WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.140
 We're in Jeremiah chapter 16, and we're going to get to chapter 20, I hope, by the end of the sermon.

00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:15.740
 Next week, your homework is 21 to 25. I'm hoping there's five more sermons in Jeremiah, but we will see.

00:00:15.860 --> 00:00:22.920
 Jeremiah chapter 16. If you need a Bible, you will need a Bible tonight. They're just by the door, or one of the stewards will bring them to you.

00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:29.300
 The Lord of the Rings. I've read the books. I've only read them once.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.359
 But I've seen the movies multiple times. We try to watch them once a year.

00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:43.240
 But I was told this week of a family who watched the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit back-to-back, and no stops at all.

00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:57.079
 20 hours and 14 minutes. 1,214 minutes. It's too much, isn't it? Just too much, even if you like Lord of the Rings.

00:00:57.079 --> 00:00:58.719
 If you don't, it's certainly far too much.

00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.019
 It's too much. And I think that's got similarities with Jeremiah 1 to 20.

00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:12.599
 I don't think there's any sustained stretch of the Bible quite like these chapters, which has been occupying us the last five weeks.

00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:21.099
 The highly charged emotions, the relentless intensity, the looming reality of terrible judgment, the raw angst of the prophet.

00:01:21.319 --> 00:01:24.200
 I don't know how you found it. I found it just a little bit too much.

00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:28.760
 God assaults our emotions and our assumptions through Jeremiah.

00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:35.980
 Through this prophet, God speaks into the messy world of Judah as they stare down the barrel of a Babylonian exile.

00:01:35.980 --> 00:01:42.640
 And he tells his spokesman that it's his job to announce to the people who will not listen that it's over.

00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:43.900
 It's over.

00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:47.840
 And they're to come back to him, and enough is enough.

00:01:48.680 --> 00:01:55.820
 And we've watched Jeremiah pouring himself into trying to convince God's people that their religion was killing them.

00:01:55.819 --> 00:01:59.419
 And he calls them back to the God who can give them life.

00:01:59.699 --> 00:02:03.279
 He confronts their spiritual hypocrisy and their deafness.

00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:09.079
 And as he does all this, Jeremiah exposes to us the heart of God.

00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:14.240
 And he reveals to us what does it mean to serve God, authentic ministry.

00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:18.760
 And we've seen in Jeremiah something of the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:27.600
 The wounded prophet speaks God's word, suffers the pain, does whatever it takes to get the words across,

00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:33.280
 who sticks to the task, even when it means being broken, and it's almost too much.

00:02:34.620 --> 00:02:37.920
 These words are an overdose of confronting urgent reality.

00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:44.159
 And now in chapters 16 to 20, this great wave of intensity reaches its climax.

00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:50.659
 And we're confronted with not just the shape of what gospel, ministry, church life looks like,

00:02:50.959 --> 00:02:52.199
 but with the cost of it.

00:02:53.119 --> 00:02:54.099
 The cost of it.

00:02:55.399 --> 00:02:58.919
 And I want to walk you through these towering chapters in four steps,

00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:02.539
 which highlight the cost of serving God our King.

00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:08.000
 I won't cover every detail, but I want you to get the basic texture of these chapters.

00:03:09.079 --> 00:03:10.639
 To feel the weight of them.

00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:15.959
 As again, Jeremiah invites us to listen in as God speaks to him,

00:03:16.299 --> 00:03:18.879
 and urges and demands that he speak the truth,

00:03:19.719 --> 00:03:24.000
 and that he embody the truth to his people, and how that will cost him.

00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:29.539
 And I'm not sure there is anywhere else in the Bible that matches the intensity,

00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:35.099
 intensity, and the cost of ministry that comes into sharp focus.

00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:37.699
 We need to feel, and to see, and to grasp.

00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:43.799
 Now, you know that you are not Jeremiah, and the cost is not identical.

00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:50.259
 I think we can safely say that none of us will have quite so an important role in salvation history

00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:51.479
 as the prophet Jeremiah.

00:03:51.739 --> 00:03:58.239
 But don't forget that there is this basic continuity from the prophets to Jesus.

00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:01.900
 It is Jesus who pays the ultimate cost.

00:04:02.640 --> 00:04:07.420
 But that cost is anticipated and sketched out for us ahead of time

00:04:07.420 --> 00:04:11.200
 by those like Jeremiah who served God faithfully before him.

00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:18.960
 And then Jesus calls you and I as his people to face up to the real but restricted cost that we have to pay.

00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:25.539
 There is a connection between the cost that Jeremiah paid before Jesus comes

00:04:25.539 --> 00:04:31.740
 and the cost that Jesus expects you and I to bear as we follow him on this side of the cross.

00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:38.779
 So the ministry of Jeremiah in the 8th century BC shows us something of what we can expect.

00:04:38.779 --> 00:04:43.639
 So first in chapter 16, verse 1 to 21, can you see the cost of being committed?

00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:48.139
 Flashbacks, flick back to chapter 16, verse 1.

00:04:48.219 --> 00:04:49.119
 The cost of being committed.

00:04:49.239 --> 00:04:50.159
 The word of the Lord came to me,

00:04:50.459 --> 00:04:53.319
 You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place.

00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:56.500
 We don't know if Jeremiah was ever married,

00:04:56.659 --> 00:05:00.959
 but one thing is clear, there wasn't to be a wife or children for the prophet this side of the exile.

00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:05.379
 Being committed for Jeremiah meant a real relational cost.

00:05:06.219 --> 00:05:11.979
 Knowing and speaking the truth meant for Jeremiah that he couldn't just pretend life was going to continue as normal.

00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:15.779
 He knew that in the words of verses 3 to 5,

00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:18.339
 that the children of Judah would die of deadly diseases.

00:05:19.539 --> 00:05:20.979
 And they wouldn't be lamented or buried.

00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:26.240
 They would lie as dung on the surface of the ground, perishing by the sword or famine.

00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:28.939
 There'll be food for the birds of the air.

00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:34.540
 And the sign for that dreadful reality God told Jeremiah was,

00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:35.120
 Don't get married.

00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:38.060
 Then in chapter 16, verse 5,

00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:40.800
 Not only was it a case of no marriage, no sex for the prophet,

00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:42.980
 but also no sympathy to be shown to the people.

00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:46.259
 In particular, he wasn't to go to any funerals.

00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:48.779
 For thus says the Lord God,

00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:53.220
 Do not enter the house of mourning, or go to lament or grieve for them,

00:05:53.279 --> 00:05:55.000
 for I have taken away my peace from this people.

00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:57.639
 My steadfast love and mercy declares the Lord.

00:05:57.639 --> 00:05:59.560
 Now, you might not be a fan of funerals,

00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:01.959
 but think of this for a second.

00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:05.459
 It's not just a prohibition on going to church services.

