WEBVTT 00:00:00.060 --> 00:00:11.779 In a poem entitled Invictus, the English poet William Ernest Henley captures the resilience and defiant independence of the human spirit. 00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:15.179 And the last stanza reads this way, he says, 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:25.780 It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul. 00:00:27.320 --> 00:00:29.640 Isn't that an accurate description of humanity, right? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.439 We like to bow to no one. We like to get our way. 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:37.439 We don't want people to interfere with our lives and what we want to do. 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:42.820 And so the mantra goes, let me be and I will let you be. 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:45.539 That's the prevailing attitude of our world. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:51.359 In the chaotic world, we strive and struggle to maintain some semblance of control over our lives. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:57.439 But this passage teaches us that we are not in control of our lives and our fates. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:01.119 That we are not independent beings accountable only to ourselves. 00:01:01.239 --> 00:01:06.679 And really the main point of these three chapters is that in spite of appearances to the contrary, 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:11.560 God is the sovereign Lord over creation to whom we are accountable. 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:13.439 That's really the main point of this passage. 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:16.200 And first we're going to see God's sovereignty over the nations. 00:01:16.459 --> 00:01:20.400 And then lastly we're going to see God's sovereignty over Jeremiah and people around him. 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:24.640 The word of the Lord comes again in verse 2 and says to Jeremiah, 00:01:25.080 --> 00:01:29.880 Arise and go down to the potter's house and there I will let you hear my words. 00:01:30.680 --> 00:01:35.040 So when Jeremiah visits the potter's house and sees the potter working at his wheel, 00:01:35.440 --> 00:01:40.719 he notices a clay vessel in his hand that was spoiled, ruined vessel. 00:01:41.160 --> 00:01:48.420 This was misshapen or ruined in some kind of way so that he could not be turned into the vessel that the potter wanted it to be. 00:01:48.420 --> 00:01:54.079 And because of that, he takes the ruined clay in his hand and reworks it into another vessel. 00:01:54.700 --> 00:01:56.519 And as it seemed good to him to do. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:03.480 So as Jeremiah is watching this scene unfold, the word of the Lord comes to him again in verse 6. 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:09.240 O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done, declares the Lord. 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:14.860 Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 00:02:14.860 --> 00:02:20.660 So the verb do that is used here, can I not do this to you as my clay? 00:02:20.860 --> 00:02:27.360 The word do that's used here is the same word that's repeated throughout verses 3 and 4 to refer to the potter making the clay. 00:02:27.940 --> 00:02:36.440 In fact, that's the same word that's used over and over again in Genesis 1 to refer to God making and fashioning his creation, the whole world. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:42.300 And so that word that's being used here is declaring God's absolute sovereignty over all of creation. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:50.660 Israel is mere clay in God's hands and God can fashion them into whatever he wants as the potter does with his clay. 00:02:51.140 --> 00:02:52.320 Look at verse 4 again. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:55.520 According to what does the potter rework the spoiled vessel into another vessel? 00:02:55.600 --> 00:02:58.939 He says, as it seemed good to the potter to do. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:03.980 He makes the clay to be what he wants to be according to his own will. 00:03:04.320 --> 00:03:06.920 He doesn't have any obligation to the clay itself. 00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:08.660 They're merely his creatures. 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:10.079 He is sovereign over them. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:12.299 God's sovereign Lord over his creation. 00:03:13.419 --> 00:03:17.500 And this illustration, the meaning of it is spelled out further in verses 7 to 10. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:18.359 Follow along with me. 00:03:18.379 --> 00:03:19.960 Verses 7 to 10 of chapter 18. 00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:27.439 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:31.780 and if that nation concerning which I have spoken turns from its evil, 00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:35.040 I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:39.719 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 00:03:39.920 --> 00:03:42.819 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:46.840 then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:52.000 So yes, even though God had made a covenant with Israel, there were covenant obligations. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:56.060 And if they fulfilled those covenant obligations, they would enjoy the covenant blessings. 00:03:56.300 --> 00:04:00.480 But if they violated those covenant obligations, they would experience the covenant curses. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:07.960 And conversely, when God decrees disaster on an evil nation, but they repent and turn from their ways, 00:04:08.420 --> 00:04:09.240 God would relent. 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:15.439 And so this shows that God's not confined or limited in what He can do to His people and to the nations. 00:04:15.920 --> 00:04:21.439 As a potter of His clay, God has every right to act in a manner that seems fit to Him. 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:24.500 So that's God's sovereignty. 00:04:24.720 --> 00:04:30.600 But that doesn't mean that God is arbitrary or somehow capricious, does whatever He wants to do. 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:37.140 Because God is in fact constant and faithful. 00:04:38.020 --> 00:04:42.340 So the word reworked, right, in verse 4, and the word turns from in verse 8, 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:47.600 and the word return in verse 11 are all different translations of the same Hebrew word. 00:04:48.080 --> 00:04:52.620 So what God's saying is people have turned away from His purposes, 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:58.060 and because they have turned away from Him, God is turning them away to other purposes. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:02.800 And so God's turning them away, it has to do with them turning away from Him. 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:07.620 And so the only way they can avoid this judgment is for them to now turn back to Him. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:11.420 So it shows that kind of consistency of God's action, right, 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:15.899 that God's treatment of His people, indeed His treatment of all the nations on earth, 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:22.300 is not arbitrary or impulsive, but it's based on how the nations are responding to Him. 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:25.579 So He's not being fickle, He's not changing His mind, 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:29.279 rather He's being faithful to who He is and keeping His covenant promises. 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:32.359 So it's not God who has changed and turned on His people, 00:05:32.459 --> 00:05:35.319 it's they who have turned on Him and changed on Him. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:38.279 And so God's face is turned away from them. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:41.500 Why? Because they have turned their back on Him. 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:48.159 And so verse 12 tells us how the people responded to this call to repentance by Jeremiah. 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:51.300 But they say, that is in vain. 00:05:51.760 --> 00:05:57.740 We will follow our own plans and will everyone act according to the stubbornness of His evil heart. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:02.740 God promised that He would relent of the disaster, 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:06.840 or literally the evil that He has designed for them because of their evil. 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:12.220 Yet each and every one of His people clings to the stubbornness of their evil heart. 00:06:12.220 --> 00:06:21.160 And this kind of rebellion is so unheard of that God speaks about how unheard of this is. 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:23.120 He says, who has heard of the likes of this? 00:06:23.140 --> 00:06:25.300 He says in verses 13 to 16. 00:06:25.760 --> 00:06:27.300 And He describes it this way, 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:29.280 But my people have forgotten me. 00:06:29.340 --> 00:06:31.140 They make offerings to false gods. 00:06:31.400 --> 00:06:34.460 They made them stumble in their ways in the ancient roads 00:06:34.460 --> 00:06:37.620 and to walk into the side roads, not the highway, 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:39.500 making their land a horror, 00:06:39.900 --> 00:06:41.380 a thing to be hissed at forever. 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:47.540 So the highway is a reference to the paved roads. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.740 And they had paved roads in the ancient world, 00:06:49.820 --> 00:06:51.260 and they were quite expensive to make. 00:06:52.020 --> 00:06:55.800 And I was just hiking a couple weeks ago in Seattle. 00:06:56.280 --> 00:06:57.740 And as you're on the trail, 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.500 sometimes you notice these, 00:06:59.640 --> 00:07:01.060 not the official pathway, 00:07:01.200 --> 00:07:03.380 but these byways that go to the sides. 00:07:03.780 --> 00:07:06.080 And they're created either by one or two ways. 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:08.240 Either one way is that people get lazy. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:10.180 They don't want to stay on the path, 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:11.320 on the winding path, 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:13.379 so they caught a shortcut through the grass, 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:14.839 and they create this byway, right? 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:16.639 And another way they create a byway 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:18.839 is they venture into the woods. 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:20.099 They get a little bit too adventurous, 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:21.540 and they go into the woods 00:07:21.540 --> 00:07:23.000 and try to forge their own path. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:24.879 And on one of those byways, 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:25.980 there was a sign saying, 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:27.100 Stay on trail, 00:07:27.779 --> 00:07:29.420 because it was dangerous 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:30.839 to go into those byways, 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:33.740 those paths that they created for themselves. