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YAG 9th Retreat: Session 1

Text: Jeremiah, Lamentations
30 April 2009

YAG 9th RETREAT
Session #1
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Time: 8.00pm
Theme: “I Have Hope”

GOALS OF THE YAG RETREAT

1. Comprehension of the vital importance of possessing Hope

2. Comprehension of the deadly danger of not possessing Hope

3. Challenge to cultivate a strong sense of Biblical Hope

4. Concerted effort needed to practise Hope

5. Condensed knowledge of the doctrine of Hope

a) Vitally related words (Positive)
i) Knowledge of God’s will
ii) Faith in the word of God
iii) Exercising of trust in God
b) Vitally related words (Negative)
i) Ignorance of God’s will
ii) Unbelief
iii) No exercise of trust in God

6. Consideration of the life of Jeremiah

a) Book of Jeremiah
b) Lamentations

7. Challenge to practise seeking and cultivating Biblical Hope


INTRODUCTION
THE STUDY OF THE DOCTRINE OF HOPE IN THE SCRIPTURES
TWO MAIN LINES OF DEVELOPMENT OBSERVED

1. Old Testament

a) The theme of Hope is more geared towards life on earth
b) This theme is developed
i) Openly (Psalms 42, 43, 71)
ii) Quietly (The Historical and Prophetic Books)
iii) The story of redemption is a story of Hope

2. New Testament

a) The theme of Hope is more geared to our Eternal Hope in Christ
i) Hope in life is not ignored though
ii) Hope in life is anchored through the exercise of faith in the Lord
iii) Believers are exhorted to hold fast to their Eternal Hope in Christ
b) This theme is developed
i) Pauline Epistles
ii) Petrine Epistles
iii) The Apocalypse (Revelation)


OUR FOCUS AT THE YAG RETREAT

1. Choosing two texts to study in some depth

2. Lamentations and Jeremiah

3. Greater focus- Greater depth possible

4. Highly relevant


A. STRUGGLES IN LIFE

1. Setbacks

a) Financial
b) Familial
c) Personal

2. Sickness

a) Long-term
b) Terminal

3. Solutions

a) Secular approach
i) Worldly wisdom
ii) Carnal
b) Spiritual
i) Biblical
ii) Principles
iii) Practices


B. STARTING OUT IN STRENGTH

1. A significant start

a) A call to the prophetic ministry           Jeremiah 1:1-8
b) A call to believe the promises of God           Jeremiah 1:9-19
i) The Presence of God           Jeremiah 1:8, 19
ii) The power of God           Jeremiah 1:10
c) A call to prepare for the ministry           Jeremiah 1:17-19
i) Courage           Jeremiah 1:17
ii) Strength           Jeremiah 1:18

2. A strong prophetic ministry           Jeremiah 1-4

a) Preaching against sins           Jeremiah 1-4
b) Pleading with people to return to God           Jeremiah 3-4
c) Praying for the nation           Jeremiah 3:22-25


C. STRUGGLING IN FAITH, LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Early signs of struggles

a) Doubts           Jeremiah 4:10
i) About God
ii) About God’s promises
iii) About God’s plans
b) Discouragement           Jeremiah 4:19-21
i) Pain in the heart           Jeremiah 4:19
ii) Problem of the spectre of war           Jeremiah 4:20
iii) Purpose of God feared (confirmation of war)           Jeremiah 4:28-29
c) Denial           Jeremiah 5:1-5
i) The search for righteous people (among the poor)           Jeremiah 5:4
ii) The search for righteous people (among the great)           Jeremiah 5:5

2. More signs of struggles

a) Grievous Sorrow           Jeremiah 8:18
b) Great hurt           Jeremiah 8:21
c) Copious tears           Jeremiah 9:1

3. Shock Discovery

a) Deadly Schemes against Jeremiah discovered           Jeremiah 11:18-19
b) Despair and anger           Jeremiah 11:20


D. SINKING INTO DESPAIR

1. Dwelling on things in the past

From a Princess to a slave           Lamentations 1:1

Remembering all her pleasant things           Lamentations 1:7

2. Dwelling on thoughts of sorrowful discouragement

a) Bitter tears           Lamentations 1:2a, 16
b) Loneliness           Lamentations 1:2b, 4, 9
c) Treacherous friends           Lamentations 1:2c

3. Dwelling on sins

a) Admission of grave sins           Lamentations 1:8
b) Yoke of transgressions           Lamentations 1:14
c) Rebellion confessed           Lamentations 1:18, 20

4. Desolation felt

a) No comfort           Lamentations 1:2, 4, 9, 16, 17
b) Distress of the soul expressed           Lamentations 1:20
c) Sighs expressed           Lamentations 1:21, 22
d) Heart faint           Lamentations 1:22


E. SEEKING A WAY OUT

1. Candidness necessary

2. Confession a must

3. Confrontation of feelings of anguish enjoined

4. Confession that God is righteous- a necessity           Lamentations 1:18


F. SIGNIFICANT LESSONS LEARNED

1. Before Hope can come there must be:

a) A confession of our weaknesses
b) A confession of our sins

2. Biblical Hope

a) This will come only after we have come to the Lord in full repentance
b) Genuine Hope cannot be built on a life that has not dealt with the problem of sin

3. Important text to bear in mind

Only acknowledge your iniquity,
That you have transgressed against the LORD your God…
And have not obeyed My voice, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 3:13