00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:11.300
 God is telling the prophet that he cannot have normal human relationships.

00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:13.180
 Both great and small shall die in the land.

00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:14.899
 They shall not be buried.

00:06:15.159 --> 00:06:18.979
 No one shall lament them, or cut himself, or make himself bald for them.

00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:21.719
 No one shall break bread for the mourner to comfort him for the dead.

00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:23.639
 Nor shall anyone give him the cup of consolation.

00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:26.339
 And God is not finished yet.

00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:29.379
 The ban extends to parties and wedding receptions.

00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:32.240
 You shall not go, verse 8, into the house of feasting,

00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:33.279
 to sit with them, to eat and drink.

00:06:33.539 --> 00:06:35.159
 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel,

00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:38.319
 Behold, I will silence in this place,

00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:40.000
 before your eyes and in your days.

00:06:40.539 --> 00:06:42.979
 The voice of mirth, the voice of gladness,

00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:46.159
 the voice of the bridegroom, the voice of the bride, silence.

00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:50.020
 And when the prophet says, why all of this?

00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.160
 What is our iniquity?

00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:53.380
 What is the sin we've committed?

00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:57.200
 Jeremiah the party pooper has to pronounce,

00:06:57.460 --> 00:07:00.180
 because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord.

00:07:01.020 --> 00:07:02.280
 And they've gone after other gods.

00:07:03.080 --> 00:07:04.200
 They've saved and worshipped them.

00:07:04.780 --> 00:07:06.420
 And have forsaken me, and have not kept my law.

00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:08.740
 Verse 12, and because you've done worse than your fathers,

00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:12.040
 for behold, every one of you follows your stubborn, evil will,

00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:12.980
 refusing to listen to me.

00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:14.660
 Therefore, I will hurl you out of this land.

00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:19.320
 These are the harsh words that Jeremiah has to announce

00:07:19.320 --> 00:07:21.660
 to his next-door neighbour, to his community,

00:07:22.520 --> 00:07:24.960
 his schoolmates, his extended family.

00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:28.060
 And his life is to match the dark message.

00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:31.180
 For this is the cost of being committed.

00:07:32.640 --> 00:07:33.879
 And it's always been like this.

00:07:34.020 --> 00:07:37.540
 The relationship, the intimacy that the prophet has with God

00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:38.600
 does come at a cost.

00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:45.520
 The grace that God pours out in drawing us into his family,

00:07:46.140 --> 00:07:49.820
 and joining us to Christ, and then sending us out into the world,

00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:51.240
 always comes with a cost.

00:07:53.460 --> 00:07:57.280
 For Jeremiah, his ministry specifically affected his marriage,

00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:59.100
 his future, his social life, even his happiness.

00:07:59.320 --> 00:08:00.200
 There was a real cost.

00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:03.639
 And you might be sitting there tonight and thinking,

00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:05.159
 well, the cost actually is relatively low.

00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:08.959
 And we live and breathe in an environment

00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:11.680
 which is pretty unusual in the history of the church.

00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:13.360
 It has been for the last 200 years, really.

00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:16.860
 But the cost of being committed to Christ

00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:18.599
 will at some point go through the roof.

00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:22.460
 None of us has any idea

00:08:22.460 --> 00:08:24.939
 what the Lord has in store for us in the years ahead.

00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:26.840
 But if you are committed to the Lord Jesus,

00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:28.080
 there will be a cost.

00:08:29.780 --> 00:08:30.500
 And don't take that from me.

00:08:30.580 --> 00:08:31.760
 Take it from Jesus himself.

00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:34.019
 Luke 14, if anyone comes to me

00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:35.920
 and doesn't hate his own father and mother,

00:08:36.040 --> 00:08:37.240
 wife and children, brother and sisters,

00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:38.000
 and even his own life,

00:08:38.040 --> 00:08:39.019
 he cannot be my disciple.

00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:41.600
 Whoever does not bear his own cross

00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.740
 and come after me cannot be my disciple.

00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.200
 For which of you desiring to build a temple

00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:47.660
 does not first sit down and count the cost,

00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:49.059
 whether he's enough to complete it.

00:08:49.339 --> 00:08:50.740
 Otherwise, when he's laid a foundation

00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:52.179
 and he's not able to finish it,

00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:53.939
 all who see it will mock

00:08:53.939 --> 00:08:56.219
 and say this man began to build

00:08:56.219 --> 00:08:57.559
 and he wasn't able to finish.

00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:00.399
 Or what king going out to encounter another king

00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:01.919
 in a war will not sit down first

00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:03.039
 and count the cost of war?

00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:06.860
 So therefore, any of you

00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.620
 who does not renounce all that he has

00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:11.419
 cannot be my disciple, Jesus Christ.

00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:15.120
 Being committed to the Lord Jesus

00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:17.079
 complicates your relationships.

00:09:18.319 --> 00:09:20.759
 It introduces tensions with parents, siblings.

00:09:22.319 --> 00:09:24.959
 It can make life with your spouse more painful.

00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:28.019
 In some cases, it can narrow down

00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:29.600
 your marriage options to virtually nil.

00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:32.839
 Following Jesus complicates family life,

00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:34.600
 upping the demands on us as fathers

00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:36.459
 and husbands and wives and mothers

00:09:36.459 --> 00:09:37.199
 and brothers and sisters.

00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:39.299
 Being committed to Christ

00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:41.620
 will drastically affect your finances,

00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.379
 your career path, and your ego.

00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:46.080
 Being committed to Jesus

00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:47.500
 may well cost you your life.

00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:49.960
 So why put up with this?

00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.340
 Why is this a cost worth paying?

00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:56.600
 And it's a slightly surprising answer

00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:57.639
 that God gives to Jeremiah,

00:09:57.980 --> 00:09:59.279
 a compelling answer to that question

00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:00.580
 in the middle of all his own tension.

00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:01.820
 Why should he put up with this?

00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:04.600
 We'll look at chapter 16, verses 14 and 15.

00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:06.700
 And therefore, behold,

00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:07.779
 the days are coming, declares the Lord,

00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.180
 when it shall no longer be said,

00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:09.980
 as the Lord lives,

00:10:10.300 --> 00:10:12.180
 who brought up the people of Israel

00:10:12.180 --> 00:10:13.019
 out of the land of Egypt,

00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.019
 but as the Lord lives,

00:10:14.060 --> 00:10:16.139
 who brought up the people of Israel

00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:17.340
 out of the north country

00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:18.560
 and out of the countries

00:10:18.560 --> 00:10:19.360
 where you've driven them,

00:10:19.420 --> 00:10:20.639
 for I will bring them back

00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.399
 to their own land,

00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:22.320
 and I will give to them,

00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:23.680
 give to their fathers,

00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:24.860
 that I give to their fathers.

