1 00:00:00,050 --> 00:00:00,051 Dr. Gregg Marutzky: 2 00:00:00,051 --> 00:00:05,689 Well, for those of you that have been playing, paying very close attention, 3 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:08,959 you're gonna see that we're not doing no. 4 00:00:09,230 --> 00:00:16,490 Uh, Nehemiah chapter seven this morning because, uh, it's, uh, a census, it's a, 5 00:00:16,490 --> 00:00:22,340 a genealogy, it's a, uh, record of all the exiles that returned from Babylon. 6 00:00:22,700 --> 00:00:26,480 And, uh, there's just too many Hebrew names. 7 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:28,070 Amen. 8 00:00:30,325 --> 00:00:31,730 No, I want you to read that. 9 00:00:31,730 --> 00:00:37,400 It's very interesting stuff and there is a very important message in lesson there. 10 00:00:37,610 --> 00:00:41,690 And if you'd like to, uh, email me and I'll send you my notes, uh, 11 00:00:41,690 --> 00:00:45,800 on that chapter, verse by verse in Exposition of the passage. 12 00:00:46,130 --> 00:00:52,850 But, uh, basically what's really sad about it is those that did not have their 13 00:00:52,850 --> 00:00:57,019 documents, they did not keep a record of their bloodline, their heritage. 14 00:00:57,725 --> 00:01:01,475 They were not able to receive the blessings of being a 15 00:01:01,475 --> 00:01:03,335 part of the family of God. 16 00:01:03,754 --> 00:01:08,164 And so, uh, that's why we always give you a baptismal certificate. 17 00:01:08,225 --> 00:01:09,815 A lot of people don't keep it. 18 00:01:09,875 --> 00:01:11,105 It's to be a good thing. 19 00:01:11,105 --> 00:01:14,075 I have ordination papers, I have my diplomas. 20 00:01:14,075 --> 00:01:18,365 There's some things you need to keep according to Nehemiah chapter seven. 21 00:01:18,605 --> 00:01:20,855 So that's the sermon from chapter seven. 22 00:01:20,855 --> 00:01:22,205 Let's turn to chapter eight. 23 00:01:22,325 --> 00:01:22,745 Amen. 24 00:01:24,815 --> 00:01:25,625 You know, uh. 25 00:01:26,104 --> 00:01:32,225 Little Johnny was a, a bit of a rambunctious boy and, uh, uh, the, the, 26 00:01:32,255 --> 00:01:35,884 his parents went to church though, and they asked the preacher to come over 27 00:01:35,884 --> 00:01:41,134 for Sunday dinner and he came over for Sunday dinner and, and, uh, the father 28 00:01:41,134 --> 00:01:45,515 asked the preacher if he wanted to see the, the blessing for the food for lunch. 29 00:01:45,515 --> 00:01:47,285 And so, uh, he said he did. 30 00:01:47,285 --> 00:01:49,505 And he prayed for the whole family. 31 00:01:49,505 --> 00:01:51,214 He especially prayed for Johnny. 32 00:01:51,214 --> 00:01:52,654 He prayed that Johnny would be. 33 00:01:52,970 --> 00:01:55,370 Raising a good, strong Christian family. 34 00:01:55,370 --> 00:02:01,490 And then after the, the prayer was over, the Johnny just was broke out in, in 35 00:02:01,490 --> 00:02:04,220 tears and was sobbing and he was crying. 36 00:02:04,220 --> 00:02:08,389 And, and, uh, his, his, his mother tried to console him, said, Johnny, 37 00:02:08,389 --> 00:02:10,190 what's the, what's, what's wrong? 38 00:02:10,399 --> 00:02:11,595 Well, what, what's the matter? 39 00:02:11,749 --> 00:02:15,200 He says, well, the preacher wants me to raise, be raised in a Christian family, 40 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:17,239 and I wanna stay here in this family. 41 00:02:23,195 --> 00:02:24,454 And the joke is yours. 42 00:02:24,454 --> 00:02:26,195 You can do with it as you'd like. 43 00:02:29,165 --> 00:02:32,195 We're gonna be talking about the sacred this morning. 44 00:02:33,845 --> 00:02:35,825 What is sacred to you in your life? 45 00:02:37,415 --> 00:02:40,655 This confession that I've been asking you to make at the beginning 46 00:02:40,655 --> 00:02:44,045 of each, uh, sermon is sacred. 47 00:02:44,795 --> 00:02:45,935 It's a sacred oath. 48 00:02:45,965 --> 00:02:47,345 It's a sacred vow. 49 00:02:48,275 --> 00:02:52,835 It's a sacred statement of faith, and I hope that you have some 50 00:02:52,835 --> 00:02:59,555 things that you hold sacred and holy and divine in your life. 51 00:02:59,555 --> 00:03:01,085 Let's say it together. 52 00:03:01,685 --> 00:03:03,755 Let's say it together, beginning with Jesus. 53 00:03:04,385 --> 00:03:13,925 Jesus is the son of God, and the second part, Jesus is Lord, this isn't just, uh. 54 00:03:14,584 --> 00:03:15,334 Formality. 55 00:03:15,334 --> 00:03:17,524 This just isn't a tradition or a habit. 56 00:03:17,524 --> 00:03:22,385 I want us to get into this truly is the bedrock and the foundation 57 00:03:22,385 --> 00:03:24,515 of our faith, of our church. 58 00:03:24,994 --> 00:03:29,975 This confession that Jesus is who he said he was, and that's why we're 59 00:03:29,975 --> 00:03:36,095 trying to rise up and build this church, and we've got so much great 60 00:03:36,095 --> 00:03:37,984 material from the book of Nehemiah. 61 00:03:38,345 --> 00:03:43,535 Uh, today, uh, as I said, what we're gonna talk about is the power of the 62 00:03:43,535 --> 00:03:47,225 sacred, but specifically the sacred word. 63 00:03:47,555 --> 00:03:52,895 And we're not gonna reenact exactly what they did because they had to 64 00:03:52,895 --> 00:03:56,975 stand for the reason of the law from nine in the morning until noon. 65 00:03:56,975 --> 00:03:58,984 I'm not gonna make you do that this morning. 66 00:03:59,930 --> 00:04:07,250 It's just a, a benefit of you having a, a more mature, legacy aged, uh, preacher. 67 00:04:07,310 --> 00:04:11,359 I wouldn't want to stand for three hours, so I'm not gonna make you All right. 68 00:04:13,429 --> 00:04:16,070 Uh, you don't get these old jokes. 69 00:04:16,100 --> 00:04:19,040 I, I, I, I, I'm gonna have to work on it. 70 00:04:19,100 --> 00:04:19,880 All right. 71 00:04:20,570 --> 00:04:22,550 But today we're gonna tell Oh, you got it. 72 00:04:22,550 --> 00:04:23,660 It just wasn't funny. 73 00:04:23,660 --> 00:04:24,770 All right. 74 00:04:24,860 --> 00:04:25,700 Amen. 75 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,370 Well, it's good to have the college students down front. 76 00:04:28,430 --> 00:04:29,000 Amen. 77 00:04:29,090 --> 00:04:29,150 Yeah. 78 00:04:29,870 --> 00:04:30,290 Amen. 79 00:04:30,290 --> 00:04:32,000 Let's get right into scripture. 80 00:04:32,030 --> 00:04:35,120 Beginning of verse one, Nehemiah chapter eight. 81 00:04:35,840 --> 00:04:40,430 All the people came together as one in the square before the Watergate. 82 00:04:40,940 --> 00:04:45,470 They told Ezra, the teacher of the law to bring out the book of the law of Moses, 83 00:04:45,950 --> 00:04:49,190 which the Lord had commanded for Israel. 84 00:04:49,820 --> 00:04:52,550 Watergate was a perfect place for this setting. 85 00:04:53,225 --> 00:04:57,335 It was a backdrop where as he was reading, they'd be, they'd hear 86 00:04:57,335 --> 00:05:01,745 because it was a good sound barrier, but it was also a great symbol. 