The Danger Within: Confronting Sin to Pursue Revival

• Internal Opposition vs. External Opposition [00:04:32 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that while external threats exist, the 'most dangerous opposition is from the inside,' using the story of James Armistead to illustrate the danger of internal betrayal.
• Idolatry and Self-Interest [00:14:58 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor identifies the sin of the nobles in Nehemiah 5 as idolatry, where they prioritized personal profit ('Me, myself, and I') over loving God and neighbor.
• Revival and Consecration [00:03:48 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor calls for a 'revival of the church,' urging believers to be 'salt' and 'light' and to be consecrated to Christ rather than going through the motions.
• Sin and Idolatry [00:14:29 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor identifies the core problem as sin, specifically self-love and idolatry, where individuals prioritize their own benefit over God and neighbor.
• Nehemiah's Example [00:15:41 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses Nehemiah's refusal to take advantage of his position as a governor, despite being legally entitled, to model sacrificial leadership and fear of God.
• Fear of God vs. Fear of Man [00:19:29 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor contrasts the biblical command to fear God with the cultural tendency to fear man or seek personal advantage, citing the 'reproach of the heathen' as a reason to fear God.
• Church Discipline and Membership [00:17:07 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor connects the biblical text to the church's mission, emphasizing that membership should be for those committed to Christ, not just for personal benefit.
• Political and Cultural Critique [00:23:32 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor critiques modern political entitlement and cultural shifts (e.g., regarding marriage) by contrasting them with the biblical standard of fearing God, using the 'salt of a nation' analogy.
• Fear of God as National Salt [00:26:07 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that the 'fear of God' is the essential 'salt' that preserves a nation; without it, society corrupts and stinks, citing America's current state as an example of this loss.
• Divine Consecration and Humility [00:26:34 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references Nehemiah's prayer, emphasizing that God hears and heals when His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from wicked ways, linking this to the 'bedrock of our republic' being the Bible.
• Personal Consecration and 'So Did Not I' [00:27:30 ▶️ 📄]
  > Using the example of Joseph in Egypt, the pastor challenges the congregation to examine their own lives, asking if they can say 'so did not I' because of the fear of God, contrasting cultural acceptance of sin with biblical obedience.
• Spiritual Warfare and Internal Sin [00:30:29 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor explains that Satan's primary attack is not on salvation but on progress, using the analogy of Achan's sin in the camp of Israel to illustrate how one hidden sin can paralyze the entire body of believers.
• Misplaced Prayer for Salvation [00:34:43 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor critiques the idea of praying that God judge salvation based on human works (tithing, attendance, service), contrasting this with Nehemiah's prayer and pointing to Christ as the only one who can pray such a prayer and receive a positive answer.
• Christological Typology [00:36:18 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor connects Nehemiah's rebuilding of the wall to Christ's resurrection and life, arguing that Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy and the source of true salvation for all who believe.
• Biblical Prophecy and Revival [00:37:45 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor connects the prophecy of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall with Jesus Christ's crucifixion, identifying both as endpoints of prophecy and calling the church to seek revival.
• Discipleship and Persecution [00:39:23 ▶️ 📄]
  > Using Matthew 10, the pastor explains that disciples are not above their master, addressing the reality of being called 'Beelzebub' or facing criticism, and commanding believers to fear God rather than man.
• Fear of Death and Judgment [00:41:21 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor contrasts the fear of death (overcome by Christ) with the fear of God, citing Hebrews 2 and Matthew 10 to encourage believers to be sober and watchful.
• Suffering and Persecution [00:43:09 ▶️ 📄]
  > Referencing 1 Peter 4, the pastor discusses the reality of suffering for Christ, noting that while Americans are largely spared, persecution is increasing, and believers should rejoice in such trials.
• Internal Church Judgment [00:48:29 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor transitions to the Lord's Supper, citing 1 Corinthians 11 to warn that judgment begins in the house of the Lord, specifically regarding eating and drinking unworthily.
• The Lord's Supper [00:49:06 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor reads and explains the biblical text of the Lord's Supper from 1 Corinthians 11, emphasizing the remembrance of Christ's body and blood.
• Self-Examination [00:50:33 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor emphasizes the biblical command to examine oneself before partaking, warning against unworthy participation.
• Corporate Confession [00:53:37 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor leads the congregation in a corporate confession of sin, acknowledging sins of thought, word, and deed.
• Internal Sin and Hypocrisy [00:51:25 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the example of Judas to illustrate that the most dangerous attacks on faith come from within, specifically from those who appear faithful but are children of the devil.

• Sermon Illustration [00:10:13 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts the story of James Armistead, a black American patriot and double spy for George Washington, to illustrate how internal threats (betrayal from within) can be more dangerous than external ones.
• Sermon Illustration [00:06:07 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses a hypothetical analogy of a gas executive profiting from a crisis to illustrate the internal sin of the nobles in Nehemiah 5 who exploited the people's hardship for personal gain.
• Sermon Illustration [00:13:33 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses a personal anecdote about his microphone being muted to illustrate the 'problems within' and the need for transparency.
• Sermon Illustration [00:16:23 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses an analogy of a movie theater where popcorn costs $20 instead of $0.99 to illustrate the exploitation and greed of the nobles in Nehemiah's day.
• Sermon Illustration [00:22:03 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references the book 'What Walmart knows about planning churches' to critique the desire for low commitment and high benefits in the church.
• Sermon Illustration [00:25:35 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses a hypothetical scenario about a sex change in prison to illustrate that something can be legal but still be a sin if it lacks the 'fear of God.
• Sermon Illustration [00:29:03 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses a humorous, self-deprecating illustration about his teenage daughters and their fashion choices to illustrate the concept of 'fear of God' versus cultural acceptance of sin.
• Sermon Illustration [00:32:04 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts a personal story from years ago when he sensed a 'spirit' in the church that was not pleasing to the Lord, and he prayed for it to be removed rather than asking God to remove the people, illustrating the danger of praying against people.
• Sermon Illustration [00:31:21 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references the biblical story of Achan, who hid stolen goods in the camp of Israel, causing God to stop the invasion and resulting in the death of Achan and his family, to illustrate how one hidden sin can paralyze the entire church.
• Sermon Illustration [00:37:45 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the analogy of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall and Jesus' crucifixion as the two endpoints of biblical prophecy to illustrate the call to revival.
• Sermon Illustration [00:43:26 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references the 'Voice of the Martyrs' magazine to illustrate the suffering of Muslims who have come to Christ, warning that similar persecution may come to the church in America.
• Sermon Illustration [00:44:29 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the analogy of a 'hook in the nose' to describe how believers are led around by Satan through worldly lusts and the fear of man.
• Sermon Illustration [00:51:25 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts the historical example of Judas Iscariot, noting that he was a 'good church member' and sat at the table, yet was a 'child of the devil' whose hand betrayed Jesus, illustrating that the most dangerous attacks come from within.

• Pastoral Charge [00:02:14 ▶️ 📄]
  > Pray for a harvest of souls among Muslims and confused Americans.
• Pastoral Charge [00:10:19 ▶️ 📄]
  > Research the historical figure James Armistead later, not immediately on phones.
• Pastoral Charge [00:23:13 ▶️ 📄]
  > Speak the truth of the gospel.
• Pastoral Charge [00:27:03 ▶️ 📄]
  > Study the historical lessons of John Quincy Adams and others regarding liberty and Jesus Christ.