00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:27.860
 God says to Jeremiah,

00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:30.399
 remember the pain now

00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:32.580
 is the precursor to the joy

00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:33.460
 that will eventually follow.

00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:36.560
 Yes, there is judgment now,

00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:40.159
 but there will be dramatic salvation to come,

00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:41.759
 which leads Jeremiah to cry out,

00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:42.379
 verse 19,

00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:44.300
 O Lord, my strength, my stronghold,

00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.480
 my refuge in the day of trouble.

00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:48.840
 To you shall the nations come

00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:49.680
 from the ends of the earth

00:10:49.680 --> 00:10:49.899
 and say,

00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:51.740
 our fathers have inherited nothing but lies,

00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.500
 worthless things in which there is no profit.

00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:55.480
 Can man make for himself gods?

00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:56.279
 Such are not gods.

00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:57.419
 Therefore, behold,

00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:59.820
 I will make them know this once.

00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:01.820
 I will make them know my power on my mouth,

00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:02.740
 and they shall know,

00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.559
 the nation shall know,

00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:04.840
 that my name is the Lord.

00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:05.960
 A day is coming

00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:08.340
 when the Lord will be recognized

00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:09.740
 and acknowledged and worshipped

00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:11.860
 by people from all nations.

00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:14.360
 And that is why Jeremiah

00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.659
 can put up with the sacrifices,

00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:17.460
 the abuse,

00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:18.440
 the pain,

00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.120
 the angst.

00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:22.320
 It's all worth it

00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:23.419
 because of what God will do.

00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:26.159
 Or to sharpen it slightly,

00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:26.580
 for us,

00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:27.500
 it's actually worth it

00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.360
 because of Jesus.

00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:33.100
 And we can easily lose sight

00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:35.879
 that we belong to Jesus Christ.

00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:39.379
 And we've been rescued by Jesus Christ.

00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:41.039
 And we are united by faith

00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:42.059
 to Jesus Christ.

00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:45.240
 And we will worship Jesus Christ

00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:47.460
 around his throne forever.

00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:50.980
 And sometimes I think

00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.040
 you wouldn't actually know

00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:54.360
 that we love Jesus Christ.

00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:57.780
 It is Jesus himself

00:11:57.780 --> 00:11:59.000
 who makes it worthwhile

00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.420
 following him.

00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:02.639
 It is Jesus who calls us

00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.600
 to take on his yoke.

00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.860
 It's ultimately about Jesus.

00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:06.820
 And I wonder if it could be tonight

00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:08.480
 that you've lost sight of that

00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.519
 and lost sight of him.

00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:14.079
 And if we've lost sight of him,

00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:14.559
 then we'll think

00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:15.740
 the cost is not worth paying.

00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:18.220
 Unless our gaze

00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.259
 is fixed on Jesus'

00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:20.919
 beginning and end,

00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:21.779
 then sooner or later

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:23.139
 it will all just seem too much.

00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.439
 It is Jesus

00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:26.360
 who makes the cost

00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.379
 of being committed

00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.600
 more than worth it.

00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:31.480
 Secondly,

00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.240
 as is the cost

00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:34.019
 of embracing the message.

00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:35.980
 In the next section

00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:37.080
 of chapter 17,

00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:37.600
 1 to 18,

00:12:37.680 --> 00:12:38.580
 the focus is on this

00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:40.139
 fused words

00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.100
 of God and Jeremiah.

00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:43.860
 Because remember in Jeremiah

00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:45.139
 you flip back

00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.940
 and fall

00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.460
 between Jeremiah's words

00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.120
 and God's word

00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:49.180
 almost without distinction.

00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.019
 It's hard to work out

00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:50.759
 which is which sometimes.

00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.019
 The focus shifts

00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.700
 from what Jeremiah

00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.600
 must give up

00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.960
 and put up with

00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:56.060
 to what Jeremiah

00:12:56.060 --> 00:12:57.420
 actually needs to embrace

00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:59.139
 at the deepest level

00:12:59.139 --> 00:12:59.819
 of his personality.

00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:01.259
 And it all revolves

00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:01.899
 around the nature

00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:03.000
 of the human heart.

00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:04.079
 The chapter begins

00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:05.019
 with an expose

00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:06.079
 of the sins of Judah.

00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:08.000
 The sin of Judah

00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.539
 is written

00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.899
 with a pen of iron,

00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:11.319
 with a point of a diamond.

00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:12.279
 It's engraved

00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:12.719
 on the tablet

00:13:12.719 --> 00:13:13.379
 of their heart.

00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.219
 And their sin

00:13:15.219 --> 00:13:16.759
 spills out

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.819
 from there

00:13:17.819 --> 00:13:18.779
 in a whole manner of ways.

00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:19.579
 But it starts

00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:20.399
 with a heart problem.

00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:23.120
 And in that,

00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:23.719
 Judah is typical

00:13:23.719 --> 00:13:24.319
 of all of us.

00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:25.980
 That's made clear

00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.199
 in verses 5 to 7,

00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:27.500
 isn't it?

00:13:27.640 --> 00:13:28.640
 What do 5 and 7

00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:29.140
 remind you?

00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.340
 It's Psalm 1 language.

00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.120
 Cursed is the man

00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:32.940
 who trusts in man

00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:34.600
 who makes flesh his strength

00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:35.860
 whose heart turns away

00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.220
 from the Lord.

00:13:36.540 --> 00:13:37.000
 Verse 7,

00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:37.879
 Blessed is the man

00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.580
 who trusts in the Lord,

00:13:39.540 --> 00:13:40.700
 whose trust is in the Lord.

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.000
 He's like a tree

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.820
 planted by water

00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:44.000
 that sends out its root

00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.520
 by the stream

00:13:44.520 --> 00:13:44.879
 and so on.

00:13:45.040 --> 00:13:46.040
 So the covenant-keeping

00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:46.840
 man is blessed.

00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:48.460
 The covenant-breaking

00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.080
 man is cursed.

00:13:51.520 --> 00:13:52.280
 The problem is,

00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:52.620
 of course,

00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:53.340
 and this is the lesson

00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.160
 Judah should have learned

00:13:54.160 --> 00:13:54.879
 from Israel

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.439
 and we should have learned

00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:56.820
 from Judah

00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:57.899
 is that we are all

00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:58.860
 the covenant-breaking man.

00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:01.179
 And it's because

00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.100
 of our hardness

00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:04.039
 of heart.

00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.159
 In the Bible,

00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.039
 the heart

00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:09.120
 is the control center

00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:09.960
 of our personality.

00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:12.820
 The heart is where we think.

00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:14.200
 The heart is where we decide.

00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.039
 And it makes

00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:17.360
 chapter 17,

00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:18.059
 verse 9,

00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.100
 all the more confronting

00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.720
 and damning.

