Bible Study - Person God Uses - Make No Excuses - Jeremiah 1 - August 5, 2012

Bible Study – Person God Uses – Make No Excuses – August 5, 2012

This begins a new series entitled “The Person God Uses.”

Our scripture for this lesson is Jeremiah 1:4-14, 17-19.

The scripture for this series will be taken from the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a prophet of GOD and we will study selected incidents from his life. This is a fitting study to follow our series on the Holy Spirit and being obedient to GOD’S call for HIS children to serve HIM.

The question most Christians need to consider is, when GOD calls will they respond? What do we mean by GOD calling? How do we know when HE calls? In “Experiencing God” written by Dr. Henry Blackaby and Claude V. King, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234.  Dr. Blackaby states that when GOD opens our eyes to the work HE is doing around us, that is our invitation to join HIM. GOD calls through HIS Word, the Bible, a still small voice within or any way HE chooses to communicate with those HE is calling. Confirming HIS call is no problem. In fact, it is wise because those called do not want to respond to their own desires but to what GOD has for them to do.

Jeremiah 1:1-3 – Background

1 The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah (hil KIGH uh), one of the priests living in Anathoth (AN uh thawth) in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah. 3 It also came throughout the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah (zed uh KIGH uh) son of Josiah, king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

Jeremiah was the son of a priest named Hilkiah and grew up in Anathoth, just a few miles from Jerusalem. This was a territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. Jeremiah’s call came during the reign of Josiah, Judah’s last good king in 626 B.C. Jeremiah ministered during the reigns of a series of evil kings. One such evil king was Jehoiakim.

Jeremiah continued his ministry until that area was conquered by the Babylonians during the reign of King Zedekiah in 587/586 B.C. Jeremiah was taken to Egypt where tradition has it that he was martyred.

GOD’S call to Jeremiah was at a critical time in the history of Judah. He preached repentance and warned the Israelites of pending judgment. He was accused of being a traitor by stating that GOD would use the pagan Babylonians to bring judgment on them. Oh America, wake up while there is still time.

GOD choose Jeremiah and called him to serve HIM. GOD has a plan for every person. First he/she must accept JESUS as his/her Savior and second, to obediently serve HIM as led by the Holy Spirit. As Christians obediently serve GOD, as led by the Holy Spirit, they grow and mature Spiritually. Spiritual growth is a never ending process.

Ephesians 1:4:

4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.g Vv. 3-14 are 1 sentence in Gk.h Jd 24 In lovei Or In His sight in love

GOD chooses but it is up to each individual to respond because HE gives every person freewill; the right to choose. GOD has a wonderful plan for all who respond to HIS call for salvation and HIS call to obediently serve HIM. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Jeremiah 1:4-8:

The Call of Jeremiah 

4 The word of the Lord came to me: 5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. 6 But I protested, “Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.” 7 Then the Lord said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. 8 Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord’s declaration.

GOD spoke to Jeremiah. GOD told Jeremiah that HE had formed him in his mother’s womb. The word used for “formed” was the same word used when GOD formed man from the dust of the ground in Genesis.  GOD had a plan for him to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah protested about this awesome responsibility GOD had called him to do by saying that he was “only a youth” and he still had a lot to learn. That was exactly what GOD wanted. GOD wanted Jeremiah to be obedient to HIM and not be distracted with his own notions about what Judah needed. GOD set him apart or sanctified him to serve HIM. Did Jeremiah have the freedom to choose? Yes! We read about the barriers Jeremiah attempted to use but GOD prevailed and Jeremiah agreed to serve. There is nothing wrong in confirming your call to serve because you want to be in the center of HIS will.

GOD has a plan for all HIS children. It may not be to speak to a nation but it is just as important to give a cup of cold water in HIS name as HE leads and directs. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you, when you seek to obediently serve HIM.

