God has a different Antidote for the world and for you
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Intro and Tension
Intro and Tension
Jeremiah 31:31–34 (ESV)
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah...declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people... for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
This was in a time of Doom and Gloom - Exile - Sin - The people of Israel had Failed God’s Commands and yet God saying; I have the antitode - I have a different Antidote - It’s not here yet, but it is coming.
We walk with Yahweh - Creator of the Universe - Think about that - A HUGE God - who sent Jesus, who touched and healed - who died on a rugged Cross - Who left an Empty tomb - Who is Alive, you Cares about your Worries and your stresses!
A God who Created the Universe and yet cares about you.
Title: God has a different antitode for the world and for you
My Hope: Today is the day you’re going to make a decision to cast your worries on Jesus
*prayer*
Didn’t want to preach this message | When something comes out of mouth, but not brain - Wed night, persecution stat - I was like that was weird | Sermon Prep = Thursday, cracked knuckles, got this prod = nope |
So I tested God, no I didn’t test God - I boldly opened and it was that scripture - and it just poured and so if you have a CLOUD on you - you know THE CLOUD - This message is for you. I felt God say “This is specifically for someone” - Maybe it’s for all of you. but let’s TUNE IN.
But I opened this scripture and I remember God said to His people “There is something better coming” and there was. I think he is saying this now, on a global scale and a tiny scale.
Sermon Series; Built Different
Last week we spoke about Different Priorities for a Different Calling.
May have noticed - This world, not your home - Called to be Different.
This most encouraging message, you didn’t want to hear.
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
When Peter wrote this, Extreme Persecution; Nero = Killed mum, first wife, second wife, evil - Wanted to build more in rome, senate said no, he burned half down, blamed Christians.
Today - Extreme persectution - Worst in history | 1 in 7 Christians are Persecuted | 27% of Christians live in counteries where Christianity is attacked - average month - 300 Christians killed | 200 churches burned | 800 followers will be beaten, raped or impresoned.
Some part of world - Beaten, another part of the world - not invited to a party - all of it, is persecution.
The most encouraging message you didn’t want to hear.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Do not be surprised.
[shirt] - Who knows what this is? When we wear it, we attract attention. [story - Brisbane Roar Grand Final]
It’s like Sport - In the game, The opposition is afraid of you | Maybe, you’re on the Jesus team but on the bench - Have the jersey, not in game | not praying, interceding, taping into throne of grace, gifts for His Kingdom - Not giving generously - Believe in Jesus but not representing Him Boldly - Got the jersey on but not in the game.
As soon as you put it on - You’re in the game | Imagine going into war “They’re shooting at me, what do I do” - Christianity is not a playground, it’s a battle ground.
We are in a very real spiritual war - When you engage in the battle - You will face opposition -
Here is the lie; You’re the one that has to fight the battle.
No, you’re the one that has to show up and Submit, he has laid out the battle plan.
Most of us are losing the battle, not because we aren’t fighting hard enough, but because we have the wrong weapons and expenctations.
Peter says, don’t be surprised;
Don’t be surprised if you don’t get a second date because you have committed to purity, God was saving you from a battle you couldn’t even see coming.
Don’t be surprised, if you lose a couple of worldy friends becasue you put Jesus first - Don’t be surprised if… the things you use to go to, no longer work.
The most encouraging message you didn’t want to hear;
God has a different antitode for the World and for you!
On Thursday, I was like God - You can’t just tell me to tell them they’re gonna get smashed by the enemy - Where is the Good news. and I felt Him Say
I am the Good News.
Listen - I am up here to be the mouthpeice of God - but this is by no means my message. It is a Message from God - I was going to preach on Justice and Anger - So watch out, that message is brewing.
but sometimes it feels there is persecution on a macro scale, and on a micro scale - Sometimes it may feel like the enemy just has you in his grips - The cloud
I want to tell you 2 big messages;
You’re not Crazy 2. You’re going to get through it - I know it doesn’t feel like it.
but it’s not a how - It’s a who.
A different Antidote.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
We get in our mind about who Jesus is - Shepherd in painting - but Jesus says- I am the good shepherd
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Listen;
Get to know Jesus as who He truly is.
He is a Shepherd - staff in one hand, rod in other - He is your PROTECTOR - He has a ROD and Staff - not mild and one dimensional - He protects you - Pulls you out of water with staff, and protects you with Rod.
God has got your back
God almighty is inviting you to let him be your shepherd.
2nd thing;
Keep Him First.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
I am going to set the Lord before me - He will be first. Anxiety, you’re there, but you’re not First in my life. Jesus is First. Yes Anxiety, I am battling you, but you’re not as powerful as Jesus.
Not minimising Anxiety- not a simple forumula, may not resolve by end of sermon - but you have a choice, to put Him First Anyway.
HIghschool with my brother
3 thing = not revolitutionary here - Stay in conversation with Him.
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
What a prayer - Lord, you are my God” - you might say “I don’t want to be a fake” ok let’s be real - the tomb is empy and Jesus is alive!! The tomb is empty, and JESUS IS ALIVE.
Can I be super vulnerable | There was a time - I was going through some things, here - It was really tough - someone called - “What’s going on” - I’m under the tree, waiting for God to take me. and he just gently said “Did you keep reading”
Finish the Story -
When you finish the story, you know how it ends -
Number 4 - Sing the praise of the onw who is greater and Jesus is greater than your situation - Greater than what is causing you to be afraid, geater than waht ever is keeping you up at night.
His ways are different - but His ways are good.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is the Undefeated Lordo f Lords, King of Kings, and that is YOU JESUS, and that is not ME - and so I am going to Worship You in EVERY Situation.
Worship and Worry can’t come out of your mouth at the same time.
Persectution in the World - Welcome to the team
Spiritual attached - Welcome to the Team
An unholy condition needs a holy Condition to make it holy and Greater who is in ME than he who is in the World.
Inspo and Close
Inspo and Close
You might turn on the News and worry about the way the World is going - And think there might be no end in site.
Like me, you might worry about the persecuted Church of Jesus Christ.
What we do here matters, the Local church matters, because the enemy wants to isolate us.
However, God has the antitode becuase under persecution what happens? The church actually grows - You remember those stats I gave you?
Well, The church is also growing faster than ever before. Over 2.5 Billion people call themselves a Christian - Fastest growing nations of God’s people? Asia And Africa - Also the most persectuted | What’s interesting is that 46.3% of all christians live in non-majority christian countries and 18.3% of the population call a Christian a friend - God is spreading people out - Creating Lighthouses Everywhere - This one is ours.
Back in Jeremiah - God had a plan, he has the antitode. Right here, right now, for your Cloud over your Head, God has the antitode. When you are at the valley - When you are in the dark - It may look like God is not there - but He has never left - He is just working.
So what to do?
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
The most encouraging message you didn’t want to hear - Welcome to the Team - Get off the bench - Get engaged - What ever you are going through - God has the antitode.