Resolute: Pressing On When You Feel Like Giving Up Part 8 – Obey the Lord

Resolute: Pressing On When You Feel Like Giving Up

Part 8 – Obey the Lord

Nehemiah 10

38 “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.” Nehemiah 9:38

23 The Lord makes firm the steps

    of the one who delights in him;

24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,

    for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35.

Three Evidences of Obedience to God

1) Yielding to the (Nehemiah 10:1-27, 29)

29 all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord. Nehemiah 10:29

2 When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. Numbers 30:2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,… 2 Set your minds on things above, Colossians 3:1-2

2) Uniting as the (Nehemiah 10:28-29; 30-31)

• The people honored God in their .

30 “We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons. Nehemiah 10:30

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…. Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. 1 Corinthians 7:17

• The people honored the as God intended.

31 “When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts. Nehemiah 10:30-31

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33.

3) Supporting the (Nehemiah 10:32-39)

39 …“We will not neglect the house of our God.” Nehemiah 10:39

The Israelites promised to support the temple in four distinct ways…

• The

32 “We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God:… Nehemiah 10:33

• The

34 “We—the priests, the Levites and the people—have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law. Nehemiah 10:34

• The

35 “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. Nehemiah 10:35

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,

    with the firstfruits of all your crops; Proverbs 3:9

• The

37 “Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and olive oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work… “We will not neglect the house of our God.” Nehemiah 10:37;39

2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, 1 Corinthians 16:2

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 8:7-9