WEBVTT 00:00:00.700 --> 00:00:05.860 As Taryn said earlier, my name is Matt, and I'm one of the pastoral interns here at Trinity Cambridge, 00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:11.900 and I'm excited to bring you the word of the Lord this morning in Sean's absence. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:18.000 He is down in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, South Jersey, at a church that is a fairly new— 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:20.039 it's not a new church, but it's new to Sovereign Grace. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:23.879 So they came on board with Sovereign Grace a few years ago, 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:28.960 and are just loving the connection with Sovereign Grace and other churches. 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:33.799 They were down there kind of alone, so to be connected with other churches, other bodies of Christ. 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:40.980 I know that they've ministered to Sean in their prayers, in their conversations, in their reaching out. 00:00:41.160 --> 00:00:46.640 So Sean's down there and doing that for them, preaching for them, and blessing them in that way. 00:00:46.820 --> 00:00:50.079 So pray for him as you think about that this morning. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:01:02.159 And before I preach this morning, I want to commend you guys and your coming and listening to the word on an ongoing basis. 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:11.759 God has truly blessed Trinity Cambridge Church, and it isn't something that is about us, but it's his choice to bless us. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:14.180 And we thank him. We thank him first and primarily. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:21.080 But I commend you guys for coming back each week and seeking to follow the word of the Lord. 00:01:21.160 --> 00:01:26.260 You want to hear what the Lord has to say, and you want to line your life up with what he has to say. 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:28.820 And so I just want to encourage you to keep doing that. 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:32.140 Keep going after Christ. Keep going after his word and what he says. 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:39.840 I love hearing stories about how you guys talk about what has been preached on in your community groups and how you connect with one another. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:45.879 And I'm just encouraged to see it, and I want you guys to keep it up. It's an awesome thing. 00:01:46.239 --> 00:01:54.240 So this morning, before I start, there's one more thing. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:02:01.180 I had a message that was almost to completion, close to the end of the week, and God had a different plan. 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:05.960 And so he chose to kind of do a makeover on where I was going. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:12.879 So if there's times that I pause, it's because things are a little different than what I started out with a few weeks ago. 00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:20.020 So don't let that be a discouragement, but an encouragement because the Lord is at work. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:23.200 He had a message that was different than what I originally had. 00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:29.860 So to me, that says that there's something that he wants to hit on this morning to encourage and to correct us. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:34.060 So take that as a good thing and not necessarily a bad thing as we dig in. 00:02:34.900 --> 00:02:38.920 So this morning, we're going to be looking at Jeremiah chapter 43. 00:02:39.200 --> 00:02:44.320 We're going to finish up chapter 43 that we hit last week, and we're going to go up until the end of 45. 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:54.060 And our main thought, our main theme, our sentence that we're going to hold on to this morning as we go through this passage is this. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:01.060 That God provides salvation and hope from the separation and judgment that sin produces. 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:04.219 We're going to say that a few times as we go through the message. 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:11.960 But God provides salvation and hope where separation and judgment comes from sin. 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:22.960 So the three areas that we're going to hit this morning as we look through these chapters is sin's futility, sin's persistence, and its balance with God's patience. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:25.960 So we're going to see those side by side as we look through the chapters. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:29.000 And then finally, God's judgment and hope. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:29.020 God's judgment and hope. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:29.520 God's judgment and hope. 00:03:34.219 --> 00:03:37.840 So last week, I'll leave that up for a little bit. 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:40.699 Last week, we stopped halfway through chapter 43. 00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:49.259 And where we left off was the remaining remnant of Judah had asked Jeremiah for a word of the Lord. 00:03:50.199 --> 00:03:55.020 And they even went as far as to say whatever the Lord comes back and answers. 00:03:55.139 --> 00:03:57.360 Whatever he says, we're going to do it. 00:03:57.860 --> 00:04:00.240 And we know that that wasn't really their heart attitude. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:05.900 They had no desire to truly follow what God said unless God was saying what they wanted to do. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:07.159 That's what they were looking for. 00:04:07.600 --> 00:04:09.439 God says, stay where you are. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:10.960 And they went to Egypt. 00:04:11.820 --> 00:04:15.939 He says, I'll protect you and make you something here where you remain. 00:04:16.460 --> 00:04:18.439 And they didn't believe God. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:19.379 And they went to Egypt. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:21.699 And they took Jeremiah and Baruch with them. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:25.840 So that leads us up to verse 8, chapter 43. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:28.400 Let's read a few verses together this morning. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:29.639 Verse 8. 00:04:30.359 --> 00:04:33.500 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah and Tappanese. 00:04:34.039 --> 00:04:41.859 Take in your hands large stones and hide them in the mortar in the pavement that is in the entrance to Pharaoh's palace in Tappanese. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:44.779 In the sight of the men of Judah and say to them, 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:47.719 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel. 00:04:48.179 --> 00:04:52.459 Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:55.539 And I will set his throne above these stones that I have hidden. 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:57.959 And he will spread his royal canopy over them. 00:04:58.479 --> 00:05:04.120 He shall come and strike the land of Egypt, giving over to pestilence, those who are doomed to pestilence. 00:05:04.279 --> 00:05:06.639 And to captivity, those who are doomed to captivity. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:10.120 And to the sword, those who are doomed to the sword. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:16.459 So the first thing we're going to look at this morning is the sin's futility. 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:19.340 What causes sin to fall short? 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:21.560 What causes sin to be futile? 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:25.879 And where does it leave us when we follow that? 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:31.399 Futility, taken from the Latin word that means leaks. 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:34.519 So when something leaks, it's useless. 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:35.379 It's of no good. 00:05:35.459 --> 00:05:39.479 If we have a gallon of something and it leaks, then it's futile. 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:46.620 Our efforts to try to use it to hold something, to store something, just isn't, it's useless. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:47.599 It's of no good. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:52.159 So we're going to look at the no goodness of sin this morning. 00:05:52.339 --> 00:05:55.719 And how the people of Judah wrestled with that. 00:05:56.859 --> 00:06:00.219 So the people of Judah, they are now taking up residence in Egypt. 00:06:00.220 --> 00:06:02.140 They've ignored the word of the Lord. 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:05.020 And they've sought to save themselves. 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:08.740 So God tells Jeremiah to paint this picture for him. 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:10.940 He says, I want you to take large stones. 00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:15.920 I want you to put it in the entrance of Pharaoh's palace. 00:06:17.340 --> 00:06:19.520 So God is bringing Nebuchadnezzar here. 00:06:20.080 --> 00:06:22.300 And he's going to come and own this place. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.920 This is the place where they came for safety and protection. 00:06:26.260 --> 00:06:28.640 And God's telling them it's not going to happen. 00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:32.860 Verses 12 and 13. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:39.220 We see that God is the one that's behind what's going on. 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:42.560 He says, I shall kindle a fire in the temples of the gods. 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:44.780 And he shall burn them and carry them away captive. 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:47.240 And he shall clean the land of Egypt. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:50.560 As shepherds clean his cloak of vermin. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:52.780 And he shall go away from there in peace. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:55.860 He shall break the obelichs of Heliopolis. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:58.060 This is in the land of Egypt. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:00.740 And the temples of the gods of Egypt he shall burn. 00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:06.519 So notice who is in the lead role here in what's going on. 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:07.960 That is God. 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:11.860 Verse 10 says, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar. 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:14.800 Then later on, I will set up his throne. 00:07:15.340 --> 00:07:16.780 Then we look down at verse 12. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:19.420 I shall kindle a fire in the temples. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:22.519 So we see that Nebuchadnezzar is doing the action. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:24.519 But it is God who's doing the leading. 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:26.120 He's doing the empowering. 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:27.860 The orchestrating of all of it. 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:33.740 Think of it like a rocket that's set to destroy something. 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:35.199 So Nebuchadnezzar is the rocket. 00:07:35.580 --> 00:07:36.780 But God is the fuel. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:41.199 He's the mission control behind where that rocket is going. 00:07:41.580 --> 00:07:43.240 And what it is set to destroy. 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:44.860 It's God's plan. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:46.080 He's the one in control. 