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:35.980 In fact, a few years back, 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:36.960 in that same trail, 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:39.040 because people went into those byways, 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.000 there was a man who got lost and died 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:42.980 because he couldn't find his way out. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:45.519 And so that's kind of the image 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:47.280 that Jeremiah is painting here. 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:50.120 God has paved a highway for them 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:51.379 to walk on 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:53.060 that has stood the test of time, 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:56.180 the ancient road that many have walked before them, 00:07:56.400 --> 00:07:57.860 yet these people have strayed 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:58.980 into the side roads, 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:01.460 into the obscure and secluded roads 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:04.419 of sin that lead to death, ultimately. 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:07.439 And so as Jeremiah is continuing 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.579 to denounce their sins, 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:10.199 the people, as you can imagine, 00:08:10.299 --> 00:08:11.239 are fed up with him. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.379 And they say in verse 18, 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:16.219 Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:18.620 for the law shall not perish from the priest, 00:08:18.799 --> 00:08:20.219 nor counsel from the wise, 00:08:20.359 --> 00:08:21.639 nor the word from the prophet. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:23.859 Come, let us strike him with the tongue, 00:08:23.859 --> 00:08:26.579 and let us not pay attention to any of his words. 00:08:27.659 --> 00:08:29.060 Striking with the tongue means 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:31.199 to bring a charge against that person. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:33.340 Bringing a legal charge against Jeremiah. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.379 So these people are not heeding 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:36.439 any of Jeremiah's words. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:37.779 They should be listening to him, 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:39.539 but instead they are speaking to him. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.539 Instead of heeding his words 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:42.379 and learning from him, 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:43.519 they want to teach him. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:45.519 And they're complacent 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:47.080 because they can't imagine 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:50.039 a day when God would abandon them 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:51.399 because they have these institutions. 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:52.279 They have the temple. 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:53.220 They have the priests. 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:54.319 They have the prophets. 00:08:54.319 --> 00:08:55.360 They have these sages. 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:57.399 When they have these leaders 00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:58.220 in their context, 00:08:58.220 --> 00:08:59.259 how can it be 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:01.379 that all of these leaders are wrong 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:02.600 and that Jeremiah is right? 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:05.000 So they are complacent. 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:06.800 They are not listening to Jeremiah. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.060 And as long as these people, 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:10.840 these leaders who pay lip service to God 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:12.080 are in place, 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:13.420 they feel that surely 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:15.040 God cannot abandon us. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:18.940 And so they reject the true teaching 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:21.139 and true warnings of prophet Jeremiah. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:24.779 And as these people responded this way, 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:26.879 Jeremiah himself has had enough of them, 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:28.580 these stubborn people. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:30.500 And so he cries out to God 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:31.939 in verses 19 to 23. 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:34.220 Hear me, O Lord, 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:36.639 and listen to the voice of my adversaries. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.919 Should good be repaid with evil? 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:41.360 Yet they have dug a pit for my life. 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:43.340 Remember how I stood before you 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.620 to speak good for them, 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:46.620 to turn away your wrath from them. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:48.919 Therefore deliver up their children to famine. 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:51.219 Give them over to the power of the sword. 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:53.699 Let their wives become childless and widowed. 00:09:53.819 --> 00:09:56.199 May their men meet their death by pestilence. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:58.759 Their youths be struck down by the sword in battle. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:00.939 May a cry be heard from their houses 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:03.219 when you bring the plunderers suddenly upon them. 00:10:03.459 --> 00:10:05.179 For they have dug a pit to take me 00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:06.639 and laid snares for my feet. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:08.219 Yet you, O Lord, 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:10.079 know all their plotting to kill me. 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:12.019 Forgive not their iniquity, 00:10:12.319 --> 00:10:14.259 nor blot out their sin from your sight. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.259 Let them be overthrown before you. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:18.500 Deal with them in the time of your anger. 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:22.219 It's pretty intense, right? 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:26.279 If you were to say that to somebody 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:27.379 out on the street, 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:30.679 you very well might risk 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:34.679 getting called on for abuse 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:36.099 or abusive language 00:10:36.099 --> 00:10:37.779 or for threatening. 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.279 And so Jeremiah, 00:10:40.439 --> 00:10:42.899 this sounds initially very severe and vindictive, 00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:43.899 but you have to remember 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:46.059 that Jeremiah is a prophet of the Lord. 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:48.599 And in Matthew 10, 40 to 41, 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.459 Jesus says, 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.419 Whoever receives you receives me, 00:10:52.459 --> 00:10:55.459 and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.479 And the one who receives a prophet, 00:10:57.739 --> 00:10:59.079 because he is a prophet, 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:00.839 will receive a prophet's reward. 00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:03.119 And the one who receives a righteous person, 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:04.500 because he is a righteous person, 00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:06.759 will receive a righteous person's reward. 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:10.159 A prophet of God represents God himself. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.819 And to reject a prophet 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:13.360 who was speaking authoritatively, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.779 the inspired words of God, 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:17.740 was tantamount to rejecting God himself. 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:22.179 And the curses that Jeremiah utters here, 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:24.620 they're not just personal, vindictive, 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.740 kind of vengeful curses. 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.639 They're actually exactly the curses 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:29.579 that were stipulated in Deuteronomy 28 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:32.000 in response to people who break God's covenant. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:34.960 So he's really calling down the same curses 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:36.679 that God had already given to people 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:38.600 as they first entered covenant with him. 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:39.919 And so Jeremiah, 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:42.059 who then once stood before God 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:45.559 to turn away God's wrath from his people, 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.000 now seeing their stubbornness, 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:48.159 their evil, 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.860 that they're incapable of repentance, 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:52.000 he stands now before God 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:53.840 to call God's wrath down on them. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.000 And then in chapter 19, 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:58.600 this picture of God as the potter 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:01.039 and his people as the clay 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:03.279 is continued in a different episode. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:04.759 And he says, 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:05.740 Thus says the Lord, 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:08.480 Go buy a potter's earthenware flask 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:10.539 and take some of the elders of the people 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:11.980 and some of the elders of the priests 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:14.279 and go out to the valley of the son of Hinnom 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.219 at the entry of the potsherd gate 00:12:16.219 --> 00:12:18.879 and proclaim there the words that I tell you. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:23.299 So this time Jeremiah is to buy a potter's flask 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:25.719 and assemble the leaders of Judah 00:12:25.719 --> 00:12:27.159 at the valley of the son of Hinnom 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:28.980 at the entry of the potsherd gate. 