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.920
 Can you read it with me?

00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:21.560
 Look at this.

00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.879
 The heart is deceitful

00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.899
 above all things

00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.779
 and desperately sick.

00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:26.680
 Who can understand it?

00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.160
 And that is the message

00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:29.660
 that Jeremiah

00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:30.779
 and we are called to embrace.

00:14:32.180 --> 00:14:33.120
 Because God searches

00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.560
 our hearts,

00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:34.320
 verse 10 to 13,

00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:35.759
 and he will judge us.

00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:37.820
 Yet there is hope

00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.639
 for those who don't

00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.200
 forsake God.

00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:39.940
 But like Israel,

00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:40.500
 like Judah,

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.279
 we surely,

00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:43.240
 even though we know

00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:43.899
 he's the fountain

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.660
 of living water,

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.620
 we turn away.

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:45.899
 Why?

00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.639
 Because the heart

00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.200
 is deceitful

00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:47.940
 above all things

00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:49.379
 and desperately sick.

00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.340
 And who can understand it?

00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:54.059
 There is no more difficult,

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.340
 no more painful,

00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:57.840
 no more costly truth

00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:59.080
 to embrace from this.

00:14:59.159 --> 00:14:59.720
 But embrace it,

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.139
 we must.

00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.500
 You may have not

00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.980
 thought about it

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.559
 in this way.

00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:07.019
 But embracing

00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.039
 Jeremiah 17,

00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.539
 verse 9,

00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.340
 may well be

00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.220
 the hardest thing

00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.379
 that you ever have to do.

00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:14.019
 We are hardwired,

00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:14.379
 aren't we,

00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.419
 to think well of ourselves.

00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.759
 And we instinctively

00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:20.000
 excuse ourselves.

00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.519
 Without a moment's hesitation,

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.819
 we are all able

00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:23.700
 to explain how

00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:25.679
 circumstances have conspired

00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.319
 to make us behave badly.

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.779
 How our actions

00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:31.519
 look so much worse

00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.179
 than they actually are.

00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:34.259
 If only you knew

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.799
 what was going on

00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.279
 in my heart,

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.019
 you wouldn't see

00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.860
 that it's that bad.

00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.500
 You would see

00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.659
 that I'm much nicer

00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:41.580
 than you currently think.

00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.399
 But for the sake

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.200
 of our long-term

00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:44.779
 spiritual health,

00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.259
 there's nothing

00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.379
 more vital or urgent,

00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.460
 no more painful,

00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.519
 no more ultimately

00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.460
 more freeing

00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.179
 than this truth.

00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.379
 What does it look like

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.500
 if we embrace this truth?

00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.200
 Well, perhaps,

00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:56.059
 speaking about

00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:57.299
 what it looks like

00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.259
 if we haven't

00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.059
 embraced this truth

00:15:59.059 --> 00:15:59.580
 is easier.

00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:03.319
 We wander through life

00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:04.700
 in this kind of haze

00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:06.139
 of self-congratulation

00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.340
 and self-justification.

00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:10.179
 We give ourselves

00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:11.580
 license to act

00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.879
 as if we're nicer

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.020
 than we really are.

00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.200
 Do you talk too much

00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:21.820
 about yourself?

00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:24.160
 Or do you ask questions?

00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.080
 Do you constantly

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.160
 talk yourself up

00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:28.720
 and others down?

00:16:31.520 --> 00:16:32.240
 Do you assume

00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.120
 that you know best?

00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:35.000
 Instinctively,

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.400
 do you know,

00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.060
 do you seek

00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:36.780
 the wisdom of others?

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.100
 They're hard questions,

00:16:38.160 --> 00:16:38.420
 aren't they?

00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:41.719
 Do you resist facing

00:16:41.719 --> 00:16:42.399
 and owning

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.419
 your own sins

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.240
 and instead point out

00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:44.899
 the sins of others?

00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.099
 Or will you

00:16:48.099 --> 00:16:48.439
 deliberately

00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:49.139
 and courageously

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.240
 face and own

00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.000
 your sin

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.719
 and seek

00:16:51.719 --> 00:16:53.219
 to encourage others

00:16:53.219 --> 00:16:53.860
 to find great

00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.519
 as they do the same?

00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:56.379
 That's the basic

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.079
 choice we face.

00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.519
 Whether or not

00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.559
 to face the reality

00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.979
 of our sinfulness

00:17:01.979 --> 00:17:02.559
 and the truth

00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.519
 of Jeremiah 17,

00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:04.059
 verse 9.

00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:05.119
 No decision,

00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:05.859
 no doctrine,

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.319
 no admission

00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.460
 matters more

00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.619
 in real time

00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:11.579
 than the real world

00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:13.279
 for the future

00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:13.759
 of your life

00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.159
 with Christ

00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:14.599
 than this.

00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.759
 Killing off

00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.740
 self-love

00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.419
 will allow

00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:21.059
 the Holy Spirit

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.919
 to take this truth

00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:23.539
 and plant it deep

00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:23.819
 in us

00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.179
 so that it explodes

00:17:25.179 --> 00:17:26.099
 at the nerve center

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.119
 of our spiritual self.

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.259
 The death

00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.779
 of our pride,

00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.859
 that's no small thing.

00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.039
 And this,

00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.439
 I suggest,

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:34.939
 is the reason

00:17:34.939 --> 00:17:35.939
 why Jeremiah cries out

00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:36.880
 in chapter 17,

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.580
 verse 14.

00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.059
 Look what he says.

00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:38.320
 He says,

00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.019
 Heal me, O Lord,

00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.860
 and I shall be healed.

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.460
 Save me,

00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.080
 and I shall be saved.

00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.900
 For you, my praise.

00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:43.980
 It's hard to embrace

00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.460
 this message.

00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.600
 The cost of embracing

00:17:46.600 --> 00:17:47.440
 and speaking

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.299
 the truth about sin,

00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:48.860
 verse 15.

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:49.519
 Behold,

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.519
 they say to me,

00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.220
 where is the word

00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:51.580
 of the Lord?

00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.259
 Bring it on,

00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:52.880
 let it come.

00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.700
 I've not run away

00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.380
 from being a shepherd,

00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.259
 nor have I desired

00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.840
 the day of sickness.

00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:59.080
 You know what came

00:17:59.080 --> 00:17:59.700
 out of my lips.

00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.080
 It was before your face.

00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:03.059
 I spoke about all this,

00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:03.759
 and they attacked me.

00:18:03.820 --> 00:18:04.680
 It's so hard,

00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.420
 Jeremiah says.

00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.220
 Be not a tarry to me.

00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.220
 You are my refuge

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.019
 in the day of disaster.

00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.880
 Let those be put to shame

00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.580
 who persecute me.

00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:13.100
 Let me not be put to shame.

