BIG IDEA:
CONFESSION OF SIN LEADS TO GENUINE WORSHIP FOR GOD’S COVENANT LOYALTY — DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT HISTORY IN HIS PROVIDENTIAL FAITHFULNESS
INTRODUCTION:
Jesus instructed His disciples regarding the greatest commandment of all: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:36) How are we doing in obeying that command? One thing that greatly helps is to truly understand the character of God. Certainly Jesus Christ Himself is the supreme revelation of who God is: “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) But one main reason we study the OT is to learn of the attributes of God so we can love Him more deeply and worship Him more fervently. God has not changed – He is the same today as He was back then. The revival of the Jewish people in the days of Nehemiah under the teaching of Ezra the scribe put renewed emphasis on that OT revelation. We saw last week how they listened and submitted to the Voice of Truth as it was read to them from the law.
CONFESSION OF SIN LEADS TO GENUINE WORSHIP FOR GOD’S COVENANT LOYALTY — DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT HISTORY IN HIS PROVIDENTIAL FAITHFULNESS
(:1-5) SETTING THE STAGE – PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
A. (:1) Mourning for Sin Prepares the Heart for Worship = Heart Attitude
“Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth and with dirt upon them.”
Kidner: The feast had finished on the 22nd day. . . But now it was equally important to set this delight firmly in contrast to the gall of sin, and to face the facts of the past and the challenge of the future. So at this turning-point in the people’s history, the seven-day feast must leave behind it something more durable than a sweet taste in the mouth. The responsive mood must be harnessed to the will. And, with the realism of that culture, the body and its attire must express the same self-humbling and sorrow as would the words and tone of voice.
Matt. 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Sermon on the Mount =
understanding the righteousness of God – not externals – but based in the heart
Luke 18:9-14 – Story of the contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector
“He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt”
Sometimes it is very easy to pick out the faults of others but never mourn over your own sin
Jonah 3:5 “Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.” Exceedingly wicked city
B. (:2) Separation from Sin Prepares the Heart for Worship = Cleansing Action
“The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. “ (Lev 20:26)
We are going to see in 10:28 what this separation involved (also 13:1-3; 23-31)
Divorcing of all wives taken from the surrounding heathen nations
Fensham: It is of interest that the congregation did not only confess their own sins, but also those of their ancestors. This is a recurring theme in the books of Ezra-Nehemiah. They felt their solidarity with past generations.
1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
2 Cor. 6:14-18 “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? . . .
Therefore come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord”
C. (:3) Responding to the Word of God with Confession of Sin Prepares the Heart for Worship
“While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.”
MacArthur: They read for 3 hours about the sins of their fathers and for 3 more hours confessed that they had been partakers of similar evil deeds. In response to all of this, they worshiped.
D. (:4-5a) Spiritual Leaders Prepare the Hearts of God’s People for Worship
“Now on the Levites’ platform stood Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Chenani, and they cried with a loud voice to the LORD their God. Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah, said,”
E. (:5b) Focusing on Blessing God Prepares the Heart for Worship
“Arise, bless the LORD your God forever and ever! O may Your glorious name be blessed and exalted above all blessing and praise!”
Hymn: All Praise to Him Who Reigns Above (81)
We don’t talk much about what it means to bless the Lord. For His amazing forgiveness; His mercy and grace and compassion and faithfulness … that despite all of our sins, He remains today our faithful God
Swindoll: It is rare to hear genuine praise, which is simply the practice of putting all thoughts of self aside to concentrate on adoration of God, and God alone – for His character, for His attributes, for his unmatched qualities.
Having said all of this about preparation for worship . . . what strikes me is that God’s people today are unwilling to confess their sins. The greatest hindrance to our love for God and genuine worship is our unwillingness to confess our sins. We don’t think that we do anything wrong.
8 WAYS WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S COVENANT LOYALTY – PROMPTING OUR WORSHIP
I. (:6) HE IS THE GOD OF CREATION AND THE DESIGNER OF LIFE
“You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You.”
“host” – could refer either to the stars or to angels – most likely angels – who bow down in worship (1 Kings 22:19; Ps. 103:20-21; 148:2) — Yamauchi
Illustration: During the French Revolution, many people wanted to get rid of Christianity forever. On one clear night an atheist boastfully proclaimed his beliefs to a poor peasant: “Everything will be abolished ¬ churches, Bibles, and the clergy. Yes, even the word “God” itself! We shall remove everything that speaks of religion.” The peasant gave a quiet chuckle. The atheist wanted to know what the believer was laughing about. The peasant then pointed to the stars and replied, “I was just wondering how you’re going to manage to get all of those bright lights out of the sky!”
Application:
– Do you acknowledge accountability to the God who created you and submit to His rule?
– Are you thankful for how He designed you?
Hymn: This Is My Father’s World (58)
I Sing the Almighty Power of God (57)
Contemporary Song: Indescribable by Chris Tomlin’
Wonderful Maker by Jeremy Camp
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
II. (:7) HE IS THE GOD OF ELECTION AND TRANSFORMATION
“You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram And brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees, And gave him the name Abraham.”