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:31.920 The potsherd gate is mentioned only here 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:32.840 in the entire Bible, 00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:35.379 but the name suggests that it's the gate 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.259 beyond which potters dumped 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.960 all their broken pottery, 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.360 all their ruined pottery 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.920 that was no good for anything. 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.800 And the Jewish commentary 00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:45.980 on the Old Testament 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:47.840 called the Jerusalem Targum, 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:50.120 it identifies the potsherd gate 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:51.340 with the dung gate. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:53.420 So a dung gate, as the name suggests, 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.440 is where they burned 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:57.640 or they dumped all the people's garbage 00:12:57.640 --> 00:12:58.820 and refuse, right? 00:12:58.900 --> 00:13:00.760 So they think that it's the same thing, 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.660 same place where they dumped all this. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.080 And this is significant 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.320 not only for the image 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:07.920 of the broken pottery being dumped there, 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:10.220 but also because years back 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:13.020 in 2 Chronicles 28 and 33, 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:15.560 it's recorded that two of the most wicked kings 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:17.180 of Judah, Ahaz, 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.440 and his grandson Manasseh, 00:13:18.440 --> 00:13:21.020 they burned their own sons 00:13:21.020 --> 00:13:23.660 as sacrifice to an idol named Baal 00:13:23.660 --> 00:13:25.880 at this very place, 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:29.000 at the valley of the son of Hinnom. 00:13:29.760 --> 00:13:31.300 And so this is a symbolically 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:33.460 very important place. 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:35.420 And there Jeremiah's next 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:36.800 prophetic assignment takes place. 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:38.820 And his announcement is that 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:40.660 he brings the charge 00:13:40.660 --> 00:13:42.040 that they worshiped idols, 00:13:42.260 --> 00:13:44.540 that they made child sacrifices to Baal. 00:13:45.040 --> 00:13:46.780 And the word he uses is this, 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:48.819 he says, they profane this place 00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:50.579 by making offerings in it 00:13:50.579 --> 00:13:51.379 to other gods 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.579 whom neither they 00:13:52.579 --> 00:13:53.399 nor their fathers 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:55.259 nor the kings of Judah have known. 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:58.159 The word profane literally means 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:00.459 to make strange or foreign. 00:14:00.939 --> 00:14:02.439 Because they have forsaken 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.620 the God of Israel 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:05.139 and worshipped foreign gods, 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:06.399 Israel has become 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:08.259 like a foreign nation to God. 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:10.419 And all the plans of Judah 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:11.019 and Jerusalem, 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.279 God says he will nullify 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:13.539 and make void. 00:14:14.339 --> 00:14:15.799 So it's not the plans of Judah, 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:17.039 even though they rebel against him, 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:18.240 that will ultimately prevail. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.819 But it is the Lord's plan 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:20.419 that will prevail 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.879 because he is the sovereign 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.919 Lord over creation 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:25.339 to whom we are all accountable. 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.419 And at the climax 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.819 of this announcement, 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:29.919 God commands Jeremiah 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:30.579 in verse 10 00:14:30.579 --> 00:14:32.039 to break the flask 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:33.779 in the sight of the people 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.559 in a dramatic symbolic act. 00:14:35.979 --> 00:14:36.759 And then he says 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.620 in verse 11, 00:14:37.959 --> 00:14:39.199 thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:41.759 so will I break this people 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.639 and this city 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.759 as one breaks 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.779 a potter's vessel 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:46.419 so they can never be mended. 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:48.439 Men shall bury in Topheth 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:49.559 because there will be 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:51.480 no place else to bury. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.139 So there's a sense 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.120 of finality here 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.059 in chapter 19 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.819 that wasn't there 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.600 in chapter 18. 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:57.919 In chapter 18, 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.120 they were spoiled pottery 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:00.080 that can be reworked 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.039 into another purpose. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:01.960 But here, 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.259 it's not just 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.399 the misshapen pottery, 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.519 it's a broken pottery 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.819 that can no longer be mended. 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:09.060 And so after concluding 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:10.200 that forceful prophecy, 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.400 Jeremiah leaves Topheth 00:15:11.400 --> 00:15:12.200 and goes to court 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.740 of the temple 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:14.400 in verses 14 to 15. 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.660 So in front of more people, 00:15:15.780 --> 00:15:16.440 a bigger audience 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:17.220 in front of the temple 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:19.320 and makes a similar pronouncement. 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.640 And so even though 00:15:21.640 --> 00:15:22.500 the people of Judah 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.820 were living their lives 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:24.660 as usual 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:25.320 without heeding 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.280 the warnings of Jeremiah, 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.660 and even though 00:15:27.660 --> 00:15:28.840 they were defying God 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:30.060 with seeming impunity, 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.560 the day of reckoning 00:15:31.560 --> 00:15:32.280 will come. 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:32.860 And that's what 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.740 Jeremiah is announcing. 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:35.200 And this is helpful 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.180 for us to apply 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:36.960 because today, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.419 as there were 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.419 in the days of Jeremiah, 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:40.600 the most prominent people 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.120 in the world, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.700 the leading voices 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.700 of our society, 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:45.480 they may not recognize 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.139 the true God. 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:47.720 But it would be 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.419 a grave mistake 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.080 for us to follow 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.820 their lead 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:51.139 and ignore the God 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.159 who created us 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.460 because we are all clay 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.580 in the vessels, 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.519 in the hands of the potter. 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.320 We were created 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.360 for His purposes. 00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.100 So then are we 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.480 examining our lives then, 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.580 our priorities, 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.379 our purposes, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.340 to see if they are 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:04.220 aligned with 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.440 that of our Creator? 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:07.080 Or are we as creatures 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.780 trying to forge 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:08.500 our own path 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.860 and live for ourselves? 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:12.519 And so in chapters 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.600 18 to 19, 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:15.080 we saw God's sovereignty 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:15.720 over the nations, 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:16.840 and in chapter 20, 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.759 we see God's sovereignty 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.460 over Jeremiah. