Embracing Responsibility and Gratitude in Faith

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we reflected on the profound responsibility we have as followers of Christ, drawing inspiration from the book of Nehemiah. As we examined the actions of God's people in Nehemiah's time, we saw their commitment to turning away from past ways and making a binding agreement to live differently, in alignment with God's will. This commitment was not just about refraining from certain actions, but also about actively taking responsibility for the house of God and the community of believers.

The people of Nehemiah's time understood the importance of assuming responsibility for the temple's offerings and services, a task they embraced with honor and dedication. This sense of responsibility extends to us today, as we are called to care for our church community, ensuring that it is a place where God's word is central, and where people can grow in their faith. This involves not only maintaining the physical space but also nurturing the spiritual growth of our community through active participation and service.

We also explored the concept of first fruits, a principle that challenges us to prioritize God in every aspect of our lives. The first fruits represent the best of what we have, given back to God as a sign of gratitude for all He has provided. This is not about expecting future blessings but responding to the blessings we have already received. It is a call to make God our first priority, above all else, and to recognize that everything we have is a gift from Him.

In our modern context, this responsibility can feel overwhelming, as we juggle various commitments and challenges. Yet, it is crucial to remember that our service to God and His house is not a burden but a privilege. It is an opportunity to participate in His work and to be part of a community that reflects His love and grace.

As we move forward, let us examine our hearts and ask ourselves if we are truly giving God our first fruits and making Him the priority in our lives. Let us commit to living out our faith with gratitude and responsibility, knowing that everything we have is from Him and for His glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embracing Responsibility: Just as the people in Nehemiah's time took responsibility for the temple, we are called to take responsibility for our church community. This involves active participation and service, ensuring that God's word is central and that our community is a place of spiritual growth. [39:37]

2. The Principle of First Fruits: Giving our first fruits to God means prioritizing Him above all else. It is a response of gratitude for the blessings we have received, not an expectation of future rewards. This principle challenges us to rethink our priorities and recognize that everything we have is a gift from God. [51:05]

3. Heart Over Habits: Our commitment to God is not just about actions but about the condition of our hearts. True obedience comes from a heart that is aligned with God's purposes, prioritizing His will over our preferences. This heart issue is central to living a life that honors God. [49:47]

4. Community and Service: Being part of a church community means actively participating in its life and mission. This includes serving in various capacities, from teaching to welcoming, and recognizing that our involvement is crucial for the community's spiritual health and growth. [45:44]

5. Living with Gratitude: Our response to God's blessings should be one of gratitude, leading us to give generously and serve faithfully. This gratitude is not about what we might receive in return but about acknowledging all that God has done for us and living in a way that reflects His love. [57:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:47] - Opening Prayer
- [36:11] - Nehemiah's Binding Agreement
- [39:37] - Responsibility for God's House
- [41:43] - Family and Community Responsibilities
- [43:23] - The Fullness of Responsibility
- [44:12] - The Reality of Responsibility
- [45:44] - Community Involvement
- [47:29] - The Cycle of Complacency
- [48:39] - Vision for the Future
- [49:47] - Heart Issue of Responsibility
- [51:05] - Understanding First Fruits
- [52:24] - Reversing Our Understanding
- [53:52] - Everything Belongs to God
- [57:08] - Gratitude and Response
- [01:03:45] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Nehemiah 10:32-39
- Leviticus 23:10-14 (First Fruits)
- Matthew 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom of God)

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific responsibilities did the people of Nehemiah's time commit to regarding the temple and its services? [39:37]

2. How did the people of Nehemiah's time demonstrate their commitment to God through their actions and agreements? [36:11]

3. What is the significance of the "first fruits" as mentioned in the sermon, and how does it relate to the people's priorities? [51:05]

4. How does the sermon describe the modern-day responsibilities of church members in relation to the church community? [45:44]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to "assume responsibility" for the house of God, and how might this look in a contemporary church setting? [39:37]

2. How does the concept of first fruits challenge the way individuals prioritize their resources and time in their personal lives? [51:05]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the condition of one's heart affects their obedience and commitment to God? [49:47]

4. How does the sermon address the tension between personal preferences and God's purposes, and what implications does this have for believers? [01:02:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. Are there areas where you feel called to take more responsibility? How can you begin to act on this calling? [45:44]

2. Consider the principle of first fruits in your life. What are some practical ways you can prioritize God with your resources and time this week? [51:05]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a heart aligned with God's purposes. What steps can you take to ensure your heart is in the right place when serving God and others? [49:47]

4. How do you currently balance your personal preferences with God's purposes in your life? Are there specific areas where you need to make adjustments? [01:02:14]

5. The sermon mentions the overwhelming nature of responsibilities. How can you view your service to God and the church as a privilege rather than a burden? [41:43]

6. In what ways can you express gratitude for the blessings you have received from God, both in your personal life and within your church community? [57:08]

7. Identify one specific area in your life where you tend to give God the "leftovers." What changes can you make to give Him your best instead? [01:00:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Sacred Responsibility
In the time of Nehemiah, the people of God made a binding agreement to live in alignment with His will, taking responsibility for the temple and their community. This commitment was not just about avoiding certain actions but actively participating in the life of the community. Today, we are called to take responsibility for our church community, ensuring that it is a place where God's word is central and where people can grow in their faith. This involves not only maintaining the physical space but also nurturing the spiritual growth of our community through active participation and service. Our involvement is crucial for the community's spiritual health and growth, and it is an opportunity to reflect God's love and grace. [39:37]

Nehemiah 10:39 (ESV): "For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God."

Reflection: What specific role can you take on in your church community to ensure it remains a place of spiritual growth and support for others?


