Sermon Title: BOAST TODAY!

Essence of the Text in a Sentence: Jeremiah instructs the people to never boast about their intellect, wealth, or strength, but to boast in knowing and understanding the LORD.

Sermon Proposition: God instructs His people to boast in knowing and understanding that He operates with mercy, justice, and righteousness.

Sermon Objective: I want all Christians in attendance to boast about their relationship with God through Christ and for all non-believers in attendance to know God through Christ so they can boast in Him.

Sermon Text: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Jeremiah 9:23–24 NKJV

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

INTRODUCTION:

TRANSITION: Sermon Proposition: God instructs His people to boast in knowing and understanding that He operates with mercy, justice, and righteousness.

I. NOT BECAUSE OF MY MENTAL ABILITY

Jeremiah 9:23; 8:8-9; 9:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:19; 1:19

Jeremiah 9:23 NKJV

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

GOD ADDRESSED THE SMART, THE INTELLIGENT, THE WISE MEN LIVING IN JUDAH AT THE END OF THE REIGN OF JOSIAH. HE LAMENTED IN Jeremiah 4:22 SAYING

Jeremiah 4:22 NKJV

22 “For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge.”

GOD’S PEOPLE USED THEIR MIND TO PERFORM EVIL RATHER THAN GOOD. HE ALSO QUESTIONED THEIR INTELLIGENT. LOOK AT WHAT HE SAID TO THEM IN Jeremiah 8:8-9

Jeremiah 8:8–9 NKJV

8 “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the Lord is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood. 9 The wise men are ashamed, They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; So what wisdom do they have?

THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BUT THEY REJECTED GOD’S WORD.

THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT DESTRUCTION WAS ON THE WAY

THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. HERE GOD’S QUESTION IN Jeremiah 9:12

Jeremiah 9:12 NKJV

12 Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?

Jeremiah 9:11 NKJV

11 “I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a den of jackals. I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.”

THEY HAD NO REASON TO GLORY IN THEIR WISDOM

THEY HAD NO REASON TO BRAG ABOUT THEIR WISDOM

THEY HAD NO REASON TO BOAST ABOUT THEIR WISDOM

THEIR WISDOM DID NOT BRING REAL PEACE, REAL JOY, REAL HAPPINESS

PAUL TOLD THE SAINT’S IN CORINTH 1 Corinthians 3:19

1 Corinthians 3:19 NKJV

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;

THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD NEVER LEADS TO GOD.

APPLY: CAN YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU, TODAY?

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PLACED ALL YOUR STOCK IN SECULAR EDUCATION

CAN YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU, TODAY?

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PLACED ALL YOUR STOCK IN STREET SMARTS

CAN YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU, TODAY?

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PLACED ALL YOUR HOPE IN YOUR WISDOM

GOD SAID IN 1 Corinthians 1:19 [HE] will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

DON’T DO IT ASTUTE PEOPLE

DON’T DO IT INTELLIGENT PEOPLE

DON’T DO IT SMART PEOPLE

DON’T BRAG ABOUT THE SMART MOVES YOU MADE

DON’T BRAG ABOUT THE SMART DECISIONS YOU MADE

DON’T BRAG ABOUT THE SMART CHOICES YOU MADE

DON’T BRAG ABOUT YOUR WISDOM, BUT RATHER SAY

I WILL NOT THINK MORE HIGHLY OF MYSELF THAN I OUGHT TO.

TELL THIS WORLD, YOUR PRIDE, AND THE DEVIL, “YES I AM GOING TO BOAST, BUT NOT IN MY WISDOM. GOD INSTRUCTED THE PEOPLE TO ALSO

Through His Word, what sin(s) did the Holy Spirit convict you of today, even in a small way?

Because all sin needs to be confessed, turned from, avoided, and hated, write down the two area from this list that you will work on this week.

Because Christ has provided Christians with the tools to live godly, write down the saints who will help you, the biblical passages you will meditate on, and the requests you will add to your prayers this week.

