Jeremiah 1.1-10 “A Prophet to the Nations”

“A Prophet to the Nations” 28 Aug 16

Prophetic voices abound in our nation, but how does God evaluate what He is doing in our nation and in the world? God reveals through His prophets what He is doing before He does it (). Jesus promises that He reveals His plans to His friends ().

We need to know God’s interpretation of what is happening in our nation today. Religious leaders, politicians, the news, and business prophets offer plans for hope for our nation. Our God warns that our sin is the greatest threat to ourselves and the nation, and He alone holds out all hope! (). is a favorite verse of many, particularly young adults. It is important to know the context of this beautiful promise. Also, the goal of this promise in is that we might search Him with all of our heart and find Him. Our God rescues His people through judgment.

I. Jeremiah’s Call –

A. He is a pastor’s son - Hilkiah

1. Grew up in sight of Jerusalem

2.. Called in a time of great revival – the days of Josiah the godliest king of Judah –

3. He prophesied for over four decades

4. Through the destruction of Jerusalem and exile in Egypt –

B. Jeremiah was called in the womb –

1. The unborn are full persons created in the womb –

2. To willfully ignore God’s Word regarding the unborn is to fail to know the works of God –

3. The unborn can worship –

4. Our identity comes from God’s purpose for us –

“My identity does not begin when I begin to understand myself. There is something previous to what I think about myself, and it is what God thinks of me. That means that everything I think and feel is by nature a response, and the one to whom I respond is God. I never speak the first word. I never make the first move. Jeremiah’s life didn’t start with Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s salvation didn’t start with Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s truth didn’t start with Jeremiah. He entered the world in which the essential parts of his existence were already ancient history. So do we!” - Eugene Peterson

II. Jeremiah’s Objections –

A. I am but a youth –

1. Moses, too, objected – .

2. God does not yield to our fears

B. God overcomes our objections –

1. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus –

2. We are able only through Christ – ;

III. Jeremiah’s Risks –

A. Fear of Man –

1. Do not be afraid of their faces –

2. I am with you

B. Jeremiah rules the nations by the power of His Word

1. The inerrant Word of God placed in Jeremiah’s mouth –

2. God’s Word will root out nations and destroy them

3. God’s Word will also build and plant Christ’s indestructible kingdom –

Only Jesus Christ can make sense out of history –