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:20.660 Read verses 1 to 2 with me. 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:22.240 Chapter 20, 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:22.820 1 to 2. 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:24.379 Now Pasher, 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.160 the priest, 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:26.040 the son of Emer, 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.660 who was chief officer 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:28.639 in the house of the Lord, 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.600 heard Jeremiah 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.920 prophesying these things. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.300 Then Pasher 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.919 beat Jeremiah the prophet 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:34.979 and put him 00:16:34.979 --> 00:16:35.639 in the stocks 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.179 that were in the 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:37.059 upper Benjamin gate 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:37.679 of the house 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.939 of the Lord. 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:40.740 And so, 00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:42.819 this is really ironic 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:44.579 because in chapter 1, 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.139 verse 10, 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.339 when God first 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:47.259 called Jeremiah, 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.620 He promised them 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.799 He has set him 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:51.299 over the nations. 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.319 And the word 00:16:52.319 --> 00:16:53.240 set him over 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:54.039 means to make 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.979 overseer 00:16:54.979 --> 00:16:56.500 or to make an officer. 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.419 It's the same word 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:58.039 that's used here 00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:59.519 to describe the title 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.539 that's given to pasture. 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:02.240 He's the chief officer 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.439 in the house of the Lord. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:03.980 So, 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.819 the officer of the house 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.359 of the Lord 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.519 is now beating 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.420 and binding 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.759 the messenger 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.700 of the Lord, 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.139 the officer of the Lord. 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.339 So, 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.920 obviously, 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.299 something is amiss 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.779 here. 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:16.460 And so, 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.159 in response, 00:17:17.659 --> 00:17:18.039 Jeremiah, 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:18.559 however, 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:20.180 doesn't just tower. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.639 But next day 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.539 when he's released, 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:24.319 he defiantly says to him 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.599 in verses 3 to 6, 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.899 the Lord does not 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:27.779 call your name 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.179 pasture, 00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.279 but terror 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.039 on every side. 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:31.559 For thus says the Lord, 00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.079 behold, 00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:33.079 I will make you 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.879 a terror 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:34.779 to yourself 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.699 and to all 00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:36.659 your friends. 00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:37.719 And then he talks 00:17:37.719 --> 00:17:38.579 about how pasture 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.599 will be exiled 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.719 and that's fulfilled 00:17:40.719 --> 00:17:41.599 later in Jeremiah. 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:42.919 So, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.740 even though Jeremiah 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.819 gets the final word, 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:45.779 this episode 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.839 throws kind of 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.619 Jeremiah into 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.419 a bout of 00:17:48.419 --> 00:17:49.000 depression 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.039 and turmoil. 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.539 And so, 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.179 he pours out 00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:52.879 his heart to God 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.619 in this raw, 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.740 unfiltered way 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.120 in verses 7 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:57.220 through 18. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.339 He says in verses 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.059 7 to 8, 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.579 O Lord, 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:02.420 you have deceived me 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:04.299 and I was deceived. 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.019 You are stronger 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.559 than I 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.940 and you have prevailed. 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:10.579 I become a laughingstock 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.259 all the day. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.400 Everyone mocks me 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.660 for whenever I speak, 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.480 I cry out, 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.440 I shout, 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:18.120 violence and destruction 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.339 for the word 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:19.819 of the Lord 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.819 has become for me 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.559 a reproach 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.339 and derision 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:24.099 all day long. 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:28.019 In 1 Kings 22, 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.839 when Micaiah, 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:30.900 who is a true prophet 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.640 of the Lord, 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.920 goes to warn 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:34.220 the king of Israel 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.500 against going into battle 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.240 against Syria, 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.279 there are 400 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.200 false prophets 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.559 who are prophesying, 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:40.960 yes, 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.880 you should go into battle, 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.779 you should go into battle, 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:43.920 God will give you a victory. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.420 And in that scene, 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.859 Micaiah prophesies 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.940 that God will send 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.720 a lying spirit 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.799 to these false prophets 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:53.259 to deceive 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.599 the king. 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.220 And it's that same word 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.079 that's used here 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.240 that Jeremiah 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:59.059 is using 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.180 to speak to God. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.000 He's saying, 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.599 I've become a laughingstock 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.139 all the day 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:04.519 and everyone's mocking me 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.000 because everywhere I go, 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.019 you tell me to preach 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.680 violence 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.700 and destruction, 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.659 but as of yet, 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.639 there is no violence 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:11.279 or destruction 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.960 to be seen 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.879 in Jerusalem. 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.019 These people 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:14.879 are doing fine. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:17.440 And so I'm a mockery 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.279 and so maybe 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.580 if this is the case, 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.220 all of these leaders, 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.519 these false prophets, 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.080 they're saying 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:23.620 that everything's 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.259 going to be fine. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.420 Maybe they're the ones 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.580 that have the truth. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.880 Maybe I'm the one 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.660 that's been duped 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.259 by you, God. 00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:29.860 That's basically 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:30.320 what Jeremiah 00:19:30.320 --> 00:19:30.940 is telling him. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.380 But even though 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:34.400 he says this, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:36.000 he doesn't stop 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.779 saying what he's 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.620 been called to say. 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:38.640 In fact, 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:39.460 he says he can't 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.059 stop speaking 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.539 because he says 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.180 in verse 9, 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.279 if I say, 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.580 I will not mention him 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.539 or speak any more 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.120 in his name, 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.420 there is in my heart 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:48.060 as it were a burning fire 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:49.200 shut up in my bones 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:50.360 and I am weary 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.440 with holding it in 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.560 and I cannot. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.500 That's such an intimate 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:57.700 look at Jeremiah's 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.880 relationship with God. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.300 Notice that 00:20:00.300 --> 00:20:01.820 even when the judgment 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:03.120 that he is announcing 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.220 on God's behalf 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.259 is not happening, 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.820 Jeremiah does not 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.500 once doubt 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.460 that God has spoken 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:08.779 to him. 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:08.980 Rather, 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.320 he says, 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:09.519 God, 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.360 you've lied to me. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.700 And then he says, 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.840 there is in my heart 00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.900 as it were a burning fire 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.759 shut up in my bones. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.500 Jeremiah has so 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.539 completely aligned 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:19.539 himself with his desires, 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.879 with that of God's desires. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.119 He has given himself 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:23.039 so completely 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.379 to the mission of God. 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.720 He can't help 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.960 but to speak. 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:29.839 Even though 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.259 we have been called 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.879 not to preach 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.859 that message of judgment 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.539 but the message 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.460 of God's salvation 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.039 through Christ, 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.279 I pray that all of us 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.180 would have that kind 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:37.960 of intimate relationship 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.400 with God 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:40.400 because we can't help 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.140 but to speak 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.079 and to be witnesses 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:42.460 of God 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.379 because our purposes 00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:45.220 are so aligned with His 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.860 and our passions 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.740 are so aligned 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.519 with God's. 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.700 And so because Jeremiah 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.600 can't help but 00:20:50.600 --> 00:20:51.660 to speak the message, 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.480 he has to go on 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.259 being mocked 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.539 by his peers. 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:57.360 And so he says 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:58.019 in verse 10, 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:59.039 For I hear many 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.680 whispering, 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.779 terror is on every side. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.000 Denounce him, 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:03.980 let us denounce him, 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.380 say all my close friends, 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:07.019 watching for my fall. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.600 Perhaps he will be deceived 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:10.000 and we can overcome him 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:11.460 and take our revenge 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.119 on him. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:14.559 Remember that Jeremiah 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:16.099 renamed Pasher, 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.660 the chief officer 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.240 who beat him 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.160 and bound him. 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.480 He named him 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.920 terror on every side, 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.359 right? 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.660 And now, 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:25.140 Jeremiah is being mocked 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.460 because so often 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.380 wherever he preaches, 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.299 he says terror 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.019 on every side. 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.279 They call him, 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.299 people have started 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.200 to call Jeremiah, 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.440 oh, there comes terror 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.200 on every side. 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.660 Let's denounce him, 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.579 let's denounce him, 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.759 make fun of him. 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.460 And it's his friends, 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:39.940 he says. 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:41.480 All of my close friends, 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.059 they're watching 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.839 for him to fall 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:44.099 and for him, 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.900 for them so that they 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.859 can take their vengeance 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.759 on him. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.720 So Jeremiah 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.339 is really hitting 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.299 rock bottom here. 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.839 He's feeling lonely 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.579 and forsaken. 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:54.900 He feels weak 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.660 and vulnerable. 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.920 But at this rock bottom, 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.680 he turns to his faith 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:01.099 in God 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:02.500 who is the rock of ages. 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:02.839 He says, 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.779 though he's not 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.660 feeling well, 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.420 he turns to what 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.440 he believes here. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.379 Because even though 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.320 he has no comfort, 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.680 he has his conviction 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:11.300 and that's written here 00:22:11.300 --> 00:22:12.680 in verses 11 to 13. 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:15.120 But the Lord is with me 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:16.160 as a dread warrior, 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:17.820 therefore my persecutors 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:18.460 will stumble, 00:22:18.800 --> 00:22:20.380 they will not overcome me, 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.560 they will be greatly shamed, 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.860 for they will not succeed, 00:22:24.280 --> 00:22:25.500 their eternal dishonor 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.600 will never be forgotten. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.840 O Lord of hosts, 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.140 who tests the righteous, 00:22:29.560 --> 00:22:30.500 who sees the heart 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.020 and the mind, 00:22:31.300 --> 00:22:32.540 let me see your vengeance 00:22:32.540 --> 00:22:33.160 upon them, 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.860 for to you 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:35.420 have I committed my cause. 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:36.900 Sing to the Lord, 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.860 praise the Lord, 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:39.080 for he has delivered 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:40.259 the life of the needy 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:42.300 from the hand of evildoers. 