't seek to cancel them. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:10.480 He doesn't seek to drag their reputation through the mud and have them fired or have them blacklisted. 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:11.539 He doesn't do any of that. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:17.000 Look with me in verse 6 again and then also verse 7. 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:21.299 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.599 Verse 7, the first part of it. 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:28.779 I took counsel with myself and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.179 I'll pause quickly there. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:40.159 Nehemiah's anger was a righteous anger and it was on par with his concern and love for his fellow people. 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:43.959 He was angry because what was happening was terrible. 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:52.379 Nehemiah in chapter 1 is absolutely gutted at the state of Jerusalem and by extension its people. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:56.960 And what he is seeing here is angering him because, we'll see a bit later on, 00:15:56.960 --> 00:16:01.379 this is the same behavior that contributed to their exile in the first place. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:08.720 Nehemiah, what he does is he gets angry. 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:13.700 But what he doesn't do is that he doesn't let his anger get out of control. 00:16:13.900 --> 00:16:14.960 His anger is measured. 00:16:15.660 --> 00:16:19.240 It's appropriate in its response. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:22.240 But notice too that it's insufficient in its response. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:25.620 He doesn't say angry but he does something about it. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:29.200 He takes counsel with himself, which is to say that he considers the facts. 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:36.240 He builds a case rationally, intellectually, prayerfully, and he reflects on the situation. 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:38.700 And then he brings the charges forward. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.200 And it's a great lesson for us. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:49.560 Because in a time when the visceral reactions seem to rule the day, 00:16:49.559 --> 00:17:01.819 we have an opportunity as God's people to be a stable, just, loving response to the evil that we see. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:05.599 Not every aspect, but areas in your own life. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.500 You don't have to be quick to respond. 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.740 You don't have to be indifferent. 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.759 You shouldn't be indifferent. 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:15.319 You can be angry, but be measured in that and consider the facts. 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:20.000 And then respond like Nehemiah responds. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.180 And how does he respond? 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:26.019 Verse 7, the second part of it, and then into verse 8. 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:28.480 I'll read actually all of verse 7 again. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:58.460 He appeals to the facts. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:05.319 He is stating the facts. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:11.400 He is not saying, you evil, terrible people, unredeemable people, look at what you're doing. 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.660 And it is wrong. 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:21.559 While others are buying freedom for Jews who were enslaved to the Gentiles, 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:25.120 other Jews were in effect selling them back into Gentile slavery. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.860 And here's an interesting thing. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:29.979 Jewish slavers ought to be an oxymoron. 00:18:31.979 --> 00:18:35.659 Exploitative Christians ought to be an oxymoron. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:39.279 Selfish Christians ought to be an oxymoron. 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:43.279 Now that last one, it's easy to say, very hard to be. 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:48.139 But this is the call on our lives. 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:50.079 It's the call on the Jewish people's lives. 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.119 To not be slavers. 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:53.019 Because they used to be slaves. 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:57.420 God himself pulled them out of slavery. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:19:01.920 God himself fashioned a community and called them by his own name. 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.600 God himself gave the law. 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:06.460 God himself made a covenant with the people. 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:12.600 And then the people turn around and sell their own people outside of the covenant community. 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.680 It's a big affront to God. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:20.980 And it's saying to God, you know, okay, we understand what you've done, but it doesn't matter to us. 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:24.019 It's undoing, in a sense, of what God has done. 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:30.660 And God will not sit idly by when all of this happens. 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.860 So Nehemiah calls them out for their sin. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.599 He doesn't sugarcoat it. 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:39.140 And he doesn't blow it up bigger than it was. 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.279 If that's even possible to understand. 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.660 He sticks to the facts. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.980 Calls a spade a spade. 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.400 And what's the result? 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:48.259 Look at the latter part of verse 8. 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:54.900 They were silent and could not find a word to say. 00:19:54.980 --> 00:20:03.000 What can you say if somebody calls you out for the sin in your life and you truly don't have an excuse for it? 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.299 You say nothing. 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.259 You're silent. 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:10.079 I mean, pride can well up and you can say, who are you to say that to me? 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.220 And you can make up excuses. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:17.440 But in your heart, you know that the truth is the truth. 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:20.100 And here they're silent. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:22.160 They're convicted of their sin. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:24.140 They could not hide nor excuse it. 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.960 And this is the start of their freedom. 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:33.220 See, what's interesting here is that they're the ones selling people into slavery, but they're slaves too, are they not? 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:40.940 They're slaves to the sin and the darkness and this obsession with money and the things that it brings. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:44.259 So much so that they're willing to disregard human life. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.920 Who's the slave here? 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.740 This is the beginning of their freedom. 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:55.240 The opening paragraph of morning prayer, it says just this. 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.680 And this is in the Book of Common Prayer. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.039 And this is from the old 1662. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:01.920 I'll try to read it in a more vernacular. 