• Pastoral Charge [00:29:48 ▶️ 📄]
  > Self-examination: Identify specific actions where the congregation has not acted out of fear of God.
• Pastoral Charge [00:35:24 ▶️ 📄]
  > Self-reflection: Recognize that salvation is not earned by church attendance or service, but by faith in Christ.
• Pastoral Charge [00:38:37 ▶️ 📄]
  > Follow Christ and look upon His work.
• Pastoral Charge [00:40:12 ▶️ 📄]
  > Speak in the light and preach on the housetops despite opposition.
• Pastoral Charge [00:40:25 ▶️ 📄]
  > Do not fear those who can only kill the body.
• Pastoral Charge [00:41:58 ▶️ 📄]
  > Do not fear; trust God and give Him care of your life.
• Pastoral Charge [00:42:23 ▶️ 📄]
  > Confess Jesus before men.
• Pastoral Charge [00:42:44 ▶️ 📄]
  > Take up one's cross and follow Jesus, prioritizing Him over family.
• Pastoral Charge [00:44:17 ▶️ 📄]
  > Arm oneself with the same mindset as Christ.
• Pastoral Charge [00:44:29 ▶️ 📄]
  > Bow the knee to the fear of God and stop being led by Satan.
• Pastoral Charge [00:45:00 ▶️ 📄]
  > Redeem time by living for God's will, not the lusts of men.
• Pastoral Charge [00:46:04 ▶️ 📄]
  > Be sober, watch in prayer, and have fervent charity among believers.
• Pastoral Charge [00:48:01 ▶️ 📄]
  > Commit the keeping of souls to God through well-doing.
• Pastoral Charge [00:50:53 ▶️ 📄]
  > Self-examination and self-judgment before partaking in communion.
• Pastoral Charge [00:52:11 ▶️ 📄]
  > Approach the communion table with prayer and humility.
• Pastoral Charge [00:53:27 ▶️ 📄]
  > Confess sins corporately before uncovering the table.
• Pastoral Charge [00:54:00 ▶️ 📄]
  > Read the confession of sin together with heart engagement.

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:00:00] Amen. Thank you. If someone would like to finish this miraculously or by physical motion, I would appreciate. Thank you, Pastor Andy. That was great. I really do believe I'll just say briefly that the water from the sink, please. Oh, okay. Very good. Okay. That's fine. I'll have two or three. Oh, better still.
[00:00:34] I'll just say this as we get to our sermon in Nehemiah chapter 5 if you want to turn there now as we continue to go through chapter Nehemiah now in chapter 5 this is one of those chapters
[00:00:48] that we might read quickly and say is there really anything to preach out of this one but as we slow down and pray I think there is some things here and it's it's good for us to
[00:01:01] remember that we've done this September 11th, remember as servants, many times in the past.
[00:01:10] Never more than 20 or so people.
[00:01:12] Maybe 30, maybe.
[00:01:14] This time, maybe we'll have 300.
[00:01:17] Why? Because it's going to be so much better?
[00:01:19] Maybe not.
[00:01:21] But because of God's providence of the circumstances around us.
[00:01:26] And you have two choices.
[00:01:27] And I want to mention this, thank you, because it's important to our sermon.
[00:01:33] One choice would say, ooh, this sounds kind of problematic.
[00:01:38] Police and three rows of people and safety and get down if there's a problem.
[00:01:45] I don't know, you know, Muslims and this is kind of controversial.
[00:01:51] Pastor Joseph, maybe we should just skip it.
[00:01:56] But do you not understand, brothers and sisters, thank you, that this is a divinely appointed opportunity for our church to reach hundreds of people that would normally never come to this church with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
[00:02:14] So we will, by God's grace, take full advantage of this opportunity and I ask you to be praying that we will be able to rejoice in a harvest of souls, whether Muslims or Americans who are just simply confused
[00:02:29] because as we do teach about the dangerous nature of the true religion of Islam, which is, of course, a false religion, we will be contrasting it with the only hope of all of mankind, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen?
[00:02:46] Well, with that, let's turn now to Nehemiah chapter 5.
[00:02:51] If you remember, our story is a story about revival, Reviving the walls of Jerusalem.
[00:02:58] A picture of the revival of the church.
[00:03:01] And whenever you're going to do a great work for God, you know, at least until the Lord returns, there's going to be opposition.
[00:03:08] Satanic, of course.
[00:03:09] The word Satan itself in the Bible means what?
[00:03:13] Adversary.
[00:03:13] And so they have already, Nehemiah and the Jews who are rebuilding the walls, have experienced a great deal of adverse circumstances coming from the outside.
[00:03:24] adversaries, Sanbalat, Tobiah, Geshem, the Arab, I know about those Arabs, and all the rest.
[00:03:34] And many plots and attempts to attack and to stop the building of the walls, to stop the progress of the kingdom of God. When we are here seeking revival, not just seeking to be like any
[00:03:48] other church, not just clumsily and lazily going through the motions, have a nice day, go enjoy the lake.
[00:03:54] No, no, it's hell, and it's heaven, and it's death, and it's life, and this is the most absolutely important, serious thing we can possibly talk about, and we need revival, and we need to live for Christ, and we need to be consecrated to Christ, we need to be
[00:04:09] salt, we need to be light, we need to be different.
[00:04:12] This is not the average boring message, or the message that just simply tells you how good you are, and go have a drink and be happy.
[00:04:21] No, this is a message that Satan hates, but I believe it's the biblical message.
[00:04:26] There will be opposition, but not just from the outside.
[00:04:32] The most dangerous opposition is from the inside.
[00:04:37] And that's what we see in Nehemiah chapter 5.
[00:04:41] Now they've successfully fended off opposition, at least for a time, from the outside.
[00:04:46] You think you can rest, right?
[00:04:48] But before they can take a sigh of relief, look what happens on the inside.
[00:04:52] Nehemiah chapter 5 verse 1 And there was a great cry of the people and of the wives against their brethren the Jews for there were that said we our sons and our daughters are many
[00:05:06] therefore we take up corn for them that we may eat and live some also there were that said we have mortgaged our lands vineyards and houses that we might buy corn because of the dearth that is the lack the current situation
[00:05:22] There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute or taxes that upon our lands and of vineyards.
[00:05:29] Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children.
[00:05:35] And lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants.
[00:05:40] And some of our daughters are brought into bondage already.
[00:05:44] Neither is it in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards.
[00:05:51] Just very briefly, the situation that is difficult, the outside attacks and pressure, there are people inside who recognize, hey, we can make money off of this.
[00:06:07] You know all this stuff about Iran?
[00:06:10] I'm not saying this is what's happening, but if I was a gas executive, we can make a lot of money off of this.
[00:06:18] There's a bad situation.
[00:06:20] Let's see what we can do to profit out of this.
[00:06:22] And that's what some of the people on the inside are doing.
[00:06:27] Nehemiah, verse 6, And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
[00:06:32] Then I consulted with myself, I rebuked the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brethren.
[00:06:40] And I set a great assembly against them, and I said unto them, We, after our ability, have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen.
[00:06:49] And will you even sell your brethren, or shall they be sold unto us?
[00:06:55] Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
[00:06:58] Also I said, It is not good that ye do.
[00:07:02] Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the heathen, our enemies?
[00:07:09] I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn.
[00:07:14] I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
[00:07:17] Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive yards, their houses, and the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, of the wine, of the oil, and that ye exact of them.
[00:07:30] Then said they, We will restore them, and we will require nothing of them.
[00:07:35] So will we do as thou sayest.
