Have you ever dedicated that to the Lord?

Grace Community Church of Topsail

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Have you ever dedicated that to the Lord?

December 1, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 12:27–47

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Have you ever heard the phrase, "complainers are going to complain?" Sometimes we have a tendency to find fault or express dissatisfaction regardless of any circumstance. Have you ever found yourself in the complaining rut? Complaining is a heart issue that results when we live our lives as if we are the center of this universe. We then focus on how we feel and what we want. Then when we do not get our way we complain. Complaining comes from a heart that is surprised when the universe does not fulfill our needs, thoughts, and demands. The decision to complain or give thanks is rooted in the way you think about yourself. How can we escape the rut of complaining and enjoy a life of thanksgiving?

God Loves For His People to be in Community.

November 24, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 11, Nehemiah 12

How are we to lead the next generation to love and honor God with their lives? Much like Old Testament Israel was called to do, by living out the “Shema” of Deuteronomy 6:4-15. A Shema-oriented life teaches the next generation by engaging the heart of the child with the love of Jesus Christ. Our desire is to be the same as God's desire, that the child would love Him with their whole heart, with their entire being, all that they have. We do this by talking about the commandments of God and how they are for our own good and God’s glory. We live out God’s Word so that it is not just written on paper in a book but inside the child's whole being to enjoy holy living, holy behavior, holy words and holy desires. We talk about God's faithfulness and His promises in Christ while in the midst of every weakness, hardship, insult, persecution, sorrow and blessing so that trust and hope win. We write out God’s Word to be seen and read for a constant reminder of God’s calling to be holy and separate from the world living like Christ. We talk about God as a loving Heavenly Father, who perfectly cares for us and lovingly provides and protects us so that the younger generation loves to obey their loving heavenly Father.

What does a life of worship look like?

November 17, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 10

What are you to do on the Weekly New Covenant Sabbath? First, on the Lord’s Day, Sunday, the Sabbath, we are to remember and enjoy that Christ has brought complete and final fulfillment in terms of salvation. Salvation work has ceased as we rest in the work of Christ (Gal. 3:13). Second, as we remember that Christ has finished the work of redemption, we are to gather together as God’s people to rejoice and praise our Savior for His perfect work (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). Third, we are to remember that our resting in Christ for salvation on the Sabbath will be fully realized and experienced on the final Lord’s Day when He returns and we experience our final rest with Him in glory in the new heavens and new earth in our heavenly bodies. When we honor the Sabbath each week, we make room to rest in God’s presence and remember what He has accomplished for us in Jesus Christ. We choose to make room for God to reorganize our lives after a week of life-consuming worries and work. In the weekly rhythm of Sabbath, God brings order to our lives in a world of Chaos. Enjoy the Sabbath.

God’s Promises Demand a Response

November 10, 2024 • Steve Marshall • Nehemiah 10

`God has promised to give you a flourishing, thriving life by loving and obeying His Law (Ps. 1). God’s Law was given to us a loving guide to lead us away from destruction and into maximum blessing from God. God did not give His Law to make us miserable prisoners of gloom. He gave us His Law so that we would live thriving lives in this sinful world.