Life and Ministry of Jeremiah Training of God’s servant in the end days

Life and Ministry of Jeremiah 1. The Setting of Jeremiah 2. The Person of Jeremiah 3. The Ministry of Jeremiah

Remember!! We might not all be called to be a prophet But we are all called to serve

True Spiritual Condition Much outward form, but little inward reality 2 Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power ; Characteristic of God’s people in end days Don’t know their true condition God in His great love calls Jeremiah

Jeremiah the Person Jeremiah 1 I formed, prepared, comforted, equipped, and empowered you I have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, & as walls of bronze NOW!! Gird up your loins, arise & speak

Lord’s Process in Service God’s Side Reveals & releases His provision Man’s Side Receive & respond to His provision

The Ministry of Jeremiah The Character of his ministry The Cause of his ministry The Comfort of his ministry

The Character of His Ministry Jeremiah 1:10 To root up/ pluck up To break down/pull down To destroy To overthrow/throw down To build To plant

Consider Our Lord’s Ministry Our Lord’s death at Calvary To root up, breakdown, destroy & overthrow Our Lord's resurrection To build and to plant

The Cause of His Ministry Jeremiah 1:16 Two main issues with Judah Forsaken Me for other gods Worshipped the works of their own hands Jeremiah address’s these over & over again

Forsaken Me Jeremiah 2:10-13 Israel has changed their god – No other nation has done this My people have committed two evils: – Forsaken the fountain of living water – Hewn their own cisterns

Cry of Love to Return 2:20-21 Reminds them of His provision 2:29 Why do you contend with me? 2:30 In vain I have disciplined you (Heb 12:6) 2:31 Heed My word Why say “we are free to roam”

What is True Freedom? Many believers declare: we are free What are we set free from? – Sin, world, corruption, self Why are we free? To do His will – To be His bondslaves, slaves of righteousness Today many misunderstand this freedom Abuse it for self: interest & pleasure

Cry of Love In judgment God remembers mercy 3:12-14 Return, repent, be restored 3:22 Return & I will heal Jeremiah’s heart for the people 4:19 My soul, my heart is in anguish God’s burden is his burden Message & the Messenger are one

Condition of the People 5:1God is looking for a vessel 5:4-5 Neither poor nor great know the Way 5:7Again, forsaken Me (also vs. 19) 5:31My people love this condition 6:16-17We will not walk nor listen Picture of God’s people in the last days

Jeremiah’s Sorrow Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Lord’s burden had become his burden Embodiment of sorrow of God’s love True power of a man of God – Not a mere channel/pipeline – But one who has the heart/desire of His Master Difficulties/trials train servants of Lord – Paul/Joseph: prison John: Isle of Patmos

Jeremiah’s Persecution Jeremiah now trained through persecution 11:1 Faithful messenger of Lord 11:18 Persecution from home town Lord defends him and brings it to light Not rare to be persecuted by close ones David: Psalm 55: Jesus: Came to His own; own received Him not

Jeremiah’s Response 12:1 He cries out to the Lord & Lord responds 12:5If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

Deeper Training Jer 15:17 Loneliness – Is the Lord enough for us? Jer 16:2 No wife or children – Denying self of God ordained blessing – Luke 2: Anna's fasting for God’s interest

Jeremiah: Faithful Servant Jeremiah was faithful in spite of: – An unpopular message – A rejected message – An unfulfilled message Saw captivity but not return Can we stay faithful when rejected and do not see much fruit?

Longsuffering Love of God In Jeremiah we see longsuffering love 9 times one phrase used 7:13 And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you but you did not answer (7:25; 11:7; 25:3-4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35;14-15; 44:4)

The Comfort of His Ministry Jeremiah God is a God of Hope Yes, He will tear down but He will recover Key phrase: “I Will” What a glorious hope Israel was given Sadly only few responded How will we respond in this hour?