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.920 But this is what it says. 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:11.779 Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moves us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:17.300 And that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:28.639 But confess them with a humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same by His infinite goodness and mercy. 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:35.339 That does not sound like somebody entering into slavery but out of it. 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.919 Forgiveness. 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.119 Forgiveness. 00:21:37.939 --> 00:21:38.500 Mercy. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:42.599 To know the goodness of God. 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:43.859 This is confession. 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:47.980 This is why confession seems really difficult at first. 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:56.679 But when you're on the other end of it, if you have truly confessed and you haven't made, kind of downplayed your sin. 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.919 You haven't made excuses. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:22:00.180 But you have just been just straight up honest. 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:04.140 This is, there is great freedom in that. 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.960 Confession leading to forgiveness. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:08.440 Why? 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:12.600 Because of Christ leading to knowledge of God and His goodness and mercy. 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.500 This is freedom. 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:14.360 This is true health. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:22.120 Christ says, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul? 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:25.480 What does it profit you to hide your sin before God? 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:37.480 And yet, remain as a slave to your passions, to your desires, to your sin, to the dark, hidden life that you are trying to live. 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:42.240 It's freedom that Christ has set us free. 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:44.680 So, Nehemiah addresses the sin. 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:46.120 The people are convicted. 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.920 And then, end of story? 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:48.559 No. 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.500 Then what happens? 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.480 And this is our third point. 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.160 There's amendment of life. 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.740 Look with me. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.460 Verses 9 to 13 here. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:23:00.420 So I said, the thing that you are doing is not good. 00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:07.279 Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations, our enemies? 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:09.519 I'll just pause really quickly before I continue on. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:22.279 The world, whether we think so or not, looks at God's people, looks at the church, and judges, in a sense, God by the way we act. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:27.359 And it's not to say that we're going to act perfectly, but it means that there's a lot more on the line. 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.660 We're a young church, okay? 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:31.240 We're a year and a half in. 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:33.359 We haven't had many hiccups. 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:37.439 We haven't had any huge relational breakdowns. 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.479 Okay? 00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:41.240 Some of us are still becoming friends with one another. 00:23:43.719 --> 00:23:46.319 Relational breakdowns will inevitably come. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.559 We will step on each other's toes. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.719 You will be offended. 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:50.839 I will be offended. 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.920 I will be offended. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.960 I will offend. 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:56.380 How will we deal with it? 00:23:57.079 --> 00:24:05.799 Will we leave out the back door or deal with the issue at hand, opening up an opportunity for restitution and healing? 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:10.440 And then the community grows deeper and the bonds grow stronger. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:13.440 And then all of a sudden, the world notices. 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.259 Your friends notice. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:18.000 Community is not like other communities. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.200 It's not perfect. 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:28.660 But there's a humility by God's grace that looks to treat others with dignity more important than yourselves. 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:31.000 And the world will see. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:39.160 Nehemiah here appeals to the people of God and how they have become the taunts of the nations. 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:41.060 I'll continue on in verse 10. 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:47.619 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:50.179 Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:56.079 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, olive orchards, and their houses, 00:24:56.359 --> 00:25:00.720 the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them. 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:02.980 Then they said, 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:06.240 We will restore these and require nothing from them. 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:08.159 We will do as you say. 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:11.540 The motivation for change is unmistakable. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:14.680 Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God? 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:17.960 The Bible, the Bible's book of wisdom, Proverbs, 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:23.140 it speaks a number of times that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.840 or the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:30.720 The fear of the Lord is to recognize that He is Lord of all and that His ways are always the best. 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:36.319 That if He calls us to repent and calls us to amend our life, 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.779 that it is the best for us. 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:39.440 It is the wise decision. 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:45.740 It also means that if we find our lives to be in contrast to God's ways, 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.799 we, not Him, are in the wrong. 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.539 There's no arguing. 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:53.079 There's no negotiating with God in that regard. 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.259 So what happens? 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.419 The people relent. 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.539 They're in the wrong. 00:25:57.099 --> 00:26:02.579 They show their godly contrition and promise to repay what has been stolen. 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:05.839 What's interesting here is verse 10. 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:09.000 Because Nehemiah is the angry one. 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:12.419 He is the righteous judge in this situation. 