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:49.120 In the middle of verse 12, it says, 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.620 As a shepherd cleans his cloak of vermin. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:55.439 And just to define what that is, 00:07:56.019 --> 00:08:01.420 It is in times where the shepherd is spending days walking through the fields. 00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:05.259 He has a coat on for warmth and protection. 00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:08.699 And as he goes through the fields, his coat picks up vermin. 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:12.660 So insects, ticks, lice. 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:19.460 So here is a picture of a shepherd pulling off these unwanted insects. 00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:25.400 As he seeks to keep himself clean and void of all these things. 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:30.960 And that's the description that God gives of Nebuchadnezzar coming into the land. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:31.860 He will come in. 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:33.379 He's going to take what he wants. 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:35.160 He's going to destroy what he doesn't. 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:38.240 And then he's going to go away satisfied with what he sees. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:44.440 So in this passage, we see the destruction that's going to take place. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.180 But there's something more important here. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:49.139 And that is the futility of sin. 00:08:50.060 --> 00:08:55.139 See, everything that the Judeans are working for and trying to achieve is going to be destroyed. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:56.039 Right? 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:59.960 They seek a place to live. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:03.919 They seek to build their family. 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:05.860 They seek to build possessions. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:09.379 But they're seeking it in a land that God says, I'm going to destroy. 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:13.539 All their worshiping and sacrifices is in vain. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.060 And why is that? 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:18.220 Because it's not according to God's plan. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:19.340 It's on their own plan. 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.379 See, they were chosen for a purpose. 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:23.100 We know this. 00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:26.800 But just to recount it again, they were called out by God. 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:29.139 They were called for a purpose. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:36.059 But instead of listening and following God, sought after their own desires and their own plans. 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:43.779 And as we're thinking about plans this morning, whose plans is it that ultimately matter? 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:47.439 It's not our plans. 00:09:47.539 --> 00:09:48.399 It's God's plans. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:51.959 So we're going to talk about this in a little bit. 00:09:51.959 --> 00:10:01.240 But when we base things on a plan that is futile or that changes or is not stable, then what does that mean for all that's set upon that? 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:05.659 Have you ever spent time doing something? 00:10:06.699 --> 00:10:07.959 Maybe a project. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.740 A paper for school. 00:10:10.439 --> 00:10:11.220 Cleaning something. 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:12.940 Fixing something up for someone. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:14.060 Maybe making a meal. 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:19.899 Only to find out that the reason you were doing that, the plans behind it, had changed. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:25.040 Maybe schedules changed. 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:27.940 Maybe the person said, oh, I don't need that anymore. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:28.700 I bought my own. 00:10:29.660 --> 00:10:32.399 Or can't come over. 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:33.220 Things happened. 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:38.720 What happens is what you planned on changed. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:43.379 And it made the work that you did, it basically renders it useless. 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:49.840 Now, there's some situations, obviously, where you could still use what you did. 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:59.460 But the idea is when we do things based on plans and assumptions and goals that are empty and void, 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:02.840 then those things are going to leave us empty and void. 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:05.960 And the same thing can be said about sin. 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:10.660 That example wasn't sin related, but the same things happen with sin. 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:11.820 Sin is futile. 00:11:12.160 --> 00:11:14.639 This is based on our plans and our desires. 00:11:15.300 --> 00:11:16.379 So that's what sin is. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:21.420 Sin is when we are disobeying God's command. 00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:28.779 Sin is futile. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:36.719 So, we see from this passage that their futility of sin falls short. 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:44.219 We see that following sin and running after us leaves us wanting and separated from God. 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:46.899 That's exactly what happened to the people of Judah. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:49.740 See, they were looking for protection. 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:51.799 They were looking for prosperity. 00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:53.299 And they were looking for peace. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:58.000 These are the things that God, the provider of all things, promised his people. 00:11:58.459 --> 00:11:59.019 Protection. 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:02.519 A nation that was protected from other nations. 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:03.419 Prosperity. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:09.100 God promised them a family, a generation that could not be numbered. 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:10.819 Lands. 00:12:11.079 --> 00:12:11.539 Animals. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.720 He blessed them. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:14.679 And we saw that earlier in the Old Testament. 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:16.120 And peace. 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:17.859 Peace from other nations. 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:18.699 From wars. 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:21.979 From having the promised land. 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:25.979 And being able to settle there and be at peace with what God gave them. 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.879 That's what God promised. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:32.620 He needed a people who were obedient to him. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:41.560 But the problem is, there can't be a relationship between the God of Israel. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:44.060 The God that called his people out. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:51.580 There can't be a relationship if instead of following after God, they're following after idols. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:53.580 It's a lopsided relationship. 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:54.120 It's a relationship. 00:12:54.800 --> 00:13:01.720 And it dishonors God in his name when his people are running away from him in sin. 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:13.660 So we see that the people of Judah turned away from the true God. 00:13:13.660 --> 00:13:16.440 And they try to find salvation through the gods of Egypt. 00:13:16.660 --> 00:13:26.620 Those are the very things that God, in this passage, is setting his rocket, his missile of Nebuchadnezzar on. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:34.320 He's looking to destroy the people of Egypt, the land of Egypt, the people of Judah, and the gods that they're all following. 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.340 That's what happens. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.620 They were looking for protection. 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:42.440 They were looking for prosperity and peace from the false gods. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:49.179 And in the end, they were left with nothing because what they were setting them on was futile. 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:57.379 Well, the next point that we're going to look at this morning is sin's persistence. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:04.159 There's one thing that we can easily pick up from these passages is this ongoing sin. 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:11.459 And while we're looking at that, we're also going to be highlighting areas of God's patience. 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:15.440 We know from the many chapters that we've gone through so far that God is patient. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.620 God is long-suffering. 00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:23.639 God continues to give the people of Judah a chance over and over again to repent and come and follow him. 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:24.519 And they don't. 00:14:25.400 --> 00:14:29.200 Last week, we saw a chance to repent when God told them to stay in Egypt. 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.280 They didn't listen. 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:35.879 At the beginning of our passage this morning, God tells them of the destruction that's coming. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.860 He's bringing Nebuchadnezzar. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:42.019 They have an opportunity to repent to God, but they were made there. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:44.980 They remained where they were in their sin, and they continued on. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:51.659 So let's pick things up at chapter 44 and read this section. 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:57.360 Actually, we read the first 10 verses, so let's hold off on that. 00:14:58.779 --> 00:15:00.139 Does this keep dropping out? 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:02.240 Is this okay? 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:03.659 Okay. 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:11.259 The section that we read in the beginning was God reminding the people of Judah of past sin. 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:20.679 And in the beginning, we see that God has continued to show his patience by sending his prophets, 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:22.500 by giving them warnings, by telling them, 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:25.779 I hate what you're doing, but they continue to do it anyway. 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:25.899 Okay. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:36.319 Let's pick it up at verse 11, where we left off. 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:39.240 It's chapter 44, verse 11. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:48.039 Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:52.639 Behold, I will set my face against you for harm to cut off all Judah. 