Jeremiah 44 “Success Requires One Thing”

Jeremiah 44 “Success Requires One Thing”

The Psalmist’s one focus is described in , “One thing I have desired from the Lord…” Our vision must continually be our Savior’s evaluation of our life. “Well done you good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”

I. Failure -

A. The Israelites focused on people and circumstances (Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon)

1. They made their decisions based on the fear of man

2. And on seeking peace and prosperity - the Israelites wanted to forget Jerusalem -

B. Our struggle is not with flesh and blood -

1. The solution is to recognize that our own rebellion against God is the source of our troubles -

2. Sin vexes yourself -

3. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord -

4. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up -

II. Confusion -

A. Sin blinds us to understand why!

1. The Israelites thought their misery was because they did not offer incense to the “Queen of Heaven” -

incense to the “Queen of Heaven” -

2. But God said He was the One to judge them -

B. The Queen of Heaven -

1. This goddess in Jeremiah’s time was Isis in Egypt

2. But had many names in the ancient world. Ishtar, Astarte, Ashteroth, and others

3. The Israelites worshipped her in order to gain blessings from her

4. The Queen Mother is the eternal feminine representation of fertility and life. Consider Wiccan teaching on the worship of mother earth.

C. What is the significance of Mary being called the Queen of Heaven in Roman Catholicism? Consider.

1. Mary’s perpetual virginity. she had no other children

2. Mary’s immaculate conception - Pope Pius IX proclamation in 1854. Mary was without original sin

3. The assumption of Mary into heaven. she ascended to heaven. This doctrine was establish in 1950

4. Mary as co-redemtrix (subordinate to Christ yet in union with Christ) declared in 1918

5. At best, confusion overwhelms the gospel message today - ;

D. Mary is blessed -

1. Yet Jesus distanced Himself from Mary -

2. Also -

3. Mary needed a Savior - - The sword through her heart is that her sin caused Jesus’ death

4. She prayed for the Holy Spirit like the other disciples -

III. Success -

A. Success is faithfulness to God -

1. The Jews in Egypt were destroyed by Babylon

2. The Jews were not rescued

B. Did Jesus fail?

1. Because He went to the cross?

2. His failure resulted in our success

We praise God for Jesus whose ministry ended in His crucifixion but for our salvation.