WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.060 Please open your Bibles to Jeremiah 25, which if you've got a church Bible, it's on page 656. 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:12.700 ! If you'd like a church Bible, the greeters will bring one to you. You'll need one for tonight. 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:22.120 Jeremiah 25 to 29. Next week, it's chapter 30 to 33. So there's your homework of this coming week. Chapter 30 to 33. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:28.980 In September, I will have been the minister here, your minister, for 23 years. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.740 Can you look at chapter 25 and verse 3? Jeremiah 25 verse 3. 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:48.780 For 23 years, the word of the Lord has come to me, and I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:52.519 You've neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear. 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:59.519 Let's pray. I am not Jeremiah, and that's not been my testimony. 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:03.260 But these chapters are about God's word and how to respond to them. 00:01:04.340 --> 00:01:10.740 And so here goes Jeremiah's three steps, his three-step guide to engaging with God's word. 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:12.500 That's what we're about on Sundays. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:16.560 Step one, in chapter 25, is this. 00:01:16.820 --> 00:01:17.480 Shut up and listen. 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:20.379 Shut up and listen. 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:26.879 At the year of 605, Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, the king of Judah, is on the throne. 00:01:28.119 --> 00:01:32.699 And it's also significantly the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. 00:01:33.619 --> 00:01:38.859 It's only a matter of time before Nebuchadnezzar notices little Judah and does something nasty to them. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:44.859 And while that is going on on the international stage, Jeremiah has been preaching for 23 years. 00:01:47.039 --> 00:01:52.140 From the 13th year of Josiah, the son of Ammon, king of Judah, to this day, the word of the Lord has come to me. 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:55.780 I've spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened. 00:01:56.859 --> 00:01:59.840 23 years is a long time to be ignored. 00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:02.859 That's hard for Jeremiah. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:06.079 But for God, this has gone on for generations. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:06.799 Verse 4. 00:02:08.140 --> 00:02:15.000 You've neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, though the Lord persistently sent to you all his servants, the prophet, saying, 00:02:15.099 --> 00:02:16.199 Turn now, every one of you. 00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:17.400 Verse 6. 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:19.360 The prophet said, Do not go after other gods. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:20.020 Verse 7. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:26.159 You have not listened to me, declares the Lord, that you might provoke me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:30.340 23 years of preaching and nobody listening. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:35.319 Generations of prophets have come and gone, but no one listens. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:36.599 And so what is Jeremiah to do? 00:02:38.259 --> 00:02:39.060 Stop preaching. 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:43.620 Swap it for something a little bit less demanding. 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:46.180 Leave it to cool off a while. 00:02:46.340 --> 00:02:47.000 Well, none of the above. 00:02:48.259 --> 00:02:51.560 He continues to preach the word in season and out of season. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:56.019 To remind them to shut up and start listening. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:00.560 Because if they had done that, they would have heard something profoundly disturbing. 00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:01.099 Verse 8. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:08.400 Therefore, thus says the Lord, because you have not obeyed my words, behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the Lord, 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:15.259 and for Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants, 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:19.400 and against all these surrounding nations, and I will devote them to destruction and make them horror, a hissing, 00:03:20.359 --> 00:03:21.280 and an everlasting desolation. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:28.259 It's the first time that a foreign king is described as the Lord's servants in real time. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:34.699 For the first time, God's people are to be treated in the same way as the damned nations all around them. 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:36.719 And this is hardcore. 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:43.099 This is Jeremiah preaching his heart out, doing everything he can to get through to his compatriots. 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:48.479 To stop talking and start listening to the voice of God before it's too late. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:50.699 Verse 10. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:56.280 I will banish from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, 00:03:56.379 --> 00:03:58.339 the grinding of the millstones and the light of the lamp. 00:03:58.679 --> 00:03:59.819 Everything has to stop. 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:01.780 Good times, bad times. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:08.419 The whole land should become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon 70 years. 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:11.459 Ignoring God is immensely foolish. 00:04:13.019 --> 00:04:14.620 And when God is speaking, we need to listen. 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:19.639 And yes, Jeremiah says, eventually, after 70 years are completed, 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:22.519 I will punish the king of Babylon for their iniquity, 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:25.259 and Babylon will get a taste of its own medicine, 00:04:25.840 --> 00:04:27.920 and I will bring it upon that land, verse 13. 00:04:28.100 --> 00:04:31.120 All the words I've added against it, everything written in this book, 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:36.160 but nothing in the meantime is more important for you than to stop talking and listen. 00:04:38.500 --> 00:04:40.399 Before you are silenced, before the judgment. 00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:48.759 It's hard, I think, to read the book of Jeremiah and not see that there is nothing more important than listening to the word of God. 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:52.379 God speaks, we listen. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:53.039 That's the deal. 00:04:54.539 --> 00:04:56.639 It's one of the key themes that runs all the way through the book, 00:04:57.179 --> 00:05:01.419 but it runs all the way through the Bible, and we ignore it in our peril. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:05.580 So, take the book of Hebrews, for instance. 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:09.280 What does Hebrews say time and time again? 00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:11.759 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:15.680 Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:19.000 Chapter 3, verse 17. 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:22.720 If you hear his voice, do not harden your heart as you did in the rebellion. 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:24.180 Chapter 4, verse 7. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:26.020 Again, it says, he appoints a certain day. 00:05:26.019 --> 00:05:30.339 Today, saying through David long afterwards, in the words already quoted, 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:33.879 Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. 00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:37.399 And so, tonight, the choice is, God speaks through his word. 00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:40.019 You can either listen or harden your heart. 00:05:42.359 --> 00:05:43.979 What does it mean to harden your heart? 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:50.299 It means, doesn't it, to refuse to listen to God when he's talking to you. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:54.600 It means to block out his words and say, whatever. 00:05:56.400 --> 00:06:01.560 That instead of listening, we construct our own inner narrative to drown out the words of God. 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:06.900 And I suspect that is the greatest danger faced in this church. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:12.920 We meet together to worship, and we open the Bible, and every time, God speaks. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:17.220 And the choice is, either we listen to it, or we block out the words. 00:06:17.220 --> 00:06:20.840 And the truth is this. 00:06:21.320 --> 00:06:23.940 Hearing God speak and not doing anything about it, 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:29.520 makes it easier the next time to hear God speak and not do anything about it. 00:06:31.140 --> 00:06:33.680 And that takes us to the heart of the book and the heart of the Bible. 