We Deploy

Introduction: Welcome everyone and point out giving.

It sure is good to be back! If you’re joining us today you’ve joined us at the conclusion of our sermon series “Thy Kingdom Come” where we have been looking at these three core values of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ her at Holmes Avenue.

In weeks 1 and 2 Pastor Walter laid out for us why we pray and why we equip. We do so because of the urgency of the call and because we are agents of reconciliation who have been reconciled by Christ’s finished work at Calvary. I’m so thankful for Pastor Walter, his friendship and his leading in this!

Today we are going to conclude with this topic of “We Deploy”. And just as it’s been described to you over the past two weeks, we are not going to look at the “what” but the “why”. That what is clear. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:18-20, to make disciples. We know that and we’ve heard that, but why do we do it? Well I’m glad you’ve asked!

If you would, please stand with me as we honor the reading of God’s holy word by reading Jeremiah 29:1-14.

*Highlight verses 1-3 for the congregation to understand the context of the passage.

For the context of this passage, Jeremiah is writing to ensure these exiles that God has not abandoned them and He is with them. It was in the year 597 B.C. that all the people were taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah is instructing these exiles how they are to behave in their new land, Babylon.

We have to understand that the Babylonians are lost, pagan, idolatrous people.

Now think about that in the context of where we are. I love this city. I’ve grown up here and see the need for the gospel in our community. God has called us here to those who are lost like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36)

M.I.P: We deploy under God’s sovereign direction, for the welfare of the city while trusting the Lord.

I. We deploy under God’s Sovereign Direction (4-6)

Verse 4: We see here that it is specifically Yahweh who deported the exiles into Babylon. God’s sovereignty and power is on display here. The same is true for us. Although we aren’t exiled like the Jerusalem was, we have been placed where we live, work and play by God almighty for the purpose of His plan.

Verses 5-6: Jeremiah tells them to build houses and living them in them and also to plant gardens and eat the produce. What does this mean? God wanted them to settle down. He wanted them to put down roots and make this area their home.

What’s interesting to note is how much freedom they had in Babylon. They were able to do as they pleased even in exile. The only restriction they had was to not return to Judah. Can you picture this? They were sent into exile, but were allowed to do what they wanted and they did just that.

We see later in verses 27-28 how some prophets believed this would be a short stay, maybe up to 2 years. God had different plans though.

God also allowed them to worship without the sacrifices and temple.

II. We deploy for the welfare of our City (7-9)

Jeremiah 29:7 Here we see this call to seek the welfare of the city. What does this mean?

Well, the term welfare in Hebrew is defined as “shalom” which means “soundness, welfare, peace”.

Jeremiah is telling the surviving elders, priests and prophets and all the people in exile to seek the welfare of the people they’ve been exiled to.

The first part of verse 7 says to seek the welfare AND pray. To pray for the welfare and not the downfall.

The natural tendency would have been to not be peacemakers, but to be troublemakers. As Warren Wiersbe stated, “they were to pray sincerely for their enemies. It’s a good reminder we see in scripture to pray for all people (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Let’s dive into this in regards to our community. God has called us to this city. We’ve been called by God to impact our city for the welfare of it! When we seek the welfare (peace) of our city, we have to dream of what it will look like.

Do you recall the staggering number Pastor Walter brought to our attention 2 weeks ago during the “We Pray” sermon? Within our one mile radius there are 1,080 (72%) who are lost without Christ.

Knowing that, what are we to do? We are to seek the welfare of the city where he has sent us (called us) to. We are to pray to God on its behalf and seek it’s welfare!

When we seek the welfare, the Lord tells us that in its welfare we will find our welfare!

If we sought the welfare of our city and prayed to the Lord for direction can you imagine what would happen?

We would see unity, reduction of crime, restoration of broken families, racial reconciliation, and more. We would see the glory of God on display and every man, woman and child would be repeatedly hearing the gospel!

We also see the welfare because its a picture to us of what is to come in Revelation 21:1-8.

Verses 8-9: There were false prophets and diviners who were trying to deceive the people. Jeremiah is warning against this. There were prophesying lies in the Lord’s name. The Lord did not send them!

They needed to stay focused on what the Lord had told them as it was His plan!

There will be times on this mission when we will hear false lies. We will face opposition, but God IS IN CONTROL and we must stay obedient to him for the welfare of our city!

III. We Deploy Trusting the Lord is with Us (10-14)

Verse 10: God promises that after 70 years he will free them and bring them back home. Again, another reason to trust the Lord and do what he’s commanded previously.

Verses 11-13: Here we see a verse that we hear quoted so often yet sometimes out of context.

God’s thoughts for the people was their welfare and not their hurt. He was concerned about the future the people hope for.

Verse 12: We see the promise of God hearing our prayers when we bring them to Him. Are we praying to Him for every man, woman and child?

Verse 13: Here we have another promise from God that if we see him, we will find him when we seek Him with all our hearts.

Verse 14: Here lies the promise of the restoration of Israel. “Jeremiah is looking ahead to the end of the age when Israel will be regathered to meet their Messiah and enter their Kingdom” -Warren Wiersbe. Again, a pointing to of Revelation 21:1-8.

Action Points

What can we as a church on mission do to ensue the welfare of the city?

While Pastor Walter, Ed, Bill, Fred, Trisha and Kimberly were at a training the other week this scripture was presented and really hit home in regard to this topic. Look at Acts 19:1-10 with me.

Let me pose this question to you…will we focus on the mission that God’s called us to? What would this community look like in the next two years if every man, woman and child heard the Gospel and was transformed? Our city would look different!

How do we accomplish this mission?

With fellow churches.

By taking responsibility in our circles of accountability as every day missionaries.

Discuss the art of neighboring and cast vision for Hursey.