Jeremiah 1:1
God continued to speak to the people of Jeremiah's time despite their unfaithfulness, calling them back to Himself through the Word of Jehovah.
Chuck Smith discusses the profound message of Jeremiah 1:1, emphasizing the painful reality of a nation in decline and the significance of God's continued communication despite widespread disobedience. He outlines the tumultuous political landscape during Jeremiah's ministry, marked by five kings and the moral corruption that led to the nation's downfall. Smith highlights the faithfulness of God in sending His word to a people on the brink of destruction, illustrating the importance of recognizing and responding to divine guidance. The sermon reflects on the consequences of forsaking God and the hope found in His unwavering promises.
Text
"THE WORD OF JEHOVAH"
Intro: Difficult to conceive situation more painful. Great man condemned to watch lingering
agony of exhausted country. Words of Jehovah to decadent age. Wonderful thought having
spoken and been disobeyed. God should continue to speak.
I. THE NATURE OF THE AGE.
A. 5 kings during Jeremiah's prophesies.
1. Josiah - 18 years after Jeremiah started.
2. Jehoahaz - 3 months.
3. Jehoiakim - 11 years.
4. Jehoiachin -3 months.
5. Zedakiah - 11 years.
B. Josiah came to throne at remarkable time.
1. 8 yrs. old.
2. 1/2 century back reign of Hezekiah (Isaiah..
a. Manassah - corruption.
b. Aaron.
c. Josiah.
C. Josiah instituted reforms.
1. Popular king and people followed.
2. Surface experienced.
3. Then Jehoahaz - vassal of Egypt then Babylon.
4. Zedekiah - moral corruption; intrigue; religious darkness.
5. During this time Jeremiah uttered word of Lord - mocked, imprisoned,
scoffed.
D. Three great events.
1. Battle at Corchemish against Egypt - Josiah killed.
2. Battle at Corchemish, Egypt defeated by Babylon.
3. FaIl of Jerusalem to Babylon.
II. WHO WERE THESE PEOPLE TO WHOM WORD OF THE LORD CAME?
A. Paul in Romans - what advantage Jew?
Adoption, covenants, glory, law, service, promises, Fathers, Christ.
B. These are the people mowing toward their doom.
1. Chapter 2 - My people have committed two evils.
a. Forsaken fountain of living waters.
b. Hewn broken cisterns that can hold no water.
2. Forsaken one - Basic sin from which others sprang.
3. Darkest period of any history.
4. Northern kingdom as example - barren land testifying to the result of
forsaking God.
C. Yet Word of Jehovah came.
1. Faithfulness of God amid unfaithfulness of people.
D. Purpose of word - vs. 10.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of the Age points: - Five Kings During Jeremiah's Prophesies - Josiah Came to Throne at Remarkable Time - Josiah Instituted Reforms - Three Great Events
- Who Were These People to Whom Word of the Lord Came? points: - Advantages of the Jews - The People Mowing Toward Their Doom - Faithfulness of God Amid Unfaithfulness of People - Purpose of the Word
Key Quotes
“God should continue to speak.” — Chuck Smith
“Faithfulness of God amid unfaithfulness of people.” — Chuck Smith
“The purpose of the Word of Jehovah was to call the people back to God and to bring them to repentance.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- God's faithfulness is a reminder of His desire to call us back to Himself, even when we are unfaithful.
- We must not forget the purpose of God's Word, which is to bring us to repentance and call us back to Himself.
- Our unfaithfulness does not change God's desire to speak to us and call us back to Himself.