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:37.080 How come God's people do not listen? 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:38.000 Have you ever thought about that? 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:41.100 It really is astonishing. 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:45.600 For two-thirds of the Bible, God's people effectively ignore what God has to say to them. 00:06:45.860 --> 00:06:46.720 Almost uniformly. 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:54.700 How come Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, take those three, they preach so powerfully and eloquently. 00:06:55.700 --> 00:06:57.940 They lie on their side at times. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:06:59.740 They act out the message. 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:01.420 They wear yokes. 00:07:01.880 --> 00:07:04.120 They paint very powerful word pictures. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:06.880 And it makes absolutely no difference. 00:07:07.400 --> 00:07:11.660 It is because God's people refuse to listen when God speaks. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:15.860 And I know that we are in a different place to them. 00:07:16.820 --> 00:07:21.680 But what the writer of the Hebrews does, and other places in the New Testament do with this material, 00:07:22.140 --> 00:07:23.900 should bring us up short. 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:27.459 Because they warn us that their issue is our issue. 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:32.399 Are we listening to the word of God? 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:33.000 Really listening? 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:36.860 You will hear it again and again. 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:40.480 God is speaking to you constantly through his word. 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.660 And are you listening? 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:44.360 Second step. 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:46.379 Firstly, Jeremiah says, shut up and start listening. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:50.379 But from verse 15 of chapter 25, the second step is this. 00:07:50.460 --> 00:07:51.379 Swallow the message. 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:54.199 Internalize the message. 00:07:54.339 --> 00:07:55.060 Swallow the message. 00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:56.480 Verse 15. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:58.819 Thus, the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me, 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:01.199 Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:04.259 and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:09.199 They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:12.459 Judgment is coming, and Judah has to swallow it. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:14.959 But not only Judah, the entire race. 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:17.300 Verse 17. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:20.939 So I took the cup from the Lord's hand and made all the nations to whom the Lord sent me to drink it. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:24.379 Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:25.420 Its kings and its officials. 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:25.980 Pharaoh. 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:26.939 Verse 19. 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:28.680 All the mixed tribes of Egypt. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:32.620 All the kings of the land of Ur, all the kings of the land of the Philistines, 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:35.399 Edom, Moab, Tyre, Sidon, the kings of the coastland, 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:39.860 Dedan, Timur, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair. 00:08:39.939 --> 00:08:42.960 I've got no idea what cutting the corners of their hair is. 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:45.500 One commentator thought it was sideburns, but I don't think he's right. 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:47.519 Verse 24. 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:48.639 All the kings of Arabia. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:52.240 All the kings of the mixed tribes who dwell in the desert. 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:53.139 All the kings of Zimri. 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:53.899 All the kings of Elam. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:54.639 All the kings of Media. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:55.980 All the kings of the north. 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:56.419 Far and near. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.000 One after another. 00:08:57.080 --> 00:08:58.919 All the kingdoms of the world that are on the face of the earth. 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:01.220 And after them, the king of Babylon shall drink. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:05.000 Just in case you thought he might miss out. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:09.919 He's saying, isn't he, really clearly, every nation comes under the judgment of God. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:16.940 With relentless efficiency, Jeremiah details every one of Judah's neighbors and not friends. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:20.100 And they must all drink the cup of God's wrath, he says. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:21.920 All of them. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.840 And if they refuse, chapter 25, verse 27. 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:28.639 You shall say to them, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, drink, be drunk and vomit. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:32.560 Fall and rise no more because of the sword that I'm sending among you. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:38.259 And if they refuse to accept the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, thus says the Lord of hosts, you must drink. 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:41.740 And there's no escape. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:45.319 That's the basic point of all this. 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:50.039 That the nations, along with Judah, need to embrace the message by drinking the cup. 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:56.539 And yes, they still resist even when they hear the word of God so graphically, they do nothing. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:01.759 And so what stops us listening and acting? 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:11.019 What is it that makes the difference between hearing God's word, even listening to God's word, and then responding to him in the way that we should? 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:14.620 Which takes us to our conscience. 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:16.340 I want to spend a bit of time here tonight. 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:28.179 What is it that makes the difference between the days when you and I are really arrested and grabbed by the word of God, and we have to change because of it. 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:33.899 And then the days when we treat God's word like background noise that we can safely ignore. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:39.699 And according to the Bible, it's our conscience that makes the difference. 00:10:39.819 --> 00:10:46.699 It's our conscience which pokes and prods us into either active listening and an active response. 00:10:47.099 --> 00:10:53.879 It is our conscience that the Spirit uses to lovingly say to us, hey, stupid, I'm talking to you. 00:10:54.959 --> 00:10:55.859 This is for you. 00:10:55.939 --> 00:10:57.419 You need to do something about this now. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:00.620 Now, we all know this difference. 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:10.500 The days when we are spectators and critiquers, and the days when we know that we've been addressed by the living God. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:15.519 And the problem is that our conscience doesn't actually work that well. 00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:23.500 Unfortunately, our conscience has been damaged in our arrival into this world. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:27.460 And the way that we treat our conscience hasn't helped us either. 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:32.440 What that means is that your conscience and mind functions sporadically. 00:11:34.040 --> 00:11:38.400 Some days it works accurately, and the next day it doesn't. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:43.139 It's the Apostle Paul that pays most attention to this. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:48.740 And I really want you kind of parents to get hold of this this morning and to teach it to your children this week. 00:11:50.379 --> 00:12:00.220 Paul, the Apostle, he thought the longest and hardest about this because Israel had such a lousy record of listening and responding to God for generations. 00:12:00.220 --> 00:12:05.420 Paul speaks of three separate issues that can affect our consciences. 00:12:05.420 --> 00:12:06.500 And Hebrews adds a fourth. 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:11.139 Even though we have a conscience, we can have a seared conscience. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:19.620 So, 1, 2, 3, 4, 2, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, Paul says, 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:27.039 by not responding to the word of God, we damage our ability to listen and respond. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.980 That's a frightening thing. 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:33.439 And so when it comes to your conscience, it really is a case of use it or lose it. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:40.659 When it comes to listening to God, if we fail to listen, it gets harder to listen. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:43.840 Our consciences malfunction. 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:49.639 We don't hear God critiquing our legalism and our smugness. 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:53.539 Sometimes we can have a defiled conscience. 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:55.699 Paul says to Titus, 00:12:56.240 --> 00:13:00.559 To the pure all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:04.399 but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:09.259 They press to know God, but they deny Him by their works. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:13.439 So, our sinful behavior actually has an effect on us. 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:22.940 You don't need me to tell you that if you sin today, it will be much easier to do that tomorrow. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.060 Children, you know that, don't you? 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:32.220 When you do something wrong today, it's far easier to do that wrong tomorrow. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:33.040 We know that. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.040 All of us know that. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:40.059 Sin, it's like it clears a path for itself. 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:43.980 And the problem is, when we sin, we defile our conscience, 00:13:44.099 --> 00:13:47.779 and we make it easier for us to silence our defiled conscience. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:50.959 And so, children, it's why your mum and dad say, 00:13:51.079 --> 00:13:53.439 Listen, the reason why we need to address this now, 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:55.439 the reason why we need to talk about this now, 00:13:55.879 --> 00:14:00.459 is so that it doesn't grow, it doesn't get easier to add sin upon sin upon sin. 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:08.019 In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul also writes about a weak conscience. 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:13.000 He's speaking about new Christians, and he says, 00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:15.980 Not all possess knowledge, but some, through their former association with idols, 00:14:16.079 --> 00:14:19.079 they eat food as regularly offered to an idol, 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.679 and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:26.620 Paul is saying, theologically, their beliefs are all over the shop. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:32.039 But the result of that is that they can't eat food offered to idols, 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:34.539 because they think, if I eat this, it's going to affect my salvation. 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:37.480 But that is real. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:40.839 Sometimes, sin has messed us up so badly, 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:44.139 that our consciences are not a good guide to anything. 00:14:45.459 --> 00:14:47.860 Hebrews goes as far to say, in Hebrews 10, 22, 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:51.399 that our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:56.000 The problem with our conscience is not, 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:59.839 that not just has the detection system been blunted, 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:04.299 but now our consciences can actually be in the business 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:06.000 of licensing sin, promoting it. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.259 That's what we're up against. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:13.019 The faculty that God has put into us, 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:16.679 that is there to tell us we need to listen and act on, 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.439 has been compromised. 00:15:17.979 --> 00:15:18.699 It's got a virus. 00:15:20.479 --> 00:15:22.319 And it's not even reliably compromised. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:24.079 That is what we're up against. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:27.579 And when you get this, it makes a huge difference, 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.559 a massive difference. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:33.179 And so it means that every time we come to God's words, 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:34.979 and we come to hear God speak, 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:36.579 we'll cry for his help, 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:40.039 knowing that by his Holy Spirit, 00:15:40.119 --> 00:15:43.079 working on our fragile and unreliable conscience, 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.919 he will help us to listen, 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:47.919 and to swallow what he has to say to us, 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:50.159 no matter how unpalatable it is. 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:53.159 But you cannot do that on your own. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.559 And so I wonder where you are, 00:15:57.600 --> 00:16:01.100 where I am in my ability to hear God speak. 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:06.179 There are times in my life where I've heard God's word preached, 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:08.519 and I've drunk in every word. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.639 I can remember those sermons, 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.240 like you can, I'm sure. 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:15.039 And there are other times it is like water off a duck's back. 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:18.580 Because our consciences can harden, 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:22.659 day by day being seduced into not listening. 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:28.180 And you may realise tonight that your conscience has been damaged in the past 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:34.000 by long, hidden, even long forgotten sinful behaviour. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:40.259 And it may be that you are confronted with the fact that your conscience and mind, 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:43.019 although a gift from God, are completely out of whack. 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:46.200 And so what are we to do? 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:50.919 If that's you tonight, and you just are hardened, 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:52.379 it's like water off a duck's back, 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.139 what do you do? 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.980 You throw yourself on God. 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:58.360 And you ask him to help you. 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:03.960 Help us here as he speaks to us of salvation and judgement, 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:07.220 remembering that God has gone to enormous lengths to speak to us. 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:10.759 In ways that are designed to get through, 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:12.380 even to the most damaged conscience tonight. 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.519 So look at Jeremiah 25 verse 30. 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:16.400 The Lord will roar from on high. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.240 And from his holy habitation, 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.019 he effers his voice. 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:22.259 He will roar mightily against his foal, 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.720 and shout like those who tread grapes 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.960 against all the inhabitants of the earth. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:27.160 The clamour will resound to the ends of the earth, 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:29.259 for the Lord is an indictment against the nations. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:31.319 He is entering into judgment with all flesh, 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.779 and the wicked he will put to the sword. 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:35.160 The Lord roars from Zion, 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.680 and we must listen. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:42.579 Why has God gone to such lengths to speak to us 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.859 in such vivid and varied ways in the Old Testament? 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:49.240 It is largely because we are such bad listeners, 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:51.940 because we are broken people. 