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:57.180 I will take the remnant of Judah who have set their faces to come to the land of Egypt to live, 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.740 and they shall be consumed. 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:01.460 And in the land of Egypt they shall fall. 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.639 By the sword and by the famine they shall be consumed. 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:08.699 From the least to the greatest they shall die by the sword and by the famine, 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:12.799 and they shall become an oath, a horror, a curse, and a taunt. 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:15.600 I will punish those who dwell in the land of Egypt, 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:20.360 as I have punished Jerusalem, with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence. 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:25.759 So that none of the remnant of Judah who have come to live in the land of Egypt shall escape, 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:28.779 or survive, or return to the land of Judah, 00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:31.819 to which they desire to return to dwell there. 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:35.940 For they shall not return except some fugitives. 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.320 Amen. 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:05.620 Does that sound better? 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.420 Nice. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:08.279 Thanks, Taylor. 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:08.860 Appreciate it. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:14.299 At this point in the passage, God is telling them the depth of their wickedness, 00:17:14.320 --> 00:17:15.680 and he's pronouncing the judgment. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:20.840 So you would think from that that their hearts would be affected, but they aren't. 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:24.059 You think at this point, you could see, 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:27.240 you can envision an opportunity of the people to repent. 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:30.319 As they're being told of the judgment that's coming, 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:37.740 you would think that they would repent and seek God's forgiveness yet again, 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:40.259 knowing how often he has forgiven them. 00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:42.380 But they do not. 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:47.359 The persistence of sin is front and center, 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:52.359 and the thing that is pushing that out is their stubbornness and their selfish desires. 00:17:52.359 --> 00:18:00.240 But the thing I don't want to have happen is that we jump and we judge them too soon, 00:18:00.439 --> 00:18:03.679 because we do the exact same thing. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:05.439 It just might look a little different. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:10.379 See, when we're stuck in sin, are we quick to let it go? 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:15.899 I think if we're honest, we're not quick to let it go. 00:18:16.719 --> 00:18:19.839 See, sin is usually easy and fun. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:22.079 It feels good. 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:26.240 Sin allows us to do what we want to do, 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:30.799 even when it goes against what God has called us to do. 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:35.439 So we often want to make excuses to remain there, 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:41.339 make excuses for why we're sinning and why we can't correct that yet. 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:47.879 But as Christians, God has called us out and commanded us to be different. 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:49.800 We're set apart from the world. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:53.880 So if Christians, if followers of Christ, 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:56.040 then we can't remain in our sin. 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:57.000 We can't stay there. 00:18:57.080 --> 00:18:58.500 We need to fight against that. 00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:05.700 If we can, and we don't feel any guilt about that sin that we're living and remaining in, 00:19:06.020 --> 00:19:08.240 then we need to check our salvation at the door. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:13.840 See, if we're truly saved in the Holy Spirit that's living inside of us, 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:17.559 is at war with that sin that we're allowing to remain. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.699 And as God calls that sin out, 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:23.500 whether directly through the Spirit inside of us, 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.279 through a message, 00:19:24.699 --> 00:19:26.939 or through someone else who comes up and says, 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.519 Brother, you know what? 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:30.779 I see that there's some sin that you're struggling with. 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.139 How can we pray about it? 00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:33.459 How can we work on this? 00:19:33.899 --> 00:19:35.179 Because it's not right. 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:42.360 That should be our reaction, 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.700 but it's not. 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:46.460 So what we need to do is 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:48.259 to thank the Lord 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:52.380 in seeing that sin as it's approaching, 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:55.340 seeing as it grows inside, 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:57.920 as it tries to take root inside of our hearts, 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.500 and we need to kill it. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:11.960 The sin of the sound system. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.000 The sin of the sound system. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:47.279 So, go ahead and talk. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:47.579 Okay. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.259 All right. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:49.960 We'll try it again. 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.900 I wasn't even jumping around. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:57.859 I threatened to him that I was going to jump around 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.579 or do something, 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.740 and he's like, 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.059 Yeah, whatever. 00:21:01.459 --> 00:21:01.979 He didn't care. 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:05.439 All right. 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.319 Let's try that again. 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:10.399 Satan is always trying to get in. 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.579 It's okay. 00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:13.459 Because we have the Word of God. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.719 Let's see where we left off. 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:21.679 So we need not to be quick to judge the people of Judah 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:26.039 because we can easily hang out to our sin 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:28.279 and not want to let it go. 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:36.000 So in holding on to your sin 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:41.039 and in waging that battle with your sin, 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:43.799 realize that it's a serious battle. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:46.879 It's not a futile battle. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:50.819 The plans that we put on sin are futile. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:53.879 The things that we try to achieve from our sin is futile, 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:55.760 but the battle that we take on 00:21:55.760 --> 00:22:00.100 when we're waging against sin in our hearts, 00:22:00.260 --> 00:22:01.120 in our lives, 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.340 is a serious one. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:07.540 There are often costs. 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:10.180 There are often devastating effects 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:13.120 that can come from long periods of sin 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:13.940 that we dwell in. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.880 So I encourage you. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.140 God is holy 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:17.880 and can have nothing to do with sin 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:20.620 that we consistently try to come back to, 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.580 hold on to, 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.440 live by, 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:25.799 when He wants to be the one that we live and honor. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:33.460 So let's read about Judah's fight with sin 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:35.640 and pick it up in verse 15. 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:39.740 Then all the men who knew that their wives 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.620 had made offerings to other gods 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:43.300 and all the women who'd stood by, 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.120 a great assembly, 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:46.340 all the people who lived in Pathros 00:22:46.340 --> 00:22:47.280 in the land of Egypt, 00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.600 answered Jeremiah, 00:22:49.520 --> 00:22:52.020 As for the word that you've spoken to us 00:22:52.020 --> 00:22:53.180 in the name of the Lord, 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.460 we will not listen to you. 00:22:55.060 --> 00:22:57.100 But we will do everything that we have vowed, 00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:59.120 make offerings to the Queen of Heaven 00:22:59.120 --> 00:23:01.080 and pour out drink offerings for her 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:03.259 as we did both we and our fathers, 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.960 our kings and our apostles, 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.840 in the cities of Judah 00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:08.380 and in the streets of Jerusalem. 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.819 For then we had plenty of food 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:12.740 and prospered and saw no disaster. 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:15.160 But since we left off making offerings 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.279 to the Queen of Heaven 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:18.380 and pouring out drink offerings to her, 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.559 we've lacked everything 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:21.279 and we have been consumed 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.840 by the sword and by famine. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.500 And the women said, 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.960 When we made offerings to the Queen of Heaven 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.779 and poured out drink offerings for her, 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.819 was it without our husband's approval 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.539 that we made cakes for her 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.380 bearing her image 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:35.340 and poured out drink offerings for her? 