* Jeremiah had grown really discouraged.
* He had been faithful to do all God wanted him to do yet nobody listened.
* And his friends and family abandoned him.
* So he took his plea to God.
* Vs 1-4 - It’s ok to question God in private - don’t do it in public.
* When we go through hardships, the proper question is not “HOW” can I get out of this, but “WHAT” can I get out of this?
* God’s answer (vs 5) - “I’m training you!”
* Three truths about your Christian life:
* 1) It’s not supposed to be easy - it’s hard work to stay on the narrow path.
* Running a race is always hard.
* 2) It gradually gets harder - your convictions go deeper the more mature you are in your faith.
* 3) It gradually gets better - we experience peace and rest in the middle of trials and tribulations.
* EX: Getting in shape - it’s hard, and it gets harder the longer you go, but life gets way better!
* TRUTH - If you’re faithful in little, you’ll be faithful in much.
* That’s how we know if we’ll stand strong when the going gets tough.
Jeremiah 12:1-6 (10/14/21)
The Training Ground of Faith
October 14, 2021 • Benham Brothers • Jeremiah 12:1–6
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.