Nehemiah 9 - Grace Greater Than All Our Sins

At Northwest Bible Fellowship

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by the spirit of judgment

Isaiah 4

v4

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

There's a serious judgment for sin, even for believers. One sin is being ashamed of the gospel. We should pray and purpose to preach the gospel.

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From: My Anchor Holds

By William Martin, 1902 and Daniel Towner, 1902

Troubles almost ’whelm the soul;
Griefs like billows o’er me roll;
Tempters seek to lure astray;
Storms obscure the light of day:
But in Christ I can be bold,
I’ve an anchor that shall hold.

And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

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Job 42 - Outline

v1-6

Job repents

v7-9

Job's friends repent

v10-12

"the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." (v10)

v13-15

Job's children

v16-17

the end of the story

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From: My Anchor Holds

By William Martin, 1902 and Daniel Towner, 1902

I can feel the anchor fast
As I meet each sudden blast,
And the cable, though unseen,
Bears the heavy strain between;
Through the storm I safely ride,
Till the turning of the tide.

And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

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be willing and obedient

Isaiah 1

v19

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Remember, we can't get ourselves to heaven by the good things that we do. However, that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with trying to do good things! As a matter of fact, we're supposed to. We should work on being willing and obedient.

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From: My Anchor Holds

By William Martin, 1902 and Daniel Towner, 1902

Mighty tides about me sweep,
Perils lurk within the deep,
Angry clouds o’ershade the sky,
And the tempest rises high;
Still I stand the tempest’s shock,
For my anchor grips the rock.

And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

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Luke 8 - Outline

v1-3

the people who were with Jesus

v4-8

the parable of the sower

v9-15

bring forth fruit with patience (v15)

v16-18

letting your light shine

v19-21

[his] mother and his brethren

v22-25

the wind and waves obeyed Him

v26-39

he that was possessed of the devils was healed

v40-42

Jairus' daughter

v43-48

the woman with the issue

v49-56

Jesus raised Jairus' daughter

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From: My Anchor Holds

By William Martin, 1902 and Daniel Towner, 1902

Though the angry surges roll
On my tempest driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know,
Wildly though the winds may blow,
I’ve an anchor safe and sure,
That can evermore endure.

And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

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cause me to hear

Songs 8

v13

Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.

We should pray for the Lord to help us "hear His voice".

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From: Marching to Zion

By Isaac Watts, 1707 and Robert Lowry, 1867

Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,
To fairer worlds on high,
To fairer worlds on high.

We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

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Job 41 - Key

v34

He beholdeth all high [things]: he [is] a king over all the children of pride.

This verse is talking about a sea monster too strong for us approach, but that God is great enough to control. It says about the monster, that "he [is] a king over all the children of pride."

One of our friends was studying Job. I asked him what he was learning, and he said to not be proud. As I thought about it, I realized that this is a major point in this book. We shouldn't be proud.

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From: Marching to Zion

By Isaac Watts, 1707 and Robert Lowry, 1867

The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heav’nly fields,
Before we reach the heav’nly fields,
Or walk the golden streets,
Or walk the golden streets.

We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

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Job 41 - Outline

v1-9

nobody can approach the sea monster

v10-11

the Lord is even so much greater

v12-17

the parts of leviathan's body

v18-21

he breathes fire

v22-25

his power

v26-29

strong weapons are like nothing to him

v30-34

"he [is] a king over all the children of pride"

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From: Marching to Zion

By Isaac Watts, 1707 and Robert Lowry, 1867 (I changed the word "favorites" to "children".)

Let those refuse to sing,
Who never knew our God;
But [children] of the heavenly King,
But [children] of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad,
May speak their joys abroad.

We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

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Job 40 - Outline

v1-8

Job's mistake: trying to argue with God

v9-14

we're not majestic like God, and we can't save ourselves (v9 is like Luke 7:1-10)

v15-19

the strength of the behemoth: unapproachable (a behemoth has been thought to be a beast, water-ox, hippopotamus, elephant, or dinosaur)

v20-24

the lifestyle of the behemoth: carefree

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From: Marching to Zion

By Isaac Watts, 1707 and Robert Lowry, 1867

Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne,
And thus surround the throne.

We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

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Luke 7 - Key

v7

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

We should have this kind of faith in who the Lord is compared to us, and what His Word can do.

Application

I'll ask the Lord for promises when I'm seeking Him.

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From: Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!

