ROUTE 66 EP 029

Route 66: The Book of Jeremiah

I. Introduction & Series Recap

• Sermon Series: "Route 66" - A series covering all 66 books of the Bible. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of each book.

• Current Book: The Book of Jeremiah.

• Sermon Structure: Each sermon in this series will cover four key points:

  1. A panoramic view (overview) of the book.

  2. The primary events and people in the book.

  3. Pictures of Jesus within the book.

  4. Practical, applicable takeaways.

• Context: This sermon follows a break for Christmas and New Year's messages. The previous sermon in the series was on the Book of Isaiah, taught by Pastor Bo.

II. The Importance of Prophecy & Bible Chronology

The pastor provided an overview of the Bible's structure to give context to where the prophets, like Jeremiah, fit into Israel's history.

• The Bible's Order: The Bible is not arranged in chronological order. God organized it doctrinally to paint a larger picture, often focusing on future events.

• The Role of a Prophet: A prophet is not just someone who predicts the future. God sends a prophet—a preacher—to proclaim His word whenever people get "out of sorts."

• Why Prophecy Matters for Us:

  • Prophecy helps us focus on the future, which is essential for our spiritual health.

  • Many people are crippled by their past, living in regret and insecurity. God's intention is for us to be new creatures in Christ, where old things have passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17).

  • Living only in the present can be problematic. If circumstances are good, we enjoy it, but if they are bad, we can become discouraged.

  • The Bible consistently points us to our bright future in God. This hope sustains us through difficult times.

    • Example: Enslaved people in American history found hope and endurance by singing spirituals about a better day and the "sweet chariot" coming to carry them home. Prophecy gave them a future to look forward to.

III. A Chronological Overview of the Old Testament

To understand where Jeremiah fits, the pastor mapped out the historical timeline of the Old Testament books.

• Early History:

  • Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

  • The book of Job is chronologically very early, containing more detail on creation than even Genesis.

• The Time of the Judges:

  • After Joshua, Israel entered the period of the Judges, a turbulent time when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes."

  • The book of Ruth is a beautiful love story that takes place during this chaotic period, showing God's grace in the midst of turmoil.

• The Kingdom Era (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles):

  • This period covers 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings, with 1 & 2 Chronicles overlapping them.

  • The "Wisdom Literature" fits here: Psalms (David), Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Solomon).

• The Prophets in History: The prophetic books were written during the time of the Kings and speak directly into the historical events of that era.

  • Prophets during 2 Kings: Amos, Hosea.

  • Prophets during 1 Kings: Joel, Micah, Isaiah, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah.

  • Prophets at the end of 2 Kings (leading to exile): Jonah, Nahum, Obadiah.

• The Exile and Return:

  • After the period of the Kings, Israel was taken into captivity for 70 years (exile).

  • The prophets Daniel and Ezekiel ministered during this time.

  • After the exile, the people returned to rebuild, covered in Ezra and Nehemiah, with prophets like Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi encouraging the work. The book of Esther also takes place during this period.

• The 400 Silent Years: After Malachi, there is a 400-year period with no recorded word from God until the arrival of Jesus Christ.

IV. Jeremiah's Prophetic Context

• Jeremiah prophesied during the reigns of the last kings of Judah, just before the Babylonian exile. His contemporary prophets included Habakkuk and Zephaniah.

• The book of Lamentations, which will be covered next week, was also written by Jeremiah as he mourned the fall of Jerusalem.

• Jeremiah's prophecy of the 70-year exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10) was later studied and quoted by Daniel while in Babylon (Daniel 9:2), showing the interconnectedness and authority of Scripture.

V. The Sufficiency and Power of God's Word

• The pastor concluded this section by emphasizing the incredible nature of the Bible we hold in our hands.

• Scripture: John 21:24-25

  • Context: The apostle John closes his gospel by stating that his testimony about Jesus is true.

  • Verse 25: “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”

• Application & Key Truths:

  1. God is a God of Infinite Works: The sheer volume of what Jesus did is incomprehensible.

  2. God Gave Us Exactly What We Need: Since not everything could be written, it means God hand-selected and preserved every single word in our 66-book Bible for us. It is not an accident; it is a divine provision.

  3. The Bible is a Complete and Accessible Tool: The Bible is called the "Sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17). It is a single, powerful volume containing everything we need, not a massive, inaccessible encyclopedia. We should be grateful for its completeness and power.

VI. The Big View: A Panoramic Overview of Jeremiah

• Author and Scribe:

  • The author is the prophet Jeremiah. He had a scribe, or an assistant, named Baruch who physically wrote down the words God gave him.

  • The pastor references Jeremiah 36, where King Jehoiakim cut up the scroll containing God's word and threw it into a fire. God commanded Jeremiah and Baruch to write it all again, even adding more to it.