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:39.840 See, they are fighting to remain in their sin. 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.360 You see their stubbornness. 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:44.960 You see the blindness that it is causing. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:49.400 The thing with continual disobedience 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:52.920 is that there's stubbornness and pride 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:55.100 that grows larger and larger 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:57.359 the longer that we remain in our sin. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:00.459 A prideful heart 00:24:00.459 --> 00:24:03.240 with a hardened conscience 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:06.240 that is no longer affected by sin 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:09.439 has to be questioned 00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:11.659 whether or not 00:24:11.659 --> 00:24:13.179 there is true salvation 00:24:13.179 --> 00:24:15.000 that has taken place in a believer. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:17.519 to be able to continue to sin 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.140 against God 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:19.119 and be unaffected 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.980 and not care 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.880 has to question 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:23.160 whether or not that person 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.680 was truly saved 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.640 and in this case 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:27.099 whether they're a part 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:28.339 of the children of God 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:30.539 continually running after 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.160 the things 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:34.660 of other gods 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:36.339 of not what the Lord 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.180 has called them to. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:41.340 So, in saying that 00:24:41.340 --> 00:24:42.100 I don't want you to be like 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.840 oh, Matt's preaching 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:44.380 that you can lose your salvation. 00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:45.380 It's not what I'm saying. 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.320 But I'm saying 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.200 if someone is truly 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.100 a child of God 00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:50.080 a follower of Jesus 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:51.480 then their life 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.820 will not be characterized 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:54.259 by disobedience 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.100 towards God. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.200 It's going to be characterized 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.160 by a life 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:59.539 that is focused 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.720 on obeying 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.279 the commandments 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.000 of the Lord. 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.640 That should make 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.840 total sense to us 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.960 and not scare us. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:07.819 because you can't be 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.519 His child 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.000 and He be your Heavenly Father 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.019 if you continue 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:14.579 in a life of disobedience. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.539 See, repentance 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:18.059 is the key element 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.880 of salvation. 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.319 We believe in Jesus 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.039 and we repent 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.819 of our sins. 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:24.160 We once walked 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.840 with the world 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:25.559 and now we walk 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.259 with Christ. 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.539 So, we need to 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.660 protect ourselves 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:32.019 from walking 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.440 with the world 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.779 and we want to walk 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.380 with Christ. 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:37.460 Let me ask you 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.259 a question this morning. 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.940 As we're talking 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.759 about our salvation, 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.380 as we're talking 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.539 about how you live 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.100 your life 00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:46.720 and who you live 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.500 your life for, 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.940 has there been 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.920 a time in your life 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.559 where you have 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:53.039 repented of your sins? 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:56.819 are you relying 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:58.099 on God's patience 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.079 and His grace 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.799 to allow you 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.500 to continue 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:02.159 to live in sin? 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:05.920 Are you trying 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.799 to save yourself? 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:07.859 Are you trying 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:09.359 to fix yourself 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.000 your way 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.980 and not God's way? 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.480 Let me encourage you 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.299 today to give up 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.879 your fight 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:16.539 with any of those. 00:26:17.159 --> 00:26:18.200 Whether you're 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.299 a Christian 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.039 and you fight 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.980 with your own 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.740 salvation 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.380 and doing it 00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:22.900 your way 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.680 or you're an 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:25.559 unbeliever 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:25.980 altogether. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.579 You've never 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.620 asked for repentance. 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.160 You've never 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.900 believed in Jesus 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:30.019 Christ for salvation. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.660 I want to encourage 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.259 you to give up 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.259 your fight this morning 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.900 and allow God 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.759 to be your Savior. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:40.059 you have an opportunity 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.879 this morning 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:44.480 to have a relationship 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.759 with your Creator, 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.920 your Heavenly Father. 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.700 Salvation doesn't 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.339 come from us, 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.259 it comes from Him. 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:52.000 He is the only way. 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.359 I want to look 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:55.059 a little bit more 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:56.019 about how the people 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.400 of Judah were blinded 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.940 from the solution 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.839 to their problems 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.379 that was right 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.099 in front of them. 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.259 The last half 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.879 of verse 17 says, 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.779 For then, 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.779 talking about 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.420 when they worshipped 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.240 the Queen of Heaven, 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.700 they had plenty 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.180 of food 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.920 and prospered 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:13.000 and saw no disaster. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.339 But since we left 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.359 off making offerings 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.339 to the Queen of Heaven 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.019 and pouring out 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.619 drink offerings 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.059 to her, 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.279 we've lacked everything 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.299 and have been consumed 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.039 by the sword 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.619 and by famine. 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.200 Do you see 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.819 the blindness 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:26.400 and what's going 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.200 on the floor? 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:28.759 Right? 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.140 They said, 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.420 when we were sinning, 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.680 worshipping other gods, 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.519 we had everything 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.019 we wanted. 