This sermon explores understanding spiritual reformation, embracing our identity in Christ, and living out the new covenant through the lens of Nehemiah's story.
Good morning, family! It's always a joy to come together like this, isn't it? We're here to share, to learn, and most importantly, to grow in our faith. I've got something special planned for us today, so let's get comfortable and ready to receive.
I'm reminded of a quote by the renowned Christian author, A.W. Tozer. He once said, "The most important thing about a person is what he or she believes about God." That's deep, isn't it? It's a powerful reminder that our understanding of God shapes our entire life, from our identity to our actions. It's a call to keep seeking, keep learning, and keep growing in our faith.
Now, let's look at the Scripture we're going to focus on today. It's from the book of Nehemiah, chapters 4 and 8. I'll read it out for us:
Nehemiah 4:14: "After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, 'Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.'"
And then in Nehemiah 8, "They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read."
These passages are going to guide our talk today, as we look at understanding spiritual reformation, embracing our identity in Christ, and living out the new covenant.
But before we get into it, let's pray.
Father, we thank you for this day, for the opportunity to gather and learn from Your Word. Open our hearts and minds to receive what You have for us today. Help us to understand and apply Your teachings in our lives. We ask all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
In the book of Nehemiah, we find a man who is not a priest, a prophet, or a king, but a cupbearer to the king. Yet, he becomes a catalyst for a significant spiritual shift among the people of Israel. How does this happen? It starts with a deep longing for change, a longing that is born out of a realization of the state of things. Nehemiah hears about the broken walls of Jerusalem and it breaks his heart. He weeps, mourns, fasts, and prays. This is the beginning of spiritual reformation - a broken heart for the things that break God's heart.
Now, let's look at the first aspect of spiritual reformation. It's not a passive process. It's not something that happens to us while we sit back and watch. It's active, it's intentional, it's a fight. Nehemiah didn't just pray and then sit back. He prayed and then he acted. He went to the king, asked for permission to go to Jerusalem, and then led the people in rebuilding the walls. He faced opposition, but he didn't back down. He stood his ground and encouraged the people to do the same. "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
The second aspect of spiritual reformation is that it's not an individual endeavor. It's a communal effort. Nehemiah didn't rebuild the walls alone. He rallied the people, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the workers. They worked side by side, each doing their part. This is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ, each member doing their part, working together for the common goal of building the Kingdom of God.
The third aspect of spiritual reformation is that it's grounded in the Word of God. In Nehemiah 8, we see the people gathered as one, listening to the reading of the Law of God. They didn't just listen, they understood. The Levites helped the people understand the reading. This is a crucial part of spiritual reformation - understanding the Word of God. It's not enough to just read or listen to the Word. We need to understand it, to let it sink into our hearts and minds, to let it shape us and guide us.
The fourth aspect of spiritual reformation is that it leads to a change in behavior. After the people heard the Law, they wept. They realized their sins and they repented. But Nehemiah told them not to weep, but to rejoice, for the joy of the Lord is their strength. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, something they hadn't done in a long time. Spiritual reformation leads to a change in behavior, a turning away from sin, and a turning towards God. It leads to a life of joy and celebration in the Lord.
As we continue to engage with the words of Nehemiah, we find ourselves drawn to the idea of embracing our identity in Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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