Dawn service at Lady Dixon Park, 6:3am, Easter Sunday 2014, with Christians from a few other churches/fellowships. This is a shorter version of the sermon given later on Easter Sunday morning at Colin Glen Christian Fellowship’s Sunday morning service. The reading is from Romans 6:1-14

What nationality are you? I have dual nationality, and Irish isn’t my primary nationality. I’m not thinking Irish-British – but as a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus, I’m a citizen of heaven, which is my primary nationality. Paul writes in Phil 3:20 : “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” (Philippians 3:20, NLT ) We have an earthly citizenship, but we also have a heavenly citizenship, if we have trusted in Jesus for forgiveness and eternal salvation. In the Bible, the relationship between the two citizenships is contrasted between being part of God’s people, or being part of the rest of the world. This is shown at a natural level by being part of the people of God who lived in Jerusalem and its surrounding land, in the O.T., and being part of the Church in the N.T. The topic of Jerusalem should be of interest to us, because if you are a believer here today, you are a citizen of Jerusalem, according to the Bible. How is that? How can we be citizens of the City of God? The answer is that the walls of the city of God, Jerusalem, are described as, even represent, God’s protection for his people. The city’s glory is God’s glory – the city’s future is bound up with the wellbeing of God’s people. But as we have seen, Jerusalem was destroyed, the walls were in ruins, the temple was destroyed and the people were scattered. The glory of the earthly city had gone. Yet, Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the city, and bring glory back to God’s people. The second temple period, from the time of the rebuilding of the temple by Ezra/Nehemiah, was from this point on the time when there were no more O.T. prophets – it was a time of silence from God, the time in between the O.T. and the N.T. God would show later that this city was not his ultimate city, but a representation of the true city, the New Jerusalem, one which could never be destroyed, the true city of God, for the true people of God who would ultimately never disobey him. The true city of God, the New Jerusalem, is not for a people who will rebel against God like the Israelites did – instead it is for a people who will obey God, who follow him, who he has put his Spirit into so that they can follow his ways. What is the New Jerusalem? The New Jerusalem is a community, a people, a new people, a new humanity, beginning with the risen Jesus Christ. Referring to Isaiah 28:16 , Peter writes: “As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”” (1 Peter 2:6, NLT ) The New Jerusalem is the eternal dwelling place of God, and of his true followers, his people: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”” (Revelation 21:1–4, NLT ) In Revelation, there are two cities, the city of God, the New Jerusalem, and the city of sin, Babylon. The city of God, the New Jerusalem is where there will be eternal blessing, and the city of sin, represented by Babylon, is where there will be eternal punishment. The city of sin represents all that is wrong in this world – sin, suffering, pain, insecurity, hurt, evil, and so on. The city of God represents all that is right in this world now, and which will be fulfilled in the world to come – joy, peace, love, and so on. Which city do you live in today? The city of sin, or the city of God? Are you a citizen of the world of man, or a citizen of heaven? Have you believed in the Lord Jesus? Have you become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, the New Jerusalem? Have you accepted God’s grace and mercy, and been forgiven for all your sins, and been given an open door to enter into his presence, by the new and living way of Jesus? Are you walking to the eternal city, the New Jerusalem, knowing that you will be granted entry? If so, praise God for his grace and mercy. If not, call on him now for forgiveness for your sins, in the name of Jesus Christ, and you will be given instant access to that eternal place, the presence of God, the glory to come.

What can one person do for God? What can an ordinary person do for God? Not much, you might think…. William Carey – concerned for the cause of the expansion of God’s kingdom, and the salvation of those who had not heard the gospel. He made a map of the world out of leather, and sought information from people who had travelled to other parts of the world, and he was dismayed when he heard of how there was next to nothing happening in terms of spreading the gospel of faith alone in Jesus Christ alone across the world. Like Nehemiah, he was in great sorrow, and sought to do what he could. At an annual church convention, after raising the question about how people around the world could be saved without hearing the gospel, he was even put down by one elderly minister who said something along these lines “If God wants to save the unbelievers in other countries, he will do so without your help or mine”. How wrong that was. Romans 10:13-15 tells us that the advance of the church, the salvation of individuals, cannot happen without people telling others the gospel. “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”” (Romans 10:13–15, NLT ) If a lowly shoemaker can start the modern missionary movement, anyone can do anything for God. If Nehemiah, an exiled civil servant in the government of a foreign country, can rebuild the walls of the city of God in the Old Testament, Jerusalem, then anyone can do great things for God. Nehemiah: Had a heavy heart for God’s kingdom. Expressed heartfelt and persistent prayer to God. Worked with all his heart for the kingdom of God. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT )

On 28th August 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously gave his speech which was a defining moment in the cause of the American Civil Rights Movement, in spurring people from all backgrounds towards equality and fairness by removing racial discrimination against blacks in America. He said: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today! Today, that dream, that vision, is still being worked out, still being pursued. It has largely been achieved, but still has some way to go. Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many centuries ago Nehemiah had a vision for what could be achieved, as we read in Nehemiah 2:9-20. He wanted to see the walls of Jerusalem restored, so that God would be glorified in the eyes of the surrounding nations, and that God’s people would be protected from their enemies. He had a vision for the walls of Jerusalem to be restored. That was what motivated him to speak to the King, and then travel to Jerusalem, and to eventually get the rebuilding work started. Despite opposition, he motivated the returned exiles at Jerusalem to build up the walls of the ancient city again. He had a vision, and he communicated it to the people. They caught the vision, and in a relatively short time (52 days), they completed the restoration work. Many of God's people have a vision or dream for what could be done for God's glory. They communicate that vision to others, and achieve great things in God's name. Jesus had a vision for saving countless multitudes of people, by going to the cross and dying in their place to atone for their sins. He persevered and was not sidetracked, even when his closest disciples tried to disuade him. And we thank him for doing so. What could God do through us, if we catch a vision of what he wants to do in the world?

Micky Concannon from Derry Donegal Christian Fellowship encouraged us to have confidence from the Lord, a ‘holy boldness’, in witnessing and testifying to the Lord Jesus Christ in all that we do.

It's amazing what can be achieved by a group of enthusiastic people, even if they don't have the skills for the job. When Nehemiah motivated the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem to start rebuilding the walls of the city, there were none who were skilled in masonry. Instead, there were farmers, perfumers, goldsmiths,civil servants, rulers, priests, and others, both male and female. But together they rebuilt the walls of the city. Everyone (apart from some nobles who would not get involved) got stuck in and did what they could - it was far more than they might have thought possible. Together, they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. As a team, divisions of class, culture, tribe, etc. were put to one side, as they all worked together on rebuilding the city walls. We too can work for God, no matter what situation we find ourselves in. Instead of working primarily for praise or reward from others, we can work for the Lord. We are told to: “...obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Ephesians 6:5–7, NLT) Also, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Colossians 3:23, NLT) Whether as individual Christians, or as God's people working together, if we have the right attitude we can do great things for God, to his glory.

There will be opposition in life. We should not be surprised if trying to live a godly life experiences opposition from others, from the spiritual realm of darkness, but mostly from our own sinful nature. But we must persevere. “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, NLT) “I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.” (2 Peter 3:17, NLT) “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.” (2 Corinthians 10:4, NLT) “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:25, NLT) “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” (Proverbs 15:1, NLT) “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NLT) “As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—” (Acts 4:23–24, NLT) “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” (1 Peter 5:9, NLT) “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.” (Philippians 1:27–28, NLT) “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)

Have you ever been afraid of something? When I first saw you, I was afraid to talk to you. When I first talked to you, I was afraid to like you. When I first liked you, I was afraid to love you. Now that I love you, I'm afraid to lose you. - Yesenia Ann Peralez This person was afraid of one thing after another, living in fear instead of rejoicing. Sometimes we too as Christians can live in fear instead of the living in the joy of the Lord. Nehemiah could have lived in fear, because there was a lot to be afraid of, but instead he trusted in the Lord and persisted in doing his work for the Lord, despite constant opposition. “Opposition is a fact: the Christian who is not conscious of being opposed had better watch himself for he is in danger.” (J. I. Packer, Knowing God) “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12, NLT) Yet, Christians must persevere despite opposition: “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.” (Matthew 5:10–11, NLT) Be encouraged… “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3–4, NLT) “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT) “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

“If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 18:5, NLT) There is life and peace through following the righteous requirements of the law (Romans 8:4). But how can a sinner please God and keep the heart of God's law? How can someone who is imperfect find life? The answer is in two steps: Firstly, confess your sins to God, trusting that Jesus died on the cross so that you can be forgiven. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT) Secondly, turn from sin and conform to God's standard of holiness. This is not possible for us naturally, but it is possible when we walk in the Spirit, trusting in the power of God to live the life that we ought to live, instead of trusting in our own feeble, fallible and futile strength of our natural but sinful character or nature. Praise God that we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). And that God does powerful things in us, through the power of his Spirit: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20–21, NLT) The 'obedience of faith' (Romans 1:5) is possible for those who confess their sins and trust in Jesus, and conform to God's will in their lives. Praise God!

In the film “The Blues Brothers”, when Elwood asks the wife of the owner of ‘Bob's Country Bunker’; “Er... what kind of music do you usually have here?” She answers “Oh, we got both kinds. We got Country, and Western.” What kind of music do you enjoy most? For Christians, Christian music should form a big part of our music listening. There’s something wrong when we enjoy music and listen to lots of different types of music, if we don’t have a good proportion of that being Christian music that expresses our praise to God. If we’re seeking joy from music, and we leave God out of that process, there is something imbalanced, wrong, dysfunctional. Nehemiah celebrated the finishing of the walls and their dedication to God through music and song. They celebrated: “with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, rwith cymbals, harps, and lyres.” (Nehemiah 12:27) “God had made them rejoice with great joy... And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” (Nehemiah 12:43) Christians have much to celebrate and thank God for. We too should sing praises to God, with great joy, because of what he has done for us in Christ Jesus.