Jeremiah - God's Crier

Q) What is true success?

Fame? Fortune? Freedom? Power? Respect? Control?

By the world’s standards the prophet Jeremiah was a failure.For 40 years of the last five kings, he served as God’s spokesman before Judah was taken into captivity.  When Jeremiah spoke… no one listened.

However, success as measured by God involves both obedience and faithfulness. Let’s consider 5 elements of Jeremiah’s passion.

1. God called Jeremiah before he was born:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”                (Jeremiah 1:5)

• God was intimately involved in creation of you and I
• God appointed Jeremiah with a specific task before he was born

2. As God’s spokesman, speak up:

“Do not say you are only a child.  You must go to everyone I send you to and say what ever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them for I am with you and will rescue you, declared the Lord.”    (Jeremiah 1:7-8)

• You cannot use the excuse that you are too young to be God’s spokesman
• When God gives you a job, He equips you to do it
• God doesn’t keep you from trouble; He rescues you
• Let God put His words in your mouth   (Jeremiah 1:9)

“Get yourself ready!  Stand up and say to them whatever I command you.”                (Jeremiah 1:17)Q) To whom is God calling you to speak? _______________

3. Stand faithful in the midst of rejection:

• Thrown into prison            (Jeremiah 37:21)
• Lowered into a muddy cistern    (Jeremiah 38:6)
• Imprisoned in Egypt            (Jeremiah 43:7)
• Rejected by family & the people    (Jeremiah 12:6)
• Apathy & antagonism to his message (Jeremiah 44:4-6)

4. Jeremiah’s purpose in a word – “Crier” for God:

• He cried for the people’s condition
• He proclaimed public announcements of the Lord’s court

For his deep sorrow for the fallen condition of Judah, Jeremiah was called the “weeping prophet”

5. In the darkest of times, there is always hope:

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”            (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

• In your need, cry out to God and He hears you
• When you seek God, He is found by you

“Nothing is too hard for God”        (Jeremiah 32:17)“Call unto me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  (Jeremiah 33:3)“God’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.”    (Lamentations 3:23)

Q) What message of hope do you need to tell?