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.859 But verse 10, it says, 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.799 Moreover, I, and this is Nehemiah talking, 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:19.779 I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:22.619 Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:27.659 And it's, there's a bit of debate about whether he is convicted for doing, 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:31.500 like he is kind of in the midst of also lending money 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:36.339 and he is accused, like he is feeling convicted of usury. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:41.099 Or if he is essentially testifying that he used to do this himself. 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:46.779 But either way, what we see here is that as humility starts to take root in some people, 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:50.439 as they confess their sins, it begins to spread. 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:56.480 And as we have an opportunity to confess our sins to one another and pray, 00:26:57.980 --> 00:27:00.160 it says in James that you may be healed, 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:03.820 part of that healing is humility begins to spread. 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:09.140 And we see that somebody, by God's grace, has the courage to confess their sins, 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:13.780 and it gives us an opportunity to also confess our sins. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:21.580 If pride can be a super spreader, so to speak, 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.860 then so too humility. 00:27:25.020 --> 00:27:26.660 Humility begets humility. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:30.660 And here we have a situation in verse 10. 00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.700 Listen, whether it's, 00:27:33.040 --> 00:27:35.200 I too am, this is Nehemiah speaking, 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:37.019 I too am seeking forgiveness, 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:42.040 or I used to do this and it was wrong and I'm testifying that this is the right way to do it. 00:27:42.300 --> 00:27:47.060 Either way, humility is starting to take root in this community. 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:50.539 Life is starting to come back into this community. 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:56.899 It also shows us that it's not enough to simply say sorry if we have been, 00:27:57.259 --> 00:28:05.000 if we have wronged someone and pass over an opportunity to restore and bring restitution. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:08.059 In fact, if I was to say to my family, 00:28:08.179 --> 00:28:11.779 only I love you and did nothing to show my love, 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:13.159 how would that be love? 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:16.400 In the same way, if you say sorry, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:19.019 you have an opportunity to show that you're sorry and you don't, 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.820 how is that true contrition? 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:27.779 We do not practice penance in our church. 00:28:28.080 --> 00:28:31.240 It's not a part of what we believe in the 39 articles, 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.640 our kind of confession of faith, 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:35.400 in the same way that the Roman Catholic Church does. 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.540 But penance, in a sense, 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:41.500 showing your contrition by paying people back 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:43.200 at cost to you, 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.859 at potentially great cost to you, 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:47.799 is a beautiful example 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:50.839 of a heart that is turned towards the Lord 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:54.500 and is seeking healing and seeking restitution. 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.859 A heart that is humble. 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:02.339 Look with me at verse 13. 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:05.039 And Nehemiah here, 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:07.119 he is holding their feet to the fire. 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.200 They have spoken, 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:12.160 they promise that they are going to pay their brothers back. 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.840 They have promised, in a sense, 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.960 with their contrition to show penance. 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:19.319 But Nehemiah holds her feet to the fire. 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.700 And this is what it says. 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:22.400 Look with me in verse 12. 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.680 Verse 13, sorry. 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.960 I also, sorry, verse 12. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:28.880 Then they said, 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:31.519 we will restore these and require nothing from them. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.620 We will do as you say. 00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:34.519 And I, Nehemiah is speaking here, 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.819 and I called the priests 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:38.720 and made them swear to do as they had promised. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:41.900 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, 00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:45.279 so may God shake out every man from his house 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.259 and from his labor 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:48.279 who does not keep his promise. 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:51.279 So may he be shaken out and emptied. 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:55.960 This is a prophetic act 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.559 that is to say, 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:59.720 if you don't follow through, 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:04.400 may the same thing you are doing to others 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.660 happen back onto you. 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.339 It's a way, 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:08.720 it's like a handshake on steroids, 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.460 so to speak. 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:13.600 And the call, in the end, 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:15.839 is to practice what you preach, 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:18.100 back up what you say, 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.180 and don't delay. 00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:20.480 Do it immediately. 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:23.059 And he causes this to be done 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.720 in the presence of the priests, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:27.360 which in a sense is in the presence of God, 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:29.719 that this oath has been made, 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.459 and the result, 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:32.459 the people went away thinking, 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:34.659 man, I made a lot of money, 00:30:34.919 --> 00:30:35.959 and now I'm going to be poor. 00:30:36.439 --> 00:30:39.199 Look with me at the latter part of verse 13. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:42.359 The latter part of verse 13. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:45.339 So, right here, 00:30:45.439 --> 00:30:47.019 and all the assembly said, 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:48.799 Amen, may it be so, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.319 and praise the Lord, 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.859 and the people did as they promised. 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.279 Praise the Lord. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:55.740 All of a sudden, 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:57.539 freedom has truly taken root. 00:30:58.339 --> 00:31:00.379 Their sins have been forgiven. 