WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.200 Please turn to the book of Jeremiah. 00:00:02.399 --> 00:00:03.680 You're going to need a Bible. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:05.820 I'll be difficult to follow. 00:00:05.879 --> 00:00:06.459 If you haven't got a Bible, 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:07.879 the stewards are at the back. 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:08.880 They've got Bibles if you want one. 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:11.500 And if you need water, 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:12.859 there is water. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:13.339 All right? 00:00:13.419 --> 00:00:14.800 And so if you feel you need to get up 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:17.240 and get a bit of fresh air, 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:19.260 I won't be put off by that at all. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:21.640 Even my elders 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:23.839 won't be put off by them at all. 00:00:24.060 --> 00:00:25.679 Jeremiah 11. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:28.719 And next week is 16 to 20 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:29.800 if you want to do your reading ahead, 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:30.199 do your homework. 00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:31.580 Jeremiah 16 to 20. 00:00:32.200 --> 00:00:35.240 There is a reason why reality TV 00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:37.520 is unavoidable these days, 00:00:37.660 --> 00:00:38.859 and it's because it's compelling. 00:00:40.179 --> 00:00:42.060 From the banalities of life 00:00:42.060 --> 00:00:44.260 in the Great British Bake Off 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:48.400 to the hidden deception of the traitors 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:52.700 to the hidden stories of heartbreak 00:00:52.700 --> 00:00:53.980 in Race Across the World. 00:00:55.019 --> 00:00:56.579 If you make the mistake of 00:00:56.579 --> 00:00:58.120 starting to watch this stuff, 00:00:58.119 --> 00:01:00.259 it is hard to break away, isn't it, 00:01:00.259 --> 00:01:01.459 to the world of normality 00:01:01.459 --> 00:01:03.000 and good taste. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:04.379 And the reason for that is 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:06.640 because we all love the inside track. 00:01:08.039 --> 00:01:09.019 You know the kind of thing, 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:10.439 the explosive interview 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:11.879 with the former Prime Minister, 00:01:12.679 --> 00:01:14.219 the revealing documentary 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:15.519 on Channel 4, 00:01:16.039 --> 00:01:18.239 the hidden camera in the changing room. 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:19.799 there's always the draw, 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:20.119 there's always the draw, isn't there, 00:01:20.119 --> 00:01:21.759 to get up close and personal, 00:01:22.259 --> 00:01:26.039 to see how things really are on the inside, 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:27.699 to get the inside scoop. 00:01:28.819 --> 00:01:30.019 And that's exactly what we've got 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:31.599 in chapter 11 to 15 of Jeremiah. 00:01:31.599 --> 00:01:34.619 The key to working out what's going on 00:01:34.619 --> 00:01:36.339 in this part of Jeremiah's prophecy 00:01:36.339 --> 00:01:37.719 is to notice who's talking, 00:01:37.859 --> 00:01:38.379 who's speaking. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:39.259 It's very revealing. 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:43.239 The Lord speaks often, 00:01:43.399 --> 00:01:44.679 telling Jeremiah what to say. 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:47.479 Jeremiah generally speaks, 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:48.859 telling God what he feels 00:01:48.859 --> 00:01:50.280 about what he's been asked to say. 00:01:50.699 --> 00:01:51.500 And occasionally, 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:52.579 the people speak. 00:01:53.579 --> 00:01:55.060 But their words are reported 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:57.340 or anticipated by God and his prophet 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:58.819 rather than spoken out loud. 00:01:59.399 --> 00:02:00.159 That's basically it. 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:01.859 And these chapters, 00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:02.479 11 to 15, 00:02:02.559 --> 00:02:05.219 are basically an extended conversation 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:06.919 between Jeremiah and God himself. 00:02:07.899 --> 00:02:09.139 So what are they talking about? 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:11.180 Well, in these chapters, 00:02:11.359 --> 00:02:13.099 Jeremiah walks us through the way 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:14.340 in which God has taught him, 00:02:14.519 --> 00:02:15.139 corrected him, 00:02:15.959 --> 00:02:18.139 and gently encouraged him 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:19.659 and equipped him 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:20.919 for his work of ministry. 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:23.479 It's almost as if 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:26.319 we have Jeremiah's apprenticeship 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:28.139 played out before us. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:31.859 His prophetic ministry training program. 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:33.859 And what is remarkable 00:02:33.859 --> 00:02:35.639 is the way in which Jeremiah 00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:36.959 opens himself up 00:02:36.959 --> 00:02:38.599 for you and I to walk with him. 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:40.319 Now, of course, 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:41.859 we are not Jeremiah. 00:02:43.039 --> 00:02:43.939 On balance, 00:02:44.079 --> 00:02:45.859 it is unlikely that Ealing 00:02:45.859 --> 00:02:47.500 is going to be invaded by Iraq. 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:49.959 Some of you might differ on that. 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:50.939 But there is something 00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:51.939 that's happening here 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:54.680 that is deeply relevant to us. 00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:57.460 Because Jeremiah is a prototype 00:02:57.460 --> 00:02:59.040 of the suffering prophet 00:02:59.040 --> 00:03:00.340 who is to come. 00:03:01.040 --> 00:03:01.780 There is going to be 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:03.420 multiple points of contact, 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:04.760 as we will see 00:03:04.760 --> 00:03:06.520 through what Jeremiah goes through 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.700 as he suffers for and with the people 00:03:08.700 --> 00:03:10.120 and what the Lord Jesus 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:10.900 will go through. 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:12.400 There are places 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:14.260 where Jeremiah's reaction 00:03:14.260 --> 00:03:15.500 to the fact of the sin 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:16.000 of his people 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:16.780 is picked up 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:18.500 and it's fulfilled in Jesus, 00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:19.980 in his love 00:03:19.980 --> 00:03:21.040 and in his life 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:22.199 and ultimately 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:22.819 in his death 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:23.479 and our place. 00:03:24.659 --> 00:03:25.359 And then the New Testament 00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:26.959 makes very clear 00:03:26.959 --> 00:03:27.739 that the apostles 00:03:27.739 --> 00:03:29.340 pick up where Jesus leaves off. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:31.519 So Paul says things like this, 00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:33.620 I rejoice in my sufferings. 00:03:33.780 --> 00:03:35.120 Now for your sake, 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:36.419 in my flesh, 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:38.379 I am filling up 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:39.139 what is lacking 00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:40.419 in Christ's afflictions 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:41.319 for the sake of his body, 00:03:41.399 --> 00:03:42.159 that is the church. 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:44.340 And then the apostles 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:45.319 pass that commission 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:46.299 onto us 00:03:46.299 --> 00:03:48.159 and we are called 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:49.139 to follow the apostles 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:50.819 who follow Christ 00:03:50.819 --> 00:03:54.500 who was anticipated 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:55.379 by Jeremiah. 00:03:56.759 --> 00:03:57.139 And in that, 00:03:57.199 --> 00:03:58.139 as we look at Jeremiah, 00:03:58.319 --> 00:03:59.959 we see this template 00:03:59.959 --> 00:04:01.900 of Jesus' ministry, 00:04:02.019 --> 00:04:02.900 the apostles' ministry, 00:04:03.079 --> 00:04:03.639 our ministry. 00:04:04.959 --> 00:04:05.539 And so let's follow 00:04:05.539 --> 00:04:06.239 this conversation 00:04:06.239 --> 00:04:06.879 with Jeremiah 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:07.639 and God himself. 00:04:08.019 --> 00:04:09.340 What does authentic 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:10.620 church life look like? 00:04:11.299 --> 00:04:12.479 The conversation starts 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:13.340 in chapter 11 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:15.319 and verses 1 to 17 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:16.120 where firstly, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.579 God urges Jeremiah 00:04:17.579 --> 00:04:19.399 speak God's words. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:21.399 It's hardly surprising. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:23.339 But the Lord insists 00:04:23.339 --> 00:04:24.379 that Jeremiah's ministry 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:25.819 must be shaped by, 00:04:25.979 --> 00:04:26.659 bounded by, 00:04:26.979 --> 00:04:27.739 controlled by, 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:29.120 driven by the word of God. 00:04:30.379 --> 00:04:31.339 Jeremiah's role, 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:32.779 according to God himself, 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:33.519 is, 00:04:33.679 --> 00:04:34.159 chapter 11, 00:04:34.219 --> 00:04:34.699 verse 2, 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:35.560 hear the words 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:36.079 of this covenant. 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:38.219 Speak to the men of Judah 00:04:38.219 --> 00:04:39.159 and the inhabitants 00:04:39.159 --> 00:04:39.620 of Jerusalem. 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:41.479 This covenant is, 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:42.739 it's an umbrella term 00:04:42.739 --> 00:04:43.859 to describe 00:04:43.859 --> 00:04:46.099 what God has said 00:04:46.099 --> 00:04:47.139 about his relationship 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:47.659 with his people 00:04:47.659 --> 00:04:48.339 up until now. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:50.180 It's summed up 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:50.979 and it's reflected 00:04:50.979 --> 00:04:52.019 in the words of Deuteronomy 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:53.219 and they are quoted 00:04:53.219 --> 00:04:54.939 repeatedly in these chapters. 00:04:56.039 --> 00:04:56.659 11, verse 3, 00:04:56.719 --> 00:04:57.439 you shall say to him, 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:58.719 thus says the Lord, 00:04:58.800 --> 00:04:59.360 the God of Israel. 00:04:59.419 --> 00:04:59.959 He's quoting from 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:00.899 Deuteronomy 27. 00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:02.699 Cursed be the man 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:03.560 who does not hear 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:04.699 the words of this covenant 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:05.579 that I commanded you, 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:06.259 your fathers, 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:06.899 when I brought them 00:05:06.899 --> 00:05:07.659 out of the land of Egypt, 00:05:08.259 --> 00:05:09.120 from the iron furnace, 00:05:09.219 --> 00:05:09.379 saying, 00:05:09.539 --> 00:05:10.519 listen to my voice 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:12.479 and do all that I command you. 00:05:12.819 --> 00:05:14.360 So shall you be my people 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:15.319 and I'll be your God, 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:16.819 that I may confirm 00:05:16.819 --> 00:05:17.759 the oath that I swore 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:18.319 to your fathers 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.080 to give them a land 00:05:19.080 --> 00:05:20.220 flowing with milk and honey 00:05:20.220 --> 00:05:20.980 as this day. 00:05:22.220 --> 00:05:23.360 Now it's important for us 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:24.120 to realize 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:26.240 for all the creativity 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:27.139 of the prophets, 00:05:28.340 --> 00:05:29.180 for all the prophets' 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:31.060 willingness to make 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.860 dramatic symbolic actions, 00:05:33.020 --> 00:05:34.900 they are basically preachers 00:05:34.900 --> 00:05:36.139 of the word of God. 