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.980 God speaks, doesn't he, 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.680 in sending Jesus the living word. 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:02.400 The living word, the word made flesh, 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.860 to speak truth into our lives. 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.820 There's one remaining thing I want to pick up on, 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:11.539 something that I think escaped Jeremiah, perhaps, 00:18:12.060 --> 00:18:12.980 but must not escape us. 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:15.400 For Jeremiah, there is no mistaking 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:18.900 that we must drink the most awful cup of all, 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:21.539 and drain it to the very bottom. 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:26.420 It's worse than any childhood medicine. 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:33.300 It's worse than any fruit juice containing kale. 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:36.640 It is the most awful cup 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:39.420 that is picked up and drained to the bottom 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:41.259 by none other than Jesus himself. 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:45.039 All the gospel writers pick up on this, don't they? 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:46.200 Mark, for example, 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.500 Jesus says, 00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:49.519 Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. 00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:50.620 He struggles in the garden. 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.539 Remove this cup from me, 00:18:52.580 --> 00:18:54.539 yet not what I will, but what you will. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:57.639 And the Lord Jesus, 00:18:57.819 --> 00:19:01.079 he listened like no one has ever listened to God. 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:04.899 And he swallowed the message like no other, 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:07.279 even as he faced and exhausted 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.159 the wrath of God for us on the cross. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:13.639 Which means that no cup that we can drink 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:15.460 can ever be as bad as that. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:18.359 It actually means that any cup that we have to drain 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:20.199 can only be for our good, 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:22.259 even if it makes us gag, 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:25.959 even if the cup that we have to drink 00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:30.019 appears to cause us short-term pain and nausea. 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:32.399 It can only be for our good and for our glory 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:35.399 because Jesus removes the terror from these passages. 00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:39.899 From 25, 32 to 38, for example, 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:43.419 Jesus enables us both to listen and to respond, 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:45.779 and then step three, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.380 he frees us up to speak. 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:50.380 And it's nothing short of remarkable 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:54.620 that Jesus uses those who struggle to listen, 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.279 who struggle to swallow, 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.580 to actually pass on his word. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:02.880 Jeremiah 26 to 29 is step three. 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:04.640 It's all about speaking the word. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.779 And Jeremiah says, 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.960 preach it, come what may. 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:10.360 That's what he says to us as a church. 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:13.519 The reason why we've spent so long 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:15.779 on the importance and the challenge 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:17.199 of listening to the word of God 00:20:17.199 --> 00:20:20.599 is that this holds the key to declaring it. 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.519 It's really simple. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:24.079 Listening to God speak, 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.759 ourselves being gripped by it, 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:29.759 shaped by it, humbled by it, changed by it, 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.459 ultimately is the key to proclaiming it. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.859 It's why when the church stops listening, 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.939 it's got nothing to say. 00:20:37.959 --> 00:20:39.659 And of course God works by his grace. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:44.580 None of us is anything ever more 00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:46.220 than an unworthy servant. 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:50.200 God always uses us by his grace, 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:52.200 whether we've grasped the message 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.200 we pass on to others, 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:55.700 or whether it almost passes through us 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.759 without having affected us. 00:20:56.820 --> 00:21:00.400 But if we are ever able to say, 00:21:01.080 --> 00:21:02.380 with Charles Wesley, 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:05.040 preach Christ to all and cry in death, 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:06.340 behold the Lamb, 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:09.019 the only way that we're able 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:11.439 to kind of make this cry as a church family 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:13.959 is if we are mastered by God's word, 00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:17.299 regularly, arrestingly, authentically. 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.799 Like Jeremiah. 00:21:18.959 --> 00:21:20.299 Let me walk you through the rest of these chapters 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.779 really quickly. 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:22.859 Chapter 26, 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:25.439 he walks to the very epicenter of Jerusalem 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.960 and he preaches the temple sermon. 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.860 It's the temple sermon that we first heard 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:31.299 in chapter 7. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.960 It says this, 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.299 Stand in the court of the Lord's house 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.640 and speak to all the cities of Judah 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:37.259 that come to worship in the house of the Lord 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.400 and all the words that I command you. 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:38.940 Verse 3, 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.820 Maybe they will listen 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:42.740 and everyone turn from its evil way 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:44.059 that I may relent of the disaster 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.120 that I intend to do them 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.360 because of their evil deeds. 00:21:46.459 --> 00:21:48.119 I think the subtext there is 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.439 God is saying, 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.459 Don't really expect that. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:52.299 God isn't going to put money on that happening. 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.359 Thus says, 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:54.639 The Lord, 00:21:54.699 --> 00:21:55.759 if you will not listen to me 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.240 to walk in my law 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.139 that I've set before you 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:59.579 and to listen to the words of my servants, 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:01.279 the prophets whom I send to you urgently, 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.839 though you've not listened, 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.740 then I will make this house like Shiloh 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.279 and I will make the city a curse 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.299 for all the nations of the earth. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.899 He's saying this in the very temple. 00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:11.740 This is coming down, 00:22:11.979 --> 00:22:12.779 Jeremiah says. 