  • Application: This event is a powerful example of God's preservation of His Word throughout history, even when humanity attempts to destroy it.

• The Tone and Core Message:

  • Jeremiah can be a difficult book to read. It's often described as "dark," focusing on the nation of Judah with only occasional glimpses of hope.

  • A Ten-Word Summary: "After years of sinful behavior, Judah's fixing to be punished."

• Jeremiah's Ministry and Call to Repentance:

  • Jeremiah was the prophet sent by God to deliver this difficult message of impending judgment. By human standards, his ministry could be seen as "unsuccessful" because there is no record of him winning a single convert.

  • Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 26:12-13

    "Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you."

  • Context: This passage shows the heart of Jeremiah's message: a call for repentance with the promise that God would relent from the announced disaster if they obeyed.

• Historical Context: A Divided Kingdom:

  • The nation of Israel had previously split into two kingdoms: Israel (north) and Judah (south). Israel quickly went down a sinful path, and Judah eventually followed.

  • Application: The division of Israel serves as a biblical illustration for why churches and families split today. When people lose sight of God's mission, division often follows. God's plan is for churches to "split" by intentionally planting new churches and sending out their best people, as seen in the book of Acts.

VII. Introduction: The Loneliness of Standing for Truth

The pastor began with a personal story about attending a local ministerial association meeting where he felt isolated for standing on specific, biblical truth.

• The Contrast: His mission of winning souls, discipling believers, and training men was met with "blank stares," while another pastor's vague goal to "bring God glory" was applauded.

• The Compromise: The sense of isolation deepened when a minister suggested a female play the role of Jesus in a community Passion Play. The pastor realized he could not participate in this compromise of biblical principles.

• The Calling: This experience highlighted that standing for biblical truth can be lonely. The pastor felt God call him to be an irritant, a "burr in their saddle," against churches that had lost their vision—a calling similar to Jeremiah's.

VIII. Who God Is, Who I Am, and How I Should Live

Who God Is: A God Who Calls, Warns, and Desires Repentance

1. He Calls and Equips His Messengers: God is sovereign, calling individuals to specific, often difficult, tasks.

   • God's Call on Jeremiah: God called Jeremiah from his mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:6) to deliver a hard message.

   • Scripture: Jeremiah 5:15 "Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from afar, O house of Israel, saith the Lord. It is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say."

   • Context: God warned His people that because of their disobedience, He would use a foreign nation (Babylon) to conquer them.

2. He Honors Boldness for Truth: God uses those who are unafraid to stand for Him against cultural decay.

   • Example: The pastor shared the story of Dallas Billington, founder of the Akron Baptist Temple. During the Great Depression, he protested gas rationing for church buses while beer trucks ran freely. His bold stand resulted in the church receiving more gas, allowing them to continue their gospel ministry.

3. He is a God of Justice: God does not let sinful behavior go unpunished indefinitely. His judgment is certain.

4. He is a God Who Desires Repentance: God's warnings of judgment are always coupled with an opportunity to repent. He is willing to "repent" (or relent) from His pronounced judgment if people turn from their ways.

Who I Am: A Messenger of Truth in a Compromising World

As believers, we are called to be like Jeremiah—messengers of God's whole truth, even when it is unpopular.

1. We are People of the Book: We should desire to read and understand God's Word, making it our primary source of help and the foundation of our faith.

2. We are to be Men and Women of God, Not Just "Nice" People: The pastor contrasted being a culturally "nice guy" with being a "man of God."

   • Jeremiah was a "real man of God" because he remained faithful to his difficult mission regardless of popular opinion.

   • Standing for truth may not be popular and can lead to opposition. The pastor shared that preaching "thus saith the Lord" often puts him at odds with people.

3. We Must Reject "Positive-Only" Preaching:

   • Example: The pastor contrasted bold truth-tellers with a modern megachurch pastor who refused to preach against sin on TV, stating his job was only to be "positive."

   • Application: While positive thinking has a place, it is insufficient for salvation. The Bible is filled with warnings of judgment and Hell; to ignore them is to preach an incomplete gospel.

4. We are Called to Speak Hard Truths with Urgency:

   • Example: The pastor shared the story of his grandmother, Helen. When asked to stop preaching about Hell in a nursing home, her response was, "Should I please men or should I please God?"

   • She would go to the bedside of dying individuals and clearly present the gospel, including the reality of judgment.

   • Scripture: She would quote Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Her faithfulness brought the hope of salvation to people in their final moments.

How I Should Live: Faithful Obedience Regardless of Results

Our call is to be obedient to God's command to share His Word, whether the message is received or not. Success is defined by faithfulness, not worldly metrics.

1. Preach Even When No One Listens: God was brutally honest with Jeremiah about his ministry's reception.

   • Scripture: Jeremiah 7:27 "Therefore, thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee."