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:38.860 Their message draws together 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:40.300 what God has said already 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:41.720 in previous generations. 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:44.880 And the fresh revelation 00:05:44.880 --> 00:05:45.660 that was given 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:46.740 and expressed by them. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:48.220 So as Jeremiah answers, 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:48.900 verse 5, 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:49.800 so be it, Lord. 00:05:50.820 --> 00:05:52.100 He's committing himself 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:54.340 and signing up 00:05:54.340 --> 00:05:57.340 to a word-shaped ministry. 00:05:58.620 --> 00:05:59.540 11 verses 6 to 8, 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:00.560 God rams it home. 00:06:01.760 --> 00:06:02.760 Proclaim all these words 00:06:02.760 --> 00:06:03.480 in the cities of Judah 00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:05.260 and in the streets of Jerusalem. 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:06.500 Hear the words of this covenant 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:07.000 and do them. 00:06:07.080 --> 00:06:09.040 For I solemnly warned your fathers 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:09.600 when I brought them 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:10.840 out of the land of Egypt. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:12.720 Warning them persistently 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.420 even to this day, 00:06:13.700 --> 00:06:13.860 saying, 00:06:13.940 --> 00:06:14.720 obey my voice. 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:16.400 Yet they did not obey 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:17.520 or incline their ear. 00:06:18.280 --> 00:06:19.460 But everyone walked 00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:20.440 in the stubbornness 00:06:20.440 --> 00:06:21.360 of his evil heart. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:22.380 Therefore I brought them 00:06:22.380 --> 00:06:23.660 all the words, 00:06:23.880 --> 00:06:24.540 brought upon them 00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:25.940 all the words of this covenant 00:06:25.940 --> 00:06:27.140 which I commanded them to do, 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:28.140 but they did not. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:30.820 Jeremiah's job 00:06:30.820 --> 00:06:32.000 is to keep calling people 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:32.480 to repent, 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:33.500 to turn and obey 00:06:33.500 --> 00:06:35.680 and to hear and obey. 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:37.520 To remind them 00:06:37.520 --> 00:06:38.240 that they are the people 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:38.960 that God has chosen, 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:40.000 they are the covenant people 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:40.980 of God to whom he's spoken 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:42.259 and that changes everything. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:45.160 This word of God 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:46.500 must control their understanding 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:47.920 and their lives 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:49.000 and it must control 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:51.040 Jeremiah's ministry. 00:06:52.420 --> 00:06:53.319 Jeremiah is to be 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:55.720 relentlessly word-driven 00:06:55.720 --> 00:06:57.660 even if no one else is. 00:06:58.939 --> 00:06:59.639 And at this point, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:01.199 God very tenderly 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:02.620 makes Jeremiah aware 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:03.120 of something 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:04.920 that will be painful 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:05.740 for him to hear 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:07.019 but essential for him to know. 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:08.959 Not only will people 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:10.279 refuse to listen to him, 00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:12.199 God's already said that 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:12.779 multiple times, 00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:13.899 but they will plot 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:14.579 against him. 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:15.839 Look at verse 9. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:17.879 The Lord said to me, 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:18.859 a conspiracy exists 00:07:18.859 --> 00:07:19.599 among the men of Judah 00:07:19.599 --> 00:07:20.159 and the inhabitants 00:07:20.159 --> 00:07:20.620 of Jerusalem. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.319 They've turned back 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:23.240 to the iniquities 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:24.000 of their forefathers 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.199 who refuse to hear my words. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:25.959 They've gone after 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:27.039 other gods to serve them. 00:07:28.419 --> 00:07:29.719 So what does Jeremiah do 00:07:29.719 --> 00:07:30.279 now that there's 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:30.959 a conspiracy 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:32.299 against him? 00:07:33.219 --> 00:07:34.259 He's to keep on 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:35.199 saying the same thing. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:37.860 speaking God's words 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:38.379 to them. 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:40.899 Even though he knows 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:41.639 that the only effect 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:42.180 that those words 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:42.599 will have 00:07:42.599 --> 00:07:43.899 is to harden them further. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:46.819 It's one of the striking 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:47.699 contributions 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:48.360 of the prophets. 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:50.879 Especially Isaiah 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:51.379 and Jeremiah 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:52.039 and Ezekiel. 00:07:53.099 --> 00:07:54.579 They warn us often 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:57.120 that the gospel word-shaped 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:58.360 words that we speak, 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:00.539 they have the opposite effect 00:08:00.539 --> 00:08:01.240 to what we long for. 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:01.860 You know that. 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:04.039 That instead of those 00:08:04.039 --> 00:08:05.139 gospel words bringing 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.180 repentance and life, 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:07.759 they often harden people 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:08.399 in their rebellion. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:10.979 So think of Isaiah 6, 00:08:11.039 --> 00:08:11.680 right at the start 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:12.919 of Isaiah's ministry, 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.219 where he sees the Lord, 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:16.479 God says to him, 00:08:16.599 --> 00:08:16.800 Isaiah, 00:08:16.979 --> 00:08:17.959 go and say to this people, 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:18.599 keep on hearing 00:08:18.599 --> 00:08:19.459 but do not understand. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:21.019 Keep on seeing 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:21.719 but do not perceive. 00:08:21.979 --> 00:08:22.419 Make the heart 00:08:22.419 --> 00:08:23.259 of this people dull, 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:24.099 their ears heavy, 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:25.159 blind their eyes, 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:26.259 lest they see with their eyes 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:27.159 and hear with their ears 00:08:27.159 --> 00:08:28.300 and understand with their hearts. 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:30.639 Which is what Jesus 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:31.620 picks up on, doesn't it, 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:32.879 when he's explaining 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:33.639 his ministry? 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.679 Or Ezekiel, 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.139 God said, 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:37.340 son of man, 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:39.159 I send you to the people 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:39.740 of Israel, 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:41.100 to nations of rebels 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:42.120 who rebelled against me. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:43.679 They and their fathers 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:45.139 have transgressed against me 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:46.139 to this very day. 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:47.120 Their descendants 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.340 are impudent 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:49.039 and stubborn. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:50.740 I send you to them 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:51.620 and you will say to them, 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:52.679 thus says the Lord God. 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:54.720 And when they hear 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:55.439 or refuse 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:56.600 or hear 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:57.159 for they are 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.080 a rebellious house, 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:58.600 they will know 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.120 that a prophet 00:08:59.120 --> 00:08:59.899 has been among them. 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:01.860 And so Jeremiah 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:02.980 is to go to the people 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:04.159 to preach to them 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:04.819 God's word 00:09:04.819 --> 00:09:05.740 knowing, 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:06.299 chapter 11, 00:09:06.340 --> 00:09:06.819 verse 11, 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:08.079 behold, 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:09.079 I'm bringing disaster 00:09:09.079 --> 00:09:10.159 upon them 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:11.000 that they cannot escape. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.379 And though they cry to me, 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:14.360 I will not listen to them. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:16.259 In fact, 00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:17.459 Jeremiah is even forbidden 00:09:17.459 --> 00:09:18.179 to pray for them. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.299 Verse 14, 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:21.319 don't pray for this people 00:09:21.319 --> 00:09:22.980 or lift up a cry 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:23.919 or prayer on their behalf 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:24.819 for I will not listen. 00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:26.139 They will call to me 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:27.639 in their time of trouble. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:29.899 The horrible truth 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:30.819 dawning on Jeremiah 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:31.960 is that his preaching 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:33.220 is going to have no effect 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:33.740 and the people 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:34.379 will not listen. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:36.819 And yet he must keep speaking. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:39.080 His ministry 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:40.340 is to be relentlessly, 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:41.120 unshakably, 00:09:41.439 --> 00:09:42.199 inflexibly 00:09:42.199 --> 00:09:43.220 word-centered. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:46.699 And there are some things 00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:47.259 in life 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:48.279 which are non-negotiable. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:51.639 And this is one of them. 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:54.819 For the preacher, 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:55.379 for the prophet, 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.559 to preach God's word 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:57.360 until our death, 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:58.279 we can do nothing else. 