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.500 And the response, 00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:15.199 chapter 26, 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.779 verse 8, 00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.980 when Jeremiah finished speaking, 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.700 All that the Lord had commanded him 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.759 to speak to all the people, 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.100 then the priests and the prophets 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:21.960 and all the people 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:23.000 laid hold of him saying, 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.819 You shall die. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.240 What a response. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.600 I've never had that. 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.319 Not in 23 years. 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.840 You shall die on the way out. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.360 Thank you for that. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.940 What on earth would make Jeremiah 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.039 want a job like this? 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.779 Well, only because he knows 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.680 God has spoken to him first 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:44.019 and he's embraced the message. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.819 Chapter 12 is fantastic. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.339 They are saying, 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.639 You shall die. 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:49.920 Jeremiah says, 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.539 verse 13, 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.980 And Jeremiah spoke to all the officials 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.539 and all the people. 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.779 The Lord sent me to prophesy 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.960 against this house and this city 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.160 all the words you've heard. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:56.900 Now, therefore, 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.059 mend your ways and your deeds 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.440 and obey the voice of the Lord your God 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.400 and the Lord will relent 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:00.980 of the disaster 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.119 that he's pronounced against you. 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.240 But as for me, 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:03.700 behold, 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.559 I'm in your hands. 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.460 Do with me as seems good 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.180 and right to you. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.259 Only know for certain 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.420 that if you put me to death, 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.759 you will bring innocent blood 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.359 upon yourself 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.139 and upon the city 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:12.160 and its inhabitants. 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:13.080 For in truth, 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.259 the Lord has sent me to you 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.600 to speak all these words 00:23:15.600 --> 00:23:16.259 in your ears. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.220 Come and have a go 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.300 if you think you're hard enough. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.500 You've got to love him, 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:19.779 haven't you? 00:23:20.100 --> 00:23:20.740 What a preacher. 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.840 26 verses 16 to 19, 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.920 The elders of the land 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.680 get him off the hook, 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.320 which is great, 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.040 but it's interesting 00:23:28.040 --> 00:23:29.540 if you look at verses 20 to 23, 00:23:30.040 --> 00:23:31.100 there's a little note 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.519 about a guy called Uriah. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:35.599 And the elders of the land 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:36.720 are talking about this 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:38.180 and their theology, 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:38.500 again, 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.480 is a bit all over the place. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.000 Their reasoning 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.500 for letting Jeremiah go 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.799 is a little bit suspect, 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.119 but they do say 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.599 that this faithful prophet, 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.039 Uriah, 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:46.599 died. 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.839 Jeremiah escapes 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.539 with his life. 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:52.019 Uriah speaks the truth 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.639 and dies. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.599 But they are willing 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.139 to speak 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:55.859 because they've heard 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.639 the voice of God. 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.940 And they are compelled, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.680 they are also willing 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.519 to preach Christ 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.799 to everyone and anyone. 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.420 Look at the start 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.279 of chapter 27. 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:06.620 It's like a G8 meeting 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:08.600 of all the world leaders 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.160 in Jerusalem 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.220 in Zedekiah's day 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.420 and a group of nations 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.480 united by the fact 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.140 that they're all about 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.799 to be crushed 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.860 by the Babylonians. 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.019 And what's Jeremiah to do? 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.039 Well, verse 2, 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.440 God says, 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.299 strap on a yoke, 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:21.299 go to this international meeting 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.900 of heads of state 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:24.840 with an animal's yoke 00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:25.620 around your neck 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.480 and tell them all, 00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:27.740 you are going to die. 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:30.400 In chapter 27, 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:30.779 verse 8, 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.700 if any nation or kingdom 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.380 will not serve 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:32.980 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.559 king of Babylon, 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.220 and put its neck 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.079 under the yoke 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.640 of the king of Babylon, 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.559 I will punish that nation 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.019 with a sword, 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.339 with famine, 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.059 and with pestilence. 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.279 He said, 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.319 don't swap this message 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.720 for a sugar-coated one. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.839 And he takes on all comers, 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.279 verse 12, 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:45.880 bring your necks 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.359 under the yoke 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.000 of the king of Babylon. 