87 00:05:02,045 --> 00:05:05,015 Water in the Christian faith is for cleansing. 88 00:05:05,405 --> 00:05:08,225 It's for making holy, for making sacred. 89 00:05:08,810 --> 00:05:14,330 Baptism is our sacred ritual to become a Christian, to be born again, 90 00:05:14,390 --> 00:05:18,410 to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, to be forgiven of our sins. 91 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:25,640 And so this is a perfect backdrop for Ezra to begin to read the law. 92 00:05:26,810 --> 00:05:28,460 What does the sacred mean? 93 00:05:29,030 --> 00:05:34,850 The sacred is what's not common, what's divine, what's not 94 00:05:34,850 --> 00:05:38,150 necessarily normal, in fact. 95 00:05:38,375 --> 00:05:43,085 Something that's the opposite of sacred is profane. 96 00:05:44,135 --> 00:05:49,715 Profanity is a form of mocking the sacred. 97 00:05:50,645 --> 00:05:53,495 I just made a list of a few of the things that we're gonna talk about 98 00:05:53,495 --> 00:05:57,575 just from this passage this morning, and so we're gonna have to go quickly. 99 00:05:57,965 --> 00:06:02,640 But here's what this passage tells us that the sacred, the, the, the 100 00:06:02,675 --> 00:06:05,615 scriptures are sacred, the assembly. 101 00:06:05,645 --> 00:06:07,295 This assembly is sacred. 102 00:06:07,475 --> 00:06:11,105 A certain acts that we do are sacred. 103 00:06:11,765 --> 00:06:14,705 Unity is sacred, solidarity is sacred. 104 00:06:15,035 --> 00:06:19,775 Sometimes you have to take what's called a sacred stand, and we'll talk about that. 105 00:06:20,045 --> 00:06:21,425 Sacred worship shit. 106 00:06:21,425 --> 00:06:22,775 Sacred instruction. 107 00:06:22,775 --> 00:06:25,625 This is really interesting when we get to it. 108 00:06:25,625 --> 00:06:29,315 Sacred truth, A sacred response to truth. 109 00:06:29,825 --> 00:06:32,045 A sacred spirit caused by truth. 110 00:06:33,005 --> 00:06:34,415 Sacred gifts. 111 00:06:34,534 --> 00:06:35,705 Sacred celebration. 112 00:06:35,705 --> 00:06:36,695 Sacred leadership. 113 00:06:36,695 --> 00:06:37,865 Sacred ritual. 114 00:06:38,135 --> 00:06:39,545 Sacred sacrifice. 115 00:06:39,545 --> 00:06:40,985 A sacred retreat. 116 00:06:41,495 --> 00:06:42,155 Amen. 117 00:06:42,695 --> 00:06:44,375 Sacred remembrance. 118 00:06:44,825 --> 00:06:47,225 Producing sacred revival. 119 00:06:49,025 --> 00:06:51,440 I did what most people do today. 120 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:57,575 I used AI to research sacred, and one of the symbols and 121 00:06:57,575 --> 00:06:59,795 images that I came up with. 122 00:07:00,110 --> 00:07:01,430 Or AI came up with. 123 00:07:01,430 --> 00:07:05,780 So blame the computer is, uh, the sacred heart of Jesus. 124 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:11,480 And there's some things that, uh, I really appreciate about the Catholic Church that 125 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:20,000 cause us to focus on different aspects that of our faith and of Christianity that 126 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,430 we wouldn't necessarily, and I like this. 127 00:07:22,835 --> 00:07:27,875 This symbol of the sacred heart because it has three el uh, four 128 00:07:28,265 --> 00:07:30,335 different, five different elements. 129 00:07:30,815 --> 00:07:33,905 It has the wound, a spear going into the heart. 130 00:07:34,415 --> 00:07:37,895 It has the top of the heart being different from the rest of the 131 00:07:37,895 --> 00:07:41,405 heart, so, so shows it's exposed. 132 00:07:41,705 --> 00:07:46,325 The thorn of crowns going around the heart, the flames coming out 133 00:07:46,325 --> 00:07:48,755 of the top, and then the cross. 134 00:07:49,325 --> 00:07:55,895 As the symbol of Christianity at the very top of the heart, all these 135 00:07:55,895 --> 00:08:02,735 things can draw us to Jesus, to his heart, and to what's sacred about 136 00:08:02,735 --> 00:08:05,735 Jesus, the cross, especially for me. 137 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:11,390 In Romans 10, in verse 17, it says, consequently, faith comes by hearing 138 00:08:11,630 --> 00:08:15,710 and hearing by what is preached, and that is the word of God. 139 00:08:15,770 --> 00:08:20,030 This will become a sacred assembly if you open up your heart, your mind, your 140 00:08:20,030 --> 00:08:26,870 soul, your spirit to the word of God, not just to a sermon, not just to words, 141 00:08:27,950 --> 00:08:31,280 but to listen to the voice of God. 142 00:08:31,700 --> 00:08:31,759 It. 143 00:08:33,049 --> 00:08:37,520 There's a time in this service where the spirit begin, can begin to move, 144 00:08:37,609 --> 00:08:42,259 and all of a sudden something begins to happen to you and to your spirit. 145 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:44,749 You begin to connect with the holy. 146 00:08:45,140 --> 00:08:48,920 This does become sacred ground, but it's up to each one of us. 147 00:08:49,310 --> 00:08:52,550 I fight in sermons to listen, to pay attention. 148 00:08:52,759 --> 00:08:55,729 I'm too, too prone to to critique. 149 00:08:56,494 --> 00:09:00,964 To critically analyze, to, to look at the, the method and the, the, all the 150 00:09:00,964 --> 00:09:04,295 things that I've been taught about preaching to just open up my heart. 151 00:09:05,795 --> 00:09:09,275 And you've heard a lot of sermons, and so you, you know what you 152 00:09:09,275 --> 00:09:10,744 like, what you don't like. 153 00:09:12,275 --> 00:09:15,364 I hope what you really like is the word of God. 154 00:09:16,354 --> 00:09:18,604 Psalms one 19 in verse 60. 155 00:09:18,665 --> 00:09:20,119 All your words are true. 156 00:09:20,540 --> 00:09:20,599 Yeah. 157 00:09:21,439 --> 00:09:26,480 One translation says is some of thy word is truth, and all of your righteous 158 00:09:26,510 --> 00:09:29,000 ordinances or laws are eternal. 159 00:09:29,780 --> 00:09:31,730 James 1 22 warns us. 160 00:09:31,730 --> 00:09:37,430 Don't merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself. 161 00:09:38,209 --> 00:09:43,880 Do what it says, verse two, Nehemiah eight. 162 00:09:44,764 --> 00:09:49,114 So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra, the priest, brought the law 163 00:09:49,114 --> 00:09:55,145 before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who could what? 164 00:09:55,714 --> 00:09:56,584 Understand 165 00:09:58,624 --> 00:10:03,004 everyone can understand spiritual things if they want to, but not all try to. 166 00:10:04,025 --> 00:10:06,364 And it's interesting and it was a very fitting day. 167 00:10:06,364 --> 00:10:10,145 This is the new Year's day for the these people. 168 00:10:11,359 --> 00:10:12,619 For the Israelites? 