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:01.659 Ministry is speaking 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:02.460 God's word. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:03.560 For us as a church, 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:06.240 it is not our message 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:07.180 to muck around with. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:09.560 We need to burn it 00:10:09.560 --> 00:10:10.360 into our brains 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.539 that all authentic ministry 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:13.340 has to be 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.220 unapologetically 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:15.720 word-centered. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:18.960 It's not that we set out 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.500 to be welcoming 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:22.080 and warm 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:23.759 and then we slip in 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.340 a little bit of Bible 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:25.039 when no one's looking. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:28.199 but everything 00:10:28.199 --> 00:10:30.099 is centered on 00:10:30.099 --> 00:10:31.199 and drives towards 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:32.299 and flows from 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.179 God's word 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:33.980 being cured 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:34.819 and obeyed. 00:10:35.959 --> 00:10:37.399 Because church life 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.019 must be 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.120 unflinchingly, 00:10:40.459 --> 00:10:41.339 unapologetically 00:10:41.339 --> 00:10:42.599 word-centered. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.159 Everything else 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:46.019 can change pretty much 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:47.019 but not this. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:49.740 Our ministry needs 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:50.360 to be relentlessly 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:50.939 word-centered. 00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:53.660 And if we don't 00:10:53.660 --> 00:10:54.220 understand that, 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:54.920 nothing in the rest 00:10:54.920 --> 00:10:55.280 of this book 00:10:55.280 --> 00:10:55.960 will make any sense. 00:10:56.160 --> 00:10:57.000 So speak God's word. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.240 And then from 11, 18 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.120 to 12, 17, 00:10:59.260 --> 00:10:59.580 secondly, 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.380 suffer the pain. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.160 Suffer the pain. 00:11:03.560 --> 00:11:04.420 In the next section, 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.280 it becomes a proper 00:11:05.280 --> 00:11:06.100 conversation between 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:06.440 Jeremiah 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:07.940 and the Lord 00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:09.440 and Jeremiah 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.680 moans or laments, 00:11:11.280 --> 00:11:11.960 to use the technical 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:12.340 term, 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:13.040 and God responds. 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.040 And then Jeremiah 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:15.840 whinges a bit more 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:17.300 and God responds again. 00:11:17.940 --> 00:11:18.780 Now, why is this 00:11:18.780 --> 00:11:19.620 conversation recorded 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:20.080 for us? 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:23.900 So that we get 00:11:23.900 --> 00:11:24.340 the fact 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:26.300 of having 00:11:26.300 --> 00:11:27.060 a ministry 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:27.840 committed to 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.600 God's word 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:30.280 is going to mean 00:11:30.280 --> 00:11:31.400 having a deal 00:11:31.400 --> 00:11:32.140 with extended 00:11:32.140 --> 00:11:32.740 opposition. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.640 It just goes 00:11:35.640 --> 00:11:36.640 with the territory. 00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:38.420 And we need 00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:39.020 to know that up front. 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:40.320 So in chapter 11 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:41.420 and verse 18, 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:41.980 Jeremiah says, 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:42.400 okay, 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:43.340 I've got the bit 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:43.940 about being 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:44.580 word-driven. 00:11:44.760 --> 00:11:45.340 I understand that. 00:11:47.160 --> 00:11:47.800 But then you showed 00:11:47.800 --> 00:11:48.400 me their deeds 00:11:48.400 --> 00:11:49.580 and it was 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:50.200 absolutely horrible. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.480 There's a manly 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:54.620 gruff exterior 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.800 to Jeremiah, 00:11:56.280 --> 00:11:57.260 but emotionally 00:11:57.260 --> 00:11:58.620 he's pretty vulnerable. 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:00.660 It says, 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:01.500 I was like a lamb 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.360 led to the slaughter. 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.240 I walked right into it. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:04.960 I did not know 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:05.580 it was against me 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.100 that they devised 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.680 the schemes, 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:07.300 saying, 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:07.880 let us destroy 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.259 the truth 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:08.759 with its fruit. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:10.340 Let us cut off 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:10.759 from the land 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.120 of the living, 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:11.600 that his name 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:12.379 be remembered no more. 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:13.299 Jeremiah is just 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:14.480 a little bit naive here. 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:17.500 And I wonder 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.320 whether you think this, 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.240 and if we're kind 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:19.740 with people 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:21.899 and we're really 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.200 welcoming 00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:22.720 and we spend 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.419 enough time with them 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:25.279 and we listen to them, 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:26.000 in the end, 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:26.659 we can win them over, 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.000 can't we? 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:28.519 Wrong. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.220 It doesn't matter 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.559 how nice we think 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:33.000 we are. 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:34.779 It doesn't matter 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:36.320 how relationally 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:36.960 intelligent we might 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:37.400 think we are, 00:12:37.900 --> 00:12:38.620 how skilled 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.560 we might think 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:39.980 we are, 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:40.680 if we are speaking 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:41.500 God's word sooner 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.000 or later, 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.720 we will have to 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:43.500 suffer the pain 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:45.139 that comes from 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.759 those who stand 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.139 with God. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:48.800 And for Jeremiah, 00:12:48.920 --> 00:12:49.700 this meant having 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.340 to come to terms 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:50.780 with the fact 00:12:50.780 --> 00:12:51.480 that the conspiracy 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.519 we have in chapter 11, 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:53.180 verse 9, 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:54.900 actually started 00:12:54.900 --> 00:12:55.759 with the very people 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.160 that he thought 00:12:56.160 --> 00:12:56.860 he could count on. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.019 People from his 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.000 very hometown. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.340 Look at verse, 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.100 chapter 11, 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:03.720 verse 21, 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:04.820 therefore thus says 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:05.460 the Lord concerning 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.440 the men of Anathoth 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:08.040 who seek your life 00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:08.480 and say, 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:09.120 do not prophesy 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.840 in the name of the Lord 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.519 or you will die 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.259 by our hand. 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.100 Anathoth, 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:13.620 if you remember, 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.560 is Jeremiah's 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.060 home village. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:17.759 He's one of our own. 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:19.040 He's one of our own. 00:13:19.300 --> 00:13:20.399 He's one of our own. 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:20.759 No, 00:13:20.800 --> 00:13:21.440 they don't sing that. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.200 There's something 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.120 doubly painful 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.879 about being rejected 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.660 by your own people, 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:27.000 isn't it? 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:29.379 If you're rejected 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.419 by strangers, 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.519 you can take some comfort 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:32.960 in the fact, 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:33.320 isn't it? 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.899 So, 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:36.879 you go and do 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.840 open air ministry 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.580 or beach missions 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:39.720 in a town you don't know, 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:40.720 it doesn't matter 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.539 if people don't take you 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:42.340 tracks or don't like you 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:42.759 very much. 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.519 In your school, 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.320 when people reject you, 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:46.960 it's a different story, 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:47.240 isn't it? 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:49.919 It's no accident 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:51.500 that in Luke's ministry, 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:52.480 in Luke's gospel, 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.200 Jesus' ministry 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.100 begins precisely 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.700 at this note, 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.120 do you remember? 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:57.720 He goes to Nazareth. 