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:47.660 Verse 14, 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.400 do not listen to the words 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.160 of the false prophets. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.079 Just get the fact 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:54.400 that listening to God 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.519 speak ourselves 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:57.460 and embracing that word 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.400 is the key to life. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.460 Listen to God's word 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:03.680 and that is why 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.759 not only does he preach it 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.500 come what may, 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.660 he preaches the message 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.319 to everyone 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.259 and he does it faithfully. 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:08.960 Chapter 28, 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.160 we're introduced 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.819 to another prophet, 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.420 Hananiah, 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.019 who says, 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.400 verse 2, 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:13.879 don't worry, 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.160 I've broken the yoke 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.839 of the king of Babylon. 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.619 Within two years, 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:19.200 everything's going to be 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.019 a-okay. 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.259 Jeremiah's response 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.740 is priceless. 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:24.639 Verse 6, 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.080 Amen, 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:26.180 may the Lord do this. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.540 That would be fantastic. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.020 However, 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.580 verse 8, 00:25:29.520 --> 00:25:29.920 the prophets 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.580 who preceded you 00:25:30.580 --> 00:25:30.980 and me 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.680 from ancient times, 00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:32.660 they prophesied war, 00:25:32.800 --> 00:25:32.960 famine, 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:33.580 pestilence. 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.660 As for this prophet 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.759 who prophesied peace, 00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:36.160 well, 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.820 good luck with that one 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.440 if it happens, 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.920 then it will be known 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.320 that the Lord 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:40.800 has truly sent the prophet. 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.220 And the conclusion 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.759 is very succinct 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.940 at the end of the chapter, 00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:45.660 verse 17, 00:25:45.800 --> 00:25:46.660 in that same year, 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.740 in the seventh month, 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.820 the prophet Hananiah died. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.140 Jeremiah would not be deflected. 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:54.960 He spoke the word of God 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.520 faithfully. 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.680 It was God's word 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.759 and he knew he couldn't 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.440 muck around with it. 00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.259 He listened to it. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.120 He embraced it. 00:26:00.300 --> 00:26:00.840 He spoke it. 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.600 But he could never, 00:26:02.800 --> 00:26:03.360 ever change it. 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:07.180 It's a question for those 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.720 who preach, 00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:08.120 isn't it? 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.720 Am I being faithful 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.820 to the message? 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.720 That is the question. 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:15.800 Does the Bible teach this? 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.660 Because it's all we've got. 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:20.060 Ultimately, 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:22.000 God does not ask us 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.500 as a church 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.240 to be smart 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.120 or cutting edge 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.920 or impressive 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.880 or even uber sensitive 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:27.540 to outsiders. 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.620 Our allegiance 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:30.060 is to God alone 00:26:30.060 --> 00:26:31.100 and our role 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:32.360 is to speak God's word 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:33.060 after him. 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:35.160 Faithfully to all, 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.800 come what may. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.200 And we apply the word of God 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.840 to ourselves 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.540 and the people 00:26:39.540 --> 00:26:40.220 of our generation, 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.120 which is what Jeremiah 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.980 does in chapter 29. 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.660 And we can't 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:46.840 finish looking 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.419 at these chapters 00:26:47.419 --> 00:26:47.899 without dealing 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:49.839 with the fridge magnet verses 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:52.359 and the bookmarks 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.279 and the cards 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.759 that we send 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.279 to one another 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.220 with these verses on. 00:26:55.939 --> 00:26:56.779 Now, the main thing 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.359 to remember 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:59.619 is that Jeremiah 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.839 is actually applying 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.899 his message of salvation 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:02.679 through judgment 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:03.679 to his contemporaries. 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.720 He writes a series 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.199 of letters, 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:07.319 chapter 29, 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.480 encouraging them 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:11.119 to shift their thinking 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:12.799 from refugees 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.759 to residents. 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.759 The first letter 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:17.599 is in verse 4. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.359 They've got to change 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:19.200 from refugees 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.900 to residents, 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.519 from victims 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.180 to visionaries 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.740 as they live 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.140 in Babylon. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.119 And here's what God 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.720 says to everyone 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.500 now living in Babylon. 