(Neh 10) Our Call to Live Out the Law Through Christ

Nathan Sehi

Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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INTRODUCTION:

One of the fastest ways to turn everyone’s ears off this morning, is to talk about the Law and the covenant.

But the is all about the law and the Covenant.

>>>> Israel has gathered all the faithful worshipers of the LORD and are recommitting to the covenant their fathers broke.

Many places in our bible the Law and the covenant is an important subject.

In fact,

Today, we are going to talk about how we as Christians relate to the law and the covenant.

And before I loose you, stay with me - because the Law and covenant have much to say to us.

The NT routinely goes back to the Law for wisdom and NT living.

But I understand, the Law and covenant are often considered academic Sunday school material.

And I guarantee - at least half of you just turned your ears off.

And I guarantee - at least half of you started to turned your ears off because of that assumption.

You say, oh, no Pastor, I am listening.

Really?

One of the unfortunate imbalance of Christians today is that many of us have never read through the Law and the covenant.

I would suggests that most Christians have never read through the Law and the covenant.

- Deuteronomy and Leviticus.

And we have little desire to do so.

Consider,

A few weeks ago I challenged you to read the Law.

We read , and the text challenges us that the law is good.

We related that passage to -

1 Timothy 1:8 ESV

8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,

I challenged you to read Leviticus.

(Now, No show of hands, this isn’t about pride and puffing ourselves up)

But I want you to consider - How many of you in response have read Leviticus or have a plan to read Leviticus?

I bet it was nice food for thought, but then most of us forgot about it.

And I don’t fault you for this,

because preachers and churches have never really understood how the Christian should relate to the law.

We certainly have not considered the Law a doctrine to spend a lot of time on.

In fact, I must confess, I probably would have forgotten about it if I was in your shoes.

Because our churches have a self-generating bias against the Law.

ILLUSTRATION:

One Pastor in a blog I follow confessed this -

Blog devotions and wandered if we should skip it.

“When our girls were younger, we made it a regular practice to read through the Bible together. My wife, the girls, and I sat for breakfast, and before I headed out the door, I read a chapter, made a few comments, and we prayed together. One year, we made it through Genesis and Exodus—exciting books!

And then . . . we got to Leviticus. As I began to read, immediately, I wondered, “What do these little girls think about the killing of all these animals?” You know how little girls love sheep and goats and birds. I wavered for a moment, but I knew it was important to press on.”

Why do we we struggle with the Law?

Because Christians don’t know what to do with the Law.

We feel it is past tense and irrelevant.

So in a time crunched world - it gets scheduled out.

> It is not the top of our Spiritual priority lists.

However, Despite our ignorance and low view of the Law, the NT has a lot to say about the Law.

The Law is an important topic in the Gospels and the Epistles.

This morning, I would like to challenge us about our relationship to the Law and the Covenant as NT Christians.

May I challenge us,

PROPOSITION: We Ought to Produce the Righteousness of the Law through Christ.

PROPOSITION: Christians Ought to Fulfill the Law through Christ.

TRANS: and We will first look at what says, and then how to apply as Christians.

********************************PRAY: Let’s take a moment to pray as we begin to look at . *************************************************************

1) What does the text say? - and may I summarize chapter 10 this way: Israel Recommits to Diligently and Knowledgeable Keeping the Covenant. ()

Nehemiah 10 ESV

1 “On the seals are the names of Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, Zedekiah, 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, 3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, 7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah; these are the priests. 9 And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; 10 and their brothers, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, 11 Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, 13 Hodiah, Bani, Beninu. 14 The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, 18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, 19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, 20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, 22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, 24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, 25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, 26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah. 28 “The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, 29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes. 30 We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 31 And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt. 32 “We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. 34 We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, have likewise cast lots for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law. 35 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord; 36 also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks; 37 and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor. 38 And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse. 39 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.”

So after a long and extended prayer by Ezra,

Israel turns to recommitting to the covenant.

a) That recommitment is recorded on sealed documents by the chief families of Israel in v. 1-27.

b) It also includes the verbal agreement by all those who have knowledge and understanding of the Law. (v. 28)

Remember, the Law is meant to give us understanding and knowledge -

Speaks about the Law, and observe how the Law gives knowledge and understanding.