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.000 Luke 4, 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.039 he rolled up the scroll 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.639 and he gave it back 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.200 to the attendant 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:02.879 and he sat down 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:03.500 and the eyes of all 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.460 the synagogue were upon him 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:04.779 and he says, 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.600 today the scripture 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.220 has been fulfilled 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.940 in your hearing. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:10.120 And all spoke well of him 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:10.879 and marveled at the 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.419 gracious words 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:11.799 that were coming 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.299 from his mouth 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:12.919 and they said, 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:14.000 isn't this Joseph's son? 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.919 And he said to them, 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:17.759 doubtless you will quote me 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.240 this proverb, 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:19.000 physician, 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.659 heal yourself. 00:14:19.940 --> 00:14:20.519 What we've heard 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.299 you did in Capernaum, 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:22.200 do here in your hometown 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:22.820 as well. 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:23.620 And he said, 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.580 truly I say to you, 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:25.800 no prophet is acceptable 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:26.300 in his hometown. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.040 When they heard 00:14:28.040 --> 00:14:28.879 these things in the synagogue, 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.820 they were filled with wrath. 00:14:31.780 --> 00:14:32.660 And they rose up 00:14:32.660 --> 00:14:33.420 and they drove him 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:33.800 out of the town 00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.220 and brought him 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:34.960 to the brow of the hill 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:36.280 of which their town 00:14:36.280 --> 00:14:36.700 was built 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:37.520 so they could throw him 00:14:37.520 --> 00:14:38.040 down the cliff. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.220 Like Jeremiah, 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.680 like Jesus, 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:45.800 we need to be ready 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.720 to suffer 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:48.920 external rejection. 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:52.419 There is a real cost 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:53.059 to churches 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.939 in speaking God's word 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:56.919 and that external cost 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:58.599 has an internal cost 00:14:58.599 --> 00:14:59.179 in effect. 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:00.579 Chapter 11, 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.259 verse 20, 00:15:02.599 --> 00:15:03.419 Jeremiah prays 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:04.299 for God to intervene 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:05.579 and deal with his enemies. 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.860 Verse 21 to 23, 00:15:08.079 --> 00:15:08.579 he assures him 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:09.139 he will do it 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.899 but that produces 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:11.059 turmoil for Jeremiah. 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:13.659 Righteous are you, 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.179 O Lord, 00:15:14.239 --> 00:15:15.039 when I complain to you. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.519 Yet I would plead 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.479 my case before you. 00:15:17.739 --> 00:15:18.319 Why does the way 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:19.039 of the wicked prosper? 00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:20.079 Why do all 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:21.279 who are treacherous 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:21.719 thrive? 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.619 You plant them 00:15:22.619 --> 00:15:23.279 and they take root. 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:23.959 They grow 00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:24.779 and produce fruit. 00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:26.579 You are near in their mouth 00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:27.679 and far from their heart. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.519 How come you don't deal 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.099 with these people, 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:31.919 Jeremiah asks. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:35.179 One of the pitfalls 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:38.539 about caring so much 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:40.039 about the work 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.139 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.079 and his church 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:44.679 is that we care so much 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:47.099 about the Lord Jesus Christ 00:15:47.099 --> 00:15:47.860 and his church. 00:15:49.959 --> 00:15:50.879 Longing for God 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.519 to do something, 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.939 to revive his church, 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.099 to straighten people up, 00:15:55.579 --> 00:15:56.559 to give people 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.980 a greater desire 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.500 for holiness, 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.059 a desire to see 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:01.899 people come to new 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.000 life in Christ. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.559 And when you have 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.039 those desires, 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.019 it can easily 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:08.120 spill over into 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.559 kind of angst-ridden 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:10.139 outpouring 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.620 that you find 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.240 in chapter 12, 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:11.860 verse 3. 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.019 But you, O Lord, 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:13.579 know me. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.159 You see me. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.720 You test my heart 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.340 towards you. 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.720 You know I'm speaking 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.399 your words. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.679 Pull them out 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.179 like sheep 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:21.840 for the slaughter 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.899 and set them apart 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:24.179 for the day of slaughter. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.019 Jeremiah says to God, 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:27.919 can you do something 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.720 about this? 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.860 Enough is enough. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:32.139 And God's response 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:32.800 is priceless. 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.379 If you've raced 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.200 with men on foot 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:38.019 and they've wearied you, 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.720 how will you compete 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.159 with horses? 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.519 And if in a safe land 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.340 you are so trusting, 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:42.940 what will you do 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:43.879 in the thicket of the Jordan? 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:47.139 God gently says to Jeremiah, 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.019 what did you expect? 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.639 To be involved 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.399 in God's work, 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.460 to speak God's word, 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.659 is to suffer pain. 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:55.860 Yes, they've dealt 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.919 treacherously with you. 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.179 Yes, they are in full cry 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:00.019 after you. 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.639 And you thought 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.639 it was going to be different 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:05.319 because God says, 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.059 do not believe them. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:07.879 Though they speak 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:09.039 friendly words to you, 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.139 then God says, 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.059 if I can put this reverently, 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.819 how do you think I feel? 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.980 To speak the words of God, 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.279 to be involved in ministry, 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.039 is to suffer, 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.059 if I can put it like this, 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:18.879 the pain of God. 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.399 Look at verse 7 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.180 of chapter 12. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:23.940 God says, 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.120 look, 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.460 I've forsaken my house. 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:27.259 I've abandoned my heritage. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.060 I've given the beloved 00:17:29.060 --> 00:17:29.620 of my soul 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.580 into the hands of our enemies. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.680 My heritage has become 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.420 to me like a lion 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.019 in the forest. 00:17:34.320 --> 00:17:34.880 See what the image 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.500 is actually saying? 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.720 My people have savaged me 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.300 like a lion. 00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:39.240 She's lifted up 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.060 her voice against me, 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:41.060 therefore I hate her. 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.480 God says, 00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:43.320 many shepherds 00:17:43.320 --> 00:17:44.400 have destroyed my vineyard. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.240 They've trampled down 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.780 my portion. 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.980 They've made my pleasant portion 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.900 a desolate wilderness. 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.600 They've made it 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.360 a desolation. 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:51.240 Desolate. 00:17:51.580 --> 00:17:52.320 It mourns to me. 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:54.820 And yes, 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:56.019 God will act in judgment 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:58.480 against his people, 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.140 verse 12, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.960 and against those 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.980 who in the words 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.759 of verse 14 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.680 touch the heritage 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.240 that I've given 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.880 my people Israel. 