00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.240
 Let them be dismayed,

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:16.120
 but let me not be dismayed.

00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:16.960
 Bring upon them

00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.740
 the day of disaster.

00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.820
 Destroy them

00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.720
 with double destruction.

00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:22.200
 For Jeremiah,

00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.039
 the only relief

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.460
 and the only vindication

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:26.500
 in the face of his enemies

00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.299
 is the coming judgment.

00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:29.980
 For you and I,

00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:30.700
 it is a bit different.

00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:33.019
 For us,

00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:34.380
 the cost of embracing

00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:35.299
 this message

00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.700
 is instantly met

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:38.920
 with the tender

00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:40.380
 forgiveness of Jesus,

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.259
 running to Christ

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.960
 in repentance

00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.720
 and faith

00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.180
 in the light

00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.720
 of this brings.

00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:47.440
 James sums it up,

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:47.779
 doesn't he?

00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.360
 James says,

00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.559
 and God opposes the proud.

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.000
 He wants nothing to do with them,

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.640
 but he gives grace

00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:52.980
 to the humble.

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.900
 He can't keep away from them.

00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:55.860
 Submit yourselves,

00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.140
 therefore,

00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:56.460
 to God.

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.120
 Resist the devil,

00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.279
 and he will flee from you.

00:18:59.120 --> 00:19:00.059
 Draw near to God,

00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:01.860
 and he will draw near to you.

00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.700
 Cleanse your hearts,

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.200
 you sinners.

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.539
 Purify your hearts,

00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:06.120
 you double-minded.

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.660
 Be wretched.

00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:07.640
 Mourn,

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:07.960
 weep.

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.779
 Take Jeremiah 17,

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.480
 verse 9,

00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.040
 to heart.

00:19:15.300 --> 00:19:16.019
 Let your laughter

00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.779
 be turned to mourning,

00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.820
 and your joy to gloom.

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.660
 Humble yourselves

00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.340
 before the Lord,

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.340
 and he will exalt you.

00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.800
 It's the sweet,

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.740
 sweet cost

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.720
 of embracing

00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.500
 the message

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.140
 of the gospel,

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.300
 and finding relief

00:19:30.300 --> 00:19:31.360
 in Jesus Christ himself.

00:19:32.580 --> 00:19:33.360
 The third aspect

00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:33.759
 of the cost

00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:35.060
 is in verses 19 and 27,

00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:35.940
 and you see the cost

00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:37.160
 of calling for a response.

00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.720
 Jeremiah switches

00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.640
 back to prose

00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.799
 and records

00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:42.600
 how he urges

00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.320
 God's people

00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:44.880
 to respond specifically

00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.940
 to his teaching,

00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:47.559
 and he calls

00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.640
 for a very particular response.

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.360
 You pick up the thread

00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.559
 in 17,

00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.600
 in 17,

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.259
 verse 19.

00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:54.059
 Thus said the Lord to me,

00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:54.539
 go and stand

00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.240
 in the people's gate

00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.620
 by which the kings of Judah

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.000
 enter,

00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.920
 and by which they go out,

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.059
 and in all the gates

00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.440
 of Jerusalem,

00:19:59.539 --> 00:19:59.779
 and say,

00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:00.799
 hear the word of the Lord,

00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.759
 you kings of Judah,

00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.220
 and all Judah,

00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:02.880
 and all the inhabitants

00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.220
 of Jerusalem

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.000
 who enter by these gates.

00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:04.680
 Thus says the Lord,

00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.460
 take care for the sake

00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.000
 of your lives,

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.140
 and do not bear a burden

00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.860
 on the Sabbath day,

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.660
 or bring it in

00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.539
 by the gates of Jerusalem.

00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.920
 Keep the Sabbath day holy,

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.920
 as I commanded your fathers.

00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.400
 Yet they did not listen

00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.360
 or incline their ear,

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.860
 but stiffened their neck

00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:19.720
 that they might not hear

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.860
 and receive instruction.

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.120
 It's classic Deuteronomy.

00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.579
 He says,

00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.140
 you'll be blessed

00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.740
 if you obey,

00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:25.620
 you'll be cursed

00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.059
 if you disobey.

00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:28.019
 If you obey,

00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:29.240
 there will be

00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.679
 Davidic kings

00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:31.579
 ruling in Jerusalem,

00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.159
 and everyone will be happy.

00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:34.059
 If you disobey,

00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:35.019
 you'll go into exile.

00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.000
 In all likelihood,

00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:38.639
 this is one of his

00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.299
 earliest sermons,

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:41.240
 where there's still

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.679
 some hope

00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.819
 that people might listen.

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.839
 And what happens,

00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:45.980
 what's the response

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.220
 to this sermon

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.019
 by this great preacher?

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.480
 We'll look at the end

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.119
 of chapter 17,

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.179
 and you'll see nothing.

00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.279
 Absolutely nothing.

00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.539
 And Jeremiah

00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.480
 preaches his heart out.

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:57.320
 He preaches his heart out,

00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:58.080
 knowing something

00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:58.840
 that we never will,

00:20:59.120 --> 00:21:00.160
 knowing that every syllable

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.160
 that comes out of his mouth

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:03.240
 has come from God himself.

00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:06.039
 It's truly an inspired sermon,

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.560
 and the result is nothing.

00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.400
 God's people don't

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.500
 pay any attention at all.

00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:13.400
 They keep careering

00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:15.120
 to the curse of exile.

00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:15.980
 And how hard

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.539
 that must have been.

00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:19.660
 I don't know

00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.100
 if you realize

00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:20.299
 this,

00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:20.859
 but there is,

00:21:20.959 --> 00:21:21.240
 isn't there,

00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:24.019
 an emotional cost

00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.839
 to calling people

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.419
 to respond.

00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.879
 Every time you urge

00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:30.279
 people to repent

00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.679
 and believe,

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.879
 every time you lay

00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:32.359
 before them

00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.519
 the stunning beauty

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.699
 of our God and King,

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.299
 and you invite them

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:38.399
 to gasp in amazement,

00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.359
 every time you seek

00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.480
 to persuade people

00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.039
 to bring every part

00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.179
 of their lives

00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:44.299
 under the lordship of Jesus,

00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:46.259
 whether it's parenting,

00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:46.959
 whether it's

00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.439
 talking about

00:21:48.439 --> 00:21:49.439
 your children's

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.480
 social media activity,

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.440
 whether it's

00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:53.600
 talking about giving,

00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.360
 whether it's

00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:55.759
 talking about our priorities

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.480
 in life,

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:58.019
 every time you proclaim

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.539
 God's word

00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.559
 in whatever context,

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.039
 and you call for response,

00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.420
 you're laying yourself

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.019
 wide open.

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.640
 What are you laying

00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.539
 yourself wide open to?