00:22:43.580 --> 00:22:44.700 The ruthlessness 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.740 of his enemies 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.700 cannot stand 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.200 against the steely resolve 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.620 of the God, 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.759 the dread warrior, 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.340 to defend his servant. 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.320 So even though 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:55.040 they try to overcome him, 00:22:55.060 --> 00:22:56.460 they will not overcome him. 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.519 And instead of making 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.440 Jeremiah fall, 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.140 they themselves 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.880 will stumble. 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.240 And instead of they 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.360 taking their revenge 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:03.080 on Jeremiah, 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:05.259 God will take his vengeance 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.119 upon them. 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:08.799 So even though it seems 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:10.199 and feels like 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:10.759 God's enemies 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.519 are prevailing, 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:13.139 God will prevail 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:13.980 in the end. 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.339 So in your life, 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.220 to whom have you 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.220 committed your cause? 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.559 Do you look to people, 00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:21.579 your fellow creatures, 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:23.960 for your validation? 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.819 Do you look to them 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.699 to vindicate you, 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.139 to put a stamp of approval 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:28.819 on your life 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.419 and what you do? 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.960 Or do you look 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.779 to your creator? 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.660 Because in spite 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.300 of appearances 00:23:34.300 --> 00:23:35.100 to the contrary, 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.259 God is the sovereign 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.320 Lord over creation 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:38.700 to whom we are accountable. 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.900 But in spite 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.720 of his faith 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:43.240 that God will deliver him 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:45.460 from his enemies 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.380 and detractors, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:48.460 Jeremiah has not yet 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.120 been delivered 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:51.039 and so he remains 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.420 in great anguish. 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.680 And he continues 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.279 his lament 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.880 in verses 14 to 18. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:24:00.320 Cursed be the day 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:01.440 on which I was born, 00:24:02.020 --> 00:24:03.180 the day when my mother 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.740 bore me. 00:24:04.260 --> 00:24:05.900 Let it not be blessed. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:08.480 Cursed be the man 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.380 who brought the news 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.080 to my father. 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.740 A son is born to you, 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.140 making him very glad. 00:24:13.760 --> 00:24:14.540 Let that man 00:24:14.540 --> 00:24:15.440 be like the cities 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.560 that the Lord overthrew 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.200 without pity. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.700 Let him hear a cry 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.180 in the morning 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.260 and an alarm at noon 00:24:20.260 --> 00:24:21.080 because he did not 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:22.020 kill me in the womb 00:24:22.020 --> 00:24:23.040 so my mother 00:24:23.040 --> 00:24:24.280 would have been my grave 00:24:24.280 --> 00:24:25.060 and her womb 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:26.080 forever great. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.779 Why did I come 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.639 out from the womb 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.619 to see toil 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.639 and sorrow 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:32.480 and spend my days 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.419 in shame? 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.179 Among the Jews, 00:24:36.399 --> 00:24:38.740 it was a capital offense 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:40.019 to curse God 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.899 or to curse one's parents. 00:24:42.639 --> 00:24:43.139 And so Jeremiah 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:45.099 carefully avoids both. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.439 But out of the depth 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.419 of his suffering 00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:48.679 and sorrow, 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.960 he does curse 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.279 the day of his birth 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:51.859 which is about 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.919 the most serious thing 00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:53.539 he can curse. 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:55.599 And it's a common 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.399 literary way 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.279 in which the ancient 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.500 world expressed 00:24:58.500 --> 00:25:00.420 these sentiments 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.859 that they would not 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.759 rather have been born. 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.500 And it's a heart-wrenching 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.079 sentiment, right, 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.759 to say that 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:07.319 I wished my mother's 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.500 womb were my grave, 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:08.799 right? 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.759 Because the womb 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.399 is supposed to be 00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:11.639 a place of nurturing 00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.639 and security 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:14.259 but it's shocking 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.019 and it's jarring 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.700 to hear Jeremiah 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.379 say that I wished 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.220 my mother's womb 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.220 had been my grave. 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:20.740 And this is insightful 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.640 and helpful for us 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.579 because Jeremiah's 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:24.259 stirring lamentations 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.240 and mourning 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.039 on the one hand 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.339 is set right next 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.740 to his soaring praise 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.120 of God 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.720 and his expression 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.220 of faith. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.420 And that teaches us 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.299 something very important 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:33.299 about Christian hope 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:35.380 because Christian hope 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:37.180 is not the wishful 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.279 positive thinking 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.339 that many gurus 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.160 and life coaches 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.839 in the world 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:42.120 in our society today 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.579 teach. 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.600 We don't have to 00:25:44.600 --> 00:25:45.660 put on a mask 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:47.019 and draw a smile 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.660 on our face 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.720 when we are 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.460 feeling horrible. 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.180 We don't have to 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:52.339 deny our sufferings 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.519 and shortcomings 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.339 and struggles 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.859 and say everything 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:56.900 and pretend like 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.660 everything is okay. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.259 We can acknowledge 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.160 our sufferings. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.900 We can admit 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.680 our shortcomings 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.299 and struggles 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.440 and even then 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.039 as Christians 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.079 we can have hope 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.240 because we believe 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.559 that in spite of 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.480 appearance to the 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:08.839 contrary 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.299 that God really is 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.259 the sovereign Lord 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.900 of our creation 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:13.099 and that he is 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:14.619 making all things new 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.759 and he will make 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.759 the world a right 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:18.079 in the future. 