[00:07:37] Then I called the priest, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
[00:07:43] and I shook my lap and said so God shake out every man from his house and from his labor that performeth not this promise even thus be he shaken out and empty and all the congregation said
[00:07:59] amen and praised the Lord and the people did according to this promise. Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah from the 20th year even under
[00:08:12] 2 and 30th year of Artaxerxes, the king, that is 12 years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the
[00:08:25] people, and had taken of them bread and wine beside 40 shekels of silver. Yea, even their servants bear rule over the people, but so did not I, because of the fear of God. Yea, also I
[00:08:42] continued in the work of this wall neither bought we any land and all my servants were gathered thither into the work moreover there were at my table 150 of the jews and rulers besides those
[00:08:55] that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep and fowls were prepared for me and once in 10 days store of all
[00:09:09] sorts of wine. Yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done
[00:09:23] for this people. Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your holy word. Thank you, Lord, that all of your scripture is inspired. All of it is profitable for us, your children, to grow more
[00:09:36] like your Son, Jesus.
[00:09:38] So help us now to understand and to receive application, we pray, by your Holy Spirit, through your Holy Word, to us, your children, that are now, we pray, seeking to build the house of God,
[00:09:53] your temple, your body, glorifying, praising you, and thanking you in Jesus' name. Amen.
[00:10:00] Our sermon title, Ought Ye Not to Walk in the Fear of God?
[00:10:05] And that comes straight from the text, This idea, as I mentioned, opposition within is much more dangerous than opposition without.
[00:10:13] Have anyone here heard of James Armistead?
[00:10:17] A couple of you?
[00:10:18] Very interesting.
[00:10:19] Go look him up.
[00:10:20] Not now.
[00:10:21] Not on your phones.
[00:10:22] God forbid.
[00:10:22] No.
[00:10:23] Later.
[00:10:25] James Armistead, he was a black American patriot.
[00:10:31] And he was a double spy for George Washington.
[00:10:35] He went and befriended himself with General Cornwallis and basically said, oh, these Americans are treating me terrible, you know.
[00:10:43] And he became a friend to Cornwallis and was so trusted that he heard plans.
[00:10:50] He would send back to George Washington all of the accurate information about Cornwallis.
[00:10:55] And the British said, you know, we really like you.
[00:10:58] Would you be a spy for us?
[00:11:00] He said, sure.
[00:11:01] so so he was giving cornwallis the british wrong information about the american troops and he was giving the american troops right information and many have said if you've been to yorktown where cornwallis was defeated really in the war basically was won if it wasn't for
[00:11:21] armistead's uh work that would have never happened it's always the one on the inside that you've got to look out for.
[00:11:32] And so here they have been so focused on the threat without.
[00:11:38] But the threat within is greater.
[00:11:40] And once the threat's without and those fears are allayed, here manifests what's within.
[00:11:47] And you say, well, how does this relate to me, Pastor Joseph?
[00:11:49] It could be right here in the church.
[00:11:51] I've seen it.
[00:11:53] Or the threat's within.
[00:12:00] The threat's within.
[00:12:01] We're going to have to work on that.
[00:12:03] We may have to revert back to this again, Pastor Brett.
[00:12:06] We'll see.
[00:12:08] Brother Mio, would you make sure this one's on, since I may have to cut this off.
[00:12:15] The threat within.
[00:12:16] Within in the church, in your family, in your house, or in your heart.
[00:12:25] The threat within.
[00:12:26] If Satan can get in your mind or in your heart, he's got you.
[00:12:32] Don't worry about the attacks outside.
[00:12:35] So this is very important for all of us.
[00:12:36] And so when we look at this idea, just when it seems like there's peace, here's problems inside.
[00:12:44] And what's the problems?
[00:12:45] Well, there's good church people that have money and have business and say, hey, this thing about, you know, the attack and people don't have much going on, we can make money out of this.
[00:12:57] We can make money.
[00:12:57] I'm going to turn this off.
[00:12:59] We can make money.
[00:13:02] We can make profit.
[00:13:03] So they start to press the people and ask them for what they are owed.
[00:13:09] The people can't pay.
[00:13:11] They begin to take their fields and their olive yards.
[00:13:15] They begin to take their sons and daughters as slaves.
[00:13:19] And it gets to the point where the people cry out against the nobles in Judah unto Nehemiah and say, hey, we can't do anything.
[00:13:28] It's gotten to the point where we are unable hardly to live.
[00:13:33] I thought I turned it off.
[00:13:36] Okay.
[00:13:37] Sorry.
[00:13:38] And so there's a great problem.
[00:13:42] Is Pastor Andy's microphone muted?
[00:13:47] Okay.
[00:13:49] Yeah, keep his muted because his does that sometimes.
[00:13:53] I apologize.
[00:13:54] This was all planned.
[00:13:56] This is a sermon illustration of the problems within.
[00:14:00] whether within my robe or whether within the sanctuary alright we've got our professionals on the AV right now if nothing else I'll preach without a microphone because I want you all to hear amen George Whitfield
[00:14:15] didn't need one neither do I okay so the problems within the challenges within and so here's this challenge that the real issue is sin right these guys who are Jews that are supposed to be with
[00:14:29] this program hey what are we all about we're all about working together we're all about rebuilding the walls we're all about the kingdom of god we're all about uh the church and christ and and that's
[00:14:39] what it's all about but for these guys it's actually all about how i can benefit and taking care of myself all of that's great and everything but what's even better is that this situation is creating a great opportunity for me to make lots of money this is not of christ and while
[00:14:58] these people don't think that they're doing anything wrong because technically they may not be breaking the law. They're actually in sin because they're not loving God first. They're not loving their neighbor first. Who are they loving first? Me, myself, and I. And that, of
[00:15:17] course, is idolatry. And that's what we have highlighted in this chapter. It's interesting, i think here in nehemiah 5 nehemiah is in some ways pointing towards christ he's kind of almost like a type of christ uh nehemiah hears about this these sins and what's his response verse 6
[00:15:41] and i was very angry when i heard their cries and these words is it a sin to be angry no it's not uh for if you're angry for the right reasons was christ ever angry he never sinned
[00:15:55] and he was very angry when I heard their crying his words, and so he takes them to task.
[00:16:01] And this reminds us of Christ.
[00:16:03] Remember Christ when he comes in the temple, and he sees everyone buying and selling?
[00:16:07] What are they doing?
[00:16:09] Well, they're doing exactly the same sin as these guys.
[00:16:12] Well, all of these people came from such a far distance, it's much easier for them not to carry animals, but to buy the animals in the temple for sacrifices.
[00:16:20] And the people who are selling the animals say, Ho, ho, this is a great place.
[00:16:23] That's like you go in the movie theater, which I hadn't gone in in 30 years.
[00:16:27] You tell me if it's changed or not.
[00:16:29] But you go in and popcorn's $20.
[00:16:32] Why?
[00:16:33] I can get it for $0.99 outside of the movie theater where we got you now, right?
[00:16:37] Same kind of thing.
[00:16:39] And so these people are making money and way too much money.
[00:16:46] He says, my house should be a house of prayer.
[00:16:49] You've made a den of thieves.
[00:16:51] And he's angry.
[00:16:52] And he cleanses the temple.
[00:16:54] that's why we have church discipline by the way that's why we uh pastor andy takes pains to present to us a membership class we want members who love the lord and are true members of christ
[00:17:07] anyone's welcome to visit our church but as far as a member it needs to be people who are committed to the cause of christ and we are not perfect and it so happens that people get in sometimes
[00:17:18] that are not and this is the case that we have before us all these people are jews all these people, oh yeah, we're for God, we're for the Lord, everything.
