Trusting God's Justice: Lessons from Nahum and Communion

Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Friesland Community Church! Today, we gather to celebrate communion, reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. As we conclude our series on the fruit of the Spirit, we are reminded of the importance of self-control, a virtue our world desperately needs. We also delve into the book of Nahum, a lesser-known prophet who speaks of God's justice and judgment. Nahum's message is a stark reminder that while God is patient and slow to anger, He is also just and will not leave the guilty unpunished. This is a call for us to trust in God's timing and justice, even when it seems delayed.

Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, is a powerful testament to God's sovereignty. Despite Assyria's might and long reign, they were ultimately brought down by God's judgment. This serves as a warning to all nations and individuals who trust in their power and might rather than in God. The story of Hezekiah, who trusted in God against the seemingly invincible Assyrian army, further illustrates that faith in God can defy all odds.

As we navigate our own lives, we are reminded that God's justice is perfect and His timing impeccable. We are called to trust in Him, even when we face oppression or injustice. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging us to leave room for God's wrath and to overcome evil with good. This is not an easy path, but it is the one that keeps our hands clean and aligns us with God's perfect justice.

Today, as we partake in communion, we are reminded of Jesus' sacrifice, which paid the price for our sins. This act of grace assures us of God's faithfulness and His promise to protect and deliver us. Let us hold on to this hope and trust in God's justice, knowing that He will make all things right in His perfect time.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Justice is Inevitable: Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh reminds us that God's justice will prevail, even against the mightiest of nations. No power on earth can withstand God's judgment when it is due. This serves as a sobering reminder to trust in God's timing and justice, rather than relying on our own strength or power. [27:47]

2. Faith in Adversity: The story of Hezekiah's faith in God against the Assyrian army teaches us that true faith often defies logic and worldly expectations. Hezekiah's trust in God led to a miraculous deliverance, showing that God honors those who remain faithful to Him, even in the face of overwhelming odds. [38:26]

3. The Danger of Self-Reliance: Assyria's downfall serves as a warning against self-reliance and pride. Trusting in our own power and might can lead to our downfall. Instead, we should place our trust in God, who is the ultimate source of strength and justice. [37:01]

4. Overcoming Evil with Good: The New Testament teaches us to leave room for God's wrath and to overcome evil with good. This is a challenging but essential principle for Christians. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's perfect justice and avoid becoming oppressors ourselves. [48:02]

5. Communion as a Reminder of God's Faithfulness: Partaking in communion is a tangible reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and God's faithfulness. It reassures us that God will protect and deliver us, just as He promised. This act of grace should encourage us to remain faithful and trust in God's justice. [57:14]

### YouTube Chapters

1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [04:10] - Greeting and Worship
3. [09:20] - Psalm 71 Reflection
4. [15:17] - Announcements
5. [19:10] - Prayer for the Middle East
6. [22:35] - Introduction to Nahum
7. [27:10] - The Message of Nahum
8. [30:33] - Reading Nahum Chapter 1
9. [33:52] - Historical Context of Assyria
10. [37:01] - God's Sovereignty and Justice
11. [38:26] - Hezekiah's Faith
12. [44:16] - Two Audiences of Nahum
13. [48:02] - New Testament Perspective
14. [52:01] - Final Reflections on Nahum
15. [57:14] - Communion Instructions
16. [01:03:25] - The Significance of Communion
17. [01:17:06] - Closing Prayer and Hymn
18. [01:23:08] - Benediction and Doxology

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Nahum 1:2-3 (NIV)
> "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet."

2. 2 Kings 19:15-19 (NIV)
> "And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 'Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.'"

3. Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)
> "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

### Observation Questions

1. What does Nahum 1:2-3 reveal about God's character and His approach to justice?
2. How did Hezekiah respond to the threat from the Assyrian king according to 2 Kings 19:15-19?
3. What specific instructions does Paul give in Romans 12:19-21 regarding how to treat our enemies?
4. In the sermon, what historical context was provided about the Assyrian Empire and its downfall? [34:39]

### Interpretation Questions

1. How does Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh serve as a reminder of God's justice and sovereignty? [27:47]
2. What can we learn from Hezekiah's faith and prayer in the face of overwhelming odds? How does this apply to our own challenges? [38:26]
3. Why does Paul advise against taking personal revenge and instead leaving room for God's wrath? How does this align with the message in Nahum? [48:02]
4. How does the act of communion serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness and justice, as discussed in the sermon? [57:14]

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you felt wronged or oppressed. How did you handle it, and how might you handle it differently in light of Nahum's message about God's justice? [27:47]
2. Hezekiah trusted in God despite the seemingly invincible Assyrian army. Is there a situation in your life where you need to exhibit similar faith? What steps can you take to trust God more fully? [38:26]
3. Paul instructs us to overcome evil with good. Think of a specific person or situation where you can apply this principle. What practical steps can you take this week to show kindness to someone who has wronged you? [48:02]
4. The sermon mentioned the danger of self-reliance and pride. Are there areas in your life where you are relying more on your own strength than on God? How can you shift your trust to God? [37:01]
5. During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice. How does this act of grace encourage you to remain faithful and trust in God's justice? What specific actions can you take to keep this reminder alive in your daily life? [57:14]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with self-control. What practical steps can you take to improve in this area? [04:10]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group or community who are facing oppression or injustice? What specific actions can you take to be a source of support and hope for them? [47:07]

Devotional

### Day 1: Trusting in God's Inevitable Justice
God's justice is inevitable and will prevail against all earthly powers. Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh serves as a powerful reminder that no nation or individual can escape God's judgment when it is due. Despite Assyria's might and long reign, they were ultimately brought down by God's justice. This serves as a sobering reminder to trust in God's timing and justice, rather than relying on our own strength or power. We are called to trust in God's perfect timing, even when it seems delayed, knowing that His justice is always right and true. [27:47]

Nahum 1:3 (ESV): "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel justice has been delayed. How can you trust in God's timing and justice in this situation today?