00:27:34.560 --> 00:27:35.220 And now that we've 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.220 stopped doing those things, 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.840 we have nothing. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.160 So it makes sense 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.860 that we return 00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:39.720 to our sin 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.759 because that worked 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.759 out better for us. 00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:43.680 They've presumed 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:45.299 on God's loving kindness 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.400 for so long, 00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:48.100 they have disobeyed 00:27:48.100 --> 00:27:48.960 so much 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.400 that now they can't 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:52.160 even see the sin 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:53.039 and the damage 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.360 that's taken place. 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.480 See, first of all, 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.759 they never stopped sinning 00:27:57.759 --> 00:28:01.100 as they led to doing 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:02.000 in that verse. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.160 They didn't stop 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.339 worshipping other gods. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.859 Their land was destroyed 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.740 and they moved on. 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.339 Whether they do, 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.380 they found other gods 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.900 to worship. 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:11.039 Their hearts never left 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.859 worshipping other gods. 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.400 See, it's important 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.480 to see this flaw 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.319 because, again, 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.019 this is a flaw 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.240 that we can fall into. 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.559 We need to have eyes 00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.460 that are aware 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.619 of approaching sin 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.759 so that it doesn't 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.460 take root. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.480 Right? 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.200 We need to have hearts 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.779 that are aligned 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.339 with Christ 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.140 so that we guard 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.259 against those things. 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:33.299 See, they weren't 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.240 this steeped 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.400 into their sin 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.240 and blindness 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.859 right from the beginning. 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.160 It was a slow process, 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.440 right? 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.900 Didn't exactly 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.700 get what they wanted. 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.440 Maybe they ate 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.240 manna too much 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.839 so they stopped 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.599 grumbling 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.339 and complaining. 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.259 And then it just led 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.859 to one thing 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.579 after another. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.440 And so they got 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.160 so involved 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.160 with other lands, 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.099 which God told them 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.519 not to do 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.420 in the first place, 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:55.180 that they began 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:56.180 to worship them. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.640 They became their gods 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.279 in place 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.579 of the one true God. 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:00.960 And so this is 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:02.099 where they have 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.139 come to at this point. 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.519 God is finally 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:06.019 fed up with the people 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.079 that he's called 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:08.099 and he's looking 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.160 to destroy them. 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.940 So we see that first 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.980 that they weren't honest 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.160 where their heart was 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.079 and secondly, 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.700 they were blind 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.440 to the damage 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.440 that was going on. 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.139 And it was their disobedience 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:23.399 and their sin 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.460 that was causing 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.879 all of their problems. 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.860 And yet they thought 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:28.300 that going back 00:29:28.300 --> 00:29:28.980 to their sin 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.580 was going to be 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:30.260 the solution. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.640 One note 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.860 about verse 19 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:36.380 talking about 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.720 the women. 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:42.900 The women said 00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:44.120 when we made offerings 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:45.140 to the Queen of Heaven 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:45.720 and poured out 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.340 drink offerings, 00:29:46.760 --> 00:29:47.520 was it without 00:29:47.520 --> 00:29:48.660 our husband's approval 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.640 that we made cakes 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.700 for her bearing image 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.320 and poured out 00:29:51.320 --> 00:29:51.940 drink offerings 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.420 for her? 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:55.539 The women here 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.080 seemed to take 00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:57.160 a special offense 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.880 to what Jeremiah said 00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.960 most likely 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.920 because the gods 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.340 that they were worshipping 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:06.340 were of fertility 00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:07.259 and beauty. 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.300 And so those would be 00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:09.360 the gods that 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:10.680 appealed the most 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.240 to women. 00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:13.240 And so from that 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.860 you can conjure up 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.680 thoughts that 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:17.560 the women might have 00:30:17.560 --> 00:30:18.840 been larger worshippers 00:30:18.840 --> 00:30:19.960 of certain gods 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.579 that they took 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:22.200 offense to 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:22.960 with Jeremiah's 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.380 comments. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:25.039 But in any event 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.880 it was still 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:27.460 prevalent. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.319 Men, women, 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.440 families, 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:31.660 everybody was 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.620 worshipping gods 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.160 for whatever 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:35.340 beauty, 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.160 for fertility, 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.799 for money, 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.740 for whatever it was 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.120 that wasn't 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:38.759 the true God. 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.640 Let's take a look 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.420 at verse 20. 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.779 Then Jeremiah said 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.539 to all the people, 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.299 men and women, 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.120 all the people 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:48.900 who had given him 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.579 this answer, 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:51.000 as for the offerings 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.740 that you have offered 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.860 in the cities of Judah 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.620 and in the streets 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.259 of Jerusalem, 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.720 you and your fathers, 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:57.200 your kings and your officials, 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:59.000 the people of the land, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.240 did not the Lord 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.019 remember them? 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.559 Did it not come 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.380 to his mind? 