[00:17:27] But when it really comes down to it and the pressure's on and the temptation is there, we begin to see a difference in the very inside of the operation.
[00:17:36] And this is where the devil has fun.
[00:17:40] This is where the devil's playground is.
[00:17:42] And how about in our own minds and our own hearts?
[00:17:47] Isn't that sometimes the devil's playground if we're not careful to keep it guarded?
[00:17:53] That's why we need a wall.
[00:17:54] that's why Israel at Jerusalem needed a wall now Nehemiah's example is uh is beyond reproach Nehemiah says look I haven't taken advantage of this uh all of my servants have been working on the wall while you guys are out there making money I I could have bought fields I have a lot
[00:18:15] of money but I didn't they as governor I receive a certain amount of money a certain amount of food I haven't taken it the whole 12 years I've been with you I haven't taken one penny but I have
[00:18:26] still had a hospitality of 150 Jews at my table every day that I have provided meals for at my own expense because of the current lack and challenges in the church if you will here is
[00:18:41] a leader who is sacrificing for the good of the body and for the glory of God the difference is highlighted in our sermon title and in these two statements that contrast in the verses before
[00:18:55] us. In chapter 5, verse 9, as Nehemiah is rebuking these nobles, he points out their sin of usury, exorbitant interest, but as he is reproving them, he says this in verse 9. He says, also I said it is not good
[00:19:14] it is not good that ye do ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies why aren't you walking in the fear of God
[00:19:29] it should be God above all else that we fear that we reverence that we desire to worship that we desire to please not always looking for an advantage for ourselves whether that's monetarily or whether that's some other way
[00:19:43] we should always be looking for an advantage for the glory of Christ and for his kingdom like this opportunity on September 11th there's an opportunity that we may have some people here that don't like what we say
[00:19:56] but praise God I rejoice that they're going to come and hear the truth about Jesus Christ it would be easy to say well you know I mean I don't think anything is going to happen at all
[00:20:07] I really don't believe that there's going to be any problem but it would be easy to say let's not risk anything let's just stay at home and pray isn't that better Pastor Joseph well it's certainly good to pray
[00:20:19] but let's consider the opportunity of the kingdom of God who is speaking to this situation a news media that knows nothing and says that anyone that's against the mosque is Islamophobic Muslims who don't want to make this any bigger than it is
[00:20:36] Christians who are mostly ignorant about the case altogether some extreme liberal Christians and others who are coming to support the mosque because it's a civil right.
[00:20:52] There is confusion on every side.
[00:20:55] And then there's some good old Americans, our brothers and sisters that are conservative like us, that are not born again.
[00:21:03] And guess what?
[00:21:05] They'll go to the same hell as the Muslim who does not accept Christ.
[00:21:10] We may like them.
[00:21:11] We may hang out with them.
[00:21:13] We may watch the same news.
[00:21:15] we may have the same lingo but those people need Jesus Christ and more of them will probably be here than anybody else and so we need to understand what we do is for God's glory
[00:21:29] because we fear God more than man but these people are not fearing God they're really just thinking about themselves whether in Nehemiah's day or those in Jesus' day when he cleansed the temple or, I believe, the majority of the people in churches in America today.
[00:21:49] The majority.
[00:21:50] We're here for ourselves.
[00:21:52] And what can you give me?
[00:21:53] If I don't like the goods in this church, I'll go to the next one.
[00:21:56] I want the best value for the lowest amount of cost.
[00:22:01] I actually saw a book one time was given to me.
[00:22:03] I didn't read it, but I didn't like the title.
[00:22:06] What Walmart knows about planning churches.
[00:22:12] You know, people want the lowest commitment with the greatest buffet.
[00:22:15] effects and benefits. Is that what Christ offers you? Ah, I don't want any commitment. Just come and let me bless you. I just love to bless you. Is that what he says? I don't think so. We'll see
[00:22:28] in a moment what he says. So here's those two contrasting statements that I mentioned. He tells them, this is not good what you do. Ought ye not, Nehemiah chapter 5 verse 9, ought ye not to walk
[00:22:42] in the fear of our God and especially, all the time but especially because of the reproach of the heathen, our enemies. We're the only voice that I know about in this whole town that is going to speak the truth of this situation.
[00:22:56] Which is that the answer is Jesus Christ. The answer is the gospel. When Muslims come to Christ, that's the answer because they'll be building a church and not a mosque and we'll all rejoice. Praise God.
[00:23:07] That's the answer. The people who know it are afraid to tell it.
[00:23:12] Others don't believe it.
[00:23:13] But we have to speak the truth because we fear God.
[00:23:16] These men are not fearing God.
[00:23:18] And so why doesn't Nehemiah go ahead and take advantage of the situation?
[00:23:23] After all, he's governor.
[00:23:24] He is legally entitled.
[00:23:27] And guess what?
[00:23:28] You all and Americans think we're entitled to a lot of stuff.
[00:23:32] That's actually how the Democratic Party runs now.
[00:23:34] You're entitled to free education and free this and free that and free this and that and the other thing.
[00:23:40] And people say, yes, I am.
[00:23:41] Please give it to me.
[00:23:43] That's a wonderful way.
[00:23:45] And it's not just the Democrats.
[00:23:46] I think people have all, I'm going to give you this, and I'm going to give you that, and I'm going to give you this.
[00:23:49] But now I'm going to give you everything for free.
[00:23:52] Amen.
[00:23:52] And not only is that a nice thing, I deserve it.
[00:23:55] Because I'm a good person.
[00:23:56] No, you're not.
[00:23:57] All you deserve is hell.
[00:23:59] And that's all I deserve.
[00:24:00] That's all anyone deserves except Christ.
[00:24:02] And that's what we need to understand.
[00:24:04] And so this idea, Nehemiah, as governor, was entitled to receive all of these things, and he refused to take it.
[00:24:13] Why?
[00:24:15] Notice what he says.
[00:24:18] He says, To them ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen, our enemies.
[00:24:25] But now look at verse 14 and 15.
[00:24:28] Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, this is 12 years, he says, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
[00:24:37] Why not?
[00:24:38] Doesn't he legally, isn't he entitled to all of that?
[00:24:42] Sure.
[00:24:42] then take it man take it don't be a fool no he's not going to take it why because he doesn't want to hurt the people the people are in a horrible place the people are not financially able he
[00:24:52] doesn't want to hurt the people he has a better heart for the kingdom of god and in his own words look verse 15 but the former governors that had been before me were chargeable under the people
[00:25:03] and had taken of them bread and wine beside 40 shekels of silver yea even their servants bear rule over the people but so did not i why why not nehemiah because of the fear of god was he
[00:25:23] legally okay to get it yeah would he have been committed a crime if he took it no then why would he do it because of the fear of god well pastor joseph is not against the law why can't i do it
[00:25:35] well if you're in prison and you get a sex change and i have to pay for it by tax money even if it's not against the law in the blue state, it's still a sin.
[00:25:44] Do you not have any fear for God?
[00:25:46] Forgive me for the ridiculous illustration, but did you know that that's what's happening in America today?
[00:25:53] Yeah, but it's not against the law.
[00:25:55] What's the problem?
[00:25:57] Two men can get married.
[00:25:58] It's not against the law.
[00:25:59] What's the problem?
[00:26:01] And go right down the line.
