Trinity Bible Church

Prayer

Gracious God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, humble our hearts before you, strip us of our self-righteousness, and cause us to trust only in the righteousness of Christ. Be merciful to us and cause your grace to abound to us and grant that by grace through faith the righteousness of Christ would be imputed to lost sinners that in you there would be life, and peace, and grace. Amen.

Today’s Hymn

Words: Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1888. He wrote this hymn for the graduation ceremony at Andover Theological Seminary, where he was a member of the class of 1888.

LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL
Click here for tune.

Lead on, O King eternal,
The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King eternal,
We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning
Where’er Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us,
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.

Thought Provoker

Each year our town hosts our County Fair. Last summer local church had a booth at the Fair from which we distributed gospel tracts and engaged fair-goers in conversation regarding the state of their souls. A common question asked was “What is your hope for heaven?” How do you think most people answered that question? As you read Nehemiah 10 you will see that there is nothing new under the sun. The fair-goers of Park County Wyoming are still placing their hope for heaven in the same things as the Jews of Nehemiah’s day.

Dad’s Study

After making corporate confession of their sins in Chapter 9, the Israelites made a covenant with God, in writing, that they “…entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes” (Nehemiah 10:29). In so doing they have bound themselves to the law and all of it’s obligations, to keep and observe all the ordinances of God. As such there is blessing promised to he who keeps and observes all that the law commands and cursing to those who fail to keep every part of the law (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). To gain favor with God by keeping the law is to take on a burdensome task. Scripture says that one can keep the whole law and transgress it at only one point and you will be guilty of all of it (James 2:10). Furthermore, Christ said that even though the 10 Commandments say thou shalt not commit adultery or murder; that if we even look upon a woman to lust or are angry with someone we have violated the commandment. This brings the requirement for obedience into the heart, demanding that we not only outwardly do, but also inwardly have a right heart. To earn favor with God requires that one live a sinless life of perfection. There is only one who has known no sin, the man Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

The purpose of the law is to point us to Christ. (Galatians 3:24) The law is there to show us that no sinner can keep the perfect law of God and that to trust in our own righteousness by the keeping of the law for our salvation is futile. (Romans 3:20) It is the wrath of God that awaits all those who trust in their own works of righteousness for salvation. (Romans 4:15) Our only hope for life and blessing is in Jesus Christ and His righteousness. (Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5) For life and peace we trust only in the grace of God to sinners that is brought forth through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:15) What is your hope for heaven?

Catechism

Question 7

Q What are the decrees of God?

A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will, whereby for his own glory he has foreordained whatever comes to pass (Eph. 1:11, 12).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD (Psalm 25:4-7). Amen!

Today’s Hymn

Words: Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1888. He wrote this hymn for the graduation ceremony at Andover Theological Seminary, where he was a member of the class of 1888.

LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL
Click here for tune.

Lead on, O King eternal,
The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords’ loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums;
With deeds of love and mercy
The heavenly kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King eternal,
We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning
Where’er Thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted over us,
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might.

Thought Provoker

What is a revival? Many think it is a series of special church meetings that you attend. I can remember as a child growing up in the South; our church revival came every summer during the month of July. In June the Deacons would dust off the canvass banner that read, “REVIVAL” and display it on front of the church building. Each year a different revival preacher would come (usually dressed in white shoes and belt), calling Christians to rededicate their lives. As we have been discovering in Nehemiah, a revival is not something we go to but rather the Holy Spirit providentially and powerfully coming to us and passionately reviving our hearts. Spurgeon described it as “…a work of the Holy Spirit of a supernatural kind, putting power into the preaching of the Word, inspiring all believers with heavenly energy, and solemnly affecting the hearts of the careless, so that they turn to God and live.” Although Revival is a sovereign act of God, He uses His ordained means to powerfully revive His people. In chapter 8 we saw that all revivals first sparked by powerful expository preaching of the Word. Today, we see the other means God commonly chooses to use.

Dad’s Study

Fasting (9:1a). Fasting is a season of abstaining from your ordinary diet to draw close to God in meditation and prayer (2 Sam. 12:16; Jonah 3:7; Matt. 4:4:-12; Acts 4:23). It was never meant to be an outward show or a meritorious work (Matt. 6:16-18).