Abram = “the father is exalted” / Abraham = “the father of a multitude” (Gen. 17:4-5)
Application:
– Do you acknowledge God’s Sovereignty to do as He pleases or do you want to be in control?
– Are you thankful for the way God has guided you in life and the changes He has brought about?
Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation (200, vs. 2)
Have Thine Own Way, Lord (372)
What a Wonderful Change in My Life (281)
Contemporary Song: Mighty to Save by Laura Story
Everyone needs compassion, love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as you find me, all my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow, everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen king, Jesus
Shine your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen king
III. (:8) HE IS THE GOD OF COVENANT PROMISE AND FAITHFULNESS
“You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give him the land of the Canaanite, Of the Hittite and the Amorite, Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite and the Girgashite — To give it to his descendants. And You have fulfilled Your promise, For You are righteous.”
Application: all about the Goodness of God
– Do you acknowledge that God always keeps all of His promises?
– Are you thankful for the spiritual victories that God has graciously provided for you?
Hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness (37)
Standing on the Promises (225)
Contemporary Song
IV. (:9-10) HE IS THE GOD OF COMPASSION AND MIRACULOUS REDEMPTION
“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard their cry by the Red Sea. Then You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, Against all his servants and all the people of his land; For You knew that they acted arrogantly toward them, And made a name for Yourself as it is this day.”
Application:
– Do you acknowledge that God cares about the pressures and burdens of your life?
– Are you thankful for God’s redemption in sparing you the penalty for your arrogance and rebellion?
Hymn: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (90)
Does Jesus Care? (416)
Contemporary Song: Beautiful Redemption by Joy Williams
Mercies New by Nichole Nordeman
I’ve had my forty days and forty nights at sea
I’ve had forty years in the wilderness, or so to speak
I’ve walked with sand from the ocean floor on my feet
To turn and say You left me
I’m a doubting Thomas needing to believe
I’m a perfumed sinner just like Magdalene
I am Judas kissing on Your cheek, eager to deceive
I am all of these
I cry, Father, Father, forgive me
You say, Child, I already have
You are Beautiful
Beautiful Redemption
You are Beautiful
Beautiful Redemption
I’m the guilty thief that’s hanging by Your side
And my shame is dying with Your sacrifice
And all my fears come crashing down as I look in Your eyes
I see paradise
Hallelujah (we all, we all, we all fall down)
Hallelujah (we all, we all, we all fall down)
Hallelujah (we all, we all, we all fall down)
Hallelujah (we all, we all, we all fall down)
You are Beautiful
Beautiful Redemption
You are Beautiful
Beautiful Redemption
V. (:11) HE IS THE GOD OF DELIVERANCE AND VENGEANCE
“You divided the sea before them, So they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground; And their pursuers You hurled into the depths, Like a stone into raging waters.
Application:
– Do you acknowledge that God has powerfully delivered you from the bondage of sin?
– Are you thankful for God’s righteous vengeance?
Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God (11)
Contemporary Song: Strong Tower by Kutless
When I wander through the desert
And I’m longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I’m stranded in the valley
And I’m tired and all alone
It seems like I’ve lost my way
I go running to Your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free
[chorus]
You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I’m weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek
In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You’re my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder’s all I hear
You speak softly to my soul
VI. (:12) HE IS THE GOD OF GUIDANCE AND ABIDING PRESENCE
“And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day, And with a pillar of fire by night To light for them the way in which they were to go.”
Application:
– Do you acknowledge that God has the wisdom to direct your paths in the best possible course?
– Are you thankful for God’s presence with you today?
Hymn: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (46)
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (321)
He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought (439)
All the Way My Savior Leads Me (440)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (448)
Contemporary Song: God Moves in a Mysterious Way by Jeremy Riddle
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm
Deep in unsearchable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings, in blessings
In blessings on your head
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face
His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain
In His own time
In His own way…
VII. (:13-14) HE IS THE GOD OF REVELATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
“Then You came down on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven; You gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments. So You made known to them Your holy sabbath, And laid down for them commandments, statutes and law, Through Your servant Moses.”
Application:
– Do you acknowledge that God’s truth is righteous and helpful rather than optional and burdensome?
– Are you thankful for the spiritual insight God has given you?
Hymn: Open My Eyes, That I May See (350)
The Bible Stands Like a Rock Undaunted (218)
Contemporary Song
VIII. (:15) HE IS THE GOD OF PROVISION AND EVERLASTING INHERITANCE
“You provided bread from heaven for them for their hunger, You brought forth water from a rock for them for their thirst, And You told them to enter in order to possess The land which You swore to give them.”
Application:
– Do you acknowledge that God sustains you every day with the necessities of life?
– Are you thankful for the future inheritance He has promised?
Hymn: Break Thou the Bread of Life (220)
Contemporary Song