169 00:10:12,649 --> 00:10:17,359 For the Hebrews, this was, it was in the middle of the year. 170 00:10:17,599 --> 00:10:20,959 Well, really towards the, the autumn of the year. 171 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,139 And why are they reading the law? 172 00:10:24,170 --> 00:10:24,800 Why? 173 00:10:24,889 --> 00:10:27,709 Why do I preach expository sermons? 174 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:31,099 We use topical stuff at midweek and in family groups. 175 00:10:31,099 --> 00:10:32,749 But on Sunday, I have a conviction. 176 00:10:32,899 --> 00:10:34,489 It's gonna come straight from the word. 177 00:10:34,489 --> 00:10:35,810 Because you didn't come to hear me. 178 00:10:35,810 --> 00:10:36,709 You came to hear God. 179 00:10:38,779 --> 00:10:42,560 And I don't believe in any other kind of preaching, and I've even had people 180 00:10:42,560 --> 00:10:44,629 try to convince me to do otherwise. 181 00:10:45,290 --> 00:10:50,089 And it's deeply embedded in me that we all, including 182 00:10:50,089 --> 00:10:53,119 me, need to hear God's word. 183 00:10:53,124 --> 00:10:53,374 Amen. 184 00:10:55,009 --> 00:10:59,629 Theus 2223 through 25 says, the Lord said to Moses, say to the Israelites, 185 00:10:59,629 --> 00:11:03,680 on the first day of the seventh month, you're to have a day of Sabbath rest, 186 00:11:03,709 --> 00:11:05,779 a sacred assembly commemorated with. 187 00:11:06,140 --> 00:11:07,339 Trumpet blast. 188 00:11:07,339 --> 00:11:15,079 Do not do no regular work, but present a food offering to the Lord Rosh Asana. 189 00:11:15,859 --> 00:11:19,160 The head of the year is what that literally means, the beginning 190 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:20,689 of the Feast of Trumpets. 191 00:11:20,930 --> 00:11:23,599 There isn't a whole lot in the scriptures about the Feast of Trumpets. 192 00:11:23,599 --> 00:11:25,579 It just says they blew their horn. 193 00:11:26,540 --> 00:11:29,359 They celebrated, they gave an offer, and they had a sacred Sabbath. 194 00:11:30,095 --> 00:11:36,035 To mark the beginning of the year to fresh start for God's people every year. 195 00:11:36,125 --> 00:11:38,075 They celebrated this feast. 196 00:11:38,075 --> 00:11:43,205 They had seven celebrations a year, three in the, in the, in the fall 197 00:11:43,205 --> 00:11:48,350 of the year, and this marked the beginning of it, the trumpet blast. 198 00:11:49,420 --> 00:11:51,365 I can't play the Trump, but I tried. 199 00:11:52,295 --> 00:11:53,945 Had an older brother that did. 200 00:11:54,005 --> 00:11:54,755 He sounded great. 201 00:11:56,060 --> 00:12:00,439 I mean, he was like, herb Albert, most of you don't know who that is except 202 00:12:00,439 --> 00:12:02,149 for some of these folks over here. 203 00:12:04,879 --> 00:12:10,489 So I tried and I'd puck her up and I'd get, I'd really, you know, I 204 00:12:10,489 --> 00:12:14,509 have a lot of hot air, I think, and I just couldn't play it. 205 00:12:16,670 --> 00:12:20,359 And another brother played the clarinet and my mom tried to get me to play that. 206 00:12:20,389 --> 00:12:22,310 You know, clarinets are harder than Trump. 207 00:12:23,390 --> 00:12:26,329 You got those reeds, you gotta suck on 'em and get 'em just the right 208 00:12:26,329 --> 00:12:29,390 moisture and just couldn't do it. 209 00:12:29,719 --> 00:12:30,650 Just couldn't do it. 210 00:12:31,250 --> 00:12:34,579 So I tried the drums, you know, bam, bam. 211 00:12:36,890 --> 00:12:40,130 But I couldn't keep time, so I gave up on that. 212 00:12:40,130 --> 00:12:45,709 Just focused on sports, you know, hard head is good for sports, so I did well. 213 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:46,430 I did well, 214 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:51,564 but I admire those that can play. 215 00:12:52,714 --> 00:12:57,484 I admire those that play the bugle one note, but they 216 00:12:57,484 --> 00:12:59,104 can make it into many notes. 217 00:13:00,364 --> 00:13:06,125 The Revely, the announcement of the beginning of the year, and it 218 00:13:06,125 --> 00:13:08,104 was also for spiritual cleansing. 219 00:13:08,645 --> 00:13:14,555 This, these feast, Leviticus 23 in verse 27 says, the 10th day of the 220 00:13:14,555 --> 00:13:16,594 seventh month is the Day of Atonement. 221 00:13:17,015 --> 00:13:19,505 Hold the sacred assembly and deny yourself. 222 00:13:20,150 --> 00:13:23,599 And present a food offering to the Lord, huh? 223 00:13:24,079 --> 00:13:26,569 Sometimes you have to deny yourself to give the Lord. 224 00:13:27,739 --> 00:13:31,459 Sometimes we just give the Lord our leftovers So wrong. 225 00:13:31,790 --> 00:13:32,839 So very wrong. 226 00:13:33,349 --> 00:13:38,449 It's not holding the sacred, sacred, it's profaning the sacred. 227 00:13:38,449 --> 00:13:44,270 In fact, to give God your leftovers, according to Malachi, Psalm one 19, 228 00:13:44,270 --> 00:13:47,165 verse 60 says, all your words are true. 229 00:13:48,020 --> 00:13:48,829 Amen. 230 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:54,530 So we're gonna look at here in Miah, the Feast of the Trumpets, 231 00:13:54,530 --> 00:13:58,219 the Day of Atonement, and then the Feast of Tabernacles. 232 00:13:58,219 --> 00:13:59,449 That's gonna be fun. 233 00:13:59,839 --> 00:14:03,229 So let's go to verse three, A sacred act. 234 00:14:03,979 --> 00:14:07,579 Let's get good at making sacred acts. 235 00:14:08,300 --> 00:14:10,879 It says he read it aloud from daybreak. 236 00:14:10,879 --> 00:14:11,660 Oh, I'm sorry. 237 00:14:11,660 --> 00:14:13,699 It was before nine o'clock in the morning. 238 00:14:15,185 --> 00:14:18,755 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon, and as he faced the 239 00:14:18,755 --> 00:14:22,145 square before the Watergate and the presence of the men and women and 240 00:14:22,145 --> 00:14:24,815 others who could understand, huh? 241 00:14:25,025 --> 00:14:26,345 Men, women, and others. 242 00:14:27,065 --> 00:14:29,405 Those were the non-citizens. 243 00:14:30,935 --> 00:14:36,395 And all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. 244 00:14:36,485 --> 00:14:37,055 Why? 245 00:14:37,625 --> 00:14:39,245 'cause it was a privilege. 246 00:14:40,055 --> 00:14:41,615 Very few people. 247 00:14:42,035 --> 00:14:47,165 Had the scrolls, very few people could read the scrolls and 248 00:14:47,165 --> 00:14:48,425 we're gonna see in a minute. 249 00:14:48,484 --> 00:14:53,344 They even had an opportunity to understand the scrolls in the sacred reading. 250 00:14:53,915 --> 00:14:55,415 So it was such a privilege. 251 00:14:55,474 --> 00:15:02,435 They took it so much as of an honor to be able to hear the word of God. 252 00:15:02,584 --> 00:15:04,265 And this convicts me, folks. 253 00:15:04,354 --> 00:15:08,795 I've been reading the word of God for over 45 years now. 254 00:15:09,365 --> 00:15:10,444 Every morning. 255 00:15:10,745 --> 00:15:12,335 And sometimes I don't. 256 00:15:12,365 --> 00:15:14,135 I don't look at it as a privilege. 