Humiliation (9:1b). As an outward symbol of their humiliation and penance before God they would dress in sackcloth and cover themselves in dirt. After hearing God’s laws followed by fasting, God’s people were humbled and brought low before God. Before there can be revival there must be first true humility.

Repentance (9:2-3a). True repentance includes a confession of sin and heartfelt turning from those sins. We read that Jews confessed with sins and the iniquities of their father. But their repentance was not mere words. They turned from their sins by separating themselves from all foreigners. They refused to marry or join with them in the worship of God.

Worship (9:3b). Their hearts having been warmed as they experienced forgiveness in the presence of God they can’t help but respond in joyfully praise! Praise to His mercy! Thanksgiving for His grace!

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Someone once asked the British evangelist Gypsy Smith, “How do you start a revival?” Smith replied, “Go home and get a piece of chalk. Go into your closet and draw a circle on the floor. Kneel down in the middle of the circle and ask God to start the revival inside the chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival has begun.” Revival has to begin with you drawing close to God with a sincere heart. Respond to Godís word with fasting, humiliation, repentance and worship. May these be the spark to ignite His revival in your heart!

Catechism

Question 7

Q What are the decrees of God?

A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will, whereby for his own glory he has foreordained whatever comes to pass (Eph. 1:11, 12).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

But I trusted thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake Psalm 31: 14-16.

Today’s Hymn

Words: George S. Smith, 1887; published in the Salvation Army’s Musical Salvationist, June 1891.

BEHOLD HIM NOW ON YONDER TREE
Click here for tune.

The Prince of Peace, the heavenly King;
O what can His transgression be
Such shameful punishment to bring?
And lo, a thief hangs on each side;
Who justly suffers for his crime.
But why should Christ be crucified,
The One so holy, so divine?

Refrain
It was for me, yes, even me,
That Jesus died on Calvary;
My soul to cleanse from all its guilt,
His precious blood my Savior spilt.

O sinner, see, for you and me
He freely suffers in our stead;
And lo, He dies upon the tree;
Behold, He bows His sacred head!
So pure, yet He has borne our guilt,
By death our ransom He has paid;
It was for us His blood was spilt;
Our every sin on Him was laid.

Refrain

O loving Savior, take my heart,
No longer can I live from Thee!
With all unlike Thee now I part;
Thy wondrous love has conquered me.
I yield to Thee my little all;
Accept me now, Lord, as Thine own;
I’ll be obedient to Thy call
And spend my life for Thee alone.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

I once knew a young man who regularly attended church, and even led the student ministry of his denomination on his college campus. However, he “knew not the scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29) As he grew, suffered hardship, married, and had a family he became depressed, desperate, and without direction in life.

In the midst of his depression he was talked into teaching a children’s Sunday school class. To do so he had to study the scriptures and seek to have them explained to him so that he could in turn teach the children in his charge. The Word of God began to change him. God used the scriptures to bring about conviction of sin and then a joyful commitment to follow Christ. Though this story is true of one individual in 20th century America, it is also parallel to the true story of the Jews in Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s day.

Dad’s Study

In verses 1-6, Ezra simply read the scriptures to the people of Jerusalem, and it had effect. In I Timothy 4:13, Paul tells his young pastor protégé to give himself to the public reading of the Word. The simple reading of the Word (publicly and privately) is of value, even to those whose eyes have not been opened by the Holy Spirit.

In verses 6-8, priests and Levites went among the people and explained the scriptures that Ezra had read. In Acts 8:26-39, read of Phillip explaining Isaiah to the Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch was led to search for God in the scriptures, but he needed a teacher to explain the meaning of foreign writings to him. We have a need not only to read or hear the Word of God, but also to have Spirit indwelled persons preach and teach the meaning of the Word to us.

In verses 6 and 9-12 the people do something remarkable: they are in awe of God based on the Word they have heard and have had explained to them. They fall on their faces to worship God. And from the reaction of Nehemiah, Ezra, and the scribes and Levites, they were mourning and grieving over their sin. The leaders had to tell them that the time was for joy, not for mourning. The reading and understanding of the Word was something to celebrate. God’s glory before them and their conviction of sin by His glory was something to celebrate.