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.580 But don't miss it. 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.560 It's quite remarkable. 00:18:06.080 --> 00:18:06.880 God is depicted, 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.740 and we need to be 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:09.040 really careful here, 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:10.380 as suffering the pain 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:10.840 for us. 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:15.019 This is the God 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.640 of the universe 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.100 who of course 00:18:16.100 --> 00:18:17.440 is beyond all human passions. 00:18:19.560 --> 00:18:19.920 And yet, 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.840 this is the God 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.299 who will become 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.839 one of us 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.599 in the Lord Jesus 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.720 and suffer 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.740 and die for us. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.779 And the simple logic 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:29.119 is he suffered 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:29.659 the pain 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.539 and so will we 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:32.899 if we are united 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.500 with him. 00:18:35.459 --> 00:18:36.220 1 Peter 2 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.839 says this is a 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.359 gracious thing. 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:40.259 When mindful of God, 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:41.339 one endures sorrows 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:41.939 while suffering 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:42.519 unjustly. 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.079 for what credit 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.500 is it 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.440 if when you sin 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:44.839 and are beaten 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:45.099 for it, 00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:45.500 you endure. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.579 But if you do good 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.259 and suffer for it, 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:49.859 you endure. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.619 This is a gracious 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.559 thing in sight of God. 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:53.420 For to this 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.019 you've been called 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.879 because Christ 00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:55.819 has suffered for you, 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.900 leaving you an example 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:57.500 that you might 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.299 follow in his steps. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.180 He committed no sin, 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.400 neither was any deceit 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.059 found in his mouth. 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.740 When he was reviled, 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.759 he did not revile in return. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.319 When he suffered, 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:05.059 he did not threaten. 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.240 But he continued 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.259 entrusting himself 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.740 to him 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.119 who judges justly. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.039 He himself 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.980 for our sins 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.579 in his body 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.059 on the tree 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.779 that we might die 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.240 to sin 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.160 and live to righteousness. 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.319 By his wounds 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.160 you have been healed. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.160 Suffering, 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.500 the pain, 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.059 goes with the territory 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.339 when our ministry 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.299 is built on 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.200 speaking God's word. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.980 It's unavoidable. 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.660 As is thirdly, 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.759 doing whatever it takes 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.839 to get the message across. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.400 Start of chapter 13, 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.079 Jeremiah breaks 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.240 into prose once more. 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.680 And it's one of the 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.240 best incidents 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.799 in the whole book. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.659 There's not a lot 00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:38.559 of humor in Jeremiah 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.200 and you've got to make 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.839 the best of it 00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.799 when you find it. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.139 And so chapter 13, 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.700 verse 1, 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.919 Captain Underpants, 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.559 I think, 00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:47.440 is mildly amusing. 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.639 Thus says the Lord, 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:51.159 go and buy a linen loincloth. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.980 Now Chris Wright, 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.960 who's as weak as water 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.759 on this passage, 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:55.980 wants to say 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.279 that it's a linen belt. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.779 It's not a linen belt. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.940 It's underwear. 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.519 And he's told, 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.259 13 verse 1, 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.019 put it around your waist 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.000 and do not dip it 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.599 into water. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:10.379 Do not dip your underwear 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:10.960 into water. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.779 That distracted me 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.539 for a while this week. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.779 And most of the commentators 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.639 frustratingly make 00:20:15.639 --> 00:20:16.740 no comments on it, 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:18.559 on this rather odd 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.460 prohibition of 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.839 dipping your pants 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.919 in a bucket of cold water 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:22.720 before you put them on. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.460 It's hard to know 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.359 why Jeremiah 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.359 would want to do that. 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.859 And one commentator, 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.720 R.K. Harrison, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.500 says if they were 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.099 dipped in water, 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.619 they would become 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:31.839 softer and more pliable. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:34.959 Matthew Henry thinks 00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:35.839 they would last longer 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.519 without washing. 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.259 John Calvin said, 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.720 and I paraphrase slightly, 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.379 who cares? 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:44.779 But for some reason, 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.980 pre-washing is banned. 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:49.059 And so Jeremiah 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.919 buys his undies 00:20:50.919 --> 00:20:51.619 according to the word 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.000 of the Lord, 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.279 puts them around his waist, 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.359 and now he's suitably 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.899 attired. 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.920 He goes to Babylon, 00:20:57.840 --> 00:20:59.360 and he now removes 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:00.880 his now not-so-fresh 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.780 undergarments 00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:02.740 and finds a hole 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.360 under the rock, 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.400 stuffs them in the hole, 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.360 and then walks home again. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.759 Chapter 13, verse 6, 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.480 After many days, 00:21:09.560 --> 00:21:10.360 the Lord said to me, 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.720 After many days, 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:12.540 the Lord said to me, 00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:14.140 Arise, go to the Euphrates, 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.360 and take from there 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.500 the loincloth 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.600 that I commanded 00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:18.200 to hide there. 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:20.259 So he walks back there, 00:21:20.280 --> 00:21:21.040 it's a long way, 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:24.240 digs up the underwear, 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:26.099 and shock after horror, 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.079 after several months 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.880 buried under a rock, 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.299 his underpants are spoiled 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:30.440 and good for nothing. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.180 Now the point is not 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.779 hard to work out, 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.059 is it? 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.620 At the purchase 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.799 of brand new underwear, 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.859 the double trip to Babylon 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.480 is made clear. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.400 At the people of Judah, 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.059 what are they like? 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:45.019 They're like Jeremiah's 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.819 rancid pants. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.380 Verse 10, 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.240 There's evil people 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.380 who refuse to hear my words, 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.039 stubbornly follow 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.640 their own heart, 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.900 and they've gone after 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.900 other gods 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.460 to serve them 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.040 and worship them. 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:57.680 They should be like 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.620 this loincloth, 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:01.140 which is good for nothing, 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:01.860 dead right. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.120 For as the loincloth 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:05.280 clings to the waste of man, 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.640 so I made the whole 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.340 house of Israel 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.140 and the whole house 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.019 of Judah cling to me, 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:09.680 declares the Lord, 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.160 that they may be for me 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:11.540 a people, 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:11.920 a name, 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.320 a praise, 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:12.700 a glory, 00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:13.580 but they would not listen. 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.160 That's the point. 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:17.300 And the stuff about jars 00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:18.380 in 13, 12, 14 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:19.320 is exactly the same. 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.460 He quotes the Judean proverb, 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:22.000 every jar shall be filled 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.440 with wine. 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.600 And they say, 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:23.940 We know, 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.680 verse 13, 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.660 then you shall say to them, 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.860 Thus says the Lord, 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.180 Behold, 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.240 I will fill with drunkenness 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:28.840 all the inhabitants 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.400 of this land, 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.220 the kings who sit on 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.840 David's throne, 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:31.860 the priests, 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.259 the prophets, 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:32.980 all the inhabitants 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.480 of Jerusalem, 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.420 and I will dash them 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.700 one against another, 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.779 father's sons to gather 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.980 to close the Lord. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.700 I will not pity or spare 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.440 or have compassion 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:43.160 that I should not destroy them. 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:47.320 It is then Jeremiah's role 00:22:47.320 --> 00:22:48.440 to do everything in his power 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.580 to communicate this message 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:49.960 to the people 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.519 who don't want to listen. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.900 13, 15, 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.360 Give ear, 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:53.940 don't be proud. 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.660 The Lord has spoken, 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:57.420 Give glory to the Lord your God 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.980 before he brings darkness, 00:22:59.080 --> 00:22:59.940 before your feet tremble. 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:01.820 On the twilight mountains 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.640 while you look for light, 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.560 he turns it into gloom, 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.360 makes it deep darkness, 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.660 but if you will not listen, 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.680 my soul will weep 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.759 in secret for your pride. 00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:10.880 My eyes will weep bitterly 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.759 and run down with tears 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.820 because the Lord's flock 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.759 has been taken captive. 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:16.339 The verses that follow, 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.339 in verse 13, 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:18.919 Jeremiah's voice mingles 00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:20.179 with the voice of God himself 00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:21.139 as he warns everybody 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:22.139 from king and queen, 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.419 downwards, 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:25.179 to take seriously 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:25.899 the coming judgment 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:27.480 in the strongest possible language. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.079 Verse 22, 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.200 If you say in your heart, 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.579 Why have these things come upon me? 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.139 It is for the greatness 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:33.939 of your iniquity 00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:35.159 that your skirts are lifted up 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:36.059 and you suffer violence. 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.919 Can the Ethiopian change its skin? 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.359 Or the leper of spots? 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:41.559 Then also you can do good 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:43.339 who are accustomed to do evil. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.279 You can try if you like. 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.179 Verse 26, 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.279 I myself will lift up 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.240 your skirts over your face 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.179 and your shame will be seen. 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.599 I've seen your abominations, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.519 your adulteries, 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.279 your neighings, 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.039 your lewd whorings 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.759 on the hills of the field. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.839 You can feel 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:56.919 the preacher here 00:23:56.919 --> 00:23:58.579 grasping for language, 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.440 for the right words 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.339 that will penetrate 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:02.539 the thick skins 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.339 and the deaf ears 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.940 of God's people. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:06.299 It's because he knows 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.720 that this message matters 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.240 and nothing matters more 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.180 than getting this message 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.820 to God's people. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:12.740 It's the mark of his ministry. 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.900 It's the mark of Jesus' ministry. 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.160 Jesus would say, 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.740 O Jerusalem, 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.360 O Jerusalem, 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.600 the city that kills the prophets 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.940 and stones those who are sent to it. 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:23.160 How often I would have 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:25.220 gathered your children together 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.860 as a hen, 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.720 gathers their brood under their wings 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.380 and you were not willing. 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:31.640 Can you feel the passion 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:33.480 to get the message across? 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.759 Speak God's word, 00:24:35.860 --> 00:24:36.300 suffer the pain, 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:36.980 do whatever it takes, 00:24:37.060 --> 00:24:37.640 stick to the task. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.300 14 verse 1 to 15, 9. 00:24:44.540 --> 00:24:46.000 Chapter 14, verse 1 to 6, 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:47.660 God describes the attending chaos 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:49.259 in quite dispassionate language. 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:51.960 Jeremiah has to keep reminding them 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.240 this is what is coming, 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:54.400 the destruction of your land, 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:55.380 whatever you think or do. 00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:58.080 And in verse 7 to 9, 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.520 God anticipates 00:24:59.520 --> 00:25:00.440 they'll eventually come 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.180 to their senses, 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.019 partially at least. 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:02.380 And he says, 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:04.039 though our iniquities testify 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.140 against us, 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.900 act, O Lord, 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.680 for your name's sake, 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.940 for our backslidings are many 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.720 and we have sinned against you. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.200 Verse 9, 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.299 why should you be like 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.120 a man confused, 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.060 like a mighty warrior 00:25:13.060 --> 00:25:13.720 who cannot save? 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.320 Come on. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.259 Yet you, O Lord, 00:25:16.320 --> 00:25:17.000 are in the midst of us. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.779 Don't leave us. 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:20.200 When the people cry like this, 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.460 what is Jeremiah to do? 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:23.060 He is to keep on speaking 00:25:23.060 --> 00:25:24.200 the words that God has given him. 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:25.820 And of course, 00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:26.420 it will be costly. 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.500 No doubt, 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.720 Jeremiah would love 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.320 to have been able to say, 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.059 good news, everyone. 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.079 God's changed his mind. 00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:32.980 Everyone's off the hook. 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.039 But that option 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.519 is never on the table 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.139 if we're faithful. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.899 Verse 11, 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.819 do not pray 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.559 for the welfare of this people. 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:42.259 Though they fast, 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.279 I will not hear their cry. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.579 Though false prophets 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:47.779 will sugarcoat words. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.279 Verse 14, 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.759 the prophets 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.500 are prophesying in my name. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.899 I did not send them, 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.960 nor did I command them 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.659 or speak to them. 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.319 They are prophesying to you 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.019 a lying vision, 00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:58.019 worthless divination, 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.559 and the deceit 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.059 of their own minds. 00:25:59.139 --> 00:25:59.839 I will punish them. 00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:00.359 But you, 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.240 verse 17, 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.180 stick to your task. 