* When you’ve lost your way, God has a plan to get you back on track.
* Backstory - God had just rebuked Israel for her sins and said His wrath was coming.
* Vs 13-14 - Their spiritual leaders couldn’t be trusted.
* They were “greedy for “gain.”
* This isn’t just money - it’s a thirst for influence and powerful positions.
* They “dressed the wound” - they recognized a problem but gave the wrong prescription. Why?
* Because ambition blinds you - you focus on what you don’t want to lose in the physical rather than what you will gain in the spiritual.
* So what were they supposed to do?
* Vs 16 - 17 - Five components to getting back on track:
* 1) Stand at the Crossroads and look - the crossroads represent a time when you have to make a decision.
* Don’t blindly move forward - stop and consider where you are and where you’re going (which path will get you where you want to be?).
* Look at those on both paths - who do you want to join?
* 2) Ask - this puts you in the place of humility and aligns you in proper authority.
* Asking implies you need something and don’t have it - this keeps you humble.
* When you “ask God” it aligns you under His authority because it presupposes He is your superior.
* 3) Ask where the “ancient” path is - the path that’s proven over and over to work.
* It’s the “well worn” path.
* EX: all fad diets bow to the ancient path - eat fewer calories than you burn.
* God’s path - trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!
* The Bible gives us the ancient path.
* 4) Walk in it - don’t just ask, DO! Follow the advice you asked for.
* Action precedes motivation.
* The ancient path has fewer people walking on it.
* Principle - do the harder thing.
* RESULT - you will find rest for your soul!
* Mind, Will, Emotions will line up with God and you’ll experience peace.
* FACT - you won’t do it (none of these steps are natural).
* So what does God do? He appoints “watchmen!”
* vs 17 - Those who see what’s going on in culture and are willing to blow the trumpet to warn you.
* They were commanded to “listen” because it would be natural for them to tune it out.
* What does a watchman do? (Spot, startle, stop, shift)
* Spot the enemy - they watch while you work.
* Startle you to attention - blowing a trumpet will tap into your brain power and produce adrenaline and cortisol.
* Stop your normal routine - they get you outside yourself.
* Shift your perspective - they give you a glimpse of what the enemy is up to and show you how to respond.
Jeremiah 6:16-17 (10/14/21)
Finding Your Way
October 14, 2021 • Benham Brothers • Jeremiah 6:16–17
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.