Jeremiah 50:6
The sermon emphasizes the need for a resting place in our lives and how God is our shelter from the storm, offering hope and guidance for those who have forgotten their way.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of finding a resting place in God amidst the pressures of life, as illustrated in Jeremiah 50:6. He describes how people often forget their need for rest due to various social, financial, emotional, and physical pressures, leading them to seek solace in unhealthy ways. Smith reminds us that God desires us to reach out to Him as our true refuge and resting place, especially when we feel lost and overwhelmed. He encourages the congregation to remember their past closeness to God and to actively seek Him again, setting their hearts towards Zion. The sermon calls for a return to God, who promises to be our shelter and guide.
Text
"THE PLACE OF REST"
Intro: Jeremiah is prophesying the destruction of Babylon, and the return of Israel and Judah
to the land. They will ask directions to Zion and will seek to renew their covenant
with God. God says, "My people are lost sheep, they have gone astray - they have
forgotten their resting place."
I. THE NEED OF A RESTING PLACE.
A. Our lives are assaulted with constant pressures.
1. Social pressure.
a. Home.
1. When William was three, he wanted to move in with grandpa.
2. It is tough living at home.
b. Job.
1. Pressure to perform well - but you don't always know what
is expected.
2. Pressure to show a profit.
c. School.
1. To complete assignments.
2. To pass the tests.
3. To get good grades.
4. To be accepted.
2. Financial pressures.
a. How to cope with inflation.
b. How to pay all the bills.
c. The lack of money can create horrible pressure.
3. Emotional pressures.
a. Death of friend or loved one.
b. Misunderstandings.
c. Someone is out to get you.
4. Physical pressure.
a. Weakness.
b. Pain.
5. Anyone of these can sink your ship - but they often come in
combinations.
B. Forced to reach out beyond ourselves.
1. Where do I reach?
a. This is so critical. Some of the things people reach for only
compound the problem.
1. The bottle.
2. The pills.
b. You may reach out to your friends.
1. They have their own problems.
2. Reach out too often - no friends. When you drive up, the
lights go out.
2. God wants us to reach out to Him.
a. He has promised to help us.
b. He will be our shelter from the storm.
c. He is our resting place.
II. THEY HAD FORGOTTEN THEIR RESTING PLACE.
A. They were in captivity for years.
1. They had forgotten how good it was to rest.
2. Remember those old days when your love for the Lord was so great, that
nothing else seemed to matter.
B. They had been lost sheep.
1. Notice God still claims them.
a. "My people."
b. God still has His claim on your life.
2. What a pitiful sight - a little lost lamb.
a. No sense of direction - wandering aimlessly.
b. Prey for the wolves.
c. Crying on the hillside.
III. THE WAY BACK TO THE RESTING PLACE.
A. "Going and weeping."
B. "They shall seek the Lord their God."
C. Set their face toward Zion.
Sermon Outline
- The Need of a Resting Place points: - Our lives are assaulted with constant pressures - When William was three, he wanted to move in with grandpa. - Home - Pressure to perform well - but you don't always know what is expected.
- The Need of a Resting Place points: - Our lives are assaulted with constant pressures - Financial pressures - How to cope with inflation - How to pay all the bills
- They Had Forgotten Their Resting Place points: - They were in captivity for years - They had forgotten how good it was to rest - Remember those old days when your love for the Lord was so great, that nothing else seemed to matter.
- The Way Back to the Resting Place points: - Going and weeping - They shall seek the Lord their God - Set their face toward Zion
Key Quotes
“My people are lost sheep, they have gone astray - they have forgotten their resting place.” — Chuck Smith
“He has promised to help us. He will be our shelter from the storm. He is our resting place.” — Chuck Smith
“Going and weeping. They shall seek the Lord their God. Set their face toward Zion.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We need to recognize the pressures that we face in life and reach out to God for help and shelter.
- God still claims us as His people, even when we have forgotten our resting place.
- Setting our face toward Zion means seeking God's presence and guidance in our lives.