“…on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
Nehemiah 8:18 (KJV)
“Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly. Gather the people,
consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children…”
Joel 2:15-16a (NIV)
The 5 areas of commitment God’s people made in Nehemiah 9-10 are listed below and correspond to the stations around the room. A sixth area and station is represented by the cross. Go to any or all of the stations as God directs you and read the information listed for that station. Spend time in prayer and confession. Our purpose is to ask God to reveal to us any personal sin in these categories and commit ourselves to faithfulness in these key areas of our lives.
Category #1. God’s Word (Neh. 10:29)
It is God’s will for every believer to obey His Word, the Bible. Remember, you cannot love God and yet not love His Word. Psalm 119:15-16 says “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”
Consider these areas for personal reflection/confession. If you find yourself neglectful in any of these areas, confess that to the Lord and receive His forgiveness.
- Do I make it a habit to seriously read and study God’s Word daily?
- Do I meditate on key verses or does God’s Word have little place in my thoughts?
- Do I memorize God’s Word?
- Do I practically apply God’s Word to my everyday life?
Category #2. Purity (Neh. 10:30)
God desires that we live pure lives first and foremost to bring Him glory and honor and secondly as a testimony to non-believers. Purity includes our physical bodies as well as our spiritual lives. It includes relational purity as well as purity of attitude. As you consider the following areas, if God speaks to your heart about a sin, confess it so you may receive His forgiveness.
Areas for personal reflection/confession:
- Is my mind often filled with unclean words and thoughts?
- Do I take sinful thoughts captive so they do not take root and become sin in my mind and life? (2 Corinthians 10:5)
- Do I watch programs, movies or internet sites that stimulate improper thoughts and feelings?
- Do I date non-believers when God says not to? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
- Am I free of all sexual immorality?
- Do I speak slang words that are crude and inappropriate? (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4; Matthew 5:37)
- Do I use God’s name in vain (in any way other than worship, honor and praise)?
- Am I guilty of lying?
- Am I guilty of critical, angry speech, or any form of gossip or slander?
- Have I been critical or slanderous of my spiritual leaders? Do I undermine their authority?
- Do I increase the faith of our church by a positive attitude or do I tear it down by focusing on it’s imperfections?
- Am I known as a complainer?
- Is there someone I have wronged or offended that I need to seek forgiveness from?
- Do I sense a broken relationship with someone else and I may not know what the issue is, but I need to approach that person and be reconciled?
Note: If God lays on your heart someone you need to talk to why not do it right here tonight?
Category #3. Church (Neh. 10:31a)
From creation all the way through the New Testament God set a standard for our physical and spiritual well-being. In the Old Testament that standard was called the Sabbath – the setting aside of one day a week whereby you could gain physical rest as well as honor the Lord in worship. The New Testament saints carried that standard on as they gathered together once a week with their local church for worship and fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Do an honest evaluation of your heart and life with the questions below. If God brings conviction humbly ask for His forgiveness.
Areas for personal reflection/confession:
- Have I set the standard for my family that we will honor the Lord every Sunday by being in church no matter where we are?
- Have I allowed our culture to lure me away from faithfulness with convenience, leisure activities, sports, or personal profit?
- Is God pleased with my commitment to His church?
Category #4. Tithes and Offerings (Neh. 10:32-37)
God called His people to bring specific portions of every aspect of their livelihoods so that the Levites and priests could perform the service of the temple. Although these commands were not carried over into the church age in the New Testament, the concept of giving God the first of our livelihood still remains.
God has always expected His people to provide what is necessary so that His spiritual servants could do their job and so that His temple (in the O.T.) and His church today can function the way He has designed.
Areas for personal reflection/confession:
- Does God receive the first, full 10% of all my increase (regular pay checks, bonuses, unexpected financial blessings, etc.)?
- Do I honor the Lord by giving above my tithe free-will offerings to other needs and opportunities as He may lead?
- Do I honor the Lord by using my SHAPE (Spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality and experiences) in serving Him in my church family?
Category #5. God’s Temple (Neh. 10:39)
The applications of this commitment are many. The Old Testament temple was a physical place that God expected His people to care for. Today, it is the responsibility of the people of FCC to provide for and care for our building and grounds.
In addition, since the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no one place where God dwells or has commanded us to worship. God’s temple is now our bodies and He expects us to care for our bodies like the Old Testament saints cared for the structure called the temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
Areas for personal reflection/confession:
- Do I support the ministries of FCC not only with my giving but with my involvement?
- Have I ever responded when the call is given to help with projects at the church (Spring Spruce-up, Fall Clean-up, building/land repairs and improvements, etc.)?
- Regarding my body, do I take care of my physical body by getting the proper rest, nourishment and exercise that I need?
- Do I have any habits which are destroying my body – the temple of the Lord (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, etc.)?
- Can I with clear conscience say that I am “not neglecting the house of our God”?
Category #6. The Cross
The cross reminds us of our sin and our need for forgiveness and salvation. It reminds of Jesus who gave His life so we could have life. The cross is where we make commitments. It is through the power of the cross that we are able to keep the commitments that we make.
Areas for personal reflection/confession:
- Was there ever a time in my life that I genuinely repented of my sin and placed my faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? (Why not confess your sin to him right now and ask him to forgive you and give you eternal life?)
- Is my relationship with Christ my highest priority?
- Do I love what God loves and hate what God hates?
- Is Jesus the Lord (director and master) of my life?
- Am I willing to forsake and sacrifice anything for God and His kingdom?
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