   • Application: God commanded Jeremiah to preach, while simultaneously telling him that the people would not listen. Our responsibility is to deliver the message; the results are in God's hands.

2. Continue the Fight Because It Is Worthy:

   • Example: The pastor shared a conversation with a man who monitored sex offenders. Though he had never seen one rehabilitated in 25 years, he continued the work because it was the right thing to do.

   • Application: This is a parallel for Christians. We live in a difficult culture, but we must continue to be "Jeremiahs," speaking the truth because it is the fight we are called to.

3. Stand Out in a World of Peer Pressure:

   • In a world driven by a desire to fit in, Jeremiah's life is a call for believers to be different. The pastor encourages us to teach our children to "stand out" and be "weirdos" for Christ.

IX. The Heart of the Messenger: A Weeping Prophet

A true messenger of God does not proclaim judgment with glee, but with a broken heart.

• Jeremiah's Nickname: Jeremiah is known as "the Weeping Prophet."

• Scripture: Jeremiah 9:1 "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!"

• Context: Following the book of Jeremiah is Lamentations, a record of his sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem.

• Application: Jeremiah's message was delivered through tears. He loved his people and was grieved by their unfaithfulness. Our proclamation of truth must be rooted in love and sorrow for the lost, not in self-righteous anger.

X. The Fellowship of Suffering

• The Goal of Knowing Him: The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to know Christ more deeply.

• Scripture Focus: Philippians 3:10 - "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"

• The Paradox of Suffering: The pastor contrasts our modern idea of "fellowship" (coffee and chats) with the profound intimacy with God that Paul speaks of. This deep fellowship is often forged in the fires of trial and heartache.

  • Personal Example: The pastor shared that his sweetest moments of fellowship with God came during times of loneliness and pain, when he had no one else but the Lord to cry out to.

  • Application: Many Christians avoid this intimacy because they quit at the first sign of friction. But meaningful growth requires self-denial and perseverance through difficulty.

XI. Jeremiah as a Picture of Jesus

The suffering and ministry of Jeremiah provide a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ.

• Both delivered an unpopular message that led to their persecution.

• Both wept over the city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 9; Luke 19).

• Both confronted the commercialization of the temple (Jeremiah 7; Mark 13).

• Both predicted the destruction of the temple (Jeremiah 7:14; Mark 13:2).

• Both were rejected and falsely accused of political treason (Jeremiah 37; Luke 23:2).

• Both experienced deep loneliness, abandonment, and imprisonment.

• Both maintained deep communion with God through prayer in their darkest hours.

XII. Pictures of Jesus & Application: The Righteous Branch and The Scent of Water

Amid judgment, Jeremiah gives beautiful pictures of Jesus and the new life He brings.

• The Righteous Branch: Twice in Jeremiah, Jesus is referred to as "the righteous branch," representing new growth and new life. Just as a tree is pruned to produce healthier fruit, God sometimes prunes areas of our lives for our good. Jesus is this new branch.

• The Scent of Water: This concept illustrates new life from death.

  • Scripture: The pastor's former nursing home ministry was named "Scent of Water" based on Job 14:7-9.

    "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again... Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant."

  • Example: This ministry saw people saved, including an almost 80-year-old man named Wayne who was baptized. Through the "scent of water" (the Word of God), he "budded again" in his final years.

XIII. The Infallibility of Scripture vs. Modern Psychology

The pastor addressed the conflict between biblical truth and modern approaches to health, emphasizing the need to make God's Word our primary standard.

• A Culture of Confusion: Modern culture, like Babel, has lost its standard. Society creates labels to excuse behavior, fostering a lack of accountability.

• Repentance as the Answer: The Bible's answer to our brokenness is repentance—turning away from our ways toward God. Society tries to remove consequences, but as Proverbs 23 implies, a person who never faces consequences "shall do it again."

• The Correct Order of Transformation:

  1. A person must be filled with God's Spirit.

  2. The Gospel transforms a person from the inside out.

  3. The mind is renewed through Scripture (Romans 12:1-2), leading to emotional health.

• Application: The pastor critiqued a popular book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, for reversing this order. We must not make emotional health a prerequisite for spiritual truth; rather, spiritual truth is the source of our emotional health.

XIV. Final Application and Encouragement

1. Stand Like Jeremiah: Be encouraged to stand on God's Word, even when you are alone and it is unpopular. Embrace the suffering that may come, for in it, you will find fellowship with Jesus.

2. Embrace the New Branch: This is a new year, a time for new growth. Pursue real, new growth in Christ, not just a simulation of it.

3. Learn from the Symbolism: The book is filled with powerful symbols that illustrate spiritual truths, like the ox yoke (bondage), the marred garment (spiritual filth), and the burned scroll (rejecting God's Word). These symbols warn us of the consequences of sin and the importance of heeding God's commands.