In verses 13-18, they returned for more “reading, preaching and teaching” of God’s Word. They heard that they were in the month for the Feast of Tabernacles and immediately and enthusiastically gathered materials and built little shelters and stayed in them until the festival was over.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

We should always promote the reading and explaining (preaching and teaching) of the scriptures, for God has commanded it. If we need any further encouragement to do so, preaching is the primary means God uses to convert sinners to Himself. As we have seen in the books of Kings, Chronicles, and Nehemiah, and in the true revivals of religion in our world (The Reformation, The Great Awakenings, and other movements) the reading of the Word can remake whole societies and save souls for eternity.

Greg Bailey, Greenville, SC

Catechism

Question 5

Q. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only (Deut. 6:4), the living and true God (Jer. 10:10).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

Sovereign Father, we exalt the name of Your Son, who is the head of His church. We thank You for adding to Your church daily such as You choose to save. We also thank You for their spiritual gifts for service. May You keep Your church without spot or blemish until the soon return of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today’s Hymn

Words: George S. Smith, 1887; published in the Salvation Army’s Musical Salvationist, June 1891.

BEHOLD HIM NOW ON YONDER TREE
Click here for tune.

The Prince of Peace, the heavenly King;
O what can His transgression be
Such shameful punishment to bring?
And lo, a thief hangs on each side;
Who justly suffers for his crime.
But why should Christ be crucified,
The One so holy, so divine?

Refrain
It was for me, yes, even me,
That Jesus died on Calvary;
My soul to cleanse from all its guilt,
His precious blood my Savior spilt.

O sinner, see, for you and me
He freely suffers in our stead;
And lo, He dies upon the tree;
Behold, He bows His sacred head!
So pure, yet He has borne our guilt,
By death our ransom He has paid;
It was for us His blood was spilt;
Our every sin on Him was laid.

Refrain

O loving Savior, take my heart,
No longer can I live from Thee!
With all unlike Thee now I part;
Thy wondrous love has conquered me.
I yield to Thee my little all;
Accept me now, Lord, as Thine own;
I’ll be obedient to Thy call
And spend my life for Thee alone.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

In the first chapter Nehemiah set out, with God’s leading, to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The whole book of Nehemiah has been an exciting account of how God worked through one leader to accomplish this great work. Chapter Seven opens with the job complete! You might expect the book to end on this victorious note. However, we are only half way through the book. There are still seven chapters remaining! There is still unfinished work for Nehemiah to do. The rebuilding of the wall was only a small part of God bringing restoration and revival of His people. Now that the walls are restored and God’s people secure, Nehemiah begins the work of reviving and restoring the hearts of God’s people.

Dad’s Study

Nehemiah began by selecting a godly leadership (vs. 1-3). There was a great need for the city to be resettled since few Jews had returned to Jerusalem. How would Nehemiah determine which of the returning exiles were Jews? God gave Nehemiah a plan for immigration (v. 5). He found a register of genealogy from Ezra (Ezra 2). Ezra wanted to know who among the returning exiles were Jews. Nehemiah wanted to use the same list to see who was qualified and available to immigrate and revitalize the city. Most of the chapter is filled with a list of names broken down into the following nine categories: The original leaders (vv. 6-7), Jews who were laymen (vv. 8-38), priests (vv. 39-42), Levites (v. 43), singers (v. 44), gatekeepers (v. 45), temple servants (vv. 46-56), descendants of the servants of Solomon (vv. 57-60), and those of questionable ancestry (vv. 61-65). Nehemiah saw the need for maintaining purity within the camp. He realized that it would do no good to build strong walls to keep the enemy out, only to let them settle within.

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

The same principle holds true today. Many churches are building strong and beautiful buildings, places of worship, only to fill their pews with those who are worldly and even enemies of the Gospel of Christ. There is a great need today for godly church leadership to model and maintain purity. Many churches should adopt strong immigration policies to determine those who are spiritually qualified for membership in the local church. Testimonies should be heard, accompanied by holy living. Church leaders should be vigilant in maintaining church purity through the practice of discipline (Matt. 18). May God raise up a new generation of Nehemiahs to lead Christ’s church into greater purity.