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:05.200 And Jeremiah is saying 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:06.500 you want the Lord 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:07.279 to remember you, 00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:07.779 you want the Lord 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.700 to bless you, 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.700 to protect you, 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:11.539 to always be on his mind. 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.740 Did you not think 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.579 that your sins 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.539 would make it there 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.400 as well? 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.620 And that leads us 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:19.660 to our next point. 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:21.180 of God's judgment. 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.220 We've seen this 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:26.100 a lot in the book 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:26.779 of Jeremiah. 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.620 We see it here 00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.980 in verse 22. 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:32.100 The Lord could no longer 00:31:32.100 --> 00:31:33.480 bear your evil deeds 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.620 and the abominations 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.420 that you committed. 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.220 Therefore, 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.299 your land has become 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.100 a desolation 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.779 and a waste 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.519 and a curse 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:41.000 without inhabitant, 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.420 as it is this day. 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.860 It is because you made 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:44.420 offerings 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.559 and because you sinned 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.240 against the Lord 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.039 and did not obey 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:48.000 the voice of the Lord 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.579 or walk in his law 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.980 and in his statutes 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:52.640 and in his testimonies 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.539 that this disaster 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.720 has happened to you 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:56.160 as at this day. 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:01.240 So we see the judgment 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.220 of the Lord 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.480 on his people 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.720 for this continuing 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.740 sin 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.099 following after 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.900 everything but God. 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.740 Everything that God 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:11.180 was offering to them, 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.900 they sought it 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:12.660 in other ways. 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:14.580 And now we come 00:32:14.580 --> 00:32:16.360 to verse 24. 00:32:18.080 --> 00:32:18.380 This, 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:20.019 just a word of note, 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:21.360 this isn't the last chapter 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.480 in the book of Jeremiah, 00:32:22.840 --> 00:32:24.560 but it is God's last 00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:25.580 and final word 00:32:25.580 --> 00:32:26.100 of judgment 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:26.940 to the people. 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:29.259 So keep that in mind. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:29.560 This, 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.840 it puts weight 00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:34.060 on this word 00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:34.580 of the Lord 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:35.180 because it is 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:36.100 the last one 00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:36.880 that God has given 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.600 to his people. 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.360 Jeremiah said 00:32:39.360 --> 00:32:40.019 to the peoples, 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.840 verse 24, 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:43.779 and all the women, 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.559 hear the word 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.079 of the Lord, 00:32:45.179 --> 00:32:46.079 all you of Judah 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.079 who are in the land 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:47.599 of Egypt. 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.099 Thus says the Lord 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.539 of hosts, 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:50.399 the God of Israel, 00:32:50.939 --> 00:32:51.859 you and your wives 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.419 have declared 00:32:52.419 --> 00:32:53.220 with your mouth 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.119 and have fulfilled it 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.819 with your hands, 00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.139 saying, 00:32:55.459 --> 00:32:56.679 we will surely perform 00:32:56.679 --> 00:32:57.299 our vows 00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:58.119 that we have made 00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:59.139 to make offerings 00:32:59.139 --> 00:33:00.159 to the Queen of Heaven 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:01.359 and to pour out 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:02.539 drink offerings to her. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:04.379 Then confirm your vows 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.619 and perform your vows. 00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:06.319 Go ahead, 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.039 do it, 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.959 you say you're going to. 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:09.799 Verse 26, 00:33:09.799 --> 00:33:11.220 Therefore, 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.000 hear the word 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.599 of the Lord. 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.079 All you of Judah 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.599 who dwell 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.619 in the land of Egypt, 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:16.799 behold, 00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:17.599 I have sworn 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:18.779 by my great name, 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:19.519 says the Lord, 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.619 that my name 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.379 shall no longer 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.139 be invoked 00:33:22.139 --> 00:33:22.859 by the mouth 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.960 of any man in Judah 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:25.139 in all the land 00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:25.700 of Egypt, 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:26.759 saying, 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:28.539 as the Lord God lives. 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:31.079 So get a picture 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.759 of this. 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:34.379 The people of Judah 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:35.039 have done 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:36.339 a complete reversal 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:38.279 from where they came from 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.599 over a thousand years ago 00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:41.240 when they were slaves 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.740 in Egypt 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:43.180 and God called them out. 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.660 Exodus chapter 6, 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.399 verses 5 through 7. 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:51.680 Moreover, 00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:52.960 I have heard the groaning 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:54.200 of the people of Israel 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.460 whom the Egyptians 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.619 hold as slaves, 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:58.119 and I have remembered 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.859 my covenant. 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.180 Say therefore 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.339 to the people of Israel, 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.279 I am the Lord, 00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:04.519 and I will bring you out 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.420 from under the burdens 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.160 of the Egyptians, 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:07.500 and I will deliver you 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:09.159 from slavery to them, 00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:10.539 and I will redeem you 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.920 with an outstretched arm 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.320 and with great acts 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.860 of kindness. 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:15.300 I will take you 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:16.139 to be my people, 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:17.420 and I will be your God, 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.720 and you shall know 00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:19.880 that I am the Lord, 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.500 your God, 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.599 who has brought you out 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.619 from under the burdens 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.659 of the Egyptians. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.880 Now we see that 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:30.840 with hearts of rebellion 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:32.820 and disobedience, 00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.619 they now return back 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:36.559 to Egypt from where 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.739 they were taken out of. 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:40.539 Is that why God told them 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:41.599 not to go to Egypt 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:44.139 in last week's message? 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:46.019 It makes sense. 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:47.239 Do you also know 00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:48.380 that they were going to continue 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:50.039 to follow after God? 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:52.739 I'm sure you knew that as well. 