257 00:15:14,135 --> 00:15:16,985 Sometimes I look at it as work as a preacher. 258 00:15:17,675 --> 00:15:21,455 Sometimes I look at it even as vation. 259 00:15:21,485 --> 00:15:25,505 'cause with with much knowledge comes much frustration sometimes. 260 00:15:25,505 --> 00:15:31,205 And sometimes if I can't understand it, then I get frustrated and I 261 00:15:31,205 --> 00:15:36,185 really let need to let the spirit just speak to me and speak to my 262 00:15:36,185 --> 00:15:39,485 spirit and realize what a privilege. 263 00:15:40,130 --> 00:15:45,380 I mean, upstairs in my office, I have five Bibles right behind me. 264 00:15:46,699 --> 00:15:50,180 I got, I got this Bible, I got another one on the front of the 265 00:15:50,180 --> 00:15:54,319 desk, and then behind me, I have all these different translations. 266 00:15:54,829 --> 00:15:57,260 Well, Greg, you can just pull 'em up on your iPad. 267 00:15:57,319 --> 00:15:58,250 I don't like that. 268 00:15:58,250 --> 00:15:59,630 I like to touch it. 269 00:16:01,550 --> 00:16:01,970 Gotta have one. 270 00:16:02,839 --> 00:16:02,900 Yeah. 271 00:16:03,844 --> 00:16:04,895 I like to touch it. 272 00:16:04,895 --> 00:16:05,915 I like to mark it. 273 00:16:06,094 --> 00:16:09,214 I know where it's at in this book. 274 00:16:09,724 --> 00:16:13,055 I know on what side of the page and whether it's at the top or 275 00:16:13,055 --> 00:16:15,245 the bottom, the right or the left. 276 00:16:15,574 --> 00:16:17,314 That's how I like to read my Bible. 277 00:16:17,555 --> 00:16:19,235 That's why I don't like to get rid of 'em. 278 00:16:21,214 --> 00:16:23,525 Oh, it's privilege to read the word. 279 00:16:25,204 --> 00:16:26,555 It's a privilege. 280 00:16:28,084 --> 00:16:28,895 I went to. 281 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:33,620 And I, I try to take an opportunity to learn new things always. 282 00:16:33,620 --> 00:16:39,770 And so, uh, I believe in the, the unity of the brothers. 283 00:16:39,980 --> 00:16:45,320 In, in Nehemiah eight verse four, it says, Ezra, the teacher of the law 284 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:51,590 stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion, and by him on the 285 00:16:51,590 --> 00:16:56,060 right side stood Matti, uh, Mattis. 286 00:16:56,495 --> 00:17:06,185 Thea, Shima, Anaya, Uriah, HIL and Massa, and his left was Padilla, 287 00:17:07,175 --> 00:17:10,980 uh, Michelle Mackay Hashan. 288 00:17:11,734 --> 00:17:14,315 And here's a big one, hash bad. 289 00:17:14,375 --> 00:17:15,484 Nanan. 290 00:17:16,565 --> 00:17:17,585 Zacharia, Ms. 291 00:17:17,585 --> 00:17:18,335 Shula. 292 00:17:18,724 --> 00:17:20,974 That's why we didn't do chapter seven right there. 293 00:17:22,625 --> 00:17:23,285 13. 294 00:17:23,285 --> 00:17:25,474 Attendance stood as readers. 295 00:17:26,075 --> 00:17:26,855 With Ezra. 296 00:17:27,905 --> 00:17:28,775 Wow. 297 00:17:29,645 --> 00:17:30,725 Solidarity. 298 00:17:31,325 --> 00:17:33,305 Why do people stand up at a wedding? 299 00:17:33,335 --> 00:17:38,285 Why are there women in men attendance be as witnesses, 300 00:17:38,345 --> 00:17:39,605 as supporters, as encouragers? 301 00:17:40,715 --> 00:17:45,215 Ezra had all 13 of these guys standing with him in solidarity 302 00:17:45,845 --> 00:17:51,005 to set an example to the people of honoring and loving the word of God. 303 00:17:51,575 --> 00:17:54,755 I went with several of our brothers to Pepperdine Thursday. 304 00:17:55,475 --> 00:18:00,365 To be in solidarity to proclaim the importance of fatherhood. 305 00:18:00,935 --> 00:18:03,875 And you'll see the few of the brothers you recognize there. 306 00:18:04,175 --> 00:18:09,275 Uh, you know, there, there there's, uh, Neil Will Neal, our 307 00:18:09,275 --> 00:18:11,405 pro golfer that used to be here. 308 00:18:11,675 --> 00:18:12,365 All right. 309 00:18:13,505 --> 00:18:14,795 Who's that right in the middle? 310 00:18:16,090 --> 00:18:16,440 Ramon. 311 00:18:17,315 --> 00:18:17,975 Ramon. 312 00:18:17,975 --> 00:18:19,235 He's in here somewhere. 313 00:18:19,565 --> 00:18:20,315 All right. 314 00:18:20,615 --> 00:18:23,075 I told him there was just gonna be a picture of him. 315 00:18:23,135 --> 00:18:24,545 I didn't tell him the whole truth. 316 00:18:26,150 --> 00:18:27,320 But he's right in the middle. 317 00:18:27,830 --> 00:18:30,980 And then there's an elder from, uh, Simi Valley. 318 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:32,600 Dennis Vander Hook. 319 00:18:32,630 --> 00:18:36,440 There's a missionary through, uh, uh, bueno Aires. 320 00:18:36,500 --> 00:18:37,370 Bart Moyers. 321 00:18:37,670 --> 00:18:42,140 There's uh, Kyle's Daddy, Steve Berry, and then another, uh, 322 00:18:42,170 --> 00:18:44,165 fellow from here in Orange County. 323 00:18:44,990 --> 00:18:46,040 Why do I show you these? 324 00:18:46,070 --> 00:18:48,170 'cause we need to exalt fatherhood. 325 00:18:48,170 --> 00:18:51,290 We need to be united on several important things. 326 00:18:51,590 --> 00:18:53,600 And one of them is fatherhood. 327 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:57,230 And I'm really grateful I went to that because, uh, you, you 328 00:18:57,230 --> 00:18:58,730 never quit being a parent. 329 00:18:59,570 --> 00:19:04,460 You know, my kids are grown, but I love my kids, I love my grandkids, 330 00:19:04,730 --> 00:19:06,680 and I believe in fatherhood. 331 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:07,220 Amen. 332 00:19:07,295 --> 00:19:07,355 Yeah. 333 00:19:07,985 --> 00:19:10,895 And at first I thought it was just for fathers and sons, and 334 00:19:10,895 --> 00:19:12,215 so I thought, well, I'll go. 335 00:19:12,245 --> 00:19:14,555 'cause we got a lot of fathers and sons in the church. 336 00:19:14,555 --> 00:19:19,445 I only have daughters, but it wasn't, it was for fathers of 337 00:19:19,445 --> 00:19:22,205 dads, uh, of, of daughters as well. 338 00:19:22,445 --> 00:19:28,055 And so, uh, it was very beneficial, sacred solidarity. 339 00:19:28,715 --> 00:19:33,215 And then after you have this solidarity, you've gotta make a stand. 340 00:19:33,815 --> 00:19:36,485 Verse five, A sacred stand. 341 00:19:39,770 --> 00:19:40,340 There we go. 342 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,360 Ezra opened the book and all the people could see him because he 343 00:19:44,360 --> 00:19:48,230 was standing above them, and as it was open, they all stood up. 344 00:19:48,230 --> 00:19:50,600 They had built a podium for him. 345 00:19:51,170 --> 00:19:56,960 Standing is a gesture of respect, reverence, and righteousness. 346 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:05,750 We've become so casual, especially in the the 21st century Christian Church. 347 00:20:08,540 --> 00:20:12,140 And I, I think it's good for people to feel comfortable and, you know, 348 00:20:12,470 --> 00:20:16,460 wear different things and, and not just dress up and everything. 