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:04.259 You shall say to them, 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.220 this word, 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.279 let my eyes run down 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.079 with tears night and day. 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.920 Let them not cease, 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.119 for the virgin daughter 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.539 of my people 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:09.960 is shattered 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.660 with a great wound, 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.500 with a grievous blow. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.579 And if he needs 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:14.160 any further reminder 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.619 that he should stay on message, 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.480 he gets it in 15, 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.039 1 to 9. 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:20.160 God takes Jeremiah's side 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.559 and says, 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:20.839 look, 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.299 though Moses and Samuel 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.039 stood before me, 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.319 yet my heart should not 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.700 turn towards this people. 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.960 Send them out of my sight. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.660 Let them go. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.500 And when they ask of you, 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.120 where shall we go? 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.940 You shall say to them, 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.799 thus says the Lord, 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.539 those who are for pestilence 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.340 to pestilence, 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.740 those who are for the sword 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.279 to the sword, 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:37.200 those who are for famine 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.740 to famine, 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:38.819 and those who are for 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.880 captivity to captivity. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.680 Since the days of Manasseh 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:44.440 when Jeremiah was just a kid, 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.440 the die's been cast. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.960 It's over. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:50.080 And in a remarkable depiction, 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.059 we read verse 6, 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:52.019 you've rejected me, 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:52.700 declares the Lord, 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.940 you keep going backward. 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:55.860 So I've stretched out my hand 00:26:55.860 --> 00:26:57.080 against you and destroyed you. 00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:58.880 I am weary of relenting. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.580 It's over. 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:03.000 Of course, 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.680 as we talked about 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.980 in Jeremiah 1, 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.900 it's not to say that 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.740 God is like us 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.779 and that he's run out of patience. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:10.019 He's a cranky parent 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.779 who loses it. 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.100 God doesn't have 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:13.120 any of our limitations. 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.600 But we also need to remember 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.600 that God is not stripped 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:17.460 of feelings. 00:27:19.100 --> 00:27:20.519 Our emotions are limited, 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.180 broken, 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.500 twisted versions of his, 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.220 if I can put it like that. 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.820 His love for his people burns 00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:27.380 and yet he is utterly consistent 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:28.019 in saying, 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.799 I've decided now, Jeremiah, 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.880 you must keep speaking. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.960 Judgment is coming. 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.980 Which takes us 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.460 to the last prerequisite 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:38.539 for what does authentic ministry, 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.920 authentic church life look like. 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.860 Speak God's word, 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.279 suffer the pain, 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:43.140 do whatever it takes, 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.100 stick at the task, 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.240 and lastly, 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.220 and most difficultly, 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.000 difficult, 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.000 difficultly? 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:49.519 I don't know. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.960 Prepare to be broken. 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:53.640 15, 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:54.840 10 to 21, 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.200 it's impossible to read 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.120 this middle section 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.680 of Jeremiah 00:27:57.680 --> 00:28:00.259 that we're right 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.960 in the middle of, 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.759 which is punctuated 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.600 by personal, 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:05.319 heartfelt outpourings. 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.200 It's misleading. 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.680 The Bible editors 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.380 sometimes call it 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:09.319 Jeremiah's confessions. 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:14.980 gospel ministry 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.939 exposes us 00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:17.539 to external opposition, 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.960 but it always exposes us 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.200 to great personal cost. 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:23.339 To throw yourself 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.139 into church life 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:25.259 is to open yourself 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.159 to disillusionment, 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.039 bitterness, 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:28.659 resentment, 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.200 self-pity, 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:31.059 all of which 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:31.920 Jeremiah goes through 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:33.580 and he vulnerably 00:28:33.580 --> 00:28:34.360 shares with us 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.840 in chapter 15 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:36.680 verses 10 to 21. 00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:38.440 I think it's fair 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.580 to say here in chapter 15 00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:40.299 Jeremiah is 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.420 showing the pressure. 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.299 Verse 10, 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.940 Woe is me, 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.420 my mother, 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.100 that you bore me, 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.960 a man of strife, 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:49.120 contention to the whole land. 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.500 I've not lent, 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:51.380 nor have I borrowed, 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.600 yet all of them curse me. 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.580 God reassures him 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:55.200 in verse 11, 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.799 tells him that the message 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.440 you preach, Jeremiah, 00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.160 I will come true. 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.380 But in verse 15, 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.200 Jeremiah plunges 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.220 right into the depths again. 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.980 Oh Lord, you know, 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:03.680 remember me 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.340 and visit me 00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.660 and take vengeance 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.860 for me or my persecutors. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.779 In your forbearance, 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.539 take me not away. 00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:10.120 Know that for your sake 00:29:10.120 --> 00:29:11.940 I bear approach. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.220 And Jeremiah says, 00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:15.559 I know I'm going through 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.160 all this, God, 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:18.360 because for the sake 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:18.779 of the gospel, 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.720 but it's hard. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.900 And I know in my head 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:24.279 that this is the way to go. 00:29:24.600 --> 00:29:25.160 Verse 16, 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.120 Your words were found 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:26.779 and I at them 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:28.140 and your words became to me 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.700 a joy 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.800 and the delight 00:29:29.800 --> 00:29:30.280 of my heart 00:29:30.280 --> 00:29:31.220 for I'm called by your name, 00:29:31.320 --> 00:29:32.280 O Lord God of hosts. 00:29:32.540 --> 00:29:34.000 But sometimes it feels too hard. 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:35.180 There's just too much sacrifice. 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.060 It hurts too much. 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.040 I did not sit 00:29:38.040 --> 00:29:39.240 in the company of revelers, 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:39.960 nor did I rejoice. 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:40.759 I sat alone 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.800 because your hand 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:42.440 was upon me 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.400 for you filled me 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.080 with indignation. 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:46.220 It just feels too much. 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.300 It feels like God 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:48.240 has sucked him in 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.100 and spat him out. 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:52.200 Why is my pain unceasing, 00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:53.440 my wound incurable, 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.600 refusing to be ill? 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:55.919 Will you be to me 00:29:55.919 --> 00:29:57.039 like a deceitful brook, 00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.799 like waters that fail? 00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.759 Jeremiah offers us 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.399 no reflection 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:03.480 over whether this is right 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:03.879 or wrong. 00:30:03.939 --> 00:30:04.839 He's just honest 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.759 in what he said. 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.339 And this is what it's like 00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:09.539 to be God's spokesman, 00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.259 to be smashed. 