[00:26:03] It's not against the law.
[00:26:04] What's the problem?
[00:26:05] Do you not have any fear of God?
[00:26:07] It is the fear of God that is the salt of a nation.
[00:26:10] When the fear is gone, the salt is gone, and it begins to corrupt, and it begins to stink.
[00:26:18] That's what we see in America.
[00:26:19] And that's what he was up against in this special time of national distress, where everyone is supposed to gather together, in this case, the body of Christ, to rebuild the wall for us who have this in front of our church.
[00:26:34] If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, Then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, heal their land, our heart's desire for revival, our heart's desire to see our nation returned unto the fear of God and to the glory of our Christ upon which the very bedrock of our republic, the Bible, according to Andrew Jackson, and go back further than that.
[00:26:56] They all said if it wasn't for the liberty of Jesus Christ, John Quincy Adams and others, we would have no liberty in America.
[00:27:03] Go back and study if you weren't here for our lessons.
[00:27:06] They all recognize that freedom and blessings in our nation are not from a vacuum of some kind of political democracy, which we're a republic anyways, but from Jesus Christ and from the word of God.
[00:27:20] And we have to be completely consecrated to these greater purposes for Christ, for his glory, for his kingdom.
[00:27:30] When Joseph was in Egypt, he could have done whatever he wanted.
[00:27:33] There were no Jewish rabbis to tell him he was wrong.
[00:27:35] and when Potiphar was gone a lot apparently and Potiphar's beautiful wife continued to seduce Joseph and Joseph had multiple chances to sin he didn't and finally essentially what he says how can I do this
[00:27:52] because of my fear for God I cannot what is God calling you not to do because of fear what are the things in your life things that the world doesn't say that's okay. And you know deep down
[00:28:09] it's not okay, but you've allowed yourself because it's not a sin. What can you say? But so did not I because of the fear of the Lord.
[00:28:18] Hey, everybody gets drunk every once in a while, or a little tipsy.
[00:28:22] Let's go out on the lake and hang out and drink and have fun. So did not I because of the fear of the Lord.
[00:28:28] Hey, let's go to the movie theater, God forbid. And there's a movie there. My mother, God bless her.
[00:28:35] You know, you should really watch this movie. I said, I can't watch it.
[00:28:38] No, you just need to watch this movie.
[00:28:42] It's so wonderful.
[00:28:43] There's only a few bad words.
[00:28:44] I ain't watching.
[00:28:46] Only a few bad words.
[00:28:49] Every other sentence.
[00:28:50] No.
[00:28:51] So did not I because of the fear of God.
[00:28:55] How about you?
[00:28:56] Some people the way they dress.
[00:28:59] It's perfectly okay.
[00:29:01] It's very fashionable.
[00:29:03] My own house now.
[00:29:04] I have teenage girls.
[00:29:05] I have to be aware of this.
[00:29:07] Constantly on it.
[00:29:09] It's very fashionable.
[00:29:10] it's very acceptable, it's not against the law God forbid so did not they because of the fear of the Lord and that should be for you and what else in our lives do we need to say, you know what
[00:29:22] I know that everybody says it's okay I know that the law of the American government currently says it's okay but I cannot do it because God says it's not okay and in my heart of hearts
[00:29:33] I know it's not okay so will I not do because of the fear of God that he has put in me by his grace through his Son, Jesus Christ.
[00:29:48] What have you done lately, or not done, that you can say, so did not I, because of the fear of God?
[00:29:55] And if you can't think of anything, is the fear of God really there?
[00:30:02] And by the way, the fear of God is really parallel to the love of Christ in the New Testament.
[00:30:09] Anyone who's born again has a fear of God.
[00:30:11] If you don't have a reverential fear of God at all, there is no life in you and that's what nehemiah has touched on you need to walk in the fear of god i don't do these things by god's grace because of the fear of god now these attacks from within
[00:30:29] are satanic remember what does satan want to do well satan is against god's kingdom against his progress against the church against the truth going out whether it's messing up the microphone or whatever. And so
[00:30:44] remember, if he can't if you already are his children he can't take away your salvation but he can do all that he can to paralyze to stop the progress. And then what were they trying to do in Nehemiah? We've got
[00:30:59] to stop the wall because as soon as the wall is up there's a separation and we can't get on the inside.
[00:31:07] And so it's always an attempt. You think about Achan. Remember the sin of Achan? They went to Joshua. They marched around the wall seven times they shoot the trumpet the seventh day, wow the walls come tumbling down, a
[00:31:21] wonderful victory, then they go over to this little town over here, oh there's just a couple thousand people, send a few guys up there knock them out, we'll move them to the next town and Israel's rioting, why?
[00:31:31] because of one man out of 600,000 who has and has hidden it under the one man, sin in the camp, Satan paralyzed the whole Israeli invasion.
[00:31:45] The people of God who are going to the promised land, it's theirs.
[00:31:48] God gave it to them.
[00:31:49] He told them to go.
[00:31:50] He told them to take the land.
[00:31:51] The whole thing is stopped because of the sin of one man.
[00:31:55] The sin of one man, one woman in this church can cause the entire church to be stifled and progress spiritually.
[00:32:01] I believe that.
[00:32:04] Years ago, there was a spirit in this church that was not pleasing to the Lord.
[00:32:09] I sensed it.
[00:32:10] I knew it.
[00:32:11] This is before Cornerstone, Lakeside.
[00:32:14] And I began to pray, Lord, please get rid of this person.
[00:32:18] And then the Lord stopped me right away.
[00:32:20] No, no, don't you pray for that.
[00:32:23] You pray that the spirit is removed.
[00:32:26] And it may be those people will be freed from that spirit.
[00:32:30] And it may be people that you think are infected with it or not, and it's somebody else.
[00:32:36] It's not biblical to pray against people.
[00:32:39] Pray for that spirit.
[00:32:40] And I prayed consistently for months for that spirit to be released.
[00:32:44] and I want you to know it was. And certain people left. And I think hopefully for the most part but we have to understand that that's what Satan wants.
[00:32:58] It's not the people. The Bible tells us we don't wrestle against flesh and blood.
[00:33:03] We wrestle against what?
[00:33:05] Presuppositions, rulers of darkness, spiritual wickedness in high places.
[00:33:09] That's what take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day having done all to stand. So Nehemiah is standing physically, right?
[00:33:17] a sword in one hand, a trowel in the other, work on the wall, get ready for the attack. Work on the wall, get ready for the attack. But then, what are you going to do? You attach them within.
[00:33:27] You turn around with the sword. Sorry, this is a spiritual issue.
[00:33:31] It has to be dealt with in the camp.
[00:33:33] And that's what we need to be most aware of because this is where Satan loves to operate. Now, Nehemiah at the end of the chapter says this. After Nehemiah speaking about how the nobles took advantage of the situation,
[00:33:52] how they were really heavy oppressing the people and taking advantage of this difficult situation.
[00:33:59] The people are suffering.
[00:34:00] He says, I never did any of that the entire 12 years.
[00:34:03] I didn't even take what was coming to me at the end of it because I fear God.
[00:34:08] And then at the very end he says this.
[00:34:10] I want you to listen to this last verse.
[00:34:11] And as I read it, think in yourself, would I pray that prayer?
[00:34:16] Look what he says.
[00:34:17] At the end of this little attack from within, because it's going to go back in the next chapter to more attacks coming from without.
[00:34:25] Satan doesn't give up, does he?
[00:34:27] Not until the end.
