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Family Camp 2016 : Evening Message 3 : Difficult Circumstances

Text: Jeremiah 4-6
15 March 2016

INTRODUCTION

1. Circumstances in life can change

2. They can become dramatically different

3. They can become complex

4. What if there is the threat of War?

A CALL TO INTERCEDE

1. In the face of dire circumstances

2. The threat of war is forewarned

3. The alarm is sounded Jeremiah 4:5 (Cf. Joel 1-2)

a) Assembling together

b) War from the north

i) The lion

ii) The destroyer

iii) The fierce anger of God

c) Consequences of war

i) The king shall perish

ii) Princes shall perish

iii) Priests shall be astonished

iv) Prophets shall wonder

PERSONAL STRUGGLES

1. Jeremiah struggles personally

a) First struggle:- Charging God with “deceit” Jeremiah 4:10

i) What about God’s word of promise?

ii) What about the promise of peace?

b) God interacts                 Jeremiah 4:11-18

i) Message to Judah/ Jerusalem

ii) A dry wind

iii) Judgment from God

iv) Threat of plunder

v) Wash hearts from wickedness

vi) Salvation/ deliverance is possible

vii) Threat of war is real

viii) Wickedness produces bitter fruit

2. Jeremiah’s Second struggle           Jeremiah 4:19-20

   a) He understands the threat of war

i) He understands judgment

ii) He struggles with his emotions

iii) He is overwhelmed

b) God replies further Jeremiah 4:21-31

i) My people are foolish

ii) They are silly children

iii) The land is plundered

iv) No knowledge

v) No understanding

vi) Wise to do evil

vii) No knowledge of doing good

viii) War will be devastating

ix) Desolation will come

x) Great suffering will be experienced

3. A glimmer of hope

a) The whole land shall be desolate

b) But I will not make a full end          Jeremiah 4:27

c) Judah will still fall

i) The city will flee

ii) Anguish will come

iii) Human efforts will fail

iv) Many will wail

4. Glimmer of hope expanded          Jeremiah 5

a) Find a (righteous) man (Genesis 19)

b) Only two features:-

i) He exercises judgment

ii) He seeks the truth

c) Pardon will be offered Jeremiah 5:1

5. Jeremiah grabs hold of this hope Jeremiah 5:3-4

a) He searches for that one righteous man but fails to find one righteous man

b) Excuse offered:

i) “These are poor, they are foolish” Jeremiah 5:4

ii) “They do not know the way of the Lord”

iii) “The judgment of the Lord”

6. Jeremiah tries again

a) He will go among the “great men” Jeremiah 5:5-6

b) His findings: –

i) They have altogether broken the yoke

ii) Broken the bonds

iii) Their transgressions are many

iv) Their backslidings have increased

7. Glimmer of hope still offered

“Not a complete end…”                                                      Jeremiah 5:10, 18

8. Reasons for God’s judgment

a) Forsaken the Lord Jeremiah 5:7

b) Turning to idols Jeremiah 5:7

c) Treachery Jeremiah 5:11

d) Prophets preached lies Jeremiah 5:12

i) No evil will come

ii) No sword

iii) No famine

e) The priests rule by their own power Jeremiah 5:31

f) The people support the false prophets/priests Jeremiah 5:31

APPLICATION

1. Interactive Praying is the only way

2. Knowledge of God and His word is essential

3. Holding on to Hope

a) Faith

b) Do not lose heart

c) Search for righteous people to pray together

4. What is needed

a) Watchman Jeremiah 6:17

b) Assayer Jeremiah 6:27

c) Fortress Jeremiah 6:27