* vs 1-2 - God was rebuking Israel for her idolatry.
* The nation had been closely attached to God, as close as a waist cloth to a person.
* The waist cloth was one of the most intimate forms of clothing and was made pliable by dunking it in water.
* Jeremiah would now be uncomfortable with the thing that should be comfortable (like my son at the beach waddling from rash).
* Because Israel left God He was now going to bring discomfort their way.
* vs 3-5 - Jeremiah had to get rid of the waist cloth - he had to separate himself from it.
* God was going to do this with His people.
* vs 6-9 - Because the waist cloth was buried it was ruined.
* God was showing how the people would be ruined if they didn’t honor Him and remain intimate with Him through total surrender.
* Notice Jeremiah’s obedience - God only spoke to him AFTER he obeyed what he was told.
* Understanding came after obedience.
* We shouldn’t think in terms of effectiveness as much as obedience.
* Bad thinking only considers the results - Good thinking considers the author of the message!
* *** The waist cloth was now useless. Jeremiah could’ve gotten bitter about that.
* Nothing we do out of obedience to the Lord is wasted!
* Here we are thousands of years later talking about what he did!
Jeremiah 13:1-9 (10/10/19)
Obedience
October 10, 2019 • Benham Brothers
Jeremiah 1:5 (10/6/16)
October 6, 2016 • Benham Brothers
• Sweet Spot. • Read Jeremiah 1:5 then Psalms 139:16. • Every one of us were created with a pre-packed purpose by God and for God. • If you were created to be an apple it’s futile to desire to be a grapefruit. • The only way an apple seed can become an apple is to DIE to itself. • It can then become the specific nourishment for others God intended for it. • An apple has different vitamins and minerals than oranges - we need both. • We come into our purpose through FOCUS: 1. We don’t focus on a PLACE (a destination). 2. We don’t focus on PEOPLE (comparison). 3. We focus on a PERSON (God). • God asks us to die, to surrender all to Him. • When we focus on Him He reveals us to ourselves. • How do you know if you're following God's purpose for you? 1. When doors open automatically - you don't have to push them open. 2. When you are at total rest - you're not letting ambition lead. 3. When you feel energized the more you do it - it's not burning you out. 4. When you have the grace to handle the blessings that come from it - you don't get prideful or selfish. 5. When you feel God's power working through you - others will experience change (like Paul in prison when the other prisoner's chains fell off).
Jeremiah 1:7-8 (10/4/18)
October 4, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Notice the five commands God gives young Jeremiah: * 1) Don’t think about yourself - don’t say, “I’m too young.” * 2) Go where I send you - even if he didn’t understand why or where. * 3) Say whatever I command you - he wasn’t to consider his audience and tailor his message. * He was to start with God’s truth and then deliver to the people, not the other way around. * 4) Don’t be afraid - the message would tick people off. * 5) Get yourself ready (vs 17) - this is the same command Jesus gave His disciples.
Jeremiah 1:10 (10/10/14)
October 10, 2014 • Benham Brothers
God placed Jeremiah "over" all things - he could: Build and Plant. Pluck up and Break down. Destroy and Overthrow. The first four are negative - tearing things down. The last two are positive - building up. You have to tear down before you build up. He wasn't the prince (phsycial ruler) - he was the prophet (spiritual ruler). To remain in this position of authority Jeremiah needed to remain under God's authority. Matt 28:18 - Jesus was given this same authority. Matt 16:19 - Jesus granted access to this authority to the body of believers. As the church we have been placed "over" all things just as Jeremiah was. We can now: Build and Plant. Pluck up and Break down. Destroy and Overthrow. We don't have to be the prince (physical ruler), just the prophet (spiritual ruler). The goal of the church is to extend God's kingdom on the earth by ruling well, not to build BIG church. So long as our focus is kingdom and not church we will continue in His authority.