Psalm 119:97–100 ESV

Psalm 119:97–104 ESV

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Ps 119:

In case we think we should forget the Law, that text alone should challenge to read and understand the Law.

Ps 97

So it is not surprising that our text,

emphasizes that the people of knowledge and understanding are the one’s who covenant.

In fact, the very definition of a person without knowledge, is someone who doesn’t fear the Lord and learns his Law. ()

Psalm 119:53 ESV

53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.

So this text does not describe a whole nation gathering, but a national gathering of God fearers.

It is a gathering of most of the nation, but particularly those who Fear the Lord and have studied the Law.

V. 29,

c) They sought to obey every part of the Law (v. 29), emphasizing - The family (v. 30), the sabbath (v. 31), the temple tax (v. 32-33), additional provisions for the temple. (v. 34-35) , dedication of the firstborn (v. 36), and the tithe (v. 37-39) . (Barrowed from Montgomery Boice)

2. The Sabbath (v. 31)

3. The Temple Tax (v. 32-33)

4. Additional Provisions for the temple. (v. 34-35)

5. Dedication of the firstborn (v. 36)

6. The tithe (v. 37-39)

Montgomery Boice -

1. The Family (v. 30)

2. The Sabbath (v. 31)

3. The Temple Tax (v. 32-33)

4. Additional Provisions for the temple. (v. 34-35)

5. Dedication of the firstborn (v. 36)

6. The tithe (v. 37-39)

Boice, James Montgomery. Nehemiah: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: BakerBooks, 2005.

So again, what is going on in our text - Israel Recommits to Diligently and Knowledgeable Keeping the Covenant. ()

Lets next look at -

2) How does a NT Christian apply ?

Now, why is the application here a little bit difficult?

And everybody says the classic Sunday school -

Because we are not under the Law

Probably the second answer,

Because Christians are not under the Mosaic Covenant.

We are not under the law and we are not under the Covenant- so does this text have nothing to say to me?

And my answer is yes - is still a part of God’s word and place of wisdom and authority even over NT Christians.

When consider the numerous times the NT Author’s and Jesus quoted the law-

a) reassures me of this.

b) When we consider how often Jesus and the Old Testament authors talked about the Law and the Mosaic Covenant - we have to conclude that the Law and covenant still has important instruction for us.

And so I am going to build a case that one NT application of is not that we live under the law, but through Christ we live lives filled with the fruit of the Law.

>>>>>In other words, the righteousness that the Law was meant to produce; we live out in Christ.

so,

How does a NT Christian apply :

We first must conclude -

(a) NT Christians Are Not Under the Law and Covenant. ()

()

NT () ()

Nehemiah 10:29 ESV

29 join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.

Neh

It is certainly commendable to desire to observe and do all that the Bible commands.

And that is a principle the NT repeats to us.

But as Christians we have to be careful because we are not called to keep the law.

And before we get to excited, we must remember we are not under the Covenant.

Matthew 5:17–18 ESV

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

So Christ fulfilled the law,

and so we are no longer under the law, and we are free from the curse and commendation of the Law.

Romans 3:20–21 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

Romans 3:20 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Further,

much of describes Israel’s obligation to provide for and worship at the temple!

What do we do with those commands?

But as we understand the NT,

(b) New Testament Temple Worship is Found in the Church. ()

1 Peter 2:4–5 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Because of Christ, we no longer have to go to the temple in Jerusalem

- You see the Jews were required at least 3 times a year bring their offering to the Temple in Jerusalem. ()

- And if you ever wanted to bring any other offering to God, then you had to do it at the temple.

But according to Peter,

together with Christ - the church forms the temple in the New Testament.

That mutually together, we across the nations bring God sacrificial worship every time we live out our faith.

- Whether that be Sunday morning praise

- our quite devotions

- our marriages that honor Christ

- and the sharing of our faith to the lost.

In all those ways, we collectively worship God and bring worthy sacrifices - just like Israel did at the temple.