### Day 2: Faith that Defies Logic
The story of Hezekiah's faith in God against the Assyrian army teaches us that true faith often defies logic and worldly expectations. Hezekiah's trust in God led to a miraculous deliverance, showing that God honors those who remain faithful to Him, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This narrative encourages us to hold onto our faith, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. It is a call to trust in God's power and provision, knowing that He can deliver us from any situation, no matter how dire it appears. [38:26]

2 Kings 19:35 (ESV): "And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies."

Reflection: Recall a time when you faced a seemingly impossible situation. How did your faith in God help you through it? How can you apply that same faith to a current challenge?

### Day 3: The Perils of Self-Reliance
Assyria's downfall serves as a warning against self-reliance and pride. Trusting in our own power and might can lead to our downfall. Instead, we should place our trust in God, who is the ultimate source of strength and justice. This lesson is crucial in a world that often values self-sufficiency and independence. By recognizing our limitations and relying on God's strength, we align ourselves with His will and avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance. [37:01]

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you begin to trust God more in this area today?

### Day 4: Overcoming Evil with Good
The New Testament teaches us to leave room for God's wrath and to overcome evil with good. This is a challenging but essential principle for Christians. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's perfect justice and avoid becoming oppressors ourselves. This teaching encourages us to respond to wrongdoing with grace and love, trusting that God will handle justice in His perfect way. It is a call to live out our faith in practical ways, showing kindness and goodness even in the face of evil. [48:02]

Romans 12:19-21 (ESV): "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you show them kindness and leave room for God's justice today?

### Day 5: Communion as a Reminder of God's Faithfulness
Partaking in communion is a tangible reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and God's faithfulness. It reassures us that God will protect and deliver us, just as He promised. This act of grace should encourage us to remain faithful and trust in God's justice. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus, which paid the price for our sins. This assurance of God's faithfulness should inspire us to live in gratitude and trust in His promises. [57:14]

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (ESV): "And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'"

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. How does this act of grace encourage you to trust in God's faithfulness and justice in your daily life?

Quotes

### Quotes for outreach

1. "Wherever you are, If you're having a difficult season, God has promised not to leave you there. God has promised that he will bring his people back up. And we wait on that. And we pray, That he moves." [09:20] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust him and he cares for those who trust in him. But with an overwhelming flood, he will make an end of the world. He will pursue his foes into darkness." [31:53] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So as you're sitting here today, I hope you're encouraged that if you have been faithful to God and trying and wrestling with God, he will not let you down. He has promised. And this meal here is to remind us of that. It is to remind us that he is good, and it is good to be in his refuge." [57:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So as we take the cup today, we're reminded that no matter what the world tells you, you are who God says you are. Your identity is safe in Jesus." [01:12:36] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Thank you for joining us today. And as we get ready to leave this place, I pray that you're encouraged that justice will be done one day. It may not be on our timeframe, but it will happen. And I pray that you are also in the arms trusting God, the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit." [01:23:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "Love without justice or judgment isn't really love. If you really loved someone that was wronged in a horrific way, would you not want to right that wrong? Would you not want to get justice? Would you not want things to be made whole? And I hope you understand, the answer is you do. Everyone does. It's hardwired in all of humanity." [27:47] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Nahum wasn't just speaking out of the air. He wasn't giving a good political speech about what he is and isn't going to do. And then not being able to follow through. Nahum spoke the word of the Lord and the Lord destroyed Nineveh. He came through on his promise. And what we can pull from this is that one is God is sovereign and just." [37:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God doesn't make empty promises. He doesn't react. But he enacts perfect justice at the correct time. And we often want the correct time to be now. But in reality, the correct time is when God is saying it's correct. Jonah wanted justice to be done in Jonah's time. But God was saying, no. Justice will come. But it will be when I decide." [46:18] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Our times on earth will come and go, but trusting in the Lord is the only way to have sure kingdom forever. I love living in America. I would not want to trade living here for anywhere else. But we need to be careful not to put our hope in our nation or our superpower because of our power. God will choose at some point in history to say America will be no more. I have pretty good confidence in that. But he will never choose to say the church will be no more." [53:03] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You may be sitting here today and going, man, I feel like I've been guilty of being Nineveh. I feel like I've been guilty of being oppressive. Every one of us has. And here's what we should be thinking. Uh-oh. Because I remember when I first came to Christ and I had grown up in the church, you know that. And I felt like a good person. But as I read scripture, I realized that I wasn't near as good as I thought I was." [55:38] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?