HCBC Sunday School – “Friends” Class
Commit Your Way to The Lord (Nehemiah 10:28-39)
God expects His people to be always transforming.
1) Memory Verse:
a. … and we will not forsake the house of our God. ~ Nehemiah 10:39b
2) First Thoughts
a. Conformer vs. reformer vs. transformer. God is in the “good transforming” business. II Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
b. Spiritual threat – the world. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; … ~ II Timothy 4:10
3) Understand the Context
a. When many Jewish leaders joined Nehemiah in signing a written pledge to obey God’s law, the rest of the people also committed themselves to the cause. They understood their commitment to God, the practical implications of God’s call to be separate from the pagan groups, that obedience at times would require them to make difficult choices, and the seriousness of their vow. Deut. 30:1-3
4) Explore the Text
a. Commitment Made – verses 28-29
i. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. ~ II Corinthians 6:17-18
b. Holiness Sought – verse 30
i. In marriage - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? … ~ II Cor. 6:14
c. Worship Pledged – verses 31-39
i. The Sabbath was to be kept as a day to worship God, to enjoy rest, and to declare truth.
ii. They promised to provide for the needs and for all the work of the house of our God.
iii. Everyone had a part, e.g., the wood donation schedule.
iv. Giving of our firstfruits shows our belief that God is the Source of all good things and is worthy of our very best.
v. God’s house is to be respected, honored, and sustained.