So as we consider NT application of - we need to remember that faithful Christian living is the rough equivalent of the nation of Israel being faithful to the Temple.

But even more so -

(c) NT Christians Should Fulfill the Law Through Christ. ()

So often,

we forget the law.

we ignore the law.

we pay not attention to the laws commands and warnings.

All because we once read, or once heard a sermon, that we are not under the law.

But let me ask you this -

When we claim the promise that we are no longer under the law,

Does that mean that we can pay no attention to the law?

That the Law is irrelevant to us.

And that is where we get our theology wrong.

At least in practice, if not also in Doctrine.

We are not wrong for not keeping the Law,

but we are wrong for not seeking the Laws wisdom for good and holy living.

And I would suggest that is a text that teaches us that.

As we consider what the rough equivalent of swearing to keep every part of the Law is to NT Christians - becomes an important text for applying .

Romans 8:3–4 ESV

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

What does this text teach us?

(v. 3) That without Christ none of us can keep the law.

Nothing surprising there.

But what might surprise is (v. 4) - that through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit - We can fulfill or keep the requirements of the Law.

The word “fulfill” in this context means to bring it to it’s proper end - the purpose of the Law was to cause people to live righteously.

The word requirements can also be translated precepts, or commands of the Law.

In other words, if you are a believer.

That is a person who confesses he is wicked and trusts Christ to pay for his sins and earn his salvation -

>>>>>Then you also have a Holy Spirit that can guide in doing what the law requires.

Part of what Christ did on the cross was to condemn our flesh - so that we can live according to God’s Holy standards.

(d) Fulfilling the Law is Found in the Law’s Greatest Commandments ()

This always lived imperfectly until Christ returns,

but the more we walk in the Spirit the more we will also fulfill the commands of the Law.

And suddenly, the Law doesn't seem irrelevant.

We ought to desire to know-

What are the commands of the Law - and how do I fulfill them?

Psalm 119:15–16 ESV

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

When we consider the example in ,

and the teachings of the NT on the Law,

then we ought to desire to know the precepts of the Law.

and to live them out.

CONCLUSION/FINAL POINT:

So I said I would challenge us today,

We as Christians ought to walk in the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit,

living out the righteousness of the Law.

What this passage does - is raise the bar of our sanctification.

Because how many of us are going - uh, that is tall order.

EXHORTATION:

Oh - for many of us we are overwhelmed by the Law.

We realize that we can’t keep the Law, so we praise God we are not under the Law.

MT 22:34-40

Matthew 22:34–40 ESV

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

But what we have done is neglected apart of what Christ has done for us.

He has given us everything we need to fulfill the requirements of the Law.

From

Temple worship

Family obligations

Tithe obligations

Sacrificial obligations

The Gospel gives us everything we need to live righteously according to the Law.

Like I said - this raises the bar on our sanctification.

Because It is not good enough to show up on Sunday, and say I believe in Christ.

It means our lives are shaped by the Holy Instruction of the Law.

You want to live the life Christ meant for your -

then know and live the precepts of the Law.

From the personal worship and parenting requirements of ,

to the 10 commandments,

to all 613 commands of the OT Law.

[[[[I am not saying live under the Law,

or try to keep the Law.]]]

I am sayingis rest in the Grace and freedom of Christ by living out the righteousness of the Law .

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>So what is the heart application of -

Psalm 119:15–16 ESV

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

May we leave here challenged to know and live out the Word of God,

even the Law,

through the power of the Gospel.

(a) What is the significance of “knowledge and understanding” in v. 28? How can a person gain knowledge and understanding? What Scriptures teach this?

(b) How is the example of Israel in this chapter commendable, especially in v. 29? Why is this passage difficult to apply?

(c) In what ways have you used to neglect teachings in the NT about the Law? What steps should you take to balance your understanding and Christian living?

(d) Peter describes the body of Christ as the place of NT Temple worship. () How should this motivate us too sacrificial, Holy living?

(e) What does it mean to fulfill the requirements of the Law? () Does your Christian living bear the fruit of righteousness found in the Law? What steps should you take to better understand how to fulfill the righteous commandments of the Law.?

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