Life and Ministry of Jeremiah

Training of God’s servant in the end days

Life and Ministry of Jeremiah

1. The Setting of Jeremiah2. The Person of Jeremiah3. The Ministry of Jeremiah

Clarify

We might not all be called to be a prophetBut we are all called to serve

Jeremiah Called

• To wake up southern kingdom: Judah• Last cry of God’s love before judgment

Tragically most did not respond

• Today in His Love God is calling usMany similar circumstances as JudahMany lessons for us to learn

Reign of Josiah

2 Chronicles 34-35Appeared to be a great revival

But what was their true spiritual condition?

Jeremiah 7:1-11

True Spiritual Condition

• Much outward form, ritual, correct wordsBut very little inward reality

• Characteristic of God’s people in end daysDon’t know their true condition

• God in His great love calls Jeremiah

Jeremiah the Person

Jeremiah 1• Lord forms Jeremiah• Lord prepares Jeremiah• Lord comforts Jeremiah• Lord equips Jeremiah• Lord empowers Jeremiah• Lord calls Jeremiah to respond

Lord Forms & Prepares Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Key word: “I”

Do we realize God has done the same for us?

Lord Comforts Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:6-8• Acknowledges Lord Sovereign & Mighty

Not rebellion but humilityMary's response “How can this be?”

• Lord to Jeremiah: Don’t say I am a youth Natural perspective

• “I am with you”

“I Am With You”

• Powerful word to comfort & encourage• All He is & all He has done is with us• Isaiah 43: 1-5– Thou art Mine–Pass through the water, I will be with you–Walk through the fire, not be scorched–Do not fear for I am with you

Lord Equips Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:9

• He puts His word in Jeremiah’s mouth• Not expecting him to speak his own words• Jeremiah was available to the Lord for service

Lord Empowers Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:11-15• The visions of the almond tree/boiling pot• Aaron’s rod bloomed & others did not (dead)– Speaks of “resurrection life”

• He would go forth not in his natural powerBut in the power of resurrection life

• Difficult message of judgment, but with hope

Lord Calls Jeremiah to Respond

Jeremiah 1:17-19

NOW!! Gird up your loins, arise & speak

I have made you:A fortified city: DefendedA pillar of iron: Stand under pressureAs walls of bronze: Unbreakable

Lord’s Process of Equipping

God’s SideReveals & releases His provision

Man’s SideReceive & respond to His provision

Jeremiah’s Environment

• Many will fight against you, but not overcome• His message would be one of judgment • He would be despised, rejected, beaten• Ones in his hometown try to kill him• High priest arrests him & puts him in chains

Such is the nature of end time ministry

Jeremiah’s Testimony

Jeremiah 20:7-11Vs. 7: Why have you deceived me?Vs. 9: Tries to stop but cannot

Constrained by the love of ChristVs.7 & 10: Laughingstock, mocked, whisperings

Vs. 11 BUT the Lord is with meThrough trials & testing it became reality

The Ministry of Jeremiah

The character of his ministryThe cause of his ministry

The comfort of his ministry

The Character of His Ministry

Jeremiah 1:10• To root up/ pluck up• To break down/pull down• To destroy• To overthrow/throw down• To build• To plant

Consider Our Lord’s Ministry

First to CalvaryTo root up, breakdown, destroy & overthrow

Then PentecostTo build and to plant

The Cause of His Ministry

Jeremiah 1:16

Two main issues with Judah• Forsaken Me for other gods• Worshipped the works of their own hands

Forsaken Me

Jeremiah 2:10-13

• Israel has changed their god• My people have committed two evils:– Forsaken the fountain of living water–Hewn their own cisterns

Cry of Love to Return

2:20-21 Reminds them of His provision2:29 Why do you contend with me?2:30 In vain I have disciplined you (Heb 12:6)2:31 Heed My word

Why say “we are free to roam”

What is True Freedom?

• Many believers declare: we are free• What are we set free from?– Sin, world, corruption, self

• Why are we free? To do His will• What have we been set free to be? –Bondslaves of God, slaves of righteousness

• Today many misunderstand this freedom • Abuse it for own self-interest and pleasure

Cry of Love

In judgment God remembers mercy3:12-14 Return, repent, be restored3:22 Return & I will heal

Jeremiah’s heart for the people4:19 My soul, my heart is in anguish

God’s burden is his burden

Condition of the People

5:1 Key words: justice & truth5:4-5 Neither poor nor great know the Way5:7 Again, forsaken Me (also vs. 19)5:31 My people love this poor condition6:16-17 We will not walk nor listen

Picture of God’s people in the last days

Jeremiah’s Sorrow

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1• Lord’s burden had become his burden• Embodiment of sorrow of God’s love• True power of a man of God– Not a mere channel/pipeline– But has heart/desire of His Master

• Difficulties/trails train servants of Lord– Paul/Joseph: prison John: Isle of Patmos

Jeremiah’ Persecution

Jeremiah now trained through persecution11:1 Faithful messenger of Lord11:18 Persecution from home town12:1 He cries out to the Lord & Lord responds12:5 If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

God’s Training Process

How do we react when:• Rejected by those close to us• The trial seems much stronger than you• The circumstances are overwhelming• Challenged as a false servant

17:15 Where is the word of Lord

Jeremiah: Faithful Servant

• Jeremiah was faithful in spite of:–An unpopular message–A rejected message–An unfulfilled message• Saw captivity but not return

Can we stay faithful when rejected and do not see much fruit?

Longsuffering Love of God

• Through Jeremiah we see longsuffering love• Phrase used 9 times in Jeremiah7:13 "And now, because you have done all these things," declares the LORD, "and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you but you did not answer

(Also see 7:25; 11:7; 25:3-4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35;14-15; 44:4)

The Comfort of His Ministry

Jeremiah 30-31• God is a God of Hope• Yes, He will tear down but He will recover• Key phrase: “I Will”• What a glorious hope Israel was given• Sadly only few responded

How will we respond in this hour?