349 00:20:16,460 --> 00:20:21,770 But I also think there's a time to get sacred and to get respectful 350 00:20:22,490 --> 00:20:26,480 and to get reverent and to really 351 00:20:29,810 --> 00:20:30,380 be righteous. 352 00:20:31,850 --> 00:20:36,740 You know, it, it bothers me if the only time we'll dress up is to go to a wedding 353 00:20:39,379 --> 00:20:40,250 Every once in a while. 354 00:20:40,250 --> 00:20:40,910 I hope we dress. 355 00:20:40,910 --> 00:20:42,410 I hope you dress up on Easter. 356 00:20:42,410 --> 00:20:43,514 Oh, yeah. 357 00:20:44,690 --> 00:20:47,540 We don't have to dress up every Sunday, but let's choose a few. 358 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:48,320 All right. 359 00:20:49,070 --> 00:20:51,889 Just to show God he's most important. 360 00:20:53,030 --> 00:20:53,540 All right. 361 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:53,780 Amen. 362 00:20:55,100 --> 00:20:59,750 And some of you would've anyway, and it's awesome to see what you wear on Easter. 363 00:20:59,750 --> 00:21:01,340 That's, I'm just looking forward to it. 364 00:21:01,340 --> 00:21:01,700 Amen. 365 00:21:04,250 --> 00:21:10,610 But they took a stand because they wanted to show respect because they believed 366 00:21:10,610 --> 00:21:13,550 it was reverent reading and live. 367 00:21:13,550 --> 00:21:19,490 Verse six, Ezra prayed, praised the Lord the great God, and all the people 368 00:21:19,490 --> 00:21:22,220 lifted their hands and responded, amen. 369 00:21:22,460 --> 00:21:23,060 Amen. 370 00:21:24,155 --> 00:21:28,325 And then they bowed and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 371 00:21:28,325 --> 00:21:29,254 That's reverence. 372 00:21:29,254 --> 00:21:32,345 That's a posture of humility. 373 00:21:32,405 --> 00:21:32,975 Amen. 374 00:21:34,055 --> 00:21:35,405 And then what happened? 375 00:21:35,705 --> 00:21:37,385 The people didn't all understand. 376 00:21:37,385 --> 00:21:45,220 And so Nehemiah eight, seven, the Levites je, she baah jamon, aka. 377 00:21:45,305 --> 00:21:46,205 And the rest of them. 378 00:21:46,820 --> 00:21:51,470 Instructed the people in the law while the people were standing there. 379 00:21:51,470 --> 00:21:53,660 So this is an open air Bible class. 380 00:21:54,110 --> 00:21:56,720 This is an open air conference and workshop. 381 00:21:56,840 --> 00:22:01,160 They workshop the people, they explain things as they went along. 382 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:04,160 They were doing first principles right there in the midst of the 383 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:05,645 reading, and then verse eight. 384 00:22:06,290 --> 00:22:06,620 Why? 385 00:22:06,620 --> 00:22:08,030 Because it was sacred truth. 386 00:22:08,030 --> 00:22:11,930 They read from the book of the law of God, making it clear and giving 387 00:22:11,930 --> 00:22:18,050 the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. 388 00:22:18,830 --> 00:22:23,660 It's so important sometimes, wives, you need to whisper to your 389 00:22:23,660 --> 00:22:27,020 husbands or write 'em a note, help 'em to understand what it means. 390 00:22:27,980 --> 00:22:31,370 No, talk to 'em later at home. 391 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:32,840 That's what the Bible says. 392 00:22:34,250 --> 00:22:35,240 Explain it to 'em. 393 00:22:36,350 --> 00:22:38,090 Romans 10, 14, and 15. 394 00:22:38,810 --> 00:22:41,510 How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? 395 00:22:41,510 --> 00:22:43,850 And how can they believe in the one they have not heard? 396 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,610 And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 397 00:22:46,790 --> 00:22:49,130 And how can anyone preach unless they're sent? 398 00:22:49,370 --> 00:22:54,290 And as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring what? 399 00:22:54,650 --> 00:22:56,180 Good news. 400 00:22:56,750 --> 00:23:00,290 And then Psalms one 19 verse seven, the law of the Lord is 401 00:23:00,290 --> 00:23:02,945 perfect, refreshing the soul. 402 00:23:03,335 --> 00:23:03,395 Yeah. 403 00:23:04,025 --> 00:23:09,605 The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise, the simple, 404 00:23:10,085 --> 00:23:11,645 why do we need to read our Bible? 405 00:23:11,645 --> 00:23:17,375 Why do we need to hear God's word over and over and over again to make us wise? 406 00:23:17,855 --> 00:23:18,965 Because we're too simple. 407 00:23:18,965 --> 00:23:23,495 We're full of folly, otherwise, yeah, full of foolishness because 408 00:23:23,495 --> 00:23:25,205 God's word is trustworthy. 409 00:23:26,885 --> 00:23:28,295 And also James four verse six. 410 00:23:29,390 --> 00:23:31,400 And he gives us more grace. 411 00:23:31,490 --> 00:23:35,270 That's why scripture says God opposes the proud, but gives 412 00:23:35,270 --> 00:23:37,250 grace or favor to the humble. 413 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:39,410 Why do we, I need to read the word. 414 00:23:39,860 --> 00:23:40,820 I won't put it on you. 415 00:23:40,820 --> 00:23:47,070 I'll put it on me so I don't get proud, because the word cuts and 416 00:23:47,210 --> 00:23:53,240 convicts keep, keeps my heart soft like a good Hallmark movie. 417 00:23:56,840 --> 00:23:57,380 Oh yeah. 418 00:23:57,380 --> 00:23:59,960 If you have a hard heart, you need to get on the channel. 419 00:23:59,990 --> 00:24:00,650 Come on now. 420 00:24:05,480 --> 00:24:06,890 Nehemiah eight, nine. 421 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:11,510 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest, and the teacher of the law and 422 00:24:11,510 --> 00:24:16,700 the Levites who were instructing the people, said to them all, what this day 423 00:24:16,700 --> 00:24:20,990 is holy or sacred to the Lord your God. 424 00:24:21,500 --> 00:24:25,520 Do not mourn or weep for all the people who have been weeping. 425 00:24:26,115 --> 00:24:29,900 As they listened to the words of God, they had spiritual conviction. 426 00:24:30,650 --> 00:24:34,610 I mean, as they were reading it just made 'em happy and also convicted. 427 00:24:34,610 --> 00:24:34,760 'em. 428 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:36,380 They got both emotions. 429 00:24:36,380 --> 00:24:38,810 They're just all emotional. 430 00:24:38,810 --> 00:24:39,650 That's okay. 431 00:24:40,310 --> 00:24:44,960 But then the, the leaders came along and said, you know, I know it's convicting. 432 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:49,190 I know it's beautiful that we're hearing it for the first time in a long time, 433 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:51,830 but thou is the time to celebrate. 434 00:24:51,830 --> 00:24:53,210 There's a time for everything. 