Day 2: Prioritizing God with Our First Fruits
The principle of first fruits challenges us to prioritize God in every aspect of our lives. It is a response of gratitude for the blessings we have received, not an expectation of future rewards. By giving our first fruits to God, we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from Him. This principle encourages us to rethink our priorities and make God our first priority, above all else. In doing so, we demonstrate our trust in His provision and our commitment to living a life that honors Him. [51:05]

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV): "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can begin to give God your first fruits, and how can you practically implement this change today?


Day 3: Aligning Our Hearts with God's Purposes
Our commitment to God is not just about actions but about the condition of our hearts. True obedience comes from a heart that is aligned with God's purposes, prioritizing His will over our preferences. This heart issue is central to living a life that honors God. It requires us to examine our motives and ensure that our actions are a reflection of a heart that seeks to glorify Him. By aligning our hearts with God's purposes, we can live out our faith with authenticity and integrity. [49:47]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you align your heart more closely with God's purposes, and how might this change your daily actions and decisions?


Day 4: Active Participation in Community and Service
Being part of a church community means actively participating in its life and mission. This includes serving in various capacities, from teaching to welcoming, and recognizing that our involvement is crucial for the community's spiritual health and growth. By serving others, we reflect God's love and grace, and we contribute to a community that nurtures spiritual growth. Our service is not a burden but a privilege, an opportunity to participate in God's work and be part of a community that reflects His love. [45:44]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Reflection: What specific gifts or talents do you have that you can use to serve your church community, and how can you start using them this week?


Day 5: Living with Gratitude and Generosity
Our response to God's blessings should be one of gratitude, leading us to give generously and serve faithfully. This gratitude is not about what we might receive in return but about acknowledging all that God has done for us and living in a way that reflects His love. By living with gratitude, we can cultivate a heart that is open to God's leading and willing to serve others. This attitude of gratitude and generosity is a powerful testimony of God's love and grace in our lives. [57:08]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: How can you express gratitude to God today in a tangible way, and how might this lead you to serve others more generously?

Quotes



"They had heard the word of God preached and declared by Ezra. And in chapters 9 and chapters 10 of Nehemiah. These people have decided, you know what we are going to do? We are going to make a binding agreement. We are going to turn away from the ways in which we once were living. And we are going to turn back to God. We are going to repent of what once was. And turn back to him." [00:35:32] (26 seconds)


"The first two parts of this binding agreement are things that they will refrain from doing. They will stop doing this. We will not intermarry. We will not purchase merchandise and grain on the Sabbath. We will not do these things. And now today, as we turn the page to verse 32, we begin to see what they actually will begin to emphasize. In this binding agreement, when they say, I'm going to fix my name and my seal to this letter, this is what we promise now to do. As God's people who have heard God's word, as God's people who have witnessed what God's word has said, we've also seen how our ancestors, responded to God's word. We are making a promise today that we're going to live differently." [00:36:53] (53 seconds)


"And you see, the word that stands out in this is the word we assume the responsibility. And you're gonna hear that several times today. We assume the responsibility. Now, when we have the child, when you give birth to a child and this child shows up and the doctor or the midwife hands this child to you and you hold this little rat looking thing in your hands and you think to yourself, this is now my responsibility." [00:39:32] (36 seconds)


"We have all sorts of responsibilities. It's tax season. We have all these things that we are responsible for. And God is adding one more to the list today. Actually, two more. The first one is we are responsible for the house of the Lord. And I'm not just talking about the mortar and the bricks. I'm talking about, when you think about the list that is brought before us here, it's the fullness of what's happening inside the temple. They're responsible for it." [00:43:02] (35 seconds)


"The people of God saw this as a responsibility, not as a luxury, not as something to seek power in, but something they could join and be a part of. I want you to look around for just a moment, not just at this room or the people in it, but just all the things that are going on. Down the hall right now, there is a nursery for children. Children down in this room right here is just chaos for parents." [00:44:28] (25 seconds)


"And we are responsible for them. When we baptize, when we baptize a child or when we dedicate a child, I stand up here and I say to the parents a bunch of questions. Then I turn to you, the congregation, I say, and do you, people of Grace Ridge Church, promise to raise this child, to come alongside this child and love this child and help them to grow in the full knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ? Do you? And you guys are like, we do, we do, we do. It's truth." [00:45:15] (28 seconds)


"This is what's happened in the 21st century church. And we've hurt ourselves and it's got confusing. And here what it is. In the 21st century, we decided as churches that we are going to hire staff to do the work. The work that the, that the congregation should be doing. And then when we hired staff, the congregation refused even more because they said, well, what are we paying these people for?" [00:47:29] (22 seconds)


"You see, the issue here is not an aptitude or an attitude. It's a heart issue. It's that we haven't had our hearts broken for what God desires. And when that happens, it changes everything. It changes. It changes absolutely everything." [00:49:34] (19 seconds)


"Everything that we have, every penny we own, every material good that we have, every single thing that we've been given belongs to the Lord, 100 % of it. If you're an outstanding whatever, and if you're tremendous at this, or you have this, or you have this talent or this gift, you have to realize that that is 100 % given to you by God. And the struggle in this understanding is we've worked so hard to get what we want in our way, in our format, and we fail to acknowledge that this whole thing belongs to God." [00:53:09] (32 seconds)


"This is a heart issue, isn't it? To give God the first fruits, to make him the priority of our lives. It truly is a heart issue. And my prayer, for this congregation and my prayer across America right now is that, Lord, that there would be a revival in the hearts of those who are already believers, that we would wake up from this slumber and this mediocrity and this lukewarm faith and acknowledge that everything we are, everything we have is completely given by God. And our only response in this lifetime, with this breath in our lungs, is to give him all that we have." [01:02:18] (40 seconds)


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Transcript
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