A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK

nuts

OPENING :

ONE OF THE OTHER FOOD GROUPS THAT I LIKE IS NUTS

AT CHRISTMAS I GET REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE THE STORES ARE ALL FULL OF THE NUTS IN THEIR SHELLS

I LIKE THE CHALLENGE OF BREAKING THE SHELL WITHOUT CRUSHING THE NUT.

I HAVE EVEN GOOGLED WAYS TO DO IT

I WANTED TO HAVE SOME HERE TODAY TO USE AS A DEMONSTRATION BUT THEY ARE NOT IN STORES ANYMORE - WEll AT LEAST NOT HE ONES I VISITED

MAIN POINT

TRUSTING GOD ENOUGH TO LET HIM BREAK DOWN YOUR WALLS

1 GIVE UP MORE AND MORE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE TO GOD

1 GIVE UP MORE AND MORE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE TO GOD

GIVE UP MORE AND MORE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE TO GOD

2. WHAT HAD TO CHANGE IN MY THINKING AND BEHAVIOUR?

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

WHEN WE ARE HURT OR DISSAPOINTED AND LET DOWN WE SUB CONCIENCISLY START TO BUILD UP WALLS - SOMETIMES WE DONT EVEN KNOW THEY ARE THERE

WHY DO WE DO THIS? PROTECTION OF OUR HEART

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

I WILL MISS OUT ON GODS BEST FOR ME

I WILL MISS OUT ON GODS BEST FOR YOU

Verses 25-27, "I will cleanse you”: Along with the physical reality of a return to the Land, God pledged spiritual renewal:

Cleansing from sin;

A new heart of the New Covenant (

Jeremiah 31:33–34 ESV

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, 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. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ 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.”

);

A new spirit or disposition inclined to worship Him;

His spirit dwelling in them, enabling them to walk in obedience to His word.

This has not happened, because Israel has not trusted Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior, but it will before the kingdom of Messiah (Zech. chapters 12 to 14; ; ).

"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you."

The physical return of the people was not enough. They must return to their God. The washing of the water symbolizes the removal of their past life, and starting them all over again in newness of life.

What is figuratively described (in verse 25), is explained as literal (in verses 26-27). The gift of the “new heart” signifies the new birth, which is regeneration by the Holy Spirit (11:18-20). The “heart” stands for the whole nature. The “spirit” indicates the governing power of the mind which directs thought and conduct.

A “heart of stone” is stubborn and self willed. A “heart of flesh” is pliable and responsive. The evil inclination is removed and a new nature replaces it. This is New Covenant character (as in ).