II. NOT BECAUSE OF MY MIGHT

Verses Jeremiah 9:23; Isaiah 31:1; Psalm 146:3; Amos 6:1; Psalm 20:7; 33:16-17;

Jeremiah 9:23 NKJV

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

Explain: NEXT GOD ADDRESSED THE STRONG OR MIGHTY. KNOWING THAT IT IS TEMPTING FOR WARRIORS TO BOAST ABOUT THEIR STRENGTH OR POWER. JUDAH HAD BEEN THROUGH SOME BATTLES AND BEEN VICTORIOUS. NATIONS MIGHTIER THEN THEM WERE DEFEATED BEFORE THEM. YET, GOD INSTRUCTED THEM NOT TO BOAST OR GLORY IN THEIR MIGHT. LOOK AT ISA 31.1

Isaiah 31:1 NKJV

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!

DON’T BOAST IN THE STRENGTH OF THEIR RULERS

Psalm 146:3 NKJV

3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.

DON’T BRAG ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THEIR POSITION OR LOCATION. LOOK AT AMOS 6:1

Amos 6:1 NKJV

1 Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, And trust in Mount Samaria, Notable persons in the chief nation, To whom the house of Israel comes!

THE LORD WAS SENDING A BATTLE THAT COULD NOT BE DEFEATED WITH SWORDS, SHIELDS, SPEARS, HORSES, AND CHARIOTS.

THE LORD WAS SENDING A BATTLE THAT THE SIZE AND STRENGTH OF THEIR ALLYS WOULD NOT HELP.

THE LORD WAS SENDING A BATTLE THAT THE HEIGHT AND STRENGTH OF THEIR WALLS WOULD NOT STOP.

YES, THEY COULD BOAST IN A REVISIONIST HISTORY OF THEIR PAST VICTORIES BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER FORGOT THAT THE BATTLES WERE NOT THEIRS BUT THE LORD.

THE SHOULD HAVE NEVER FORGOT THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF GOD’S MERCIES THAT THEY WERE NOT CONSUMED.

Apply: MOHAMMAD ALI BOASTED SAYING, I AM THE GREATEST. YES, HE WAS A TALENTED FIGHTER. YES, HE WAS A CHAMPION, BUT WHO GAVE HIM HIS ABILITIES?

WHERE DID HIS STRENGTH COME FROM?

WHERE DID HIS MIGHT COME FROM?

WHERE DOES YOUR STRENGTH COME FROM?

WHERE DOES YOUR MIGHT COME FROM?

ARE YOU BOASTING ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO?

ARE YOU BOASTING ABOUT WHAT OTHERS CAN’T DO TO YOU?

CAN YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU, TODAY?

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PLACED YOUR TRUST IN MIGHT OF YOUR MUSCLES

CAN YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU, THIS MORNING?

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PLACED YOUR TRUST IN THE YOUR STRENGTH OF YOUR DEFENSES

HT WILL YOU HUMBLE YOURSELF AND SAY LIKE THE PSALMIST LOOK AT PSALM 20:7

Psalm 20:7 NKJV

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

WILL YOU, FIGHTING FATHERS AND MOTHERS WILL YOU TESTIFY TODAY LIKE THE PSALMIST. LOOK AT PSALM 33:16-7

Psalm 33:16–17 NKJV

16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

THEREFORE I WILL NOT BRAG, BOAST, GLORY, NOR TRUST IN ME BECAUSE WITHOUT THE LORD I CAN DO NOTHING

TELL THIS WORLD, YOUR PRIDE, AND THE DEVIL, “YES I AM GOING TO BOAST, BUT NOT IN MY MIGHT. GOD ALSO INSTRUCTED THE PEOPLE TO

Through His Word, what sin(s) did the Holy Spirit convict you of today, even in a small way?

Because all sin needs to be confessed, turned from, avoided, and hated, write down the two actions from this list that you will work on this week.

III. NOT BECAUSE OF MY MONEY

Jeremiah 9:23; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 49:6-7;

Jeremiah 9:23 NKJV

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

Explain: NEXT GOD WARNS THOSE WHO HAD THE PROPENSITY TO BRAG ABOUT THEIR RICHES. YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT GOD’S PEOPLE HAD A HISTORY OF LOOKING TO BUY THEIR WAY OUT OF THEIR TROUBLES. AHAZ SENT SILVER AND GOLD TO THE KING OF ASSYRIA IN 2 KINGS 16:8. KING HEZEKIAH SENT SILVER AND GOLD O THE KING OF ASSYRIA IN 2 KINGS 18:14. KING ASA SENT SILVER AND GOD TO HADAD, KING OF SYRIA.