GOD told Jeremiah not to worry about what to say or where to go. GOD would lead and direct him. The same is true with Christians today. GOD equips those HE calls and HE is always with those who respond to HIS call. GOD’S desire is for Christians to depend upon HIM. Christians must trust GOD. Trust and confidence in GOD come from being obedient to HIS call and allow HIM to lead and direct your life. Often Christians have the desire to serve GOD but respond to their own notions as to what GOD has for them to do. They will fail and blame GOD. This is a delicate area. GOD’S call can come in many different ways. It depends upon how Christians communicate with GOD – through prayer, HIS Word, the Bible, the still small voice, GOD opening their eyes to where HE is working and the list goes on.

I know during my journey with our LORD in the early days I got out in front of HIM and when things did not work out, I blamed HIM. HE let me see that it was me following my agenda and not following HIS plan.

There are times when we need to wait upon the LORD because we may not be mature enough to do what HE needs for us to do. We may need to be better equipped – education or experience or where we need to go has not been prepared for what GOD has in HIS mind to be accomplished and the list goes on. Building the right relationship with GOD, through CHRIST, is vital for obedient service.

As GOD pointed out to Jeremiah, a Christian does not have to old for HIM to use him/her. GOD will equip those HE calls and be with those HE calls. Equipping does not mean that HE will sprinkle us with magic dust and suddenly we are endowed with something, although GOD can give us one or more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve HIM. It may mean that we need to do more study to get the credentials necessary to accomplish HIS will and purpose. GOD calls people for all walks of life – moms, dads, garbage collectors, mechanics, doctors, lawyers, engineers, physical therapists, law enforcement, managers, teachers, clergy and the list goes on.

Let’s read Jeremiah 1:9-10:

9 Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have now filled your mouth with My words. 10 See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and plant.

Oh, the touch of the Master’s hand is needed so much to prepare Christians to serve HIM. HE must give Christians HIS message and to fill their mouths with HIS words. GOD appointed Jeremiah to give HIS message to a nation that was facing dire circumstances. It was vital for Jeremiah to speak only GOD’S message while the people still had time to repent and come back to HIM. Jeremiah had an awesome responsibility ahead of him. It was an overwhelming responsibility but the important factor was that GOD had called him and HE would fully equip him.

We are reminded of the scripture when the prophet Isaiah’s lips were touched. It was a cleansing touch because he had stated that he was a man with unclean lips. God touched Jeremiah to empower him to deliver HIS message.

As Christians, when we are filled by the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to be called by GOD each day as HE opens their eyes to opportunities. Every day, Christians go into the world. They are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. They know CHRIST, Who is truth. So often, Christians expect to be called to what the world labels as big things but GOD calls them each day for them to give a cup of cold water to quench the thirst of those in need of a touch from GOD or a word of encouragement. Christians do not necessarily know who these needy people are but GOD does and HE directs our paths and opens the opportunity.

GOD told Jeremiah that he was called to “root out”, “pull down”, “destroy”, “to throw down”, “to build” and “to plant.” Four statements are negative and two are positive. Destruction often gets the attention of the people and leads them to GOD, where they will find hope. Destruction can drive people away from GOD and further from the ONE Who is their hope. Yes there would be devastation but there would also be a time for building and planting. There would be a renewal.

America, it is wake up time. We still have time. What is GOD calling you to do? Will you respond?

Let’s read Jeremiah 1:11-14 and 15-19:

Jeremiah 1:11-14:

Two Visions 

11 Then the word of the Lord came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over My word to accomplish it.” 13 Again the word of the Lord came to me inquiring, “What do you see?”And I replied, “I see a boiling pot, its lip tilted from the north to the south.” 14 Then the Lord said to me, “Disaster will be poured out from the north on all who live in the land.