00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:04.500 They have a blueprint 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:06.180 on how to restore 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:08.980 the pain that they caused. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.079 They can worship God 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:12.200 with a clean conscience. 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:16.359 Have you ever come to church 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:18.160 with a messy conscience, 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:20.560 and have tried to sing, 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:23.420 and tried to take Holy Communion, 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:25.620 and tried to put on a face, 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:27.160 and yet, 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.160 you know that there is 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.840 grievous sin in your life 00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.740 that you haven't confessed, 00:31:31.820 --> 00:31:33.040 and you're afraid to confess it, 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.560 or you have 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:35.960 some kind of habitual 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:38.360 problem that you can't kick, 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:40.240 and instead of bringing it 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.160 into the light 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:43.460 so that you may experience freedom, 00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:44.720 you come into the church 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:47.759 with chains around your ankles, 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:50.180 you're just a slave. 00:31:50.300 --> 00:31:51.540 Have you ever had that situation? 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:53.240 Lord knows I have. 00:31:54.580 --> 00:31:55.519 And that is not freedom. 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:57.400 It's not freedom to hide things, 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:57.960 but here, 00:31:58.380 --> 00:31:59.320 a perfect example. 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:01.060 They have confessed their sins. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.600 Yes, I promised to restore, 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.160 you know, 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.400 handshake on steroids 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.279 before God, 00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:07.080 before the community, 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:09.019 and the result is praise. 00:32:10.060 --> 00:32:10.500 Freedom. 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:13.000 They're starting to have 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:14.580 this right relationship with God 00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:15.340 because they have 00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.340 a right relationship 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:18.159 again with each other. 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:20.319 They've praised the Lord 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:22.199 because they repented. 00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:24.039 It is always 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.740 going to lead to freedom 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.539 because it always 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:28.279 will be a gift from God 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:28.759 that He is 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:30.839 taking a heart of stone 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.639 and making it 00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:32.759 into a heart of flesh. 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:33.859 This is the way 00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:34.639 you are meant to live. 00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:35.799 This is freedom. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.259 The people repent 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:39.119 of their wickedness, 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.079 and the breaches 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:41.179 in the community 00:32:41.179 --> 00:32:42.379 began to be amended. 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:44.180 And this points us 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.760 to Christ. 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.260 And how? 00:32:45.340 --> 00:32:45.980 How does it point us 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.420 to Christ? 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:47.860 Jesus, 00:32:48.080 --> 00:32:49.140 out of love for us 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:51.560 and to give His Father glory, 00:32:51.800 --> 00:32:53.360 ransoms us from slavery. 00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:54.620 Not the slavery 00:32:54.620 --> 00:32:55.860 because there's a famine 00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:56.920 or because, 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:57.660 you know, 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:59.020 we're on this work project 00:32:59.020 --> 00:33:00.540 and we have to pause 00:33:00.540 --> 00:33:01.160 our livelihood 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:02.640 or because there's 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.680 taxation 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.900 that's too heavy. 00:33:05.320 --> 00:33:06.640 It's the slavery 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.660 that we experience 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.200 because 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:10.200 we are slaves 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.880 to sin 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:12.100 and we are slaves 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:12.920 to our flesh 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:14.920 and we have no ability 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:16.380 inside ourselves 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.279 to say no 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:18.039 to temptation. 00:33:19.100 --> 00:33:20.400 He saves us from that. 00:33:21.100 --> 00:33:22.360 He ransoms us 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.440 from slavery, 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.720 an eternal slavery 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:26.380 that will not just result 00:33:26.380 --> 00:33:27.279 in a period 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:29.140 of slavery 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.259 but an eternity 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.940 of slavery. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.880 And He ransoms us 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:33.360 from that. 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.900 And He does so 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:36.340 at great cost 00:33:36.340 --> 00:33:36.799 to Himself 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.680 because in the end 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.360 He doesn't say, 00:33:38.840 --> 00:33:38.980 okay, 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.980 I'll pay back, 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:40.680 you know, 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.440 what's owed 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:43.319 and out comes 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:43.960 the ledger 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:45.799 and Jesus is balancing 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.259 it all out. 00:33:46.340 --> 00:33:47.360 He gives Himself 00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:48.720 in our place 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:50.000 so that we can be 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.500 made free. 00:33:51.840 --> 00:33:52.759 And all of a sudden 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.840 we see in 00:33:53.840 --> 00:33:55.299 Nehemiah chapter 5 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.920 this beautiful picture 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.860 that prepares us 00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:59.039 to understand the Gospel. 