Planning a life Following Gods Road Map(2) Jeremiah 29:10-14

Introduction:

My name is Glenn Hughes and I live in Mansfield with my wife Ginny, our two boys, Zeke and Obie, and sometimes our 20 year old daughter Katlyn. Our family lives on what I like to call the family compound. My amazing in-laws and my mother live on the property with us. We have a variety of animals such as cats, dogs, cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, turkeys, and a donkey. Needless to say our lives and farm is full of excitement. I am currently an ice sculptor for my own company and a seminary student at New Orleans Baptist Seminary. My wife is a teacher in Walton County. I will like to thank all the teachers in the congregation for the work they do and the countless hours they spend molding they minds of the children. Lets give them a hand. This sermon is part of one of my classes and Pastor Don Malcom as graciously allowed me to come today. Thank you sir. In that regard lets keep in mind that I am a student so please remember errors are allowed only because I am still learning. >>>Today’s sermon is Called Planning a life following Gods Road Map.

Who here traveled this Summer?

Did you know that God has the ultimate map/ guide for your life already planned out?

As the Summer draws to a close we all know that it is a busy season for families and churches alike. I have been married for almost 21 years to my wife, Ginny, and during this time I have learned that it is important to have a plan when traveling for my wife’s sake. She is a very meticulous planner when it comes to planning vacations. We learned on our trip across the US starting from Las Vegas to our home that things can go not so according to plan.First off I woke up July 4 and booked flights for the four of us. I did at least prepay for a rental car for one way. We spent two days back tracking from Vegas to the Hover dam back to Vegas then to the Grand Canyon and back to Vegas.The trip was amazing but it did create a little frustration because we felt as though we missed opportunities to spend time elsewhere. This Summer Ginny and her dad planned a trip to Texas with every day accounted for. When she returned and I reviewed all the photos it was clear that the trip was amazing and I truly jealous. It went so much smoother. Planning is hard for me because I have ADHD. My plans are best made in 10 minute increments or soon I will be on to the next subject. (Squirrels)

Plans come up in the

Bible when discussing Divine Providence. Merriam Webster defines divine providence as “God conceived as the power of sustaining and guiding human destiny.”

Today we will be looking at Jeremiah 29:4-9 ““Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord.”

These were directions for the People in Captivity to encourage them to live a life of hope. God wanted them to know he would return. God knew the plan was not a short plan so he wanted them to build lives

Build houses and dwell in them

multiply- God wanted them to multiply like they did in Egypt he didn’t forget about them or didn’t want to destroy them.

Seek the peace(Shalom) of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive: He wanted them to be and do good things in their communities and to be a blessing to their neighbors.

Don’t let false prophets among you to deceive you.

For the one’s who are able please stand for the reading of today’s text in the Bible.

Jeremiah 29:10-14 ““For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’”

What is the Author is Doing with This Text:

King Zedekiah was Reigning over Babylon and Jeremiah writes to the Jews to give them guidance during this time of hardship and wondering.

How does this Text Fits in the Story of Scripture?

This passage is written by Jeremiah, a prophet of God and is written in Jerusalem. The letter was ment for the elders of the exiled. It was written after 597BC. Jeremiah wrote these letters to combat the wrongful teachings of false prophets. Babylon is a hostile situation for the Jews because they were slaves. The false prophets were claiming that God would release them from captivity. This isn’t the truth but far from it. This scripture would lead us to truths about God and his Plans.

Theological Truths:

God didn’t promise a quick trip: verse 10 states they would have to wait 70 years for his plan to be completed and for the people of Israel to be freed.

Jeremiah had the task of putting down the false hopes of a quick return from exile. Don’t expect for than God promised but look for the fulfillment that his promises does bring.

Directions are sometimes great and easy to follow and sometimes not so much.

Even map quest got it wrong sometimes. We would find that new roads were formed and the directions were no longer precise.

When in school many of us had the opportunity to dissect a frog or pig. The teacher gave us very specific directions on how to do it. We could have made an incision and found the heart without doing the other steps but we would have missed the connective tissues, they way everything fit together, and how each organ was arranged to fit in a small space. God gives us directions on how to follow him but we miss the small details. Just coming to church doesn’t lead us straight to him but we must do as God instructs. Seek me, pray to him, and worship the Holy Trinity and do so with all your heart.

Proverbs 16:33 “The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.”2. God’s return would see them attend to them and confirm a promise to restore them to their land.

3. Verse 11 is a warming thought and speaks of God’s Providence. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

You can find it on a tee shirt , coffee mug, and even bumper stickers but it still doesn’t have the meaning we all want it to.

We want it to give us a feeling of prosperity, and warm and fuzzes. We take it as a promise written to ME. It doesn’t mean that God has our lives perfectly mapped out, and all we need to do is walk in obedience to God or that we will be promised health and wealth.

The Bible teaches selflessness not a ME centered faith. Jeffery Curtis Poor Understanding Specific Bible Studies

It was written to the people of Isreal as a promise that God and only God is in control. They were living in captivity in a hostile land.

These people might and will die as slaves.

Don’t be discouraged that this verse wasn’t written TO you but it was written For you.

This is a personal promise from God that even in the hard times he is still in control.

3. Declaration of him being present. verse 12 speaks of His promise to be there and listen to prayers. Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

Their suffering would not be so dark that under it they couldn’t find God- There would be a future and better yet hope for things to come.

We must be in the word and pray to the Father to make our selves closer to him. Prayer is a conversation to God and with God. You wouldn’t expect your gps to take you somewhere without proper input.

4. verse 13 speaks of seeking him. Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

This section was part of God’s Special Revelation to the people of Isreal as a punishment for not seeking him. Only through exile were the Jewish people find there way back to him.

God is not a scavenger hunt. He isn’t like wheres Waldo

Matthew 7:7

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Mt 7:7.“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

As Matthew 7:7 states we must seek God so we will be saved.

5. Vs 14 Jeremiah 29:14 “I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’”

is a promise of from God that you can be redeemed if you seek him. . He is present in our lives through Christ, the Holy Spirit, and laid out in the Bible. His final declaration is that the people would be restored to their lands with their wealth.

According to my Christian Theology Biblical, Historical, and Systematic book by Adam Harwood he gives us this illustration. God’s Plan for History- “ The arc of the bible story line is that God created, humans fell, God is redeeming his creations through the cross and resurrection of Christ, and he will one day dwell with his people in the new creation”

Where in this story line did we forget to move towards God and not away. The quote those who don’t learn from History are doomed to repeat it is a great take away from this passages. Let’s not be like the Jewish people in exile and forget to go to God but lets be disciples and spread the word of Jesus to bring more of our people to the Father.

Matthew 6:25-26 ““For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”

The promise is clear turn to the Father and you will gain entry to Heaven and salvation.

Practical Takeaways:

1.We don’t have to fully comprehend the bible to believe it. Our faith is built on the bases that God Created man to glorify him. 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

2.Seek God- Ask WHY AM I HERE?

WHAT AM I DESIGNED FOR?

3. Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Eph 1:11 “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”

Conclusion and Invitation:

Life is not always easy. God has a plan and we are to seek him. We will face troubles along the way but it isn’t something that God himself hasn’t placed on our path. Remember to place God first and everything else will follow. Peace, Love, and Hope are promises from God to us the People of God.