[00:34:28] Notice the very last verse of the chapter, verse 19.
[00:34:31] Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
[00:34:40] Wow, that's quite a prayer.
[00:34:43] Would you be willing to say, Lord God, I ask you to judge my salvation based on how much I tithe here at this church.
[00:34:51] I ask you to base my salvation on how much time I spend here at this church serving in different capacities.
[00:35:00] I ask you, Lord, to base my salvation, think upon me for good.
[00:35:05] What else is that but salvation?
[00:35:07] I ask you to base my salvation on how faithful I am in coming on Sundays and Bible studies and prayer meetings and supporting the pastors and praying for them and being a great church member
[00:35:20] and showing how committed I am to this body.
[00:35:24] Don't raise your hand and shame yourself.
[00:35:26] How many of you are willing to ask God to save you based on that?
[00:35:31] Let me tell you, I'm the pastor.
[00:35:34] And I'm not saying anything about Pastor Andrew.
[00:35:37] I'm here.
[00:35:38] He is a pastor too, but you don't understand what I'm saying.
[00:35:41] I'm here most, I'm here more than anybody.
[00:35:44] I'm here at crazy times.
[00:35:45] I'm here at five in the morning.
[00:35:47] Who knows when I'm here, right?
[00:35:49] I'm going to get a bed in here.
[00:35:51] I would never pray that prayer.
[00:35:53] I don't think Pastor Andy would pray that prayer.
[00:35:55] He works hard, but we didn't pray that prayer.
[00:35:57] Base my salvation on how faithful I am to this church.
[00:36:00] God, you just haven't seen how faithful I am.
[00:36:02] I want to show you how good I am and how wonderful I do.
[00:36:05] Would you pray that prayer?
[00:36:08] Nehemiah prayed it in the Old Testament.
[00:36:11] But you know, I think this is really pointing us to Christ, which is a good thing because we're headed to the table in just a moment.
[00:36:18] there's only one person who can pray that prayer and receive a positive answer think upon me my God for good according to all that I have done for this people and that Lord Jesus Christ could pray that
[00:36:41] and guess what God did think upon him and Christ didn't need salvation but his wonderful work for the kingdom of God for the bride of Christ which he bought with his own blood and his own life
[00:36:54] is now given to us for salvation and all who will believe.
[00:36:58] And in this we see, I think, a picture of Christ in the book of Nehemiah.
[00:37:03] And so, where are your hopes of salvation?
[00:37:07] I think it's interesting, before we end, in Daniel chapter 9, those of you who like prophecy, oh, Daniel 9, he's finally going to talk about prophecy.
[00:37:15] Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you.
[00:37:17] But in chapter 9, it's interesting that it talks about from the time of the building of the walls of Jerusalem until the time of Christ, a certain period of time.
[00:37:30] It's like 473 years, something like that.
[00:37:34] No, 463 years. Do work it out.
[00:37:37] It talks about it.
[00:37:38] And by the way, it's true.
[00:37:39] From the time of Nehemiah, you go study it.
[00:37:42] I can get you the numbers if you want.
[00:37:44] This is a prophecy in Daniel 9.
[00:37:45] From the time of Nehemiah building the walls, and that decree to go forth, until the time of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion, it is prophesied exactly right in days and weeks and years in the Bible.
[00:37:58] Some 400 years, 500 years before it happened.
[00:38:00] It's wonderful.
[00:38:01] But the reason I bring this up is the two endpoints that are pointed out to show the prophecy are Nehemiah rebuilding the wall and Jesus Christ coming and dying for us on the cross.
[00:38:16] Interesting that Nehemiah would be juxtaposed with Christ.
[00:38:20] But what is Nehemiah doing?
[00:38:21] He is seeking revival of the church.
[00:38:25] And what is Christ doing?
[00:38:26] He is seeking revival in the sense of resurrection and life given to all who believe.
[00:38:32] And that is our call.
[00:38:35] To be even as Christ.
[00:38:37] For we are called Christians.
[00:38:38] We are to follow Christ.
[00:38:40] We are to look upon Christ and what He has done.
[00:38:43] Did Nehemiah make sacrifices for the people?
[00:38:48] Were they big?
[00:38:49] Yeah.
[00:38:50] But how big is big?
[00:38:52] Did Christ make a sacrifice for the people?
[00:38:55] As big as he could.
[00:38:57] Which is bigger than we can imagine.
[00:38:59] The very blood of God offered for all who would believe.
[00:39:06] Let's turn, if we would, to Matthew 10.
[00:39:09] I know there is a table for us.
[00:39:11] We have things we need to attend to.
[00:39:12] But we need to attend to God's voice through his son Christ Jesus now.
[00:39:17] In Matthew chapter 10, to you, the church, and to me.
[00:39:20] Verse 24, Matthew chapter 10.
[00:39:23] The disciple is not above his master.
[00:39:25] nor the servant above his Lord.
[00:39:26] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master and the servant as his Lord.
[00:39:30] If they have called the master of the house, who's that?
[00:39:33] Jesus.
[00:39:34] If they've called him Beelzebub, essentially the devil, how much more shall they call him of his household?
[00:39:40] Do you think it's strange if you're a believer that people say bad things about you?
[00:39:44] Oh, he's an Islamophobe.
[00:39:46] Oh, he's a narrow-minded bigot.
[00:39:47] Oh, he's a white Christian nationalist.
[00:39:49] They hadn't seen me after I went to the beach.
[00:39:51] But anyways.
[00:39:56] So what?
[00:39:57] They said Jesus was filled with Satan.
[00:40:00] But if you're going to follow me, you can expect people to say that.
[00:40:04] This is perfectly natural.
[00:40:06] He says, yeah.
[00:40:07] And then he says, verse 3 says, but what should we do in response to that?
[00:40:10] Fear not.
[00:40:12] Fear them not, therefore, for there is nothing covered.
[00:40:15] Verse 26, that shall not be revealed and hid that shall not be known.
[00:40:17] What I tell you in the darkness, that speak ye in the light.
[00:40:20] And what you hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
[00:40:24] And you listen to verse 28.
[00:40:25] and fear not them which kill the body.
[00:40:31] Who's that? Fill in the blank.
[00:40:37] What's the worst somebody can do to you? Kill you?
[00:40:41] Don't be afraid.
[00:40:42] Pastor Joseph, someone might be killed.
[00:40:46] Don't be afraid.
[00:40:47] Isn't that what Jesus says specifically and explicitly? Then what?
[00:40:52] Fear what? And fear not them which are able to kill the body and are not able to kill the soul.
[00:40:58] Isn't that something? Somebody wants to kill you but they can't kill the soul.
[00:41:02] You can go to heaven and say, aha, praise the Lord.
[00:41:04] Hallelujah, right?
[00:41:06] Maybe you wouldn't say it that way.
[00:41:08] But are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear who?
[00:41:12] Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell forever.
[00:41:21] The fear of death is something that we have to deal with.
[00:41:24] But Christ has overcome it.
[00:41:26] That's part of the reason he came in Hebrews chapter 2, to destroy him that had the power of the fear of death, the devil, and to release those who all their lifetime were in bondage to that fear.
[00:41:35] We should not be in bondage to that fear.
[00:41:36] Fear brings bondage.
[00:41:38] We've not received the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
[00:41:42] The only fear we should have is for God and for him alone.
[00:41:44] The fear of man bringeth a snare.
[00:41:47] We are to fear God.
[00:41:47] And that's what Jesus said.
[00:41:48] It's not just in the Old Testament.