By Fanny Crosby, in 1882 and William Kirkpatrick

I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

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Luke 7 - Outline

v1-10

seeing that you are unworthy means that you have great faith in who the Lord is

v11-17

weep not (v13)

v18-23

everyone who isn't offended about Jesus is blessed (v23)

v24-28

John prepared the way for the Lord (v27)

v29-35

John the baptizer and Jesus did some things different, but the people found fault with both ways

v36-46

I've been forgiven for much, so I should love Him much

v47-50

who is this that forgives sins?

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From: Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!

By Fanny Crosby, in 1882 and William Kirkpatrick

I changed the word "cannot" to "should not".

I think of my blessèd Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I [should not] be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

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thy beloved

Songs 6

v1

Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

This says, "thy beloved". We should base our decisions about what we're going to do, on our love for the Lord.

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From: Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!

By Fanny Crosby, in 1882 and William Kirkpatrick

Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

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Job 40 - Key

v2

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct [him]? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

I should be careful about the way I pray. We know we shouldn't say disrespectful things about the Lord. I also need to make sure to not say bad things about other people when I pray.

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From: Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!

By Fanny Crosby, in 1882 and William Kirkpatrick

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

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Job 39 - Outline

v1-4

God controls the birth of deer and goats

v5-8

the wild donkey

v9-12

the reem (unicorn, wild ox, buffalo, dinosaur, or rhinoceros?)

v13-18

birds

v19-25

the fearless battle-horse

v26-30

the eagle and the hawk

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From: All Creatures of Our God and King

By Francis of Assisi, 1225 and from 17th Century German

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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your speech is beautiful

Songs 4

v3

Thy lips [are] like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech [is] comely: thy temples [are] like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks.

It says, "thy speech [is] comely", which means fitting, or beautiful. We should speak pleasantly.

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From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers in 1910

Soon He’s coming back to welcome me,
Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,
I shall reign with Him on high.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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Luke 6 - Key

v42

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

A lot of this chapter, from the beginning about eating corn and healing the whithered hand on the Sabbath, to the parts about returning good for evil and not being a hypocritical judge, seems to talk about this idea.

When somebody else is doing something wrong, I tend to not pay enough attention to making sure my own behavior is right. For example, if somebody does something wrong, I might be mad and talk to them in an angry tone. I shouldn't do that.

Application

I'll think of something good to do for a certain person.

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From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers in 1910

Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,
Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,
See His footprints all the way.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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Luke 6 - Outline

v1-5

don't be too critical of other people's behavior

v6-11

don't wait and watch for people to do something wrong so you can accuse them

v12-19

Jesus had an all-night-of-prayer

v20-23

shift to a future-focus: joy and reward where they wouldn't be expected

v24-26

woe to those who have things well now

v27-36

love your enemies

v37-42

don't be a hypocrite, trying to hide behind a finger pointed at somebody else

v43-45

you can tell what your heart is full of by what you talk about

v46-49

be doers of the Word, not hearers only

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From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers in 1910

Feasting on the riches of His grace,
Resting ’neath His sheltering wing,
Always looking on His smiling face,
That is why I shout and sing.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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when you suffer

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

1. You are not alone.
   "I [am] with thee.", "will uphold thee..." It's like it comforts a scared little sibling when an older sibling is with them and holds their hand.
   1Cor 10:13

   There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

   "common to man":
   "There's within my heart a melody" - cyberhymnal.org says, Luther Bridgers "wrote this song after a tragic fire killed his wife and three sons." I'm ashamed for feeling sorry for myself when I hear of really serious suffering.

2. You can overcome.
   "I will strengthen thee... uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
   In seemingly irresistible temptation, He gives strength to do right.

3. This promise applies to us.
   The enemy lies, 'this was long ago, to Israel'.
   Rom 15:4

   For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

4. This promise applies to sinners.
   The enemy lies, 'you're not righteous enough'.
   Luk 5:31,32

   And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
   I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

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From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers in 1910

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,
Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,
Stirred the slumbering chords again.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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Job 39 - Key

v19

Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

God knows and does many very great things.

Application

We shouldn't compare ourselves with him.

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From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers in 1910

There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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Job 38 - Outline

v1-3

The Lord answered Job

v4-7

the foundations of the earth

v8-11

the doors of the sea

v12-15

the dawn

v16-18

don't say you know it all

v19-21

the places of light and darkness

v22-30

the weather

v31-33

controlling space and the constellations

v34-38

controlling storms like they're your personal troops

v39-40

God provides for wild animals

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From: Now Thank We All Our God

By Mar­tin Rink­art, cir­ca 1636 and Jo­hann Crü­ger, 1647

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

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