435 00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:54,740 Now is not the time. 436 00:24:55,730 --> 00:24:57,770 To weep and to wail. 437 00:24:57,770 --> 00:25:02,450 It's the time to feast and celebrate sacred. 438 00:25:05,090 --> 00:25:06,140 Here are a few things. 439 00:25:06,140 --> 00:25:07,250 I hold sacred. 440 00:25:07,310 --> 00:25:08,720 I hold my word sacred. 441 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:12,710 I want you to be able to trust everything I say. 442 00:25:12,710 --> 00:25:14,420 I try to be exact in my language. 443 00:25:14,420 --> 00:25:15,590 I'm try to be careful. 444 00:25:15,590 --> 00:25:16,880 I haven't always been that way. 445 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:18,830 When I was young, man, I let it rip. 446 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:22,490 I said whatever I thought I said it. 447 00:25:22,490 --> 00:25:23,005 What I thought was. 448 00:25:23,675 --> 00:25:25,655 Meaningful needed to say. 449 00:25:26,495 --> 00:25:28,895 I got 'em told, but I didn't get anybody sold. 450 00:25:33,035 --> 00:25:33,605 I was young. 451 00:25:33,605 --> 00:25:34,265 It's simple. 452 00:25:34,265 --> 00:25:40,325 And now hopefully I'm more wise and respectful and exact, 453 00:25:41,885 --> 00:25:43,355 but I believe in my vows. 454 00:25:44,135 --> 00:25:45,995 I believe in what this ring means. 455 00:25:46,325 --> 00:25:50,390 I've been faithful to the things I said that day, and I will be until I die. 456 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:50,870 Amen. 457 00:25:51,590 --> 00:25:54,740 And if you can't hold something sacred, shame on you. 458 00:25:56,120 --> 00:25:58,460 Christians, especially, we should be able to hold. 459 00:25:59,180 --> 00:26:02,540 Marriage is sacred, sacred communion. 460 00:26:04,370 --> 00:26:06,980 When I take a communion, I stop. 461 00:26:07,880 --> 00:26:12,290 I focus, I say the body and the blood of Jesus. 462 00:26:12,500 --> 00:26:17,270 I think Jesus, I try to have a mini conversion every Sunday. 463 00:26:17,930 --> 00:26:19,370 I don't know about you, but I need it. 464 00:26:19,430 --> 00:26:19,490 Yeah. 465 00:26:20,090 --> 00:26:22,310 If you don't need it, wow. 466 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:23,930 Go into the ministry. 467 00:26:24,470 --> 00:26:24,770 All right. 468 00:26:26,390 --> 00:26:28,280 We need people like you in the ministry. 469 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:32,540 Sacred communion, baptism. 470 00:26:33,350 --> 00:26:35,750 I sort of get, I struggle. 471 00:26:35,750 --> 00:26:36,890 I'll just be honest with you. 472 00:26:37,910 --> 00:26:45,440 When people do cat calls, theory, baptisms, I'm like, isn't anything sacred? 473 00:26:46,830 --> 00:26:47,120 Yeah. 474 00:26:47,345 --> 00:26:52,115 Hush for a minute, and then cheer, especially when they're making their 475 00:26:52,115 --> 00:26:57,035 confession of faith, especially when the preacher is raising his hand to 476 00:26:57,035 --> 00:27:01,805 God and saying, I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and 477 00:27:01,805 --> 00:27:05,555 the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of your sins and the gift of the Holy 478 00:27:05,555 --> 00:27:09,125 Spirit to be added to God's kingdom. 479 00:27:09,935 --> 00:27:10,595 Amen. 480 00:27:10,595 --> 00:27:10,775 Amen. 481 00:27:11,435 --> 00:27:12,155 That's sacred. 482 00:27:18,020 --> 00:27:21,860 Our legalism comes through all the way down into the water. 483 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:26,480 Don't let even a toe come above, above, above the water. 484 00:27:27,290 --> 00:27:29,060 God's bigger than that folks. 485 00:27:29,420 --> 00:27:33,350 God's bigger than that sacred baptism. 486 00:27:35,095 --> 00:27:36,800 The cross is sacred to me. 487 00:27:38,629 --> 00:27:39,754 Prayer is sacred to me. 488 00:27:41,330 --> 00:27:42,620 Always bothers me. 489 00:27:43,130 --> 00:27:44,690 I'm getting all of it out today. 490 00:27:46,970 --> 00:27:50,990 When somebody ends the prayer without saying in Jesus name, I'm 491 00:27:50,990 --> 00:27:56,180 like, oh, there's only one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. 492 00:27:57,110 --> 00:27:59,210 So I say it for 'em in Jesus name. 493 00:28:01,940 --> 00:28:04,310 Every prayer on tv, they leave it out. 494 00:28:04,430 --> 00:28:07,010 They don't want to offend any religion, so they leave it out. 495 00:28:07,010 --> 00:28:09,200 Every civic prayer leaves it out. 496 00:28:09,815 --> 00:28:10,925 I don't ever leave it out. 497 00:28:11,615 --> 00:28:18,035 I prayed on the steps of the Capitol in Colorado, my home state, I, I prayed it 498 00:28:18,035 --> 00:28:20,165 over the radio to millions of people. 499 00:28:20,225 --> 00:28:25,295 In Jesus' name, I pray 'cause there's power in the name. 500 00:28:26,405 --> 00:28:29,735 Prayer is sacred folks, marriage is sacred. 501 00:28:29,735 --> 00:28:33,095 The scriptures are the sacred word of God. 502 00:28:34,835 --> 00:28:36,510 And then I believe in sacred moments. 503 00:28:37,850 --> 00:28:40,880 Every once in a while someone comes forward to repent. 504 00:28:41,150 --> 00:28:46,250 Someone comes forward to, to just turn their life completely over to God. 505 00:28:46,670 --> 00:28:47,990 That's a sacred moment. 506 00:28:49,070 --> 00:28:53,690 When you get an aha about yourself or about God or about the grace of 507 00:28:53,690 --> 00:28:58,670 God or the love of God, sometimes you can have a sacred moment driving in 508 00:28:58,670 --> 00:29:04,340 your Honda RI line down the five long as you're listening to Caleb, right. 509 00:29:08,120 --> 00:29:12,110 Man, there's just some times it grabs my heart and I turn it up all the way. 510 00:29:12,590 --> 00:29:15,950 I don't blow my speakers, so I turn it down just a little bit, 511 00:29:19,070 --> 00:29:21,200 but that's true. 512 00:29:21,980 --> 00:29:23,990 Mercy came running to you. 513 00:29:25,595 --> 00:29:25,815 Oh, 514 00:29:28,010 --> 00:29:28,895 sacred moment. 515 00:29:30,140 --> 00:29:33,500 I believe in sacred anointing When I put that oil on you. 516 00:29:33,575 --> 00:29:36,545 In the name of the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit. 517 00:29:36,545 --> 00:29:42,515 I'm invoking the trinity That is sacred and there's other things. 518 00:29:43,205 --> 00:29:43,985 Let's keep going. 519 00:29:45,605 --> 00:29:46,805 Sacred spirit. 520 00:29:47,975 --> 00:29:49,385 You need to have a sacred spirit. 521 00:29:49,385 --> 00:29:51,095 I need to have a sacred spirit. 522 00:29:51,395 --> 00:29:57,575 Nehemiah said, go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some 523 00:29:57,575 --> 00:29:59,735 to those with nothing prepared. 524 00:30:00,275 --> 00:30:02,495 Because this day is holy to our Lord. 525 00:30:02,885 --> 00:30:07,655 Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is our strength. 