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.440 He says, 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:26.819 verse 4, 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.359 build houses, 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.140 live in them, 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.940 plant gardens, 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.660 eat the produce. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.819 Take wives, 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.319 have sons, 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:31.720 daughters, 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.379 take wives, 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:32.779 have sons, 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.480 give your daughters 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:33.920 a marriage, 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.140 they may bear sons 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:35.579 and daughters. 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.440 Multiply that, 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.640 do not decrease. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.819 Echoes of Eden. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.759 Keep going. 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.819 Seek the welfare 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.379 of the city 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:43.379 where I've sent you 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:43.920 into exile. 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:45.019 Pray to the Lord 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.720 on its behalf, 00:27:45.800 --> 00:27:46.580 in its welfare, 00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:47.360 you will find 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.000 your welfare. 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:49.980 Now I think 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.720 it's really important 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.880 that you realise 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:53.039 that this is temporary. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:56.200 It's part of submitting 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.820 to judgement, 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.539 but it's also 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.340 self-interested, 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.039 not in a bad way. 00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:02.000 You live there, 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.160 invest in society. 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.460 Jeremiah continues 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.259 in the well-known 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.519 verses, 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.320 verse 10 and 11, 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.140 for thus says the Lord 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.840 when 70 years 00:28:08.840 --> 00:28:09.220 are completed 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.820 for Babylon, 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.920 I will visit you 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.560 and I will fulfil 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.299 to you my promise 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:12.720 and bring you 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.419 back to this place 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.559 for I know the plans 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.279 I have for you, 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:15.839 declares the Lord, 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.779 plans for welfare 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.839 and not for evil, 00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:18.599 to give you a future 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.039 and a hope 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:20.139 and then you'll call 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:20.679 upon me 00:28:20.679 --> 00:28:21.940 and come and pray to me 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.639 and I will hear you, 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.179 you'll seek me 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:23.679 and find me 00:28:23.679 --> 00:28:24.220 when you seek me 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.799 with all your heart, 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.759 I'll be found by you, 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.379 declares the Lord 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:27.440 and I will restore 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.200 your fortunes 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.819 and gather from 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.419 all the nations 00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:30.240 and all the places 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.000 where I've driven you, 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:31.519 declares the Lord 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.399 and I'll bring you 00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:33.099 back to the place 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.779 from which I sent you 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.220 into exile. 00:28:34.679 --> 00:28:35.720 They are great verses 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:38.120 but they are not 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.059 primarily designed 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.980 for greeting cards 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.319 or fridge magnets 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.799 but for exiles 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.579 under judgment. 00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:46.160 The great plans 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:47.480 are not boyfriends 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.600 or businesses, 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.519 they are nothing 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.799 more or less 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.779 than the new covenant 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.259 itself, 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.360 you will seek me 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.620 and you will find me 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:57.420 and Jeremiah 00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.839 is preaching salvation 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.779 to those who long 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.220 for it, 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:02.000 who should be 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.480 longing for it. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.700 It's all about 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.140 the beauty 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.700 of submitting 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.519 to God's plan 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.559 and the foolishness 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.440 of resisting it. 00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:11.400 Verse 17 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.339 brings us full circle 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.920 what happens 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:14.160 in verses 17 to 19 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.980 because they did not 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.480 pay attention 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.019 to my words, 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:16.980 those people 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.140 don't submit 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:18.579 to judgment 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.240 will be exposed 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.160 to more judgment 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:22.380 and incidentally 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:23.000 what's going to happen 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.339 to Babylon? 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.579 Well those who come 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.819 back to God 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.480 get a future 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.079 and a hope 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.240 but Babylon 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.779 is judged 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.700 at the end. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.880 Seeking the welfare 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.660 of the city 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:35.259 lasts for a little while, 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:36.559 70 years 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.240 until Babylon 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:38.319 is called to account 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:39.759 for its sin 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:41.380 but even at this stage 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.120 they are not listening 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.580 to Jeremiah. 