Sermon Response October 22, 2019
The Text Nehemiah 9:38-10:39
The people worshipped together in Nehemiah 8, and they held a public confession in Nehemiah 9. Now, in Nehemiah 10, they renew their allegiance to God and His law.
Discuss
Read Nehemiah 9:38. What is your understanding of the word “covenant” or “binding agreement”? What do you think the people were committing to do?
The Hebrew word for “firm agreement” here is “amanah” which is the word for
faith. What significance do you think this plays in the story?
Read Nehemiah 10:28-29. Each person who signed this document was
identified as someone who was “able to understand”. Why is this important?
They bound themselves not only to the oath to obey ALL of God’s law, but also to
the curse associated with it if they didn’t obey. Read Galatians 3:10-13. Who does Paul say is under a curse? Even though Jesus became a curse for us by dying on the cross, why do we still live in reliance on the law to save us?
Read Galatians 5:4-6. What is the result of trying to be made right with God through obeying the law?
Read Galatians 5:13-18 & 1 John 3:6. What do these verses tell us about “walking in the Spirit”?
Respond
1. “Be in the moment for this moment for His Kingdom and His purposes and His glory.” How would remembering this statement help you walk in the Spirit and make the right decision when tempted to sin or when you are at a crossroads of making a big decision?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I have relied on my own strength and my own goodness in an attempt to have you accept me, yet there is nothing that I can do - either good or bad - that changes your opinion of me. Please help me to walk in your Spirit and to rely on you, and you alone, to save me. Thank you for the cross! I love you, Jesus! Amen.