WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.600 Children, at this time you are dismissed to Children's Church. You can head on back and join Miss Savannah. 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:08.919 ! Everyone else, if you have your Bibles, you can turn with me to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. 00:00:09.040 --> 00:00:13.859 This morning, I'm always excited to preach the Word of God, but also, we're going to start a new series today. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:19.460 Now, over the next few weeks, we're going to be looking at some of the core commitments of the church in a series called We Believe. 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:24.260 And so this morning, we're going to be stating that we believe in the authority of God's Word. 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:26.800 We believe in the authority of Scriptures. 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:32.840 And in the weeks ahead, we'll look at how we believe that prayer, gathering together, serving, going, 00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:40.039 these are all commitments that we, as a church, want to be the core DNA of why we exist and why we gather together. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:43.799 So this morning, we'll be looking at We Believe in the authority of Scripture. 00:00:43.939 --> 00:00:47.799 And we'll be in Ezra 7 and Nehemiah 8. We'll start in Ezra 7. 00:00:48.040 --> 00:00:51.900 We'll see Ezra's personal devotion to the Scriptures and God's Word. 00:00:51.899 --> 00:00:59.920 And then in Nehemiah 8, we'll see how Ezra's personal commitment to the Word of God is displayed in their public worship. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:05.259 So as we're looking through here today, we're going to be looking at how we are to be devoted to the Word of God. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:11.700 Ezra and Nehemiah, specifically where we're at at this point in the biblical narrative, is that God's people have been living in exile. 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:14.579 God's people are living in exile. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:16.500 They have disobeyed God's commands. 00:01:16.759 --> 00:01:18.859 They have disobeyed God's plans for their lives. 00:01:18.859 --> 00:01:25.219 So God has removed His hands of blessing from upon them, and He is allowing them to suffer the consequences of their decisions. 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:32.099 He's allowed foreign armies like the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Persians to overtake them, and they are living in exile. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:35.239 This is where we find stories like Daniel and the lion's den. 00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:38.280 Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the fiery furnace. 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:44.780 Queen Esther and King Xerxes and the plot against the Jews that so many of our Wednesday night groups have just finished studying. 00:01:44.780 --> 00:01:55.760 In fact, King Xerxes, the Persian king in Esther's story, he's had a son named him Artaxerxes, and some scholars believe that he would have been like a stepson to Queen Esther herself. 00:01:56.480 --> 00:02:00.900 There have been occasional waves of Jews leaving exile to return to Jerusalem. 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:04.620 They've begun to work on rebuilding the walls and the temples. 00:02:04.620 --> 00:02:18.120 And while there have been some groups returning to Jerusalem, returning to God's place for them to dwell, and even though they've rebuilt the temple, God's people have found themselves once again in great sin and disobedience. 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:22.719 God's people have found themselves living in great sin and disobedience. 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:35.120 And so we read throughout these books, Ezra 7 and Nehemiah 2, that in the reign of Artaxerxes, he allows Nehemiah, Ezra, and some others to return to Jerusalem from Persian captivity. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:39.840 And their rebuilding efforts are twofold throughout Ezra and Nehemiah. 00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:44.800 Yes, they're working on rebuilding the buildings, the temple and the walls. 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:51.280 But an undergirding theme throughout these two books is that God's people are also being rebuilt. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:56.360 They're developing a foundation to build this new community upon. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:01.939 And I pray that today we see exactly what that looks like for us in our lives today. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:10.580 These people, they've become disoriented, distracted, disobedient to the point where they're unrecognizable as the people of God. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:13.479 They need a foundation to build their lives upon. 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:17.180 They need direction, wisdom, and something bigger than themselves. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:22.120 So at this point enters Ezra and the word of God. 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:24.819 Ezra chapter 7 verse 1. 00:03:24.900 --> 00:03:27.280 We're introduced to this character named Ezra. 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:28.860 Ezra 7 verse 1. 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:49.640 Notice this. 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:56.219 He clarifies, verse 6. 00:03:56.219 --> 00:03:59.419 This Ezra went up from Babylonia. 00:04:00.079 --> 00:04:04.479 He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:11.799 And the king granted him all that he asked for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:14.819 So this Ezra has something going for him. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:20.259 And though it lists his pedigree, it is not his ancestors that makes his story noteworthy. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:21.500 It's his priorities. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:24.740 His priority of the word of God. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:31.860 And in verse 10, we're going to see that we must personally, individually be committed to the word of God. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:33.120 Ezra chapter 7. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:35.019 This is the key verse for this part of Ezra. 00:04:35.779 --> 00:04:36.339 Verse 10. 00:04:36.539 --> 00:04:37.959 For Ezra. 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:40.539 The reason God's hand of blessing is on him. 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:43.159 The reason that God is favoring him for this. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:44.500 It's because of this. 00:04:45.159 --> 00:04:51.240 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord. 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:52.939 And to do it. 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:56.679 And to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.779 There's a lot that we can unpack here. 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:00.299 But this is not incredibly complicated. 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:02.379 Ezra read the word of God. 00:05:02.539 --> 00:05:03.699 Studied the word of God. 00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:06.479 Sought to do it and apply it. 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:09.680 And further, he sought to communicate it to others. 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.360 These are simple principles. 00:05:11.460 --> 00:05:13.220 But these are ones that we often forget. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:15.259 We look at Ezra set his heart. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:19.939 He made a conscious and active decision to devote himself to the scriptures. 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:22.960 He further writes to study the law of the Lord. 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:24.379 And to do it. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:27.020 Meaning he read it and he applied it. 00:05:27.379 --> 00:05:29.580 He wasn't just seeking to read it and check off a box. 00:05:29.580 --> 00:05:34.879 He sought to read it in the purpose of comprehending it and understanding it in such a way. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:38.779 That it transformed his very way of life. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:43.659 And to teach God's statutes and rules in Israel. 00:05:44.159 --> 00:05:46.920 Ezra knew that God's word understood. 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:49.560 God's word applied. 00:05:49.719 --> 00:05:51.500 Would affect not just the individual. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:56.159 But God's people can be transformed by the word of God. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:58.620 Through it we are sanctified. 00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:02.240 Transformed to live again for our creator. 00:06:02.880 --> 00:06:04.460 For our covenantal God. 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:06.560 Friends, if there's something for us to learn in this. 00:06:06.820 --> 00:06:09.200 If there's an application that we can glean from this. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:14.720 It is that we must personally, individually be committed to the word of God. 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.300 To study it. 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:16.980 To do it. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:18.000 And to share it with others. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:23.900 There is no other authority that bears any significance more than the word of God in our lives. 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:25.979 We are entering into a new calendar year. 00:06:26.099 --> 00:06:26.959 And I promise you. 