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.579 So Christian hope 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.740 is not this flimsy 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.599 wishful thinking 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.519 of an optimist 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.839 it's the enduring 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:25.480 and substantive hope 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.140 of a person 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.500 who trusts in God. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.660 And these few chapters 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.259 have shown 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.299 that in spite of 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.240 appearance to the contrary 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.200 that God is the sovereign 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.200 Lord over creation 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.400 that he is sovereign 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.200 over the nations 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.859 and the kingdoms 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.879 and over the lives 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.539 of individuals 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.259 like Jeremiah 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.000 and Pasher. 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.920 He establishes kingdoms 00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:44.079 overthrows others. 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.500 He raises one person 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.920 and humbles another. 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.460 But these chapters 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.619 also point to 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.420 a greater 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:52.079 eternal reality 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:54.640 because the image 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.380 of the potter 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:55.779 and the clay 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:57.019 that Jeremiah uses here 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.380 in these chapters 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.940 to speak of God's sovereignty 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:01.720 how he determines 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.660 the fates and fortunes 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.480 of peoples and nations 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.319 in this life 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.759 that's used later 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.799 in Romans 9 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.559 in the New Testament 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.279 by Paul 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.480 and he picks up 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.880 that image 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:10.420 of the potter 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:10.859 and the clay 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.400 to show that 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.259 God is not only 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.680 sovereign over 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.480 our lives 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.700 in this life 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.519 but also 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.480 in the life to come 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.740 that he sovereignly 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.839 determines the eternal 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.960 fate and fortunes 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.720 of people. 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:23.980 And similarly 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.680 in Jeremiah 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.339 the ruined 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.599 and broken pottery 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:28.359 were discarded 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.759 in the Valley of Hinnom 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:31.740 and the Hebrew name 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:33.220 for Valley of Hinnom 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.519 when it's used 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.400 in the New Testament 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:37.079 it gets transliterated 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.339 into the Greek word 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:38.980 for hell. 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:42.240 Hell is Valley of Hinnom. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.200 Those who refuse 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:44.960 to acknowledge 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.180 and follow God 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.900 will not only 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.420 be discarded 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.099 like pottery 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:49.480 in this life 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.740 but in eternal 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.640 perdition 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.519 in hell. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:54.140 And that's the fate 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:55.180 of all people 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.160 because we have all 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.980 at some point 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.900 ignorantly 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.839 and pridefully 00:27:58.839 --> 00:28:00.759 refused to acknowledge God. 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.380 We, even though 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.160 we are mere clay 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.059 pottery designed 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.740 for the potter 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.180 we have lived 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.599 instead for his purposes 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.720 we have lived 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.599 for our purposes 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.819 we have presumed 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.539 to be masters 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.440 of our own fate 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.399 and captains 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.259 of our own souls. 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.879 And if we are 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:17.659 to be saved 00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:19.299 from the Valley of Hinnom 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:21.180 we have to yield 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.159 to the will 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:22.799 of the Master 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.279 and submit 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.019 to his purposes 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.740 for our lives. 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:28.240 But the truth is 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.460 we are all 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.259 like the Israelites 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:32.379 because they said 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.220 in chapter 18 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.879 verse 12 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:35.280 that is in vain 00:28:35.280 --> 00:28:36.120 we will follow 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:37.140 our own plans 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:38.640 and will everyone 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.540 act according 00:28:39.540 --> 00:28:40.480 to the stubbornness 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.780 of his evil heart. 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.920 Our evil hearts 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.680 are stubborn 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.460 and resistant 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.320 to God's will 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.540 and just 00:28:47.540 --> 00:28:48.220 and the people 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.700 of Judah 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.940 had Jeremiah 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.820 to tell him 00:28:50.820 --> 00:28:52.680 about how they 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.120 can be spared 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.840 from God's judgment 00:28:53.840 --> 00:28:54.480 but Jeremiah 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.840 ultimately failed 00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.900 to save them 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.500 he was unable 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.080 to save them 00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:58.900 because they rejected 00:28:58.900 --> 00:28:59.940 Jeremiah's message. 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.540 Jeremiah could mourn 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.339 and he did 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:04.139 he could mourn 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:04.960 people's sins 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.059 but he could not 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.460 atone for their sins. 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:10.039 Jeremiah could warn them 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.899 about God's 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:11.940 coming judgment 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:13.740 but Jeremiah could not 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.740 deliver them 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.940 from God's judgment. 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:18.319 But about 600 years 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.319 after Jeremiah 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.619 God sent 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.799 his own son 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.700 Jesus Christ 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:24.019 the son of God 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.779 to atone 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.960 for people's sins 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.259 and to save them 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.000 and deliver them 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.139 from God's judgment. 