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  JEREMIAH 2:5
  by Chuck Smith
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Summary: The sermon highlights the superficial nature of King Josiah's
reformation and the challenge of God's call to holiness and purity.

Topics: "Spiritual Decline", "Faithfulness to God"
Scripture References: Jeremiah 2:5, Jeremiah 3:10, Revelation 2:4

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DESCRIPTION
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Chuck Smith explores the theme of 'False-Hearted Lovers' in Jeremiah
2:5, emphasizing God's lament over His people's unfaithfulness. He
highlights the superficiality of reformation during King Josiah's reign,
where external changes did not reflect true repentance. Smith challenges
the congregation to remember their first love for God and to recognize
the emptiness of pursuing false gods. He underscores the importance of
returning to a genuine relationship with God, as turning away from Him
leads to spiritual decline. The sermon calls for a deep reflection on
personal faithfulness and the need for holiness in a world filled with
distractions.

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CONTENT
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"FALSE-HEARTED LOVERS"

Intro: Jeremiah called in 13th year of Josiah's reign. For next 18 years
comparable peace.

Josiah King when 8 years. 16 he began to seek after God - 4 years later
began reforms. Next

year, Jeremiah started to prophesy. 5 years later book of law discovered
- Josiah leading new

campaign, cleansing of temple. First Chap. 2-12 of Jeremiah.

Chapter 2 - 6 prophesies during first 5 years before law rediscovered.

Chapter 7 - 9 cleansing of temple.

I. IN CHAPTER 3:10 REFORMATION SUPERFICIAL.

A. King was sincere - zealous - popular.

B. Evil suppressed by legislation.

II. CHAPTER 2, VS. 5 - COUPLES WITH 2, 3.

A. Must go back to high estate from which they fell.

"I remember the kindness of thy youth." - God's view of His people.

B. (went after me in the wilderness)

walked after vanity)

C. The whole a picture of lost love.

Ill. THE CHALLENGE OF GOD.

A. "Why have you left Me?"

B. "What have I done?" "What deceit have I practiced?" The challenge of
wounded love.

C. Challenge has deeper note. vs. 10, 11.

1. This faithfulness to false gods and unfaithfulness to the true God
quite

modern.

a. Glance at other religions today. Followers of Mohammed.

D. Reason supremacy of Divine religion.

1. The gods' men are faithful to the gods that they had made.

2. Man makes gods like himself. An enlargement of their own
imperfections.

E. The call of God is to holiness and purity.

1. When men turn from God it is not that they don't understand His
holiness

but because they do.

F. The turning from God is the secret of national declivity.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/jeremiah-25/
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