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.519 Just glance 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:44.920 at the end 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.880 of chapter 29 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.299 with me. 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.360 A guy called Shemaiah 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.759 of Nehalim 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.660 writes a beautiful letter 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.279 to Zephaniah 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:52.039 the son of Messiah 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.480 the priest 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:52.860 and says 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:53.559 verse 26 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.380 the Lord has made you priest 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.340 why aren't you rooting 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.500 out every madman 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.539 who prophesies 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.440 to put him in the stocks 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.240 and neck irons 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.180 just in case 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:00.960 he hasn't missed the point 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:02.620 why have you not 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:03.440 rebuked Jeremiah 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.240 of Anathoth 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.180 who's prophesying to you 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.160 what does Jeremiah do? 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.599 He keeps bringing 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.620 the word of God 00:30:08.620 --> 00:30:11.420 and God will punish Shemaiah 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:13.700 because he's spoken 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.720 rebellion against the Lord 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.460 and as you read 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.079 through the richness 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.920 of these chapters 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.960 you cannot miss 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.980 that our God 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.759 is there 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.799 and he is not 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.440 silent 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.940 in the words 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.720 of Francis Schaeffer. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.880 Our God 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:26.519 is a talking God 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.620 he speaks 00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:29.939 and he speaks 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:30.559 through the written 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.539 words of the Bible 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:33.159 and he speaks 00:30:33.159 --> 00:30:33.839 through the living 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:35.079 word of his son 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:37.079 in the power 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.639 of the spirit 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.559 now what should we do? 00:30:43.959 --> 00:30:46.019 This is my son 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:47.059 listen 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:48.459 to him 00:30:48.459 --> 00:30:51.579 and so our response 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.619 at the end of these chapters 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.819 which are exhausting 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:56.200 is to ask God 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.339 to give us the wisdom 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.200 to shut up 00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.939 and listen 00:30:58.939 --> 00:31:01.980 and ask God 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:03.099 to straighten out 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.179 and sanitize 00:31:04.179 --> 00:31:04.980 sensitize 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.919 our consciences 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:07.519 so that we actually 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.519 drink in 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.299 what he says 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:11.319 and so that 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.779 every time 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.700 we open his word 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.419 we do so 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:14.319 asking God 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:15.279 help us 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.599 in all our 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.659 fractured perception 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.859 to see how this 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.700 applies to us 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:21.640 and then 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.759 having taken on 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.559 board 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.319 God's word 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.880 ourselves 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:25.620 we ask God 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.360 for his grace 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.319 and his power 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:29.319 to speak that word 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.059 into the lives 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.559 of others 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:32.039 our family 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:33.380 our friends 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:35.480 to ask God 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.080 for his grace 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:36.660 and power 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.740 to speak that word 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.259 into the lives 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.700 of others 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:40.059 because it really 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.740 does make a difference 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:44.259 because this is the word 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.840 that brought us 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:45.319 to new life 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:45.860 in Christ 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:47.759 and this is the word 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.519 that God uses 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.339 by his spirit 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.200 to transform 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.200 and to make us 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.799 new people 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:54.980 in Christ 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.079 and it doesn't matter 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.740 whether our eyes 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.299 have been opened 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.220 for three weeks 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:02.420 or whether we've been 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.059 following Jesus 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.879 for decades 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:06.339 and we've just 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.119 grown blase 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.139 in what is in front 00:32:08.139 --> 00:32:08.559 of us 00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:10.119 this is the living 00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:11.240 word of God 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:13.759 that our God 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.539 the God and Father 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.019 of our Lord 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.639 Jesus Christ 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.299 uses 00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:18.259 to make people 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.119 like us 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:20.899 more like him 00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:23.079 for our good 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:25.639 and for his glory 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.319 let's pray together 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.480 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:56.460 I'll see you next time.