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:00.539 That our freedom 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.360 will never come 00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:02.200 without a price. 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:04.200 That the extension 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.539 of true love, 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.539 self-giving love 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.840 will always be costly. 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:10.659 So in light of that, 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.980 as free people, 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.539 free men, 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.119 free women, 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:16.299 do we then enter 00:34:16.299 --> 00:34:18.400 a life of selfishness? 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.900 Do we lord 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:21.699 things over people? 00:34:21.799 --> 00:34:23.000 Do we hold back 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.500 forgiveness? 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:26.380 Do we look down 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:27.059 our nose 00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:27.639 at people? 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:32.000 they're just a means 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.779 to an end? 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:34.500 I'll use this person 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:35.779 to further my own goals? 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.179 No, 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:36.859 we're free. 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.359 And we extend 00:34:38.359 --> 00:34:39.559 that same freedom 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.400 given to us 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:41.579 by pointing people 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.179 to Christ. 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:46.339 Amazing grace 00:34:46.339 --> 00:34:47.019 is, 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:47.980 going back to 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.960 John Newton, 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:50.199 it is, 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:51.339 I mean, 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.419 I'd be hard-pressed 00:34:52.419 --> 00:34:53.819 to find a hymn 00:34:53.819 --> 00:34:54.519 that's more famous 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.379 than Amazing Grace. 00:34:56.379 --> 00:34:56.759 And I mean, 00:34:56.799 --> 00:34:58.399 the words are dynamite, 00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:59.539 but I think 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.519 why it is 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:02.179 such a beautiful hymn 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:02.939 is because 00:35:02.939 --> 00:35:04.379 of the man 00:35:04.379 --> 00:35:05.179 who wrote it. 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.299 A man who 00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:08.699 traded slaves 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.599 but was himself 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.419 the biggest slave. 00:35:11.879 --> 00:35:13.159 And he experienced 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:14.319 the grace of God 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.559 and he, 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.679 by God's grace, 00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:17.579 humbled himself 00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:18.599 and confessed his sins 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:21.079 and dedicated his life 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:22.119 to abolishing 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:22.880 the great evil 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:24.000 that he was a part of. 00:35:24.799 --> 00:35:26.500 And this just flowed 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.239 out of his heart. 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:27.980 It's a beautiful, 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:28.519 beautiful, 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.119 beautiful hymn. 00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.559 Friends, 00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:32.880 let us do the same. 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.460 Let us pray. 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.219 Heavenly Father, 00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:35.839 we thank you 00:35:35.839 --> 00:35:36.960 for this example 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:38.299 in Nehemiah chapter 5. 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.179 We thank you 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:41.779 that you don't sit 00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:42.779 idly by 00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:44.059 when injustice happens. 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:44.819 You see all 00:35:44.819 --> 00:35:47.059 and you hate injustice. 00:35:47.259 --> 00:35:48.039 You hate evil. 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.460 You hate it 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.579 when people are exploited 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:52.239 and treated as less than human, 00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:52.880 subpar. 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:53.759 Lord, 00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:54.920 may this church 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:57.860 never rest 00:35:57.860 --> 00:35:59.599 in that, 00:35:59.699 --> 00:36:01.900 in that kind of sin. 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.480 May we never be a church 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.619 that exploits people 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.980 and when we do, 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.440 when we do enter 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:09.299 into selfish ways 00:36:09.299 --> 00:36:09.739 that, Lord, 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.860 we will be quick to repent 00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:13.179 and quick to make restitution. 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:14.539 Lord, 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.279 please we ask 00:36:15.279 --> 00:36:15.880 that you give us 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:16.559 your Holy Spirit 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.279 to help us 00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:18.380 to live this life 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.239 you've called us to live. 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.759 And as we continue 00:36:20.759 --> 00:36:21.900 with the rest of the service, 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.139 Lord, 00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:23.000 we ask that you would 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:24.279 bless our time 00:36:24.279 --> 00:36:25.039 and we pray this 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.679 in Christ's name. 00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:26.539 Amen. 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:26.659 Amen. 00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:26.719 Amen. 00:36:26.719 --> 00:36:26.739 Amen. 00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:26.759 Amen. 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:26.820 Amen. 00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:26.840 Amen. 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:26.860 Amen. 00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:26.920 Amen. 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:26.940 Amen. 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:26.960 Amen. 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:26.980 Amen. 00:36:26.980 --> 00:36:27.000 Amen. 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.019 Amen. 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.059 Amen. 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.079 Amen.