[00:41:50] Notice verse 29.
[00:41:52] Are not two sparrows sold for a father, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father?
[00:41:56] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
[00:41:58] Fear ye not, therefore.
[00:41:59] There's the third time.
[00:42:00] ye are of more value than many sparrows don't you think God knows what's going on in your life don't you think God is trustworthy don't you think you can give him care of your life
[00:42:10] verse 32 whosoever therefore shall confess me, Jesus, before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven and I believe primarily and ultimately on the day of judgment but whosoever shall deny me before men
[00:42:23] him will I also deny before the Father which is in heaven think not that I have come to send peace on the earth I came not to send peace but a sword for I am come to set a man at variance
[00:42:32] against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and a man's foes shall be they of his own household now listen to these last verses 37 he that loveth father or mother more than me
[00:42:44] is not worthy of me he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and he here it is that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me
[00:42:56] he that findeth his life shall lose it and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
[00:43:03] Our final passage and our segue to the table is in 1 Peter chapter 4, if you would, let's turn there now.
[00:43:09] 1 Peter chapter 4.
[00:43:14] We've been largely, largely spared suffering for Christ in America, but I just got the latest voice of the martyrs magazine that are out on the table.
[00:43:26] I want to try to give one for each and every one of you.
[00:43:29] It's all about Muslims who've come to Christ and all the terrible things they've suffered because of that decision.
[00:43:37] And if America continues in the same path that it is, some of us may live to see the same kind of things happening here.
[00:43:44] God forbid.
[00:43:45] God forbid if there is not revival.
[00:43:47] So let's end here in 1 Peter chapter 4 with this in mind.
[00:43:52] For the Jews in Nehemiah's day suffered attacks from without and attacks from within.
[00:43:57] We in the church today suffer attacks from without and attacks from within.
[00:44:02] But don't grow weary in well-doing.
[00:44:03] For in due season the gospel says you shall reap if you faint not 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 1 for as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arm yourselves Smith and Wesson no Ruger
[00:44:17] no what arm yourselves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lust
[00:44:29] of men but to the will of God there is a place that we need to bow the knee to the fear of God and no longer walk like the world and be led around like a hook in the nose by Satan
[00:44:41] and after this lust and that lust and this carnal delight and this money and this new car and this new house and this amount of money and these people and the fear of man this and the fear of man that
[00:44:53] and pressed into all sorts of ridiculous situations because we're so concerned about what people think about us.
[00:45:00] No! It's no longer that we should live the rest of our time, redeem the time, in the flesh to the lust of men, but to the will of God.
[00:45:11] That's what our life should be consecrated to, the will of God.
[00:45:14] Why? Because of the fear of God.
[00:45:16] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles when we walked in our time before we were born again in lasciviousness, lust, excesses of wine, revelings,
[00:45:27] banquetings, and abominable idolatries wherein they think it strange that you run not with them.
[00:45:32] They get born again and say, What's wrong with you?
[00:45:34] We used to drink.
[00:45:35] We used to raise hell.
[00:45:36] We used to have fun.
[00:45:37] What's wrong with you?
[00:45:39] Nothing wrong.
[00:45:40] It's all right.
[00:45:41] His name is Jesus.
[00:45:42] Praise God.
[00:45:43] Wherein they think it's strange that you run not with them.
[00:45:46] To the same excessive riot.
[00:45:47] Speaking evil of you.
[00:45:49] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead?
[00:45:53] Who shall.
[00:45:54] Verse 6.
[00:45:55] For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead.
[00:46:00] That they might be judged according to men in the flesh.
[00:46:02] But live according to God in the spirit.
[00:46:04] but the end of all things is at hand hey it's two thousand years later it's even more at hand be ye therefore sober watch unto prayer and above all things have fervent charity among yourselves those nobles wouldn't have taken advantage of their brethren if they had fervent love for one another
[00:46:23] For charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
[00:46:26] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
[00:46:29] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
[00:46:36] If any man speak, let him speak as of the oracles of God, the word of God.
[00:46:41] If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
[00:46:51] Beloved, here it is.
[00:46:52] Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which shall try you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you.
[00:47:00] But rejoice.
[00:47:01] If we get persecuted, if someone speaks bad about the church, if we're doing good, rejoice.
[00:47:08] That's what the Bible says, right?
[00:47:10] Rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad and with exceeding joy.
[00:47:19] if you be reproached for the name of christ and we will be if we haven't already happy are ye for the spirit of glory and of god rests upon you on their part he's evil spoken of but on your part
[00:47:34] he is glorified but let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer a busybody in other means matters but yet if any man suffer as a christian let him not be ashamed but let him
[00:47:46] glorify god on this behalf and how it is verse 17 for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of god and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the
[00:48:01] gospel of god and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of god commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing
[00:48:15] as unto a faithful Creator. Emilio, is my microphone, can we test it now?
[00:48:25] Is it on? If not, I'm going to...
[00:48:29] Okay, we're on. I'm going to share this here. I would normally go ahead and uncover the table, but we may lose it.
[00:48:35] So I'm going to share this here, then we'll uncover the table. Judgment must begin at the house of the Lord. The most dangerous problems in the church and attacks come from within.
[00:48:46] Judgment must begin in the house of the Lord.
[00:48:48] where do we find that judgment manifest most visibly most openly right here turn to first corinthians chapter 11 that word their judgment in the greek is crema and if you turn to first corinthians chapter 11 where the apostle paul gives the words of institution for the lord's
[00:49:06] supper he says in verse 23 for i've received of the lord that which also i delivered under you that the lord jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread and when he had given
[00:49:17] thanks he break it and said take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me after the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying this cup is the new
[00:49:28] testament of my blood this do you as often as you drink it in remembrance of me for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you do show the lord's death till he come now listen to the
[00:49:38] warning verse 27 whosoever wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily
[00:50:00] eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged but when we are judged we are chastened of the lord that we should not be condemned with the
[00:50:21] world that word damnation in verse 29 guess what greek word it is crema judgment must begin at the house of the lord this is the way it reads in verse 29 for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily
[00:50:33] eateth and drinketh judgment to himself not discerning the lord's body and then verse 31 for For if we would judge ourselves, crema, if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
[00:50:47] So as we prepare to come to this table, we're going to pray in just a moment.
[00:50:53] And let's judge ourselves.
[00:50:56] Would we be able to pray with Nehemiah, Lord, look at how good of a Christian I am.
[00:51:00] Look at all that I do around this church.
[00:51:02] Look at how faithful I am and give me salvation because of it.
[00:51:08] Let us judge that we are all unworthy sinners.
[00:51:11] In a moment before we do partake, we will confess our sins corporately, as you see on the back of your bulletin.
[00:51:20] But remember this, the most dangerous attack is from within.
[00:51:25] And when the night that Jesus was betrayed, they were always, the Pharisees and the scribes, they were always in the Sadducees trying to get Jesus, but they never could.
[00:51:36] They attacked him from here and from there and there and there and there, and when they finally got him, And how did they do it?
[00:51:43] From within.
[00:51:46] His name was Judas.
[00:51:48] His hand was at the table.
[00:51:50] He was a good church member.
[00:51:52] But he was a child of the devil.
[00:51:55] Did he take communion?
[00:51:56] I believe he did.
[00:51:58] And it says when he drank it and took the sop, Satan entered into him.
[00:52:08] Let us come to this table in prayer.
[00:52:11] Let us come to this table humbly.