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:58.279 But God's name 00:34:58.279 --> 00:34:59.460 is being removed 00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.679 from their mouths. 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:02.139 So what does that mean? 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:04.019 The Lord of hosts, 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:05.199 the God of Israel, 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:07.339 the I am that I am, 00:35:07.819 --> 00:35:08.679 is no longer 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:11.480 a point of strength 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:13.440 or source of salvation 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:15.000 that they can rely on. 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:17.119 What they've assumed 00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:18.819 for so long 00:35:18.819 --> 00:35:20.480 is no longer there. 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:21.980 Why? 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:23.339 Because God is holy. 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:25.219 He's perfect in righteousness, 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:26.179 and he stands 00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.179 against everything 00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:29.000 that sin allows. 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:30.460 the very essence 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:31.119 of sin 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:32.000 is defiance 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.800 against God 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.599 and his laws, 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.179 and it's what 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:35.440 they ran after. 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:38.320 That total opposition 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:39.059 against God 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.880 is the reason 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:41.579 why God 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.980 must judge sin. 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:44.219 He must deal with it. 00:35:44.300 --> 00:35:45.340 It can't be left 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:46.719 and just look over 00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:47.980 like it doesn't matter. 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:51.159 Verse 27, 00:35:51.159 --> 00:35:52.319 Behold, 00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.559 I am watching over them 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.299 for disaster 00:35:54.299 --> 00:35:55.440 and not for good. 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:56.940 All the men of Judah 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:58.039 who are in the land of Egypt 00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:58.980 shall be consumed 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.779 by the sword 00:35:59.779 --> 00:36:00.599 and by famine 00:36:00.599 --> 00:36:02.819 until there is an end of them. 00:36:03.239 --> 00:36:04.739 And those who escape the sword 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:05.359 shall return 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:06.420 from the land of Egypt 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:07.599 to the land of Judah, 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.619 few in number. 00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:10.440 And all the remnant of Judah 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:12.099 who came to the land of Egypt 00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:12.779 to live 00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.940 shall know 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:15.440 whose word will stand, 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.859 mine or theirs. 00:36:17.379 --> 00:36:18.599 This shall be the sign to you, 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.399 declares the Lord, 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:20.579 that I will punish you 00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:23.380 in this place 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:25.119 in order that you may know 00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:26.119 that my words 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.240 will surely stand 00:36:27.240 --> 00:36:29.539 against you for harm. 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.680 Thus says the Lord, 00:36:30.760 --> 00:36:31.160 Behold, 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:32.579 I will give Pharaoh, 00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:33.119 Hophah, 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:34.160 king of Egypt, 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.860 into the hand 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.820 of his enemies 00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.960 and into the hand 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.460 of those who seek his life 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:41.460 as I gave Zedekiah, 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.200 king of Judah, 00:36:42.440 --> 00:36:43.059 into the hand 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.840 of Nebuchadnezzar, 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:44.700 king of Babylon, 00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:46.500 who was his enemy 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.740 and sought his life. 00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:49.959 God must judge sin. 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:52.159 But that's not the end 00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:53.459 of the story this morning. 00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:54.399 Our last point 00:36:54.399 --> 00:36:55.739 this morning 00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:57.000 is the hope 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:57.979 and salvation 00:36:57.979 --> 00:36:59.719 that God provides. 00:37:01.379 --> 00:37:03.179 Let's read chapter 45 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:04.919 together. 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:05.359 We're going to read 00:37:05.359 --> 00:37:06.319 the whole thing. 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:07.479 It's okay. 00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.599 It's one of the shortest ones 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:09.099 in the book. 00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:11.679 The word that Jeremiah 00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:12.759 the prophet spoke 00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.380 to Baruch, 00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:14.799 the son of Nariah, 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.219 when he wrote these words 00:37:16.219 --> 00:37:16.900 in a book 00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:18.219 at the dictation 00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:18.900 of Jeremiah 00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.960 in the fourth year 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.719 of Jehoiakim, 00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:22.119 the son of Josiah, 00:37:22.319 --> 00:37:22.960 king of Judah. 00:37:23.819 --> 00:37:24.699 Thus says the Lord, 00:37:24.779 --> 00:37:25.759 the God of Israel, 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.880 to you, O Baruch, 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:28.239 you said, 00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.039 Woe is me, 00:37:29.139 --> 00:37:29.639 for the Lord 00:37:29.639 --> 00:37:30.539 has added sorrow 00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.360 to my pain. 00:37:31.839 --> 00:37:32.599 I am weary 00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:33.539 with my groaning 00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.839 and I find no rest. 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:36.460 Thus shall you say 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.900 to him, 00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:38.259 Thus says the Lord, 00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:39.520 Behold, 00:37:39.620 --> 00:37:40.800 what I have built 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:42.040 I am breaking down 00:37:42.040 --> 00:37:43.940 and what I have planted 00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:45.000 I am plucking up, 00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:45.760 that is, 00:37:45.840 --> 00:37:46.620 the whole land. 00:37:47.180 --> 00:37:48.140 And do you seek 00:37:48.140 --> 00:37:49.320 great things for yourself? 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.660 Seek them not, 00:37:51.160 --> 00:37:51.700 for behold, 00:37:51.780 --> 00:37:52.800 I am bringing disaster 00:37:52.800 --> 00:37:53.860 upon all flesh, 00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:54.740 declares the Lord, 00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:56.280 but I will give you 00:37:56.280 --> 00:37:56.960 your life 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:58.080 as a prize of war 00:37:58.080 --> 00:37:59.220 in all places 00:37:59.220 --> 00:38:00.880 to which you may go. 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:04.160 So chronologically, 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:06.980 that chapter 00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:07.880 comes after 00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:09.559 chapter 36. 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.420 So, 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.820 just to rewind 00:38:11.820 --> 00:38:12.700 a little bit, 00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:13.559 chapter 36 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.700 was when 00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:16.980 King Jehoiakim 00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:19.340 slowly cut up 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:20.340 the scroll 00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:21.360 and threw it 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:22.099 into the fire. 00:38:23.160 --> 00:38:23.740 He took, 00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:25.440 it was 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:27.140 a word of the Lord 00:38:27.140 --> 00:38:28.160 to Jeremiah 00:38:28.160 --> 00:38:30.260 written down 00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:31.000 by Baruch. 00:38:32.200 --> 00:38:34.240 So all of Baruch's work, 00:38:34.239 --> 00:38:35.959 he's watching 00:38:35.959 --> 00:38:36.919 as the king 00:38:36.919 --> 00:38:38.299 could care less 00:38:38.299 --> 00:38:39.559 about what's being said 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.859 and just throws it 00:38:40.859 --> 00:38:41.619 into the fire. 00:38:43.339 --> 00:38:44.559 So you can imagine 00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:45.859 that there's some 00:38:45.859 --> 00:38:46.559 disappointment 00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:47.899 if this chapter 00:38:47.899 --> 00:38:49.000 follows right after 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.719 that happened. 00:38:49.919 --> 00:38:50.939 This makes sense, 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:51.279 right? 00:38:51.679 --> 00:38:52.500 Baruch would be 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:53.539 quite disappointed, 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:55.179 depressed. 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.839 You work towards 00:38:56.839 --> 00:38:57.379 something 00:38:57.379 --> 00:38:58.339 in the ministry 00:38:58.339 --> 00:38:58.939 of God 00:38:58.939 --> 00:39:00.459 only to see 00:39:00.459 --> 00:39:01.099 that it's 00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:01.919 destroyed, 00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:03.159 it's cast to the side, 00:39:03.220 --> 00:39:04.059 it means nothing. 