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:28.939 You'll see posts on Facebook and social media. 00:06:29.099 --> 00:06:30.659 About people starting the Bible recap. 00:06:30.859 --> 00:06:31.899 And other Bible reading plans. 00:06:31.979 --> 00:06:34.519 You're going to see a lot of people starting Bible reading plans. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:35.579 At least for January. 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:37.459 And it may falter as it goes forward. 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:40.419 But people are going to start reading God's word more and more. 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:42.139 As it's a natural on-ramp. 00:06:42.479 --> 00:06:44.500 For people to read God's word in the new year. 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:46.000 And friends. 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:48.019 There's a lot of confusion sometimes. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:52.219 On what type of Bible reading plans best for the Christian. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:53.279 It can look different. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:56.059 Some people will advocate that you need to read the Bible chronologically. 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:58.519 In the order of the events in which they occur. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:00.759 Some will argue you need to read it canonically. 00:07:00.859 --> 00:07:03.039 In the ways in which it's just put together in the word of God. 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:05.399 Some will say that you need to read the New Testament. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:06.819 Because it's more important than the Old Testament. 00:07:06.919 --> 00:07:07.799 I disagree with that. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:09.459 But that's something that people will say. 00:07:09.539 --> 00:07:10.279 Start in the New Testament. 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:12.599 Some people will say you need to read the whole Bible in a year. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:13.799 Three chapters a day. 00:07:13.919 --> 00:07:15.199 You can do it in like 15 minutes. 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:16.099 And you'll read the whole Bible. 00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:16.539 But friends. 00:07:16.739 --> 00:07:18.199 Here's the thing I've learned in my years of living. 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:23.319 The best possible Bible reading plan for you to start January 1st or better yet. 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:24.199 Today December 28th. 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:27.399 Is the one that you actually use. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:32.860 The best Bible reading plan for you is the one that you actually use. 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:34.539 We can purchase as a church Bibles. 00:07:34.659 --> 00:07:35.519 We can purchase journals. 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:36.439 We can make podcasts. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:37.599 Provide study resources. 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:38.879 All day long. 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:45.819 But unless you individually, personally set your heart on the word of God. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:47.360 There's not a lot else that we can do. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:51.920 The author of Hebrews and Hebrews 5 compares the scriptures to food. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:53.879 Chastising God's people. 00:07:53.980 --> 00:07:57.259 Though while they should be chewing on the solid meat of scripture. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:08:01.060 Instead they're in need of the spiritual milk. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.759 The elementary things of God. 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:05.000 He writes that they're immature. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:06.480 Unskilled. 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:09.600 Because they have not devoted themselves to the word of God. 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:11.240 Friends, the scriptures like food. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:15.300 And you're relying on a single meal on a Sunday to satisfy you. 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:18.360 Then you're going to find yourself desperate for something else. 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:21.800 And when you're not feasting regularly on the word of God. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:26.240 You'll find that the word of man can be quite appealing when you're hungry. 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:28.160 Hungry for wisdom. 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:29.620 Hungry for peace. 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:30.519 Hungry for direction. 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:36.759 All of which we can find in God's word if we'd simply devote ourselves to it. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:40.600 It's been said before that if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.279 And Ezra, he stood for the word of God. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.120 He was devoted to the scriptures. 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:51.840 And in a time when God's people had abandoned his commands, he stood firmly committed to God's word. 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:55.980 So what is it about God's word that allows Ezra to be so committed to it? 00:08:55.980 --> 00:09:01.379 Well, there are biblical principles we can find all throughout the scriptures that give us some understanding about the importance of God's word. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:05.180 But I'm going to lean on 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17 for a few minutes here. 00:09:05.560 --> 00:09:11.480 Just for us to think about how God's word is inspired, transformative, and sufficient. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:13.519 First, God's word is inspired. 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:14.940 2 Timothy 3, 16. 00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:19.240 Paul writes, all scripture is breathed out by God. 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:21.659 It is breathed out by God. 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:26.699 These words may be penned by human authors, but a divine author inspired them. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:32.459 The spirit of God working in the people of God provided us with the word of God. 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:43.659 Over 40 human authors, over 1,500 years of history, all while maintaining a central message without any substantive variation or discrepancy. 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:46.319 God's word is beautiful in that. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:48.220 There's consistency in it. 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:50.899 There's an old saying that has three sides to every story. 00:09:51.220 --> 00:09:53.220 Your side, my side, and the truth. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:10:05.740 So the only explanation that God's word can be so consistent as it is, is that it is breathed out, inspired, divinely brought together by God's spirit working in God's people. 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:08.560 God's word is inspired, breathed out by God. 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:11.720 It is inerrant, meaning it is without error or any falsity. 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:12.800 It is trustworthy. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:15.960 It is true because it is God's word. 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:19.940 Further, Paul reminds us that God's word is transformative. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:28.320 2 Timothy 3, 16, all scriptures breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:32.480 Meaning this, God's word is intended to teach you something. 00:10:33.400 --> 00:10:35.340 It's intended to change you. 00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:40.680 It is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, to train you in righteousness. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:44.399 It is intended to change you. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:47.679 Finally, God's word is sufficient. 00:10:49.099 --> 00:10:50.299 16 and 17 again. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:55.959 All scripture is breathed out by God, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.259 Verse 17. 00:10:57.259 --> 00:11:03.419 That, so that, so that, the purpose being, the man of God may be complete. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:06.580 Equipped for every good work. 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:08.399 That the man of God might be complete. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.259 That we may be complete. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.659 God's word is sufficient. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:15.200 If you feel as though your life is lacking something, 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:19.319 odds are what you're lacking can be remedied by this book. 00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:26.840 Your addictions, your suffering, your doubt, your desires, your obsessions, your sin 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:31.680 can be addressed and remedied through this book. 00:11:31.760 --> 00:11:36.620 The inspired, inerrant, trustworthy, true, sufficient word of God 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:38.960 can make you complete. 00:11:39.920 --> 00:11:41.360 Equipped for every good work. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:45.980 Ezra, he was committed to the word of God personally. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:49.759 But friends, it would impact his ministry publicly. 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.639 Turn to the next book over, Nehemiah. 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:53.620 We'll be in chapter 8. 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:55.519 Ezra will spend the rest of our time this morning. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:59.379 Where we're introduced to Ezra for the first time in this book, Nehemiah chapter 8. 00:11:59.800 --> 00:12:04.980 And we see that secondly, we don't only need to be personally and privately, individually committed. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:12.159 As the church, when we gather together, we must corporately be committed to the word of God. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:14.039 Nehemiah chapter 8, starting in verse 1. 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:20.659 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the water gate. 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:28.339 And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:32.759 So Ezra, the priest, brought the law before the assembly. 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:39.079 Both men and women and all who could understand what they heard on the first day of the seventh month. 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:47.160 And he read from it, facing the square before the water gate from early morning until midday. 00:12:48.040 --> 00:12:51.300 In the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:56.480 And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 00:12:57.280 --> 00:13:02.320 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for this purpose. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:09.700 And beside him stood Mattathiah, Shema, Ananiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseah on his right hand. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:16.320 And Padaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashem, Hashbadanah, Zechariah, and Meshulam on his left hand. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:21.480 And Ezra, verse 5, opened the book in the sight of all the people. 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:23.040 For he was above all the people. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:26.839 And as he opened it, all the people stood. 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:30.279 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. 00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:32.500 And all the people answered, Amen, Amen. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:38.539 Lifting up their hands and they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:49.659 Also, Jeshua, Benai, Sherebiah, Jamin, Aqab, Shabbathiah, Hodiah, Messiah, Kalita, Azariah, Josabat, Hanan, Peleah, the Levites. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:53.159 Helped the people to understand the law. 00:13:53.839 --> 00:13:55.919 While the people remained in their places. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:14:00.360 They read from the book, from the law of God clearly. 00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:05.259 And they gave the sense so that the people understood the reading. 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:11.740 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:15.740 This day is holy to the Lord your God. 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:17.819 Do not mourn or weep. 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:21.460 For all the people wept as they heard the words of the law. 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.939 And he said to them, Go your way. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.159 Eat the fat. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:26.519 Drink sweet wine. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:28.840 Send portions to anyone who has nothing ready. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:32.759 For this day is holy to our Lord. 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.559 And do not be grieved. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:39.159 For the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:42.559 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, Be quiet. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.439 For this day is holy. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.319 Do not be grieved. 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:51.620 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and send portions and to make great rejoicing. 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:56.860 Because they had understood the words that were declared to them. 00:14:56.860 --> 00:15:05.779 So when the first half of the book of Ezra talks about the rebuilding of the temple, and the first half of Nehemiah speaks on the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem, 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:12.460 Well, the second half of Ezra and the second half of Nehemiah covers the rebuilding of God's people. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:17.220 Now we can see clearly from this passage exactly how that's going to happen. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:23.700 These people, God's people, become a people centered on the word of God. 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:27.879 They gather in the water gate, and it says they commanded Ezra in verse 1. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:32.480 Bring out the book, the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:36.840 And if we want to be a people that say we believe in the authority of God's word, 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:40.519 then there are a few things that we can glean and learn from the Israelites in this passage. 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:46.379 First, we learn from them that we must desire the word of God in public worship. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:50.080 Ezra didn't guilt the congregation into the word of God. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:53.700 The people demanded the holy scriptures be brought forward. 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:59.740 They had a desire to hear the commands of God read publicly for all who could understand. 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:05.340 All the men, all the women, and even the children who had the capability to understand God's commands, 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:10.060 they all gathered together and demanded God's word be read from them and read to them. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:15.000 And it says Ezra read from this book, notice this, from early morning to midday. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:17.019 I don't want to hear if my sermon went long, friends. 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:20.460 They stayed from early morning to midday. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.460 And it says in verse 3, 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:26.919 And the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.840 Kept their attention. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:34.480 There's something living and active and important here to where they listened and desired it. 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:38.120 Oh, that we would be a people that desired God's word in this way. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:43.620 That we would be a people that would desire God's word to be read over us, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:46.680 for us to study and hear and be changed by it. 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:51.340 God's people desired God's word to be proclaimed in public worship. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:54.500 We exist in such a consumeristic culture. 00:16:55.060 --> 00:17:00.000 To where there's an immense pressure to do everything except read from God's word. 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.460 Many churches exchange it for entertainment. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:10.200 Sprinkling in just the bare minimum of God's word while they instead exchange it for politics, psychology, or even prosperity. 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:14.279 We don't need stump speeches from the pulpit. 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:18.139 We don't need self-help from the pulpit. 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:22.980 We don't need the heresy of the prosperity gospel from the pulpit. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:27.339 Friends, there's no substitute for the living and active word of God. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.559 We need the scriptures. 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:31.799 Above all else, we need God's word. 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:36.440 It is the word of God that we get to meet and hear from God. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:40.960 And the reading of God's word here leads to the worship of God in verse 6. 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:41.700 It says, 00:17:41.820 --> 00:17:45.860 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:53.980 Amen, Amen, lifting their hands, and they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:58.640 It was the word of God that led to the worship of God. 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:03.460 If you know me at all, you know that I absolutely love Christian music. 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:05.580 I love songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:08.439 I love music, biblical worship. 00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:14.000 Music that is grounded into the scriptures, that calls the people of God to sing the praises of God. 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:16.399 And we're given many commands in scripture to sing. 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:18.359 We're given a songbook in scripture. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:26.740 There's a scriptural precedent for enlisting trusted godly leaders to lead us in the corporate singing of God's word to God. 00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.639 But friends, I've got to note this from this passage. 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:31.559 I've got to point out what we see here. 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:35.119 There's no background music as the scriptures are being proclaimed. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:40.059 There's no three-part harmony ushering us into the presence of God. 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:49.639 There's no tactics or a manipulation of emotions being used to keep people's attention or to get them in the proper mindset for worship. 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:54.919 The word of God is sufficient to draw us into the presence of God. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.720 Scriptures are read. 00:18:57.720 --> 00:19:11.339 So while we are commanded in scriptures to sing, and there's an endless supply of gospel-centered, God-exalting, worshipful music for us to sing, many songs like we sing today, 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:20.319 we must never neglect nor exchange the central role that scripture is to play in our public corporate worship. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:30.119 Perhaps our consumeristic culture of the day has tempted us at times to chase the worship of God through shallow popular music, 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:33.720 trendy artists with hidden or sometimes public sins, 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:39.480 or worship concerts with a manufactured sense of all through all the smoke and lights. 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:47.759 It's possible for us to reduce worship to a genre of music instead of a proper posture before the Almighty God. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:52.960 The word of God is sufficient to give us access to God. 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:57.680 We must desire the word of God in our corporate worship so much so that we prepare for it. 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:59.940 The people came ready to hear. 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:03.340 They built a wooden platform beforehand for this purpose. 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:05.620 They didn't have other appointments to get to. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:13.100 They desired God's word so much that they stood for hours in the heat of day just to hear it read over them. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:16.160 They desired the word of God. 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:22.019 Secondly, though, they also sought understanding of the word of God in public worship. 00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:23.039 They sought understanding. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:28.599 There are 26 other men that are listed here that you probably heard me fumble through those names. 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:33.319 There are 26 other men aside from Ezra that are present in this passage among the crowd. 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:36.299 And Nehemiah 8, 7, and 8 tells us what they're doing. 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:39.440 It says that they helped the people to understand the law. 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:44.839 And while the people remained in their places, they read from the book, from the law of God clearly, 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:50.119 and they gave the sense so that the people understood the reading. 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:54.839 Meaning this, they didn't just read the word of God or listen to the word of God. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:57.539 They sought understanding of the word of God. 00:20:58.139 --> 00:21:01.819 They gathered around these godly men and trusted to explain the scriptures. 00:21:02.239 --> 00:21:06.339 And just like Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, 00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:10.759 these people, out of their commitment to God and their love of God 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:13.459 and their belief in the authority of God's word, 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:17.119 wanted to study it, not just simply read it. 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:20.500 I was listening to Pastor David Platt recently, 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:24.559 speaking about what it looks like for us to have a love for the word of God 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.899 and a desire to study it. 00:21:25.899 --> 00:21:30.459 And he likened this task to when he'd received a letter from his wife before they were married. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.619 In fact, he'd never dated a woman before, 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:35.219 so he received this letter from his current girlfriend, 00:21:35.719 --> 00:21:39.099 and he said it just, he read it differently than other kinds of male. 00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:42.739 This is what he writes about how he read that letter from his future wife. 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:48.740 He says, and so I would devour every word like, dear David. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.059 Dear. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.039 What a sweet opening. 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.660 She thinks I'm dear. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.859 Or she'd write this sentence. 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.120 What does she mean by that? 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:58.019 She put a smiley face here, 00:21:58.099 --> 00:22:00.160 and I'd be like, why is there a smiley face at that point? 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:02.160 Where she'd say, I'm praying for you, 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.680 and I wonder what she means. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:06.500 She's saying, I'm praying for you like I pray for anybody? 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:09.960 Or I'm praying for you like I'm praying for my future husband, 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.160 and you come to mind. 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:13.100 Is that what she means? 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:15.180 I'm just devouring every word. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:17.240 And he might be like, David, you're obsessed. 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:19.200 And yes, I was. 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.600 I was obsessed. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.600 I was in love. 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.420 That's kind of the point. 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.539 When you love somebody, 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.620 you love their words. 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.440 You're soaking it in. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:31.920 You see, as God's people, 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.779 it's not just enough to read God's word. 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:36.759 We need to seek understanding of God's word. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:40.259 Not out of some ritualistic or legalistic manner, 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.640 but because we love God. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:46.059 Because we love God and love his word. 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:48.680 Now, this is why we're here today in public worship, 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.340 with the reading of God's word, 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:52.380 and someone that's been entrusted to give the sense. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.860 This is what Savannah, our children's director, 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:56.299 is doing right now with our children, 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.860 and she does an incredible job each week 00:22:57.859 --> 00:23:00.399 explaining the scriptures to those children. 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.740 On a normal week, 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:03.619 many of you stick around for Sunday school, 00:23:03.719 --> 00:23:05.019 or you come back on Wednesday nights, 00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:07.000 where again, someone is entrusted 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:09.579 to help us understand the word of God. 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:11.119 And we don't gather together 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:13.419 out of a ritualistic or legalistic demand 00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:14.959 for church attendance or engagement, 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:17.799 but because we have a love for God, 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:20.639 and a desire to understand his word, 00:23:21.179 --> 00:23:23.219 to apply his word to our lives, 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:23.979 to do it, 00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:26.359 and share his word with others. 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:29.659 So we must desire God's word in public worship. 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:32.319 We must seek understanding of God's word 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.059 in public worship. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.139 Further, we see in this passage 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:37.419 that we must allow the word of God 00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:42.000 to confront us of our sins in public worship. 00:23:43.179 --> 00:23:43.779 Verse 8, 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:45.299 Having read God's word 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.859 and had God's word explained to them 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.799 in a clear manner 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:49.459 to where they understood the scriptures, 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.939 we see in verse 9 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:53.199 what follows this understanding of God's word. 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.259 Verse 9, 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.559 And Nehemiah, who was governor, 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.940 and Ezra, the priest and scribe, 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.559 and the Levites, 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.799 all those names of people 00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.779 who taught the people, 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.140 said to all the people, 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:03.859 This day is holy to the Lord your God. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.259 Do not mourn or weep. 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.059 And notice this, 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:08.559 For all the people wept 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:12.599 as they heard the words of the law. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.559 They began to weep 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.740 because they understood 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:17.559 the implications of God's law. 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.799 They understood what was being said to them 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.700 when the scriptures are held up 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.960 before our lives. 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.819 Each of them began to see the reality 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:27.119 of the sin that is present within them. 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:29.480 And after generations and generations 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.779 of living among foreign and pagan nations, 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:33.879 after generations of disobedience, 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.819 being confronted 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:37.559 about their present sin in their lives 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:39.680 was likely not a common occurrence. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:42.480 It likely wasn't something they were used to. 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.759 And friends, 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.119 that hasn't changed a lot today. 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:47.219 The world around us 00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:48.659 is constantly seeking 00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:50.339 to make sinful practices, 00:24:50.959 --> 00:24:54.079 desires, and behaviors seem normal. 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:57.019 Our world wants us to be comfortable 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:59.819 in what the Bible calls sin. 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:03.359 Our own flesh will seek to numb 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.919 the conviction of the Holy Spirit. 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:06.639 We'll seek to distract ourselves 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:08.859 with temporary and fleeting pleasures. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:10.719 But when we gather together 00:25:10.719 --> 00:25:13.179 and the Word of God is proclaimed over us, 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:14.899 when the Word of God is put on 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.460 display, 00:25:15.780 --> 00:25:17.460 it should shine a light 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:19.240 that uncovers the darkest parts 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.880 of our lives. 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.440 I love going to Sunday school 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.940 some weeks. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.440 Now I sit next to Chad 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.080 and Molly Hicks 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.920 and Chad will just kind of 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.940 lean over Molly and say, 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.340 man, Brett was just stomping 00:25:28.340 --> 00:25:29.560 all over my toes this morning. 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:31.220 And I usually say, 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:32.720 good, good. 00:25:32.820 --> 00:25:34.140 God's Word is not intended 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.100 to make us comfortable 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:35.880 in our sin. 00:25:36.280 --> 00:25:37.360 It's there to remind us 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.580 that we are dead in our sin 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:40.380 and have no hope apart from Christ. 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:41.860 The Word of God 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:43.360 isn't intended to make us comfortable. 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:44.320 The Word of God 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.299 is to remind us 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:47.059 that we are dead in our sins, 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.659 guilty of what Jonathan Edwards 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:50.539 would call cosmic treason 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:52.579 against a holy God. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:55.240 Our sin makes us guilty. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.359 And the punishment for that sin 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.299 is eternal torment 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.879 and damnation 00:25:58.879 --> 00:26:00.679 in a place called hell. 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:03.159 The Bible speaks clearly 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:04.179 about this reality 00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:04.879 and it should absolutely 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.879 drive us to our knees 00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:09.099 in sorrow and repentance 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:10.559 when we're made aware of this. 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:12.579 There's a present tension 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.359 in the church today 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.839 as many pastors and churches 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:17.480 seek to lighten the blow 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.799 or not offend 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.759 when it comes to addressing sin. 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.319 But friends, 00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:22.279 the Word of God, 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.019 when it's held up 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.019 against our lives, 00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:25.599 it will show us 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.539 what God intended 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.659 to show us in God's Word, 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.539 that there is none 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.159 that is righteous, 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.879 no, not one. 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:31.500 When God's Word 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.019 is held up before our lives, 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.059 it should show us 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.740 very clearly 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.559 that there is none 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.200 that is righteous, 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.379 no, not one. 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.860 And when we gather together 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.600 under the reading 00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:40.440 of God's Word, 00:26:40.760 --> 00:26:41.440 each of us 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.700 on this side of heaven 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:44.000 should be confronted 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.860 with the present sin 00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.780 in our lives. 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:48.500 And that conviction 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.940 should draw us 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:52.560 towards sorrowful repentance 00:26:52.560 --> 00:26:53.620 before God. 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:56.740 Transitions a bit 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.720 in these final few verses. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.060 We see Nehemiah and Ezra 00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:01.080 point these worshipers 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:02.100 from sorrow, though, 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.780 to joy. 00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:06.320 The timing of this gathering 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.500 landed during the festival 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.139 of booths. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.879 God had ordained 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.819 the Passover, 00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:11.159 the Feast of Weeks, 00:27:11.179 --> 00:27:11.960 and the Feast of Booths 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:13.139 back in Deuteronomy 16, 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.299 which is one of the passages 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:14.899 they would have read 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.480 in this gathering. 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.659 These festivals 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.720 were designed 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.500 and orchestrated 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.980 as a time for Israel 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.980 to slow down, 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:21.500 stop, 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.179 and remember 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:23.220 God's faithfulness. 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.460 To remember 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.619 His provision 00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.480 for His people. 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:29.019 And despite their present sin, 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:30.480 despite their disobedience, 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.700 they were to be reminded 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:33.220 that God has consistently 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.299 and has consistently 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.079 made a way 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.259 for them to experience 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.960 life, 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.019 forgiveness, 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.980 and provision 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:40.159 in the Lord. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.319 These festivals 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:41.960 were to be a time 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.119 of joyful remembrance 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:43.980 that sparked 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.059 greater dependence 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.240 on obedience 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.519 from God's people. 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.119 So Ezra and Nehemiah, 00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:50.359 they remind these people 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.599 that the joy 00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.319 of the Lord, 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:54.199 the joy of the Lord 00:27:54.199 --> 00:27:55.480 is their strength, 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:56.919 their refuge, 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.679 their sanctuary, 00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.539 their rest. 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.759 Sorrow over sin 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.399 and repentance 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:02.480 are necessary, 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.680 but God's plan 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:06.200 in God's word 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.420 goes a bit further. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.360 You see, 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.160 the bad news 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.440 that we see in Scripture 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.140 is that each of us 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.620 are sinners 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:15.160 deserving of God's wrath. 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.700 Every one of us 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:16.940 sin, 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.819 none of us are perfect, 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.779 each of us stand 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.660 as guilty before God, 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.519 every bit deserving 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.500 of His wrath 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.279 and judgment. 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.360 And the worst news, 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.640 there's not a thing 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:27.360 you can do about it. 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:28.940 There's no amount 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.799 of good works, 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.359 no amount 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.579 of righteous deeds 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.220 that you may do 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.419 because your righteous acts 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:34.659 are as filthy rags 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.419 before the Lord 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:36.879 and there's no amount 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.399 of penance 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.299 that you can declare 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.500 that will overcome 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.960 the effects of sin 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.579 in your life 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:43.000 nor remove its stain 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.839 from your flesh. 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.240 Bad news, 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.259 we're sinners. 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.619 Worst news, 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.639 nothing we can do 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.019 about it. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.159 But the good news 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:52.619 that we see 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.460 in God's word 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.419 is that God 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:55.819 gave His Son Jesus 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.919 as a substitute, 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:58.840 as a substitute 00:28:58.840 --> 00:29:00.039 to live a perfect life 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.900 free from sin 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:02.140 and He handed Him over 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:02.720 to death 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.880 on a sinner's cross. 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.820 Having no sin of His own, 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.640 instead He bore 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.620 the sins of mankind, 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.920 your sin and mine, 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.300 so that on the cross 00:29:10.300 --> 00:29:11.519 the debt that we owe 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.600 due to our sin 00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:14.160 was paid in full 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.820 by the shedding 00:29:14.820 --> 00:29:15.580 of His blood. 00:29:16.560 --> 00:29:17.460 He then rose again 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.060 from the dead 00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:19.039 and ascended to the Father 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:20.320 that we may have life 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:21.440 in His name. 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.880 The best news 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:25.759 is that that can make 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:27.180 a difference in your life today. 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.299 You can experience 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.039 salvation, 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:32.119 forgiveness of sins, 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.279 rest, 00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:35.000 and joy in Christ 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.879 right now, 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:36.799 today. 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.920 Romans 10, 9 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.839 says that if you confess 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.440 with your mouth 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:42.039 that Jesus is Lord 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.700 and believe in your heart 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.440 that God raised Him 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:44.940 from the dead, 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:47.279 you will be saved. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.140 1 John 1, 9 00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:49.759 that if you confess 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:51.299 your sins to God, 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.140 He is faithful 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:53.160 and just 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.240 to cleanse you 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:56.100 from all unrighteousness. 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.680 Meaning that the Israelites, 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.180 when they went 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.980 to this festival, 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.200 they were to remember 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.980 that though sin 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.779 may have defined 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.600 their lives 00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.460 and judgment 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.580 had been pending, 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.660 a sacrifice 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:08.100 stood in their place 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:09.100 so that they 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:11.340 may have life. 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.880 And this passage 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.860 ends with the people 00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:15.180 celebrating this festival 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:17.040 with great rejoicing 00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:18.080 because they had 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:18.880 understood 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.240 the words 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.080 that were 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:21.780 declared 00:30:21.780 --> 00:30:22.720 to them. 00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:24.700 Many years later 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.340 in the Gospels, 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:26.220 we'll read of Jesus 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.340 at the same festival. 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.880 He says this 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:30.000 in Matthew 11, 28. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.600 Come to me, 00:30:32.280 --> 00:30:33.160 all who labor 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:34.200 and are heavy laden, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.320 and I 00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:36.480 will give you 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.240 rest. 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.540 Take my yoke 00:30:38.540 --> 00:30:39.100 upon you, 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.860 learn from me, 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.780 for I am gentle 00:30:40.780 --> 00:30:42.200 and lowly in heart, 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.800 and you 00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.860 will find 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.760 rest, 00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:46.260 refuge, 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:47.120 strength 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:48.319 for yourselves. 00:30:49.479 --> 00:30:49.839 Friends, 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.439 true, 00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:51.599 genuine 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.419 joy 00:30:52.419 --> 00:30:54.259 can only be found 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.239 and experienced 00:30:55.239 --> 00:30:56.599 in the Lord 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:58.079 and His Word. 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.159 The joy of the Lord 00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:00.859 is our strength. 00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:02.519 This is what we find 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.519 when we devote ourselves 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.159 to the Scriptures. 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.679 This is what we find 00:31:05.679 --> 00:31:06.559 when we bend 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:07.539 our lives 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.399 to the authority 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:09.399 of God's Word. 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:10.819 Rest 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:12.039 and joy 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.359 in the Lord. 00:31:14.459 --> 00:31:15.039 This morning, 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:15.619 as we conclude, 00:31:15.739 --> 00:31:16.239 we're reminded 00:31:16.239 --> 00:31:16.919 in this passage 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.660 that we must be 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.779 committed to the Word 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.160 of God, 00:31:19.620 --> 00:31:20.480 both personally 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:22.180 and publicly, 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:22.800 privately 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:24.100 and corporately. 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:25.759 So I've got to ask 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.380 a few questions. 00:31:27.320 --> 00:31:28.340 What has your relationship 00:31:28.340 --> 00:31:29.120 with God's Word 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.640 been like? 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.400 Do you believe 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.120 in the authority 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:33.160 of God's Word, 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:34.200 that it is central 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.920 and above all 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.620 when it comes to 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:36.019 the authority 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.740 of our lives? 00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:38.960 What foundation 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.680 have you been 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.660 building your life upon? 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.560 I'm inviting you 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:42.980 to be honest 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.400 with yourself 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:43.900 this morning. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.360 As we enter 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:45.019 into a new year, 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:46.139 maybe the problem 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.799 isn't a short 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.680 attention span. 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.619 Maybe we just 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.019 don't believe 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.500 it's actually 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.980 that true 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.579 and important. 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.700 Maybe our problem 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.279 isn't that we're 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.799 too busy. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.680 Maybe we just 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.619 don't like the reminder 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.339 that our sin 00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:56.879 in our lives 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.920 must be dealt with. 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.519 Or maybe we've 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.160 grown comfortable 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:01.160 living like the world 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:02.519 and perhaps you've 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.660 never truly considered 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:05.440 that you're in need 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.720 of a Savior. 00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:08.460 This morning, 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:08.920 we're going to sing 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.700 a verse of invitation. 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:10.579 We're going to have 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.559 a time for making 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.059 commitments. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.579 Maybe, 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.399 perhaps, 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.059 you need to 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:15.079 set your heart 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:15.899 on the Scriptures. 00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.519 Committing to studying, 00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.039 applying, 00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:19.259 and sharing God's Word 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.259 more this upcoming year. 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.279 On the table 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.819 as you leave, 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.440 you'll see some 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:23.500 Bible reading plans 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.279 printed out. 00:32:24.679 --> 00:32:25.079 Again, 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.059 the best one for you 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:27.299 is the one you actually use. 