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.399 Jeremiah was only 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:32.460 threatened to be killed 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.200 but he was spared 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.480 because God protected him. 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.779 But Jesus Christ 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:37.000 was actually killed 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.640 and crucified 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:39.299 by his own people 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.600 but on that cross 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:41.120 as he died 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:42.319 Jesus was unfolding 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.440 and advancing 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.460 and fulfilling 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:46.240 God's ultimate plan 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.200 by absorbing 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.900 the judgment 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.720 and penalty 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.400 for sin 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:51.299 and paying for 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.019 all the sins 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:53.100 that we deserve 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.920 to be punished for 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.380 for those who 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.059 trust in him. 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:57.460 And this love 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.160 that God poured out 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.340 if we trust in Jesus 00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.519 who died for our sins 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.019 so that we can 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.079 live with God 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.639 and so that we 00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:03.359 could be saved 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:03.919 and spared 00:30:03.919 --> 00:30:04.659 from the judgment 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:05.480 and that 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.000 if we know 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.539 that love 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.159 that Christ 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:08.059 displayed on the cross 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.879 that love 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.399 is what 00:30:09.399 --> 00:30:11.099 melts the hardest hearts 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.579 it's what makes 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.699 the misshapen 00:30:13.699 --> 00:30:14.399 hardened 00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:15.039 pottery 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.819 that we are 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.659 moldable 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.099 again 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:19.699 so that we can be used 00:30:19.699 --> 00:30:20.899 for the wonderful purposes 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:22.079 that God has for us. 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.379 People like to say 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:24.679 right 00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:25.119 God 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.639 has a wonderful plan 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.240 for your life 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.980 how many times 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.480 have you heard that 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:28.939 from people? 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:30.620 God does 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.799 have a wonderful plan 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.400 for your life 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:33.680 but it might not be 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.580 the plan that you have 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:35.100 for yourself. 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.740 You might want to get married 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.240 raise a family 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.500 get a dog 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:43.420 become a manager 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.700 or principal 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.660 or president 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.779 or professor 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:48.580 and retire comfortably 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:49.380 when you're 60. 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:52.340 these are not bad things 00:30:52.340 --> 00:30:53.020 in and of themselves 00:30:53.020 --> 00:30:53.980 and you can certainly 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.540 pray for 00:30:54.540 --> 00:30:55.780 and ask God for them 00:30:55.780 --> 00:30:57.100 but these are not 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:58.440 the primary plan 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.720 that God has for you. 00:31:00.560 --> 00:31:02.620 Our creator's primary plan 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.420 is for us 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:05.020 to be saved by him 00:31:05.020 --> 00:31:05.920 for eternity 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:07.480 and for us to be shaped 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.820 into his glory 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:11.080 that's God's primary plan. 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.660 His plan is that 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.860 we grow in our love 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:14.260 for him 00:31:14.260 --> 00:31:15.140 more and more 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:16.500 so that we can cherish him 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:18.520 above all things 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:20.319 so that we can be sanctified 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.160 so that we can become 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.879 more and more 00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:23.359 like the Holy Son 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:24.099 Jesus Christ. 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:26.480 That's his primary purpose. 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:28.759 So let me invite you 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.500 all of us 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.079 at Clay 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:32.200 no matter what you do 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.839 for a living 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:35.139 make loving God 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:36.720 and glorifying God 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:38.539 the primary pursuit 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.359 of your life. 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.339 Banish all your 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:42.200 selfish ambitions 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:43.879 foolish fancies 00:31:43.879 --> 00:31:44.779 and vain hopes 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.299 subdue all your 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.259 sinful habits 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:48.119 and thoughts 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:49.660 and submit entirely 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.759 to the sovereign 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.920 lordship of Christ 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.079 and let him 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:54.559 mold and shape you 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:56.160 as he sees fit. 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.720 It's when we do that 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.099 then 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.460 and only then 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.879 that we will truly 00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.420 discover 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.579 the wonderful plan 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.359 that God has 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:04.960 for us. 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:06.400 Let's pray together. 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:13.660 God this is a hard 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.340 message Lord 00:32:14.340 --> 00:32:14.920 for us 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.920 to hear 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.940 a difficult pill 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.460 to swallow 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:19.540 because we like 00:32:19.540 --> 00:32:20.740 to have our way 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:22.720 all of us 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.220 we have turned 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:23.980 to our own way 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.440 but we thank you 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.340 for sending Christ 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:27.160 to save us 00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:30.600 to bring us back 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:33.040 the sheep 00:32:33.040 --> 00:32:33.519 that have gone 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:33.900 astray 00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:34.940 back to the fold 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.080 of the Father. 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:39.000 Help us now 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.840 to give ourselves 00:32:39.840 --> 00:32:40.940 entirely to you 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:42.759 entrust our lives 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.720 entirely to you 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:45.100 mold and shape us 00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:45.840 as you will 00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:47.340 so we might see 00:32:47.340 --> 00:32:47.940 your purposes 00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:49.039 fulfilled in our lives 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.299 Lord. 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.960 In Jesus name 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.360 we pray 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.240 Amen.