READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l What does true repentance have to do with faithful discipleship?
Israel had rebuilt the wall surrounding the holy city of Jerusalem to preserve their faith and identity as God’s people. Now, having heard and obeyed God’s Word, they recognised a deeper issue within that needed mending. Having broken His laws, they had to fix their broken relationship with Him who had delivered them from exile in Babylon. Nehemiah 9 shows the renewing of their commitment to merciful God who had remained faithful to them, even to their sinful forefathers before them.
PATH TO RESTORATION AND RENEWAL OF THE HEART
1. Gather Together in Humility – Wearing rough-textured discomforting sackcloth the Israelites were pricked in their inner beings of the sinful state of their hearts. Stripped of pride and comfort they fasted mournfully, visibly repentant before God and visibly humble towards one another – recognising that each was no better than the other. All had sinned against God. Desiring accountability as a faith community they were led by the Levites to prayerfully recount Israel’s history, acknowledge their sins, and reflect on God’s faithfulness. (v6-37)
2. Return To Remember God’s Faithfulness – Israel prayerfully recalled and praised God’s faithfulness and constant love for them. Despite their continued rebellion, He had remained faithful as their mighty Creator (v6), kept His covenant with Abraham (v7-8), delivered them from Egypt (v9-11), guided and provided for them in the wilderness (v12-15). Remembering God’s character and His promises moves us to humbly return to Him with gratitude for His enduring love and mercies that have anchored us through every season. Setting aside time to remember with thanksgiving in our hearts, provides clarity to our relationship with the living God who guides, forgives and sustains us. Remembering honours God and protects us from past mistakes. Moses reminded his people to remember and obey the LORD their God. (Deuteronomy 8:1-20) Jesus our Saviour says, “This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) The more thankful we are for God’s constant love and mercies that have carried us through trials the more inclined we are to depend on Christ for our righteousness, and repent of our sins.
3. Truly Repent from The Heart – More than just feeling guilty or saying sorry, repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God the Father, not wanting to grieve His Holy Spirit in us. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10) “… the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.” (C.S Lewis) The Israelites didn’t try to justify their wrongdoings but remorsefully and specifically laid them before Yahweh – their arrogance and stiff-necked disobedience to Him (v16), refusing to listen and failing to remember the miracles He performed (v17), the awful blasphemies they had committed (v18), doing evil in His sight (v20) … confessions that were heartrendingly internalised to seek God’s mercies and bring about transformation.
4. Re-Covenant as God’s People – Wanting a deliberate and concrete commitment to live according to God’s ways as a faith community, the Israelites made a binding written agreement witnessed by their leaders, the Levites and the priests to renew their sacred covenant with the LORD. (v38) As daily evidence of our faith, we too need to be visibly accountable to God and to one another to live holy lives pleasing to Him. With every step we take and every decision we make, we must not merely listen to but do what God’s Word says. (James 1:22) How often do we pause to remember God’s faithfulness, to follow Him faithfully? Where have we been unfaithful and need to turn back to Him? Re-covenanting with genuine repentance is an ongoing process of being vulnerable before God. Israel’s sincere confession of their sins before God, and humble reliance on His faithfulness to restore them to Him applies to us today.
Faithful discipleship hinges on true repentance that transforms us in Christlikeness to be a stirring testament of God’s sustaining grace. Seeking clean hands and pure hearts that bring honour and glory to His holy name, let us arise as one body to renew our faithfulness, build His church for the next generation.
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Let’s recall, reflect, consider and commit
- Recall a time in your life when you experienced God’s faithfulness despite your own unfaithfulness.
· How did this experience impact your relationship with Him?
- Reflect on the ways you may have prioritized other things over your relationship with God.
· What steps in repentance can you take to re-align your priorities with His will?
- Consider the areas of your life where you need to seek God’s forgiveness and renew your commitment to Him.
· What specific actions can you take to address these areas?
- Commit to a tangible way in your relationship with God this week.
· How will you ensure that this commitment remains a priority in your daily life?