GOD asked Jeremiah what he saw. He replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” Almonds grew in Anathoth and in fact still do today. The exact interpretation is not known but it seems to offer hope to Judah. The almond tree was referred to as the “awake” tree. Its blossoms came early in the spring before other trees blossomed. It was a sign that spring was coming and Jeremiah could count on the fact that GOD would fulfill HIS plan for Judah. Although Judah would be destroyed, it would one day be restored. Since Jeremiah saw a branch of the almond tree, it could indicate that a remnant would be spared. We know that the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem. There would be hope beyond the impending doom.  

There was a second sign. It was a boiling pot. The boiling pot was tilted from the north to the south. This was a sign of the impending disaster. GOD was telling Jeremiah that there was future hope. Judah would be destroyed by an enemy from the north, which we know was Babylon.

It is interesting that Babylon was actually to the east of Judah. “Geographically Babylon was to the east of Judah, but its armies would not risk crossing the forbidding Arabian desert. Instead, they would follow the Euphrates River northward into Syria. From there they would invade Judah by way of Syria from the north.” Reference is F. B. Huey, Jr., “Jeremiah, Lamentations,” vol. 16 in The New American Commentary [Nashville: Broadman Press, 1993], 54.

Why was GOD upset with HIS chosen people? It was because their leadership and people had embraced idolatry. They had sinned and turned their backs on GOD. GOD had given Judah a period of grace and they could have repented and come back to GOD. But they refused to repent. Since GOD was not causing bad things to happen to them during this period of grace, they interpreted it as HE didn’t care what they were doing. Does America fear/respect GOD? Is America wasting their time of grace to do what they wanted to do and to be politically correct?

Notice in verse 14, that disaster will come to all in Judah. There were some God fearing people in Judah but they were likely killed, captured or possibly escaped. Judah was destroyed.  

America, wake up. Would GOD allow bad things to happen to America? Let’s see what GOD was about to allow to happen to HIS chosen people unless they repented and returned to HIM. Keep in mind that Christians are GOD’S chosen people. Let’s read on.

Jeremiah 1:15-19:

15 Indeed, I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north.”This is the Lord’s declaration. They will come, and each king will set up his throne at the entrance to Jerusalem’s gates. They will attack all her surrounding walls and all the other cities of Judah. 16 “I will pronounce My judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands. 17 “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them. 18 Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. 19 They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

Notice Who is orchestrating this pending invasion, GOD. HE told Jeremiah what was going to happen and why HE was doing it.

GOD instructed Jeremiah to let the people know what was going to take place. HE knew that the people would not accept this information kindly, so HE told Jeremiah to not let them intimidate him. If he allowed them to intimidate him, GOD would take HIS protective hand off of him.

GOD reinforced HIS care and empowerment of Jeremiah. Jeremiah was under the authority of GOD. When Christians are called to serve HIM, they are also under HIS care and empowerment. Jeremiah would be made impenetrable by GOD. Jeremiah would be a mighty fortress protected by GOD.

GOD told Jeremiah that he would be battling against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people. They will fight him but they will not prevail because GOD will protect him. GOD was his protector and HE is the protector of all who are called by HIM. Those called and serving HIM must never lose sight of that fact. Often the human psyche, which Satan encourages, is such that the ego gets in the way. When we take our eyes off GOD, it is easy to think we are invincible. We must keep in mind that GOD is our power and strength.

The key is that GOD uses Christians when HE knows they are ready, not when they decide that they are ready. When GOD calls, will you respond? My prayer is that you will because it is an awesome journey.

As some of you know, we received word this week that our precious, beloved, eldest son, Ted, went to be with our LORD. We appreciate so much your prayers. Ted was 52 years old. The coroner says that he fell and experienced head trauma even though his body had no visible signs of injury to his head or bruises on his body. Our comfort is that we know that our beloved son is with JESUS. It still hurts and we will miss him greatly. Our anchor is JESUS and our anchor holds. Our joy is that we will be united with him in heaven one day. He had a physical several weeks ago and was in good health. He was physically very active.

The main point is that eternity is one heartbeat away. Ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now, if you have not already done so.

Blessings and again thank you for your prayers!!!