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.160
 Discouragement,

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.180
 disappointment,

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:08.900
 self-doubt,

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.759
 self-recrimination.

00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:11.900
 There is a cost

00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:13.319
 to calling people

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.619
 to respond.

00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.000
 And nowhere,

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.579
 I think,

00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:17.960
 in the Bible

00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.640
 is that clearer

00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.500
 than in the life

00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.279
 and ministry of Jeremiah.

00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:23.779
 It's not just sharing

00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.500
 what you've learnt.

00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.539
 There's this horrific phrase

00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:26.740
 in,

00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:27.400
 oh,

00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.140
 I go to preach places,

00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.420
 and they say,

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:28.519
 well,

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.259
 now Paul will come

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.259
 and explain the Bible

00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.660
 as if I'm some kind

00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.500
 of English teacher.

00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.359
 That's not what

00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.099
 preaching is at all.

00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:36.859
 It's much,

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.539
 much more than that.

00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.719
 It's not just sharing

00:22:39.719 --> 00:22:40.199
 what you've learnt,

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.719
 but persuading others

00:22:41.719 --> 00:22:42.699
 to take hold of the truth.

00:22:43.959 --> 00:22:44.939
 As God takes hold

00:22:44.939 --> 00:22:45.679
 of our hearts,

00:22:45.959 --> 00:22:46.779
 so we long,

00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.059
 don't we,

00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:48.099
 for others to respond

00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.879
 in the same way too.

00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.399
 And that's what it means

00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.480
 to follow Christ,

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.599
 to speak the words of Christ,

00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.899
 to weep the tears of Christ,

00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.099
 to suffer the pain of Christ

00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:58.259
 in the strength

00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.859
 that he supplies.

00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.439
 And then in chapters 18 to 20,

00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.159
 there's the cost

00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:04.179
 of saying the hard thing.

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.980
 The final cost.

00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.339
 In a way,

00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:09.399
 the cost of saying hard things,

00:23:09.459 --> 00:23:10.139
 but that's what he does.

00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.399
 And it reaches a real climax

00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:13.399
 in this long section.

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.019
 Jeremiah has to arise.

00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:17.059
 He goes to the potter's house

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.480
 in chapter 18,

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.039
 verse 2,

00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.079
 where the potter

00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.259
 is having another go

00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.699
 at his first messed up pot.

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.299
 Oh,

00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.000
 house of Israel,

00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:26.119
 can I not do with you

00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:26.899
 as this potter

00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.000
 has done?

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.459
 God could smash them,

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.359
 or he could remake them.

00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:32.659
 It's over to them.

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.099
 Verse 11.

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.799
 Now therefore,

00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:35.899
 say to the men of Judah

00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:36.939
 and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.839
 thus says the Lord,

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.059
 behold,

00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.119
 I'm shaping disaster

00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.719
 against you

00:23:40.719 --> 00:23:42.199
 and devising a plan

00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:42.599
 against you.

00:23:42.699 --> 00:23:43.519
 Return everyone

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.359
 from his evil way.

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:45.419
 Amend your ways

00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:46.159
 and your deeds.

00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:47.759
 And unfortunately,

00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.959
 God already knows

00:23:48.959 --> 00:23:49.579
 what their response

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.119
 is going to be.

00:23:50.219 --> 00:23:50.699
 Verse 12.

00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:52.719
 But they say,

00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.339
 this is in vain.

00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.259
 We'll follow our own

00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.019
 but it's announcing

00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:57.480
 judgment to God's people.

00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.379
 And he does it again.

00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:58.659
 Well,

00:23:58.659 --> 00:23:59.319
 what happens to him?

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.539
 Shock,

00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:00.839
 horror.

00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.539
 Verse 18,

00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.059
 they attack him.

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.339
 Come,

00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.059
 let's make plots

00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.559
 against Jeremiah.

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.699
 For the Lord

00:24:05.699 --> 00:24:06.119
 shall not perish

00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.579
 from the priest,

00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:06.959
 nor counsel

00:24:06.959 --> 00:24:07.439
 from the wise,

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.799
 nor the word

00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.299
 from the prophet.

00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.599
 We're not going

00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.139
 to give up

00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:13.159
 everything that everyone

00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:13.720
 is saying

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.480
 to believe,

00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:14.939
 Jeremiah.

00:24:15.959 --> 00:24:16.619
 Let's strike him

00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.119
 with the tongue.

00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.159
 Let's not pay attention

00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:18.819
 to any of his words.

00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.480
 Verse 19,

00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.359
 Jeremiah cries out,

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.759
 hear me,

00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.119
 O Lord,

00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:21.819
 and listen to the voice

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.559
 of my adversaries.

00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:24.479
 Should good be repaid

00:24:24.479 --> 00:24:24.979
 with evil,

00:24:25.479 --> 00:24:26.099
 yet they dug a pit

00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.659
 for my life.

00:24:26.719 --> 00:24:27.500
 Remember how I stood

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.019
 before you.

00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:28.599
 Therefore,

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.759
 deliver up their children

00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.219
 of famine.

00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:30.939
 Give them over

00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:31.579
 to the powers

00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.179
 of the sword.

00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:32.959
 Let their wives

00:24:32.959 --> 00:24:33.659
 become childless

00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.000
 and widowed.

00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.879
 May their men

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.299
 meet death

00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.959
 by pestilence.

00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.500
 Their youths

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.099
 be struck down

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.579
 by the sword

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:37.879
 in battle.

00:24:37.959 --> 00:24:38.500
 May a cry

00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:38.939
 be heard

00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:39.500
 from their houses

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.359
 when you bring

00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:40.939
 the plunderer

00:24:40.939 --> 00:24:41.740
 suddenly upon them.

00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.240
 For they've dug

00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.699
 a pit

00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:45.379
 to take means.

00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:45.839
 So on.

00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.679
 Don't forgive them.

00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.079
 Do not blot

00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.659
 out their sin.

00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.480
 Let them be

00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.480
 overthrown before you.

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.460
 Deal with them

00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.819
 in the time

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.319
 of your anger,

00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:53.619
 Lord.

00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:55.859
 Now I think

00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.319
 on balance,

00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:57.000
 it's fair to say

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.399
 this isn't

00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.460
 Jeremiah's finest hour.

00:25:00.439 --> 00:25:01.079
 But we need

00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.399
 to hold on

00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:02.019
 to two things.

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.759
 The first is

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.519
 that Jeremiah's

00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:04.839
 enemies

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.779
 are really

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.500
 God's enemies.

00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.500
 That he has

00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.139
 brought a direct

00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.720
 word from God

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:09.980
 and they've

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.439
 attacked him.

00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.439
 And that in itself

00:25:12.439 --> 00:25:13.259
 heightens it

00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.399
 above any situation

00:25:14.399 --> 00:25:14.799
 that you are

00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.099
 I'll face.