526 00:30:07,895 --> 00:30:11,075 So after this service, he wanted them to celebrate. 527 00:30:12,185 --> 00:30:17,255 And we know about the spiritual conviction in John chapter 17, that Holy 528 00:30:17,255 --> 00:30:21,845 Spirit was sent to convict the world of sin or righteousness and judgment. 529 00:30:22,475 --> 00:30:24,065 But there's a time for everything. 530 00:30:24,155 --> 00:30:29,645 In one Peter, one in verse five it says, but just as you who were called 531 00:30:29,645 --> 00:30:34,235 to be holy, just as you were called to be holy, so be holy in all that 532 00:30:34,235 --> 00:30:42,065 you do for it is written, be holy because I God, Yahweh, am ho is holy. 533 00:30:42,845 --> 00:30:43,655 I am holy. 534 00:30:44,405 --> 00:30:46,415 Verse 11, the Levites calm down. 535 00:30:46,415 --> 00:30:50,345 All the people saying be still for this is a holy day. 536 00:30:50,945 --> 00:30:51,605 Do not grieve. 537 00:30:52,970 --> 00:31:00,170 It was corporate repentance was going on and they said, turn that morning into joy. 538 00:31:00,350 --> 00:31:05,120 Let there be corporate celebration, verse 12. 539 00:31:05,510 --> 00:31:09,980 Then all the people went away to eat and to drink, to send portions of 540 00:31:09,980 --> 00:31:16,040 food and to celebrate with great joy because they now what understood the 541 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:20,930 words that had been made known to them. 542 00:31:21,020 --> 00:31:21,080 Wow. 543 00:31:21,740 --> 00:31:24,470 When you understand truth, guys, it makes you feel good. 544 00:31:25,550 --> 00:31:30,350 When you speak truth, when you confess truth, it makes you feel good. 545 00:31:30,379 --> 00:31:33,889 It just makes you want to praise God and celebrate. 546 00:31:33,980 --> 00:31:36,290 That was the Day of Atonement. 547 00:31:36,290 --> 00:31:40,580 And then verse 14, a sacred ritual they found written in the law, 548 00:31:40,820 --> 00:31:44,930 which the Lord had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to 549 00:31:44,930 --> 00:31:49,520 live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month. 550 00:31:50,915 --> 00:31:55,565 Now they had their houses and they were trying to move back into Jerusalem and 551 00:31:55,565 --> 00:32:00,035 move back into these houses, and they had built their new houses into the wall. 552 00:32:00,215 --> 00:32:08,254 And so then why do we have to park ourselves outside in tents so that 553 00:32:08,254 --> 00:32:14,345 we'll realize everything comes from God and this world is temporary. 554 00:32:15,275 --> 00:32:15,995 Every year. 555 00:32:15,995 --> 00:32:17,465 They made all the people. 556 00:32:18,095 --> 00:32:22,265 Live in least a three walled tent. 557 00:32:23,615 --> 00:32:28,085 You could have 1 1 1 end open because you know you're in the desert. 558 00:32:28,085 --> 00:32:29,105 It's pretty hot. 559 00:32:30,095 --> 00:32:35,765 But it, they'd have these temporary shelters, the Festival of the Tabernacles, 560 00:32:35,975 --> 00:32:41,645 to remind them of the wilderness WA wandering, but also most importantly, to 561 00:32:41,645 --> 00:32:45,245 remind them that this world is temporary. 562 00:32:46,325 --> 00:32:50,285 Don't make God take everything away from you to remind you. 563 00:32:51,785 --> 00:32:55,175 He took everything away from him and sent him to Egypt. 564 00:32:56,135 --> 00:33:00,365 He took everything away, away from him in the promised land and sent 'em to Babylon. 565 00:33:02,105 --> 00:33:05,585 There's times God has to take things away from us, for us to get 566 00:33:05,585 --> 00:33:09,185 perspective and appreciate what we have. 567 00:33:09,875 --> 00:33:11,225 Don't learn the hard way. 568 00:33:12,005 --> 00:33:12,965 Learn the easy way. 569 00:33:13,055 --> 00:33:13,205 Amen. 570 00:33:14,315 --> 00:33:18,635 Celebrate every once in a while fast. 571 00:33:18,635 --> 00:33:21,515 Every once in a while, take something away from yourself. 572 00:33:22,085 --> 00:33:23,465 That's what fasting is. 573 00:33:24,125 --> 00:33:27,065 You take something away from your yourself so you can be 574 00:33:27,065 --> 00:33:29,135 more spiritual and reflective. 575 00:33:29,495 --> 00:33:30,935 Make a spiritual. 576 00:33:31,205 --> 00:33:37,505 Sacrifice Nehemiah eight 15 and that they should proclaim the word and spread it 577 00:33:37,505 --> 00:33:39,545 throughout their towns and in Jerusalem. 578 00:33:39,545 --> 00:33:43,655 Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and 579 00:33:43,655 --> 00:33:48,005 wild olive trees, and from myrtles and palms and shade trees to make 580 00:33:48,005 --> 00:33:52,475 temporary shelters as it is written. 581 00:33:55,025 --> 00:33:55,535 Why? 582 00:33:56,135 --> 00:33:57,995 So they could give a special contribution. 583 00:33:58,055 --> 00:34:00,455 Two Chronicles eight 13. 584 00:34:00,455 --> 00:34:05,285 According to the daily requirements for offerings commanded by Moses for 585 00:34:05,285 --> 00:34:10,175 the Sabbaths, the New moons, and the three annual festivals, the Festival of 586 00:34:10,175 --> 00:34:16,114 Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and this one, the Festival of Tabernacles. 587 00:34:16,655 --> 00:34:18,005 So then what do they do? 588 00:34:18,065 --> 00:34:23,219 They had a sacred retreat right before the outside of the temple. 589 00:34:24,395 --> 00:34:28,054 Right within the walls, but still not in their homes. 590 00:34:28,175 --> 00:34:31,655 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves 591 00:34:31,655 --> 00:34:34,804 temporary shelters on their own roofs. 592 00:34:34,925 --> 00:34:35,915 Okay, there it is. 593 00:34:35,915 --> 00:34:39,935 For some of them in their courtyards and in the courtyard courts of the 594 00:34:39,935 --> 00:34:44,045 House of God, and in the Square by the Watergate and the one by the 595 00:34:44,045 --> 00:34:52,594 gate of Ephraim, they disrupted their routine to just focus on God. 596 00:34:53,225 --> 00:34:58,595 A spiritual retreat, Leviticus 2334, say to the Israelites on the 597 00:34:58,595 --> 00:35:03,035 15th day of the seventh month of the Lord, the Feast of Tabernacles 598 00:35:03,035 --> 00:35:06,095 begins and it lasts for seven days. 599 00:35:06,545 --> 00:35:10,685 We had a spiritual retreat, the staff on uh, Sunday night, 600 00:35:10,715 --> 00:35:12,155 Monday and Tuesday of this week. 601 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:14,420 And I, I kick myself. 602 00:35:14,420 --> 00:35:16,130 I, I'm not a Polaroid guy. 603 00:35:16,130 --> 00:35:18,080 I don't, I don't get pictures. 604 00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:20,630 I don't, I need to take more pictures, you know. 605 00:35:20,900 --> 00:35:22,070 I'm not a selfie guy. 606 00:35:22,070 --> 00:35:25,070 I don't take pictures, but I did take pictures of something 607 00:35:25,070 --> 00:35:27,655 on the retreat, the food. 608 00:35:31,275 --> 00:35:32,135 Oh my goodness. 