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:12.679 It's what it's like 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:13.579 some of the time 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.179 being involved 00:30:14.179 --> 00:30:15.019 in gospel ministry, 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:15.659 being involved 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.219 in church life 00:30:16.219 --> 00:30:16.679 is costly. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.179 And to become a follower 00:30:19.179 --> 00:30:19.919 of the Lord Jesus 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.640 is costly. 00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:23.019 Didn't Jesus 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.320 call us to himself 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:24.880 saying, 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.480 if anyone would 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.039 come after me, 00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:27.039 let him deny himself 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.920 and take up his cross 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:29.140 and follow me. 00:30:30.820 --> 00:30:31.460 And so what's God's 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.680 response to all of this? 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.039 Well, 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:33.980 there's powerful, 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:36.000 tender reassurance 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.039 which this chapter 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.700 finishes with. 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:39.920 Therefore, 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:41.440 thus says the Lord, 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.019 if you return, 00:30:42.100 --> 00:30:42.980 I will restore you 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.000 and you shall stand 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:44.500 before me. 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.960 It's like Isaiah 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.360 saying, 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:47.920 in repentance 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:49.220 repentance and rest 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.940 is your salvation. 00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:50.980 Keep running back to me. 00:30:52.060 --> 00:30:52.539 If you utter 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.220 what is precious 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.720 and not what is worthless, 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.000 you shall be as my mouth. 00:30:56.080 --> 00:30:56.940 They shall turn to you 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:58.300 but you shall not buckle 00:30:58.300 --> 00:30:59.279 in the face of opposition. 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.400 And God reiterates 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:01.860 what he said 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.360 in chapter one. 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.060 You will be 00:31:03.060 --> 00:31:05.060 like a fortified 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:05.779 wall of bronze 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:07.100 and they will fight 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:07.519 against you 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.160 but they won't prevail 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.759 over you. 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.320 For I am with you 00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:10.920 to save you 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.480 and deliver you 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.120 declares the Lord. 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.880 I'll deliver you 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:14.240 out of the hand 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.620 of the wicked 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.440 and redeem you 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.980 from the grasp 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.440 of the ruthless. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:18.100 Speak God's word. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.360 Be prepared 00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:21.440 to suffer the pain 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:21.980 of opposition. 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.940 Do what it takes 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.400 to get the message out. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.740 Stick to the task. 00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:26.740 Prepare to be broken. 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.940 That is the ministry 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.539 of Jeremiah. 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:31.360 That is the ministry 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.759 of Jesus. 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:34.160 And that is the ministry 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.759 of the apostles. 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.759 And that is the ministry 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.600 to which the church 00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:39.200 of Jesus Christ 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.620 is called. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.259 Now that we've been 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:42.680 transformed 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.519 by the gospel, 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:45.539 now that we are 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.059 in Christ 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.440 and we've been 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.259 brought to new life 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.039 by his spirit, 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:49.960 now we've been 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.879 justified by faith, 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.579 now we've been 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.859 called sons and heirs, 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.740 now that we've been 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.799 equipped to serve 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:56.639 Christ in the power 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:57.039 of the spirit, 00:31:57.119 --> 00:31:57.839 we speak his words. 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.420 And this is what 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.220 God calls us to do. 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:04.240 And so as we've 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:04.879 walked this evening 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.740 through these difficult 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.519 chapters of Jeremiah, 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:08.619 may God burn 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:10.220 the shape of church life 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.700 and gospel-shaped ministry 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.500 into our hearts 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.120 and minds 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:15.279 and make us 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.799 to serve Christ 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.059 by speaking his words 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.580 and make that 00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.519 the blazing center 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.340 of our church life. 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.220 And it may well be 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:23.980 that you are sitting 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.279 here, 00:32:24.360 --> 00:32:25.180 if you're still awake, 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:25.700 thinking, 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.660 I don't want this, 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.640 it is too much, 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:29.380 it's too hard. 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.860 And I understand that, 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.440 I really do. 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.940 I sympathize with that. 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.620 And if that's you, 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.799 I want you to do 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.279 something tonight, 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:40.940 I want you to tell 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.559 the Lord that. 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:43.960 I want you to speak 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.700 to the Lord about it. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.840 I'd love it if you'd 00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:47.519 come and speak to me 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.380 or speak to another 00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:48.960 Christian friend 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.799 or one of the elders 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.420 about that, 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.759 because the alternative 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:53.220 to not wanting this 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.140 is in the end 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:55.180 to face the judgment 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:56.700 that Jeremiah warns you of. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.860 The danger is 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.460 we sit here 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:02.819 and we think 00:33:02.819 --> 00:33:03.279 that there's some 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.940 halfway house, 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.799 but there is no 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.360 halfway house. 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:09.900 May God work in us 00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:10.600 so that we can say 00:33:10.600 --> 00:33:10.980 with Paul, 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.819 I count everything 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.519 as loss 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:14.380 because of the 00:33:14.380 --> 00:33:15.059 sparsing worth 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:15.740 of knowing 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.980 Christ Jesus 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.620 my Lord. 00:33:18.819 --> 00:33:19.700 For his sake, 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.079 Paul says, 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:20.480 I've suffered 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.019 the loss 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.779 of loads of things, 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.079 but I count them 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.839 all as rubbish 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:24.839 in order that I may 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.500 gain Christ 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.779 and be found in him. 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.839 Not having a righteousness 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.380 of my own 00:33:29.380 --> 00:33:30.240 that comes from the law, 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.099 but that which comes 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:32.120 through faith in Christ, 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.740 the righteousness 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.400 from God 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:34.319 that depends on faith. 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.380 That I may know him 00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:37.079 and the power 00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.799 of his resurrection 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:39.000 and may share 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.720 in his sufferings. 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.259 Do you see the two 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.639 are tied? 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.680 Becoming like him 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.159 in his death 00:33:43.159 --> 00:33:45.539 that by any means 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.559 possible I may attend 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.519 the resurrection 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:47.960 of the dead. 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.159 So by grace 00:33:49.159 --> 00:33:49.899 through faith, 00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:52.619 let us be a church 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.619 that speaks God's word 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:55.779 and doesn't give up 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:57.740 and preaches the gospel 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.839 until our dying breath. 00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:01.779 Let's pray. 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:01.799 Let's pray.