00:25:15.199 --> 00:25:15.460
 Secondly,

00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.359
 his words are

00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.419
 recorded in part

00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.220
 of the least

00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.720
 to show you

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.880
 the real cost

00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.339
 of saying

00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.079
 hard things

00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:21.440
 when they're

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.019
 obviously true.

00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.440
 Same patterns

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.019
 repeated in chapter

00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.500
 19.

00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.120
 God tells

00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:27.400
 Jeremiah

00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:27.720
 to go and

00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:27.980
 take some

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.240
 pottery

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.160
 and gather

00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.539
 the elders

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.960
 and priests

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.519
 and go to

00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.019
 the interestingly

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.880
 named pottery

00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:32.819
 fragment gate.

00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.180
 I wonder

00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:33.460
 what's going

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:33.700
 to happen

00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:33.940
 there.

00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:36.539
 Chapter 19

00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.059
 verses 3

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.339
 to 9

00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.559
 brings another

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.420
 horrific message.

00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.579
 Chapter 10

00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:40.920
 says,

00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.380
 well then you

00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:41.759
 shall break

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.400
 the flask

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:42.940
 in the sight

00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.360
 of the men

00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.880
 who go with you

00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.220
 and you shall

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.620
 say to them,

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.140
 thus says the

00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:45.620
 Lord of hosts,

00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.079
 so will I

00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.740
 break this people

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.220
 in the city

00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.079
 as one breaks

00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:49.559
 a potter's

00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:49.859
 vessel.

00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.220
 And then just

00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.680
 for good measure

00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.400
 verse 15,

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.980
 thus says the

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.339
 Lord of hosts,

00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:53.880
 the God of Israel,

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.480
 behold I'm

00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.039
 bringing upon the

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.460
 city and upon

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:55.960
 all its town

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.859
 all the disaster

00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:57.420
 that I've

00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:57.940
 pronounced against

00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.180
 it,

00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.400
 because they've

00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.839
 stiffened their

00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.400
 neck refusing

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:00.839
 to hear my

00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.140
 words.

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.039
 Jeremiah,

00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.740
 like no other

00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.940
 man in the

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.140
 Bible,

00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:08.000
 sticks relentlessly

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.700
 to a thankless

00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.400
 task of saying

00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.019
 hard things

00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.380
 that it costs

00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:11.579
 him.

00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.259
 Jeremiah 20,

00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.660
 Pasho,

00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.079
 the priest,

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.620
 sticks him in the

00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:16.939
 stocks.

00:26:18.199 --> 00:26:18.859
 What does he do,

00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:19.239
 verse 3,

00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.759
 when he's released

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.319
 from the stocks?

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.339
 Jeremiah said to him,

00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.219
 the Lord does not

00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:22.679
 call your name

00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:23.000
 Pasho,

00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.799
 but terror on

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.479
 every side.

00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.719
 The Lord is

00:26:25.719 --> 00:26:26.239
 going to judge

00:26:26.239 --> 00:26:26.519
 you.

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.479
 He's got guts,

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:28.779
 hasn't he?

00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:30.979
 And when it's

00:26:30.979 --> 00:26:31.379
 all over,

00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.399
 Jeremiah collapses

00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.819
 in a heap.

00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.379
 And the words

00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:35.159
 in chapter 20,

00:26:35.219 --> 00:26:36.179
 verses 7 to 18,

00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.019
 are probably the

00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.839
 most intense

00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.619
 outpouring of

00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.159
 discouragement

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:40.379
 in the whole of

00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:40.699
 the Bible.

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.239
 He's drained,

00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.099
 defeated,

00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.679
 depressed,

00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.239
 exhausted,

00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.000
 empty.

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.559
 Oh Lord,

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.220
 you've deceived

00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.519
 me,

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.700
 and I shut up

00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.440
 the word and

00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.059
 it burns within

00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.279
 me.

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.339
 If I speak it,

00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:51.680
 they just

00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.180
 mock me.

00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.240
 Verses 11 to 13,

00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:54.759
 his theology

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.759
 momentarily kicks

00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.720
 in to steady

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.400
 him before verse

00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:57.839
 14,

00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.819
 he plunges deeper

00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.359
 into despair

00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.140
 than ever before.

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.400
 Cursed be the

00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:01.880
 man who brought

00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:02.440
 the news to my

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.819
 dad,

00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:03.799
 a son is born

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.039
 to you,

00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.420
 making him

00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:04.839
 very glad.

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.380
 Why did I

00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:05.700
 come out of

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.079
 the womb?

00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:06.799
 Verse 18,

00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.279
 why did I

00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:07.559
 come out of

00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:07.859
 the womb to

00:27:07.859 --> 00:27:08.420
 see sorrow,

00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.380
 toil and sorrow

00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:09.900
 and spend my

00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.460
 days in shame?

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.299
 Now imagine

00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:11.920
 for a moment

00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.420
 you are

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.100
 Baruch the

00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:13.640
 scribe,

00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:15.120
 and you're

00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.500
 writing this

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.759
 down.

00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:18.480
 He lifts his

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.920
 pen and he

00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.200
 says to

00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.440
 Jeremiah,

00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.519
 are you sure?

00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.460
 You want me to

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.759
 write this

00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:21.980
 down?

00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.380
 You want me to

00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:23.779
 include you?

00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.200
 This isn't

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.759
 exactly you at

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.079
 your best,

00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.380
 Jeremiah.

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.500
 And Jeremiah

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.319
 nods and says,

00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:28.860
 stays in.

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.039
 It's exactly how

00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.360
 I felt,

00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:31.720
 it's what I

00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.039
 said,

00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.559
 it's what it

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:32.840
 cost.

00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.299
 And you can

00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.740
 imagine the

00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.400
 same conversation

00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.120
 being rerun

00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:36.900
 after Jehoiachim

00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:37.559
 has thrown all

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.600
 of Jeremiah's

00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.299
 work into the

00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.579
 fire,

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.399
 and Baruch

00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:40.799
 is having to

00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.279
 write it out

00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.759
 all again,

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.159
 and he comes

00:27:42.159 --> 00:27:42.619
 to the same

00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:42.879
 bit,

00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:43.559
 we're at

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.119
 chapter 20,

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.439
 Jeremiah,

00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:44.879
 do you really

00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.220
 want this

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.399
 in?

00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.220
 It's got to

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.519
 stay in.

00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:48.779
 Because Jeremiah

00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.319
 knows that

00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.039
 saying hard

00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.639
 things is

00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.019
 costly.

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:52.980
 And often

00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.720
 speaking the

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.259
 truth of the

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.879
 gospel into

00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.679
 the lives of

00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.519
 our friends

00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.079
 or relatives

00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.419
 is not

00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:57.819
 something that

00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.259
 we're thankful

00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.460
 for.