THE WORD WARNED THEM AND US ABOUT RICHES. LOOK AT PROV 11:28

Proverbs 11:28 NKJV

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

LOOK AT PS 49:6-7

Psalm 49:6–7 NKJV

6 Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him—

WHEN GOD IS AFTER YOU NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN STOP HIM.

Apply: [embrace this about God / embrace this about man]

Through His Word, what sin(s) did the Holy Spirit convict you of today, even in a small way?

Because all sin needs to be confessed, turned from, avoided, and hated, write down the two actions from this list that you will work on this week.

IV. I WILL BECAUSE OF MY RELATIONSHIP

Jeremiah 9:24; Psalm 34:1-2; Jeremiah 2:8; 9:1-5;

Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV

24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

THE LORD GOD INSTRUCTED THOSE PEOPLE. REINFORCING THAT BOASTING BEGINS AND ENDS WITH GOD. IF THE ISRAELITES WERE GOING TO BOAST OR GLORY IN ANYONE, THEIR BOASTING NEEDED TO BE IN UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWING, YAHWEH. THEY HAD A REASON TO BOAST ABOUT THEIR HISTORY. STARTED WITH NOTHING, NO OFFSPRING, NO LAND, NO NATION.

BUT GOD GAVE A SON TO A BARREN WOMAN

BUT GOD MADE A NATION OUT OF AN ENSLAVED PEOPLE

BUT GOD GAVE A LAND TO AN WANDERING PEOPLE

THEY SHOULD HAVE SAID LIKE DAVID IN PSALM 34:1-2 “1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.”

INSTEAD HERE IN JEREMIAH’S DAY THEY WERE CLAIMING TO KNOW BAAL AND NOT GOD. LOOK AT THE PRIESTS, PRINCES, AND PROPHETS IN Jeremiah 2:8

Jeremiah 2:8 NKJV

8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit.

INSTEAD OF KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING THAT GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD AND SAYS HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE HIM. RATHER THAN WORSHIP THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD, THEY SETTLED FOR IDOLS MADE OF PS 115:4-7 “4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.”

GOD WANTED THEM TO BOAST IN HIS LOVINGKINDNESS

BOAST IN HIS JUSTICE

BOAST IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

THEY COULD NOT BOAST ABOUT THOSE THINGS BECAUSE IT WAS HIS JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT WAS AGAINST THEM. LOOK AT JEREMIAH 9:3

Jeremiah 9:3 NKJV

3 “And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” says the Lord.

THEY COULD NOT BOAST ABOUT HIS LOVINGKINDNESS BECAUSE THEY HAD A DIFFERENT STANDARD LOOK AT VERSES 1 AND 2

Jeremiah 9:1–2 NKJV

1 Oh, that my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people! 2 Oh, that I had in the wilderness— A lodging place for travelers; That I might leave my people, And go from them! For they are all adulterers, An assembly of treacherous men.

THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE, THEY HURT AND HARMED THEIR BROTHERS. LOOK AT VERSE 4 AND 5

Jeremiah 9:4–5 NKJV

4 “Everyone take heed to his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; For every brother will utterly supplant, And every neighbor will walk with slanderers. 5 Everyone will deceive his neighbor, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity.

HERE GOD DECLARES THAT BOASTING IS USELESS UNLESS IT IS ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN HIM BECAUSE HE IS

No one can comfort you like the Prince of Peace

No one can strengthen you like the Almighty

No one can counsel you like the Wonderful Counselor

No one can establish you like the Rock of Ages

No one can guide you like the Good Shepherd

No one can hold you like the Arm of the Lord

No one can defend you like the Advocate

No one can satisfy you like the Bread of Life

No one can deliver you like the Deliverer

No one can reign over you like the King of all kings

No one can rescue like the Savior

He deserves the glory

He deserves the honor

He deserves the praise

Conclusion: Respond to God’s Message by saying I will not BOAST IN MY WISDOM, MY MIGHT, OR MY RICHES, BUT I WILL BOAST IN THE LORD.

BOAST IN HIS MERCY.

BOAST IN HIS JUSTICE.

BOAST IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

ARE YOU Trusting in God through Christ? YOU CAN’T BOAST THAT YOU KNOW HIM UNLESS YOU KNOW GOD THROUGH CHRIST. JESUS SAID IN JOHN 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”