Catechism

Question 5

Q. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only (Deut. 6:4), the living and true God (Jer. 10:10).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise You as our shield and defender. We ask that Your almighty power would defeat all who stand in opposition to the furtherance of Your glorious kingdom. Amen.

Today’s Hymn

Words: George S. Smith, 1887; published in the Salvation Army’s Musical Salvationist, June 1891.

BEHOLD HIM NOW ON YONDER TREE
Click here for tune.

The Prince of Peace, the heavenly King;
O what can His transgression be
Such shameful punishment to bring?
And lo, a thief hangs on each side;
Who justly suffers for his crime.
But why should Christ be crucified,
The One so holy, so divine?

Refrain
It was for me, yes, even me,
That Jesus died on Calvary;
My soul to cleanse from all its guilt,
His precious blood my Savior spilt.

O sinner, see, for you and me
He freely suffers in our stead;
And lo, He dies upon the tree;
Behold, He bows His sacred head!
So pure, yet He has borne our guilt,
By death our ransom He has paid;
It was for us His blood was spilt;
Our every sin on Him was laid.

Refrain

O loving Savior, take my heart,
No longer can I live from Thee!
With all unlike Thee now I part;
Thy wondrous love has conquered me.
I yield to Thee my little all;
Accept me now, Lord, as Thine own;
I’ll be obedient to Thy call
And spend my life for Thee alone.

Refrain

Thought Provoker

There is an old football ploy called, “sack the quarterback.” This is when the coach tells his defensive line to pull out all stops to “take out” the quarterback. The reasoning is, if you can demoralize the leader, you will demoralize the whole team. As the walls of Jerusalem reach completion, the enemies of God pull out all stops to sack Nehemiah the leader.

Dad’s Study

It’s almost a Biblical axiom that the greater the spiritual success the more intense the opposition from the enemies of God. As the walls of Jerusalem approach completion, God’s enemies including, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem pull out all stops to defeat Nehemiah (v. 1). God has already defended Nehemiah from the external weapons of ridicule, the threat of violence, as well as internal opposition caused by greed. Now as the finishing touches are placed on the gates the opposition to Nehemiah intensifies.

The first attack was subtle deceit. God’s enemies invited Nehemiah to go to a neutral place to talk through their differences (vs. 1-4). What could be wrong with talking? Nehemiah saw through his enemies. He knew that it would take him away from building and result in his harm. What was his response? Singly focused, he said “no,” that would cause God’s work to stop (v. 3)!

The opposition intensified as the enemies brought from their bag of dirty tricks a campaign of rumor and slander (vs. 5-7). What was the leader to do? He responded that what they were saying was untrue and that they were just making it all up in their heads (v. 8). The only way to handle a false rumor is to immediately deny it and then seek God’s strength through prayer (v. 9).

The final attack came from Shemaiah, a man held out to be a prophet of God. He set up Nehemiah by warning him that he would be assassinated that night and telling him to flee to the temple to save himself (v. 10). The problem was that the temple was holy and Nehemiah would break God’s law to save his own life. He would not go. To do so would be sin (v. 11-13)! We read that the wall was victoriously completed 52 days after work began (v. 16)!

Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Truth in Practice

Nehemiah teaches important lessons about standing strong in the face of spiritual opposition. Spiritual strength comes from prayerfully trusting in a merciful God (vv. 9, 14). Nehemiah could stand strong because he spent much time on his knees. Secondly, God gifted Nehemiah with the gift of discernment. He was able to see through his enemies’ motives. Finally, Nehemiah persevered in carrying out God’s calling. He would not be sidetracked even when personally attacked. Should such a man as I flee (v. 11)? Are you currently in the cross hairs of God’s enemies? May you be strengthened from the example of God’s man, Nehemiah.

Catechism

Question 5

Q. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only (Deut. 6:4), the living and true God (Jer. 10:10).

Popularity: 1% [?]