[00:52:13] Let us remember that these emblems, the bread and the grape juice, are pictures for us to remember the body and blood of Christ.
[00:52:22] And let us say, Lord, would I let your body touch these lips that have spoken curse words this week?
[00:52:32] Would I take with my hand that I've used to sin this week and touch your body this day?
[00:52:42] O Lord, consecrate.
[00:52:44] Bring that coal of fire from off the altar.
[00:52:47] Cleanse my lips.
[00:52:48] Cleanse my hands.
[00:52:49] Cleanse me, Lord God.
[00:52:51] Bring judgment in a good way, in a cleansing way.
[00:52:54] May your fear be great in me and may the love of Christ be manifest in a superabundant fashion.
[00:53:02] Fill me with your Spirit and with faith that I might partake worthily.
[00:53:06] O Lord God, help.
[00:53:07] For we know that the most dangerous attack is from within.
[00:53:15] Whether that's Judas at the table or whether that's the devil in the mind like Peter or God forbid in our very hearts, hearts of sin.
[00:53:27] Let us come before the Lord now and confess our sins and then we're going to uncover the table.
[00:53:37] If you look in your bulletin on the back page, there is a confession of sin.
[00:53:44] I don't think many Christians today go through a corporate confession of sin or even a private confession of sin.
[00:53:51] And that's why we're doing it.
[00:53:53] All of us need this.
[00:53:55] I'll be reading it, but I'll also be confessing.
[00:53:58] I know Pastor Andy will too.
[00:54:00] I encourage all of us to read this together and to read it not just with the lips, but with the heart.
[00:54:05] Let us now confess together before our Almighty God our sins and ask for His forgiveness.
[00:54:12] Almighty God, we acknowledge and confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed.
[00:54:20] We have not loved You with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
[00:54:26] We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.
[00:54:29] Deepen within us our sorrow for the wrong we have done and the good we have left undone.
[00:54:37] Lord, You are full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
[00:54:44] There is always forgiveness with you.
[00:54:48] Restore to us the joy of your salvation.
[00:54:51] Bind us that which is broken.
[00:54:54] Give light to our minds, strength to our wills, rest to our souls.
[00:55:00] Speak to each of us and let your word abide with us until it has wrought in us your holy will.
[00:55:08] Amen.
[00:55:10] Pastor End.
[00:55:21] Thank you, brother.
[00:55:27] At this point, I think it's working.
[00:55:30] It's working.
[00:55:30] Thank you.
[00:55:31] Thank you, Pastor Andy.
[00:55:34] As we come to the table now with this confession of sin, we're going to pray and we'll give the institution of the Lord's Supper.
[00:55:40] Let me just say, the most dangerous attack is where?
[00:55:47] And that's why being born again starts where?
[00:55:54] He changes us from the inside out.
[00:55:56] If you've not been born again, this is your desperate need, that God would write his laws on our hearts and that our hearts would be filled with the reverential fear of God and the love of Christ to overflow it.
[00:56:15] Behold what Christ has done for us, the blood of Christ, the body of Christ.
[00:56:22] We call this a sacrament.
[00:56:25] The word sacrament comes from the Latin, which comes from the Greek, mysterion.
[00:56:33] Mysterion, which means what?
[00:56:36] Mystery. Good guess.
[00:56:37] You're right. How can Christ's body and blood be offered to us? It is not his physical body and blood, but it is spiritually present. It is a mystery, and yet it is a wonderful divine grace.
[00:56:57] We believe, as we pray, that God's spiritual presence is here in a very special way to strengthen you believers, that we feed on Christ by faith, that we drink in, as it were, a picture of eternal life and the blood of Christ that was shed for our sins. And so this is a great
[00:57:19] blessing. We've talked about how can we partake, how can we touch the body of Christ with sinful hands. How can we take the body of Christ upon our lips that have spoken curse words this week? Words that
[00:57:38] are unkind. Words that are not loving. But thank God if you've been born again.
[00:57:45] The Bible says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to do what? Cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
[00:57:58] I'd like to stand here today and say I don't need any cleansing I'm just as white as snow for those of you who work with me know I need to take a shower and a bath
[00:58:08] but we're talking about the spiritual cleansing I need it, you need it, we all need it praise God he offers it cleansed in what?
[00:58:17] the blood of Christ shed for you and for me and this is why Paul says I have received of the Lord he wasn't there but he received it in a vision after Christ had ascended.
[00:58:32] I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you.
[00:58:38] That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, betrayed by who?
[00:58:43] Someone within.
[00:58:45] Judas.
[00:58:47] Beware.
[00:58:48] Beware of the devil trying to have access to our hearts.
[00:58:51] But if we're born again, praise God.
[00:58:55] Even in the midst of these challenges, the progress, Jesus didn't say, hey guys, this is difficult, this is dangerous, let's stop.
[00:59:04] Because that's what Satan wants.
[00:59:07] This is my body, broken for you.
[00:59:09] Do this in remembrance of me.
[00:59:11] This is the cup of the New Testament in my blood.
[00:59:16] This do ye as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
[00:59:19] And it's not just from unbelievers inside the camp, but even believers.
[00:59:24] For just not long before, Satan was in Peter.
[00:59:27] Don't go, don't go to the cross.
[00:59:30] far be this from you. Get thou behind me, Satan. Christ moves on to the greatest sacrifice of all so that we might partake of him. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you do show
[00:59:43] the Lord's death till he come. Christ gave thanks for the bread and he broke it. Let's pray. And as we pray, thank God, if you're a believer, for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. Lord,
[00:59:57] we come before you we praise you we thank you for salvation in Jesus alone we thank you Lord that when we truly believe in him by faith in what he has done he alone perfectly righteous
[01:00:08] that you Lord grant to us salvation in your Holy Spirit as we repent of our sins and that your spirit comes and abides in our hearts and cleanses us from without all the way from within
[01:00:20] so that we might be thoroughly washed in the water of the word in the blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world We rejoice, Lord, and wonder that Jesus was thankful to you, Father,
[01:00:32] that he could have the opportunity to give his very life for each and every one of us.
[01:00:38] O Lord, consecrate us now, cleanse us, wash us as we repent, and may we come with a clean conscience boldly to your throne of grace to obtain mercy, to find help and strength in our time of need
[01:00:51] here at your table through the body and blood of your Son, Christ Jesus, our risen Lord.
[01:00:57] In whose name we pray, amen.
[01:01:00] After he had given thanks for his own body being broken, he took bread and he broke it.
[01:01:07] He said, this is my body which is broken for you.
[01:01:10] Do this in remembrance of me.
[01:01:13] In the same manner, he took the cup and he said, this is the cup of the New Testament in my blood.
[01:01:21] This do ye as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.
[01:01:26] for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you do show the Lord's death till he come I'm going to invite you down but I want to give you one final thought
[01:01:36] you do show the Lord's death till he come as often as you eat this and drink this you show the Lord's death show it how you remember yes but that's not what it says you look forward to his
[01:01:46] second coming yes but that's not what it says you show it how when you come and you partake when you bow the knee to Christ When you willingly say, I can't do it.
[01:01:56] I need Christ's life in me.
[01:01:58] We show his death by our death of taking up our cross, denying ourself, and coming after him, even to his very table.
[01:02:10] Nehemiah set a table for 150 at his own expense.
[01:02:14] Jesus sets forth a far richer table at his infinite expense of the very blood of God for all who would come.
[01:02:23] will you come in faith today if so come come make two lines come and get the body get the blood and return back to your seat the body of Christ broken for you