00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:08.280 For years, 00:39:08.800 --> 00:39:09.400 he served 00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:10.579 alongside Jeremiah 00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:11.920 in ministry 00:39:11.920 --> 00:39:12.980 and we all know 00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:13.820 that that was not 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.599 an easy road. 00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.639 The same 00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:16.840 or similar pain 00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:18.059 that Jeremiah felt, 00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:18.980 the 00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:22.599 punishment, 00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:25.200 the ridicule, 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.280 the embarrassment, 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:27.159 all that 00:39:27.159 --> 00:39:28.099 that Jeremiah felt, 00:39:28.099 --> 00:39:29.200 Baruch was with him 00:39:29.200 --> 00:39:29.920 the whole time 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:31.059 and felt that as well. 00:39:31.680 --> 00:39:32.659 He gave his life 00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:34.059 to follow after Jeremiah 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:34.659 because that's what 00:39:34.659 --> 00:39:36.119 God's plan was for him. 00:39:36.740 --> 00:39:37.740 So we can understand 00:39:37.740 --> 00:39:38.579 when Baruch says, 00:39:38.740 --> 00:39:39.559 woe is me, 00:39:39.920 --> 00:39:40.559 for the Lord 00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:41.460 has added sorrow 00:39:41.460 --> 00:39:42.480 to my pain, 00:39:42.619 --> 00:39:43.220 I am weary 00:39:43.220 --> 00:39:44.059 in my growing 00:39:44.059 --> 00:39:46.079 and I find no rest. 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:48.320 But we see that God 00:39:48.320 --> 00:39:49.220 is quick to respond 00:39:49.220 --> 00:39:49.700 to Baruch 00:39:49.700 --> 00:39:50.940 and he reminds them 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:51.639 that God 00:39:51.639 --> 00:39:52.800 is losing more 00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.380 in this 00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:55.159 than Baruch sees. 00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:57.259 See, 00:39:57.399 --> 00:39:59.339 he is losing 00:39:59.339 --> 00:40:02.059 his people 00:40:02.059 --> 00:40:02.819 that he's 00:40:02.819 --> 00:40:04.119 been building up. 00:40:04.759 --> 00:40:05.679 They've continued 00:40:05.679 --> 00:40:07.039 to run away from him 00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:08.139 and follow sin 00:40:08.139 --> 00:40:09.339 and he's got 00:40:09.339 --> 00:40:10.659 to judge them. 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:12.299 He's also losing 00:40:12.299 --> 00:40:12.879 the land 00:40:12.879 --> 00:40:13.679 that he's planted. 00:40:13.839 --> 00:40:14.339 That might not 00:40:14.339 --> 00:40:15.159 sound like much, 00:40:15.799 --> 00:40:16.039 but 00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:19.119 everything that God 00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:20.019 has built 00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:21.239 and brought together, 00:40:21.239 --> 00:40:22.399 he is now 00:40:22.399 --> 00:40:23.279 destroying. 00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:24.800 So he's reminding Baruch, 00:40:25.040 --> 00:40:26.580 you've lost some, 00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:27.860 I've lost more. 00:40:29.960 --> 00:40:31.220 He also continues 00:40:31.220 --> 00:40:31.940 on telling Baruch 00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.680 not to seek 00:40:32.680 --> 00:40:33.800 great things. 00:40:34.780 --> 00:40:35.120 He says, 00:40:35.460 --> 00:40:37.120 as you look around 00:40:37.120 --> 00:40:37.280 Egypt, 00:40:38.400 --> 00:40:39.600 as you looked around 00:40:39.600 --> 00:40:40.160 when you were 00:40:40.160 --> 00:40:41.320 in Jerusalem, 00:40:41.940 --> 00:40:43.540 as you spent time 00:40:43.540 --> 00:40:44.900 with the people 00:40:44.900 --> 00:40:45.580 of Judah, 00:40:46.580 --> 00:40:47.560 don't see 00:40:47.560 --> 00:40:48.300 all of their 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:48.880 possessions 00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:49.700 and things 00:40:49.700 --> 00:40:50.300 and want those 00:40:50.300 --> 00:40:51.440 for yourself. 00:40:52.040 --> 00:40:52.500 Don't see 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.200 the land 00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:54.099 and the prosperity 00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:55.619 that you want 00:40:55.619 --> 00:40:56.659 because I'm going 00:40:56.659 --> 00:40:57.759 to destroy them. 00:40:58.759 --> 00:40:59.859 You want them, 00:41:00.319 --> 00:41:00.980 don't seek 00:41:00.980 --> 00:41:01.639 after them. 00:41:03.259 --> 00:41:04.099 And he says, 00:41:04.279 --> 00:41:05.099 I will save you. 00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:05.859 I will protect you 00:41:05.859 --> 00:41:06.699 wherever you go. 00:41:07.739 --> 00:41:09.199 Your prize in this 00:41:09.199 --> 00:41:11.059 is that I will 00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:12.000 save your life 00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:12.879 and you will be safe 00:41:12.879 --> 00:41:13.839 wherever you desire 00:41:13.839 --> 00:41:14.319 to go. 00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:16.059 Okay, 00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:16.799 so that's a great 00:41:16.799 --> 00:41:17.839 chapter for Baruch. 00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:20.119 A nice word of hope, 00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:20.719 but what does that 00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:21.500 mean for us? 00:41:21.500 --> 00:41:24.320 It followed chapter 36, 00:41:24.679 --> 00:41:26.019 but we find it here 00:41:26.019 --> 00:41:27.539 where Jeremiah places it 00:41:27.539 --> 00:41:29.320 after chapter 44. 00:41:29.559 --> 00:41:30.380 Why is that? 00:41:32.320 --> 00:41:32.739 See, 00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:33.360 being here 00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:34.619 after chapter 44 00:41:34.619 --> 00:41:36.360 allows it to serve 00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:37.079 as an encouragement 00:41:37.079 --> 00:41:38.179 to us as well, 00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:39.280 not just Baruch. 00:41:40.380 --> 00:41:41.179 An encouragement 00:41:41.179 --> 00:41:43.719 after these chapters 00:41:43.719 --> 00:41:46.320 of seeing the people 00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:47.619 of Judah follow sin 00:41:47.619 --> 00:41:48.639 and be judged. 00:41:49.400 --> 00:41:50.279 An encouragement 00:41:50.279 --> 00:41:51.880 for us not to go 00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:52.440 that way 00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:53.759 and follow after God. 00:41:54.819 --> 00:41:56.059 That's the purpose 00:41:56.059 --> 00:41:58.339 for why we have 00:41:58.339 --> 00:41:59.839 these chapters 00:41:59.839 --> 00:42:01.059 of seeing how 00:42:01.059 --> 00:42:02.139 the people of Judah 00:42:02.139 --> 00:42:03.819 forsook God 00:42:03.819 --> 00:42:04.319 and followed 00:42:04.319 --> 00:42:05.699 after idols. 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:08.339 Chapter 44 00:42:08.339 --> 00:42:09.460 showed us the necessity 00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:10.359 of God's judgment. 00:42:11.239 --> 00:42:11.819 So if we follow 00:42:11.819 --> 00:42:12.759 after the people 00:42:12.759 --> 00:42:13.179 of Judah, 00:42:13.359 --> 00:42:14.539 seeking only the things 00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:15.960 of this world 00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:16.960 in disobedience 00:42:16.960 --> 00:42:17.519 to God, 00:42:17.619 --> 00:42:18.800 then the end result 00:42:18.800 --> 00:42:20.179 is going to be 00:42:20.179 --> 00:42:21.280 the same end result 00:42:21.280 --> 00:42:22.220 that we see 00:42:22.220 --> 00:42:22.940 from the people 00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:23.360 of Judah. 00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:24.000 And that is 00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:25.820 separation from God. 00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:26.760 There's judgment. 00:42:26.940 --> 00:42:27.440 There's death 00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:28.220 that has to come. 00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:31.420 There isn't another way. 00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:32.179 There's only God. 00:42:32.179 --> 00:42:33.579 So when you're not 00:42:33.579 --> 00:42:34.779 following that, 00:42:35.659 --> 00:42:37.699 then you're separated. 00:42:43.899 --> 00:42:45.559 For God so loved the world 00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:46.139 that he gave 00:42:46.139 --> 00:42:47.319 his only begotten son 00:42:47.319 --> 00:42:48.399 that whosoever 00:42:48.399 --> 00:42:49.739 believeth in him 00:42:49.739 --> 00:42:50.619 should not perish 00:42:50.619 --> 00:42:52.299 but have everlasting life. 00:42:52.440 --> 00:42:53.359 John 3, 16. 00:42:54.879 --> 00:42:55.839 We all know it. 00:42:55.879 --> 00:42:56.659 We all have it memorized. 00:42:56.879 --> 00:42:57.519 It's basic 00:42:57.519 --> 00:42:58.559 but it's fundamental. 00:42:59.119 --> 00:42:59.859 Brothers and sisters, 00:42:59.859 --> 00:43:00.879 don't lose it. 00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:02.380 the hope 00:43:02.380 --> 00:43:03.099 that we have 00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:03.579 in God 00:43:03.579 --> 00:43:04.440 is the only hope 00:43:04.440 --> 00:43:05.119 that matters. 00:43:10.960 --> 00:43:12.180 So just to pull up 00:43:12.180 --> 00:43:13.660 our thought again 00:43:13.660 --> 00:43:14.400 from the beginning 00:43:14.400 --> 00:43:15.640 that God provides 00:43:15.640 --> 00:43:16.760 salvation 00:43:16.760 --> 00:43:18.599 and I pray this morning 00:43:18.599 --> 00:43:19.059 that if you're 00:43:19.059 --> 00:43:20.019 a follower of Christ 00:43:20.019 --> 00:43:22.300 you are participating 00:43:22.300 --> 00:43:24.039 in that salvation. 00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:25.180 You've repented. 00:43:25.820 --> 00:43:26.420 You've believed 00:43:26.420 --> 00:43:27.140 in Jesus Christ 00:43:27.140 --> 00:43:28.079 and you've repented. 00:43:28.079 --> 00:43:29.700 You have that salvation. 00:43:29.699 --> 00:43:31.199 There's also hope 00:43:31.199 --> 00:43:32.139 that we have in Christ. 00:43:32.259 --> 00:43:32.919 Hope that we get 00:43:32.919 --> 00:43:34.019 from nowhere else 00:43:34.019 --> 00:43:35.579 except from Christ 00:43:35.579 --> 00:43:37.000 and following after God. 00:43:37.960 --> 00:43:39.719 The alternative to that 00:43:39.719 --> 00:43:41.299 is the separation 00:43:41.299 --> 00:43:42.379 and judgment 00:43:42.379 --> 00:43:43.639 that comes from God 00:43:43.639 --> 00:43:45.699 and that's what follows sin. 00:43:45.779 --> 00:43:46.639 So I encourage you 00:43:46.639 --> 00:43:47.460 brothers and sisters 00:43:47.460 --> 00:43:48.099 this morning 00:43:48.099 --> 00:43:49.939 to follow after God. 00:43:50.079 --> 00:43:51.859 When you see sin coming 00:43:51.859 --> 00:43:53.980 it's going to look good. 00:43:54.199 --> 00:43:55.599 It's going to feel good. 00:43:55.819 --> 00:43:57.019 Whatever it is 00:43:57.019 --> 00:43:58.059 and you have to fight 00:43:58.059 --> 00:43:58.639 against it 00:43:58.639 --> 00:43:59.759 because we were called 00:43:59.759 --> 00:44:00.480 by God 00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:01.460 to be separate 00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:02.239 from the world. 00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:05.099 So live for the hope 00:44:05.099 --> 00:44:06.579 that God provides 00:44:06.579 --> 00:44:08.679 and not the separation 00:44:08.679 --> 00:44:11.179 that sin produces. 00:44:13.820 --> 00:44:15.699 Let's take a couple minutes 00:44:15.699 --> 00:44:18.860 just to think about those words. 00:44:19.360 --> 00:44:20.679 Allow the Spirit to talk 00:44:20.679 --> 00:44:22.900 to your heart 00:44:22.900 --> 00:44:24.099 before we move on 00:44:24.099 --> 00:44:25.059 to the prayers of the people. 00:44:25.059 --> 00:44:55.039 Let's take a couple minutes.