00:27:59.419 --> 00:27:59.819
 In fact,

00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.279
 we are more

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.819
 than likely to

00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.559
 be misrepresented

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.319
 and slandered

00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.039
 and sidelined.

00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:03.939
 And often

00:28:03.939 --> 00:28:05.859
 things don't

00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.579
 change when we

00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:06.919
 speak the

00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:07.199
 truth,

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.779
 even when we

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.039
 speak it

00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.419
 lovingly.

00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:11.399
 Because when

00:28:11.399 --> 00:28:11.799
 God is at

00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.240
 work through

00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.599
 his word,

00:28:12.679 --> 00:28:13.259
 he exposes

00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:13.559
 and he

00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.079
 confronts,

00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:14.339
 and he

00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:14.980
 often breaks

00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.460
 down before

00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:15.839
 he builds

00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.079
 up.

00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.099
 God's word

00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:18.359
 in our

00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:18.819
 lives is

00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.879
 often painful.

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.899
 And just

00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:23.399
 as often

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:23.839
 those who

00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.339
 speak the

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.939
 truth into

00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.460
 our lives,

00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:25.960
 they suffer,

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.259
 don't they,

00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.740
 the collateral

00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.179
 damage.

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.559
 You think

00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:27.839
 about it,

00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.079
 they don't

00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.539
 like it.

00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:29.299
 You probably

00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:29.699
 didn't like

00:28:29.699 --> 00:28:30.019
 it when

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.319
 your parents

00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.699
 or whoever

00:28:31.699 --> 00:28:32.039
 it was

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.539
 spoke God's

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:32.859
 truth to

00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.980
 you at

00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.259
 first.

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.299
 Christ.

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:34.879
 But we

00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.259
 are prepared

00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.559
 to say

00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.259
 hard things

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.200
 lovingly for

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.640
 the sake of

00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.220
 Jesus Christ.

00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:40.539
 Well, if we

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:40.799
 want to be

00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.259
 faithful, we've

00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:41.480
 got no

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.740
 option.

00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.059
 Because as

00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.640
 John says,

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.180
 whoever follows

00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.379
 Christ must

00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:48.099
 walk as he

00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:48.379
 did.

00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.660
 And that just

00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.559
 about brings us

00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.279
 to the end of

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.960
 this fiercely

00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.940
 intense first

00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.279
 half of

00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.539
 Jeremiah.

00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.539
 From here on,

00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.019
 it seems that

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.539
 Jeremiah has

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.220
 embraced the fact

00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.680
 judgment is

00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:58.920
 coming.

00:28:59.480 --> 00:28:59.700
 And from

00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.060
 this point

00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:00.360
 on, he

00:29:00.360 --> 00:29:01.460
 calmly and

00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.940
 courageously

00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.560
 devotes the

00:29:02.560 --> 00:29:03.000
 rest of his

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.340
 life to

00:29:03.340 --> 00:29:03.940
 persuading his

00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.920
 people, his

00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.500
 peers, that

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:05.840
 this is what

00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.220
 is happening.

00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:06.519
 And he

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.039
 holds out to

00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.240
 them the

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.460
 hope.

00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.380
 The hope of

00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:09.680
 a new

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.240
 covenant on

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.560
 the other

00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:10.920
 side of

00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.180
 judgment.

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:12.880
 So what

00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.160
 are we to

00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.420
 make of

00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:13.640
 this?

00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:15.600
 Well, I

00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:15.920
 think we

00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.440
 are to

00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:18.060
 marvel at

00:29:18.060 --> 00:29:18.560
 the sheer

00:29:18.560 --> 00:29:19.220
 commitment of

00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.860
 this man who

00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:21.019
 paid an

00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.779
 immense cost.

00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.220
 For

00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.840
 speaking the

00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:24.160
 truth.

00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.700
 To marvel at

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.420
 him embodying

00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.039
 and living and

00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.420
 teaching the

00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:28.900
 very words of

00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.519
 God himself.

00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:30.980
 And he did

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.560
 it all before

00:29:31.560 --> 00:29:32.019
 the coming of

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.220
 the Lord

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.460
 Jesus.

00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.200
 But we

00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.240
 have, of

00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:37.220
 course, seen

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:39.040
 the one whom

00:29:39.040 --> 00:29:39.900
 Jeremiah only

00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:40.560
 caught glimpses

00:29:40.560 --> 00:29:40.780
 of.

00:29:42.060 --> 00:29:42.980
 The one whom

00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.680
 as God in

00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.560
 the flesh became

00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:45.160
 the perfect

00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.080
 suffering servant.

00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:48.360
 The one who

00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.380
 pressed on

00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.460
 even at points

00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.040
 where Jeremiah

00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.540
 wilted.

00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.240
 The one who

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.160
 loved where

00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.240
 Jeremiah raged.

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.280
 Even dying on

00:29:56.280 --> 00:29:56.860
 a cross for

00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.080
 us.

00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:59.199
 And it

00:29:59.199 --> 00:29:59.619
 is this

00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:00.220
 prophet, the

00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.579
 Lord Jesus

00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.319
 Christ, who

00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:01.859
 holds the

00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.179
 keys for

00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.399
 us.

00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:04.339
 Because he

00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.279
 is the

00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.720
 one who's

00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.599
 worth following.

00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.819
 And he

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.379
 is the one

00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:09.839
 to whom we

00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.619
 commit ourselves.

00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.539
 And he is

00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.019
 the one we

00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.919
 receive when we

00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:14.480
 embrace the

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.000
 message of the

00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.220
 gospel.

00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.299
 And he is the

00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.819
 one who we are

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.419
 calling people to

00:30:18.419 --> 00:30:18.899
 respond to.

00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:19.799
 And he is the

00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.259
 one who calls

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.720
 us to love

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.159
 one another

00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:24.759
 with a real

00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.840
 truthful

00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:27.400
 costly love.

00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.500
 And he is the

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.279
 one in whom

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:32.480
 and for whom

00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.259
 and through

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.320
 whom we live

00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:35.900
 and suffer

00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:37.400
 and rejoice.

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.240
 And it is

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.880
 worth it

00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:42.940
 because he is

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.380
 worth it.

00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:45.640
 His love

00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:47.180
 has no limit.

00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.940
 His grace

00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.720
 has no measure.

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:52.259
 His power

00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.019
 has no boundary.

00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.700
 No none to

00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:54.920
 man.

00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.220
 For out of his

00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.039
 goodness in

00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.519
 Jesus he

00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.039
 gareth and

00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:00.600
 gareth and

00:31:00.600 --> 00:31:01.039
 gareth again.

00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.339
 The cost

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.559
 is worth

00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:04.920
 paying

00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:06.819
 because he

00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.400
 is worth it.

00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.019
 Let's pray.