Sermon Manuscript122805

Sermon Manuscript – 1/1/2006                           Robert Hutcherson, Jr.

Sermon: “No More Tears”

TEXT

Jeremiah 31:10-13

Our theme for today is “No More Tears”…perhaps you may remember that phrase as a slogan for Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, advertising deliverance from the usual process of the child’s eyes stinging and burning when shampoo got in, despite the best of efforts, making “bath time” often a trying and traumatic experience.

It seems only appropriate to talk about tears as we explore our text from today from The book of Jeremiah, chapter 31. In an earlier message, you may remember that the work of the prophets was not just to “foretell”, but to “forthtell”, not always Good news that the people wanted to hear…Jeremiah was just such a prophet. He was a priest whom the Lord commanded not to marry and raise children because of the coming judgement on the nation of Judah that would wipe out the next generation.

Having to constantly bring this message of impending doom, Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet”. He is known perhaps more so than other prophets for his honest statements on his feeling toward God, and his tendency to call for retribution against his enemies. We have the  word “Jeremiad” today, meaning a denouncing tirade or complaint. The nation of Judah has up to this point been defeated, scattered and in exile in Babylon

But here in verse 10 we see a message of hope from the “weeping prophet”…even in the midst of suffering and punishment, God still loves us and cares for us. At this point the Lord is preparing to lift the burden of His judgement from His people and will gather them once again and give them “comfort and joy instead of sorrow”, and “turn their mourning into gladness” His message applies to us, His people today as well. You may be asking yourselves “What does he mean?” “How can this apply to us?”

Let me bring it a little closer to home. Maybe today somebody is still mourning and crying over past events. Maybe you’ve been ever so close to achieving a dream, yet it seems like you will never complete it and it does not matter how much closer you get to that dream; it seems like it just moves farther and farther away.

Or maybe you’ve been so close to achieving the dream; only to watch it being crushed right in your face. Maybe you’ve had high expectations in someone, but your heart was broken because they failed to meet your expectations. Maybe you lost someone who you loved dearly and they were your biggest inspiration in life. And it does not matter if it was by natural causes or by tragedy; the reality is that they died and they will no longer be a presence in your life and it’s almost enough to make you stop pursuing your goals in life and stop living. Maybe you’re working on a job where it used to be a joy to clock in, but now your dread every moment you go into work. It seems like you can barely get along with your boss; and your co-workers always starting some kind of mess. You are looking for a change, but you can’t quit because it seems like this is the best thing going. Or maybe you’re a slave to a sinful habit that you know it is hurting you and/or your family, but you cannot seem stop it no matter how hard you try. And the fact you haven’t stopped it is taking all of your joy and happiness away.

I just want to echo these words of encouragement we heard in Jeremiah – Our Lord offers us HOPE today. He promises to RESCUE us from those who are stronger than we are. He says that “that which He has scattered He will bring together again”. And He will RESTORE us!!!

To make this work, we have only to “Hear the Word” with an open heart, believing in The One who created ALL that we see. We are to “declare it in far places”…maybe we need to start with places not quite so far…beginning with our own hearts and minds!! Instead of focusing on what is going WRONG…we need to look at what God has ALREADY DONE in our lives. AS the verse from the song says “If you have trouble going to sleep…try counting your blessings instead of your sheep…” It’s ALWAYS easier to see and believe in what God will do when viewed through the lens of what He has done!!! Yes, I struggle to make a mortgage payment…but Praise God…I DO have a house! How many this year had their homes destroyed? No I DON’T make as much money as I would like or even NEED…but Praise God…I DO get a check!! Yes, someone I loved dearly has died…but Praise God…they were a precious part of my life while they were here…and I CAN cherish their memory!!! The list goes on and on…and you’ll be SURPRISED at just how long that list IS when you look at things that way.

We are to “flow together to the goodness of the Lord”. Note this means “TOGETHER”…not trying to get “mess” started…but to build each other UP! WE hear the Word say “Young and old TOGETHER”…that doesn’t mean being resentful and distrustful of each other, but gaining from one side’s youth and energy and the other side’s knowledge and experience…

God promises that our “soul will be as a watered garden”…Maybe you’re feeling a little “dry” lately…I want to invite you to come back to the “springs of living water” and like the corn flakes commercial said “Taste them again for the first time.” Return, Repent, and Renew. Maybe someone here has never tasted those waters…The Lord loves you and wants more than anything to rescue you, restore you, and “gather you to Him”…will you come…?

He says ”No more tears…”