Nehemiah (10)

P R O M I SE S

“Unreserved, costly and sacrificial commitment is definitely in short supply!”

COVENANT “I will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

“Making a binding agreement, putting it in writing and the leaders, Levites and priests affixing their seals to it.” “With a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.”

“A model or example for other cases where the basic principle remains unchanged, though details may differ.” (Chris Wright) Authority of scripture Christian witness in a pluralistic society Sanctity and stability of marriage Employment conditions Human and animal rights Conservation and green issues Money management

GRACE “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his own, eager to do what is good.

(1) Maintain their distinctive witness Law – Not to intermarry with the peoples of the nations around them.

Avoid any kind of syncretism

“Live in the world but the world must not live in us!”

(2) Declare the supremacy of God as creator Law – To keep the Sabbath day holy

(3) Care for God’s creation Law – To forgo working the land every 7 th year

“Creation-care is not a defining trait of modern-day Christianity.” care for the environment - sustainable development – energy sustainability – global warming – population growth

(4) Care for the poverty-stricken Law – To cancel all debts every 7 th year

£1,000,000,000,000

People matter more than things!

(5) Provide for God’s work

GIVING Responsible Obedient Dutiful Regular Proportionate Proscribed Inclusive Accountable

New Testament 1 Corinthians 9 v Corinthians 8 & 9 1 Timothy 5 v 17,18

“I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

“ I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present directed, my future secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, myopic vision, mundane talking, mediocre giving and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre- eminence, prosperity, position, promotion or popularity. I don’t have to be first, recognised, regarded or rewarded.”

“I now live in His presence, learn by faith, love by practice, lift by prayer and labour in His power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven.The road is narrow, the way is rough, my companions are few, my guide reliable, my mission clear.”

“I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, lured back, diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.”

I won’t give up, back up or hush up, till I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stood up and stayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.”

“I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go ‘til He returns, give ‘til it hurts, preach ‘til I drop, tell ‘til all know and work ‘til He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He’ll have no problem recognising me; my colours will be clear.”

Yes! Yes! Yes!