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.639 So maybe you need to 00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.379 commit your heart 00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:29.779 this morning. 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:30.539 Set your heart 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.519 on actually reading 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.379 and digging into 00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:32.980 and studying 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:34.220 God's Word this year. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.399 Perhaps to attend 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:36.460 one of our small groups 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.379 on Sunday mornings 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:38.019 or Wednesday nights 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.940 where you can have 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.819 God's Word explained 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.139 to you 00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:41.099 and you can grow in that. 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.700 Maybe God's laying 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.879 a desire on your heart 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:45.220 to give the sense 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:46.279 to teach or preach 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.899 God's Word 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:47.779 and you need to surrender 00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.859 to that calling today. 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.599 Or perhaps 00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:51.839 you recognize 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:53.079 that you're living in sin 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:54.759 and the only way 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.679 forward for you 00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:57.519 is to lay that sin 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.859 at the feet of Jesus 00:32:58.859 --> 00:33:00.099 and surrender 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.039 your life to Him. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.899 Whatever commitment 00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.659 you need to make today, 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.299 we're going to pray 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.079 and then sing 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:06.359 and as Clay sings 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:06.899 and lead us, 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:08.079 I invite you to step forward. 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.099 Come see myself 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.779 or Pastor Brett 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.299 and if there is 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.200 any way 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.559 that you need 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.319 to respond today, 00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:12.859 I invite you 00:33:12.859 --> 00:33:13.779 to come as we sing. 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.279 Let's pray. 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:14.879 Father, 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.500 we want to thank you 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.419 so much for your Word. 00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:17.940 God, 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.399 had it not been 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:18.919 for your Word, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.419 I wouldn't have known 00:33:19.419 --> 00:33:19.960 that I'm a sinner. 00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:21.379 I would have known 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.599 the great truths 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.240 of the Gospel 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.639 that though I'm a sinner, 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.220 you demonstrated 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:25.720 your love 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:27.319 so that you died for us 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.299 while we were still sinners. 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.159 Lord, 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.879 that we have hope, 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.299 peace, 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.659 joy, 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.119 love, 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.599 life, 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.079 forgiveness 00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:33.619 because of you. 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.039 God, 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.559 your plan 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:36.079 isn't for us 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:36.619 to suffer 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.119 or feel 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:38.500 just necessarily condemned. 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:38.779 Lord, 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.519 your plan 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.579 was to draw us 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.379 back to you. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:42.579 So Lord, 00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.680 I pray for this congregation 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.359 right now. 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.039 Lord, 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:45.899 I pray for myself 00:33:45.899 --> 00:33:46.740 that as we enter 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.960 into a new calendar year 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:49.240 that we may devote 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.240 ourselves to the Scriptures, 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.980 that we may boldly 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:53.019 proclaim through our 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.639 lifestyles 00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:54.660 that we believe 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.579 in the authority 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.359 of God's Word. 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:57.720 And that is evident 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.779 in my private life, 00:33:58.839 --> 00:33:59.799 my private discipline, 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.299 but Lord, 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.480 as we gather together, 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.900 your Word 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:03.660 is central 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:04.839 above all else. 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:05.039 Lord, 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.759 it convicts us 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:07.240 of our sins 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:09.219 and we allow that. 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:11.320 We're changed by it. 00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:12.559 And Lord, 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.199 we're ultimately 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.940 through your Gospel, 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.639 through your Word, 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.980 drawn into a joy, 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.500 a refuge 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.380 that this world 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.840 can never duplicate. 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:22.579 Lord, 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.400 we encounter you 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.920 in your Word. 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.219 Lord, 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:25.699 so help us 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.460 to love you more, 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:28.079 to love your Word, 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.940 to commit ourselves 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:29.740 to that this year. 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:30.719 Lord, 00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:31.879 I pray that as we sing, 00:34:32.379 --> 00:34:32.799 if there's anyone 00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:33.559 that needs to respond 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.739 in any way at this time, 00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:35.439 they'll step forward. 00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:36.639 In your holy name we pray. 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.399 Amen. 00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:38.939 Let's stand together 00:34:38.939 --> 00:34:39.679 and as we sing, 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.539 if you need to respond, 00:34:40.759 --> 00:34:41.599 feel free to come forward.