609 00:35:33,605 --> 00:35:35,765 This was enough for the whole staff. 610 00:35:35,795 --> 00:35:41,015 This, we, we had leftovers from this that, that we took, and I ate till I was full. 611 00:35:41,165 --> 00:35:46,625 I, I ate the briskets and the ribs and the beans, little bit of the cold slaw. 612 00:35:46,865 --> 00:35:49,025 Oh, I love that cornbread there. 613 00:35:49,355 --> 00:35:51,755 And they also brought out some Texas toast. 614 00:35:52,775 --> 00:35:52,865 Oh. 615 00:35:53,195 --> 00:35:57,755 And I won't tell you which staff member ate the big, uh, bone thing. 616 00:35:58,085 --> 00:35:59,495 I don't even know what it's called. 617 00:35:59,990 --> 00:36:00,800 Dinosaur bone. 618 00:36:00,890 --> 00:36:02,030 Dinosaur bone. 619 00:36:02,210 --> 00:36:02,720 All right. 620 00:36:03,170 --> 00:36:05,120 But oh, it just fell off. 621 00:36:05,180 --> 00:36:06,200 Fell off the bone. 622 00:36:06,500 --> 00:36:10,790 It was so, uh, there's a time to feast My house church is 623 00:36:10,790 --> 00:36:12,620 having a, a feast this afternoon. 624 00:36:12,620 --> 00:36:17,420 We're going to one of the members' houses, so I don't, I better finish this sermon. 625 00:36:17,420 --> 00:36:18,890 So, 'cause now you're hungry. 626 00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:19,880 Verse 17. 627 00:36:21,560 --> 00:36:22,970 Sacred Remembrance. 628 00:36:22,970 --> 00:36:27,620 The whole company that had returned from exile built the temporary shelters and 629 00:36:27,620 --> 00:36:31,069 lived in them from the days of Joshua's son of none until the day that the 630 00:36:31,100 --> 00:36:38,089 Israelites had not celebrated it like this, and their joy was very great. 631 00:36:38,660 --> 00:36:42,320 Sometimes you just just gotta start where you're at, and they had to start over 632 00:36:42,320 --> 00:36:47,030 verse 18, day after day, from the first day to the last, as we read the book of 633 00:36:47,030 --> 00:36:51,350 the law, they celebrated the festivals for seven days and on the eighth day in 634 00:36:51,350 --> 00:36:57,835 accordance with the regulation, there was a sacred revival, sacred assembly. 635 00:36:58,610 --> 00:37:02,930 According to Psalms one 19, praise be to you Lord. 636 00:37:03,230 --> 00:37:05,540 Teach me your decrees with your lips. 637 00:37:05,540 --> 00:37:07,670 I recount the laws that come from your mouth. 638 00:37:07,670 --> 00:37:12,290 I rejoice in following your statue as one rejoices in great riches. 639 00:37:12,530 --> 00:37:14,150 Meditate on your precepts. 640 00:37:14,150 --> 00:37:15,260 Consider your ways. 641 00:37:15,260 --> 00:37:16,760 I delight your decrees. 642 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:20,450 I will not neglect your word. 643 00:37:20,450 --> 00:37:21,710 And the church said. 644 00:37:22,430 --> 00:37:23,240 Amen. 645 00:37:23,240 --> 00:37:25,460 Amen to the sacred word of God. 646 00:37:25,970 --> 00:37:29,360 What are the things we learned from this passage this morning? 647 00:37:29,720 --> 00:37:33,680 The scriptures are sacred to be revered and treated as holy. 648 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:37,610 The word of God is sacred in the foundations for us to take our stand. 649 00:37:37,880 --> 00:37:41,240 The sacred scriptures are need to be explained and applied 650 00:37:41,240 --> 00:37:42,740 practically to our lives. 651 00:37:43,040 --> 00:37:45,050 The sacred scriptures produce what? 652 00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:48,770 Sacred worship and sacred assembly. 653 00:37:49,160 --> 00:37:56,210 And the Sacred Assembly creates cleansing and repentance and peace and rejoicing. 654 00:37:56,630 --> 00:38:01,790 The sacred reading of scripture does require obedience and always 655 00:38:01,790 --> 00:38:03,799 sacrifice, if you notice that. 656 00:38:04,490 --> 00:38:09,950 And then what can we take with us from this sermon for this week, for 657 00:38:09,950 --> 00:38:15,020 this month, for this sheer, the word of God is the source of your faith. 658 00:38:15,020 --> 00:38:17,000 Amen And righteousness. 659 00:38:17,240 --> 00:38:17,900 Love it. 660 00:38:18,710 --> 00:38:19,700 Meditate on it. 661 00:38:19,820 --> 00:38:21,350 Cherish it, read it. 662 00:38:21,740 --> 00:38:25,250 If you're stale in your Bible study, get a different translation. 663 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:26,120 Do something. 664 00:38:26,600 --> 00:38:27,230 All right. 665 00:38:27,320 --> 00:38:30,680 The word of God brings light and illumination in our journey. 666 00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:34,520 There's so many people that still live in the shadows and live in the darkness. 667 00:38:34,520 --> 00:38:38,960 Even this Christians, if you can read the word, you're gonna get more full of light. 668 00:38:39,710 --> 00:38:40,910 Just keep reading it. 669 00:38:41,089 --> 00:38:43,819 You'll change from one degree to another. 670 00:38:43,879 --> 00:38:45,500 Oh, I need so much help. 671 00:38:45,799 --> 00:38:47,240 Oh, I need this, I need that. 672 00:38:47,240 --> 00:38:49,670 No, you just need to read the word of God. 673 00:38:50,779 --> 00:38:52,700 The Word of God is respected and revered. 674 00:38:52,700 --> 00:38:53,870 It's sacred and holy. 675 00:38:53,870 --> 00:38:55,730 It cleanses us of our sins. 676 00:38:56,060 --> 00:38:58,190 It helps us to celebrate with feasting. 677 00:38:58,190 --> 00:39:02,240 It produces corporate repentance and worship, and it produces a 678 00:39:02,240 --> 00:39:07,819 moment of mourning before the joy and then produces continual. 679 00:39:08,089 --> 00:39:14,240 Celebration of people of God that's in the word of God will be a happy people. 680 00:39:14,585 --> 00:39:14,875 Yeah. 681 00:39:16,100 --> 00:39:16,220 Right. 682 00:39:17,089 --> 00:39:17,960 The word of God. 683 00:39:19,069 --> 00:39:20,540 That's where it starts guys. 684 00:39:21,350 --> 00:39:22,580 It's what it's all about. 685 00:39:23,120 --> 00:39:24,920 It's taken us eight chapters 686 00:39:26,990 --> 00:39:31,460 to get away from just building the physical, to building the spiritual. 687 00:39:32,480 --> 00:39:33,440 Here we are. 688 00:39:34,190 --> 00:39:35,120 Here we are. 689 00:39:35,870 --> 00:39:37,345 I know we had to wait for it. 690 00:39:38,420 --> 00:39:40,280 One brother wanted it, the first sermon. 691 00:39:40,280 --> 00:39:42,890 Well, you're gonna get it for a while now in these sermons. 692 00:39:42,890 --> 00:39:43,490 Amen. 693 00:39:43,670 --> 00:39:44,420 Nehemiah's. 694 00:39:44,420 --> 00:39:45,290 Good stuff. 695 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:47,210 God bless you, church. 696 00:39:47,360 --> 00:39:49,460 And the church said amen. 697 00:39:50,210 --> 00:39:50,480 Amen.