Grace Brethren Church of Clinton MD
Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV
Nehemiah
Rebuilding the walls
Hand to Hands
Numbers 30:2
when a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.
Deuteronomy 23:21-23
COVENANT
An agreement between two people or two groups that involves promises on the part of each to the other.
New Covenant
Luke 22:20
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Vs 28 Separated themselves
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
John 17:14-19
A. We will be faithful when it comes to marriages vs. 30
Exodus 34:14-16
Marriage is a covenant
Malachi 2:14
But you say, "Why does he not?" Because the Lord was witness between you the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
1 Kings 11:3-4
He had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.
B. We will be faithful to keep the Sabbath vs 31
Sabbath year Leviticus 25:20-21
The captivity and the Sabbath rest
2 Chronicles 36:21
The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah.
It also involved a commitment to make money in ways that honor God.
C. We will be faithful in supporting God’s work vs. 32-39
1. Supporting the temple service vs 32-33
(Exodus 30:11-16, Matthew 17 24)
2. Contributing wood for the fire on the altar of burnt offering vs. 34
Leviticus 6:12-13
The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. 13 Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.
3. We will bring the first fruits and the firstborn
Vs. 35-37
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
4. We will bring the tithe vs. 37b-39
Numbers 18:20-21
And the Lord said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. 21 "To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting
Numbers 18:26
"Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, 'When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe.
We will not neglect the “house of our God.“ vs. 39
We are to be givers
- Giving honors God
- Giving help us have the right perspective on
material things and eternity.
Luke 12:34
…. where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Philippians 4:16-17
For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
How are we to give?
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
- Regularly - Bountifully
- Planned- Cheerfully
- Proportional
- Privately
Spiritual Reform
Where do I need to commit to obeying God?
What will that look like?