02 keep.light.bright

Session # 2: A Challenge Keeping the Light Bright Jeremiah 12:5 “ Lights that Cannot be Hidden”

How do we keep our lights burning bright?

How do we keep our lights burning bright without giving up?

How do we keep our lights burning bright without giving up and finish our courses?

Run with the Horses Jeremiah 12:5 Lessons from Jeremiah

Jeremiah 12: 5 “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (NIV)

Jeremiah in the Line of Prophets
Obadiah - Edom
Jonah - Compassion
Amos - Injustice
Hosea - Loyal
Isaiah - Restoration
Micah - Exploitation
Nahum - Nineveh
Habakkuk - Faith
Zephaniah - Day
Joel - Locusts
Jeremiah – Inevitable
Lamentations
 Daniel, Ezekiel (Exile)
adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College

Ample Warning For Judah 735-710 BC Micah: Judah will suffer exile for exploitation of poor c.630 BC Zephaniah: Day of the Lord is coming - Repent! 4 decades before Jerusalem’s fall 607-5 BC Habakkuk: Judah will be disciplined by Babylon 590 BC Joel: Judgment by locusts should cause repentance before Babylon’s invasion 627-580 BC Jeremiah: Judgment is inevitable. 70 years captivity! adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College

MAJOR EVENTS DURING JEREMIAH’ TIMES (BC) 686 Manasseh becomes sole king; Josiah born 642 Amon succeeds Manasseh as king 640 Josiah becomes king 633 Josiah at 16 seeks after God 628 Josiah at 20 begins reforms 627 Jeremiah at 20 called as prophet 621 Mosaic Law found in the temple 612 Nineveh destroyed as Nahum prophesied 609 Josiah slain in battle at Megiddo; Jehoiakim becomes king 586 Zedekiah flees July 18; destruction of Jerusalem begins August 14 JEHOVAH times Keeping you up to date since the Garden of Eden - Since creation- Rembrandt’s Jeremiah

Kings during Jeremiah’s Times Michelangelo's Jeremiah on Sistine Chapel Josiah (Judah’s last Godly king) Jehoiakim (ungodly, scripture burning king) Jehoiachin ( a ninety-day wonder judged by God) Zedekiah (Judah’s last king) Nebuchanezzar (Babylon conqueror) Gedaliah (Babylonian appointed governor of occupied Jerusalem) Johanan (successor of Gediah who was assassinated) Jeremiah 12:5

King Josiah’s Reforms Jeremiah 11:6 2 Chronicles 34 The covenant (Deut.28) is broken

Structure is Logical not Chronological adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College

JER 11:18 Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. 19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more." JER 11:20 But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.

JER 11:21 "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the men of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, `Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD or you will die by our hands'-- 22 therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: `I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. 23 Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.' "

JER 12:1 You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? JER 12:2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.

JER 12:3 Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! JER 12:4 How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, "He will not see what happens to us."

JER 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? The LORD

JER 12:6 Your brothers, your own family-- even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you. JER 12:7 "I will forsake my house, abandon my inheritance; I will give the one I love into the hands of her enemies. JER 12:8 My inheritance has become to me like a lion in the forest. She roars at me; therefore I hate her. The LORD

how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Opposition Problems

Who Am I? – Wer Bin Ich? Who am I? They often tell me, I step out from my cell, composed, contented and sure, like a lord from his manor. Who am I? They often tell me, I speak with my jailers, frankly, familiar and firm, as though I was in command. Who am I? They also tell me, I bear the days of hardship, unconcerned, amused and proud, like one who usually wins. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Am I really what others tell me? Or am I only what I know of me? Troubled, homesick, ill, like a bird in a cage, gasping for breath, as though one strangled me, hungering for colors, for flowers, for songs of birds, thirsting for kind words, for human company, quivering with anger at despotism and petty insults, anxiously waiting for great events, helplessly worrying about friends far away, empty and tired of praying, of thinking, of working, exhausted and ready to bid farewell to it all.

Who am I? This or the other? Am I then, this today and the other tomorrow? Am I both at the same time? In public, a hypocrite and by myself, a contemptible, whining weakling? Or am I to myself, like a beaten army, flying in disorder from a victory already won? Who am I? Lonely questions mock me. Who I really am, you know me, I am thine, O God! Voices in the Night: The Prison Poems of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Future challenges for Jeremiah (race with horses)
conflicts with false prophets
into the stocks by priest Pashhur
threat of death (cistern) and imprisonment by King Zedekiah’s officials
taken to Egypt
acting out prophetic parables

False Prophets & Priests Oppose Jeremiah Jeremiah is beaten and placed in stocks by Pashhur, chief officer of the temple. Jer. 20:1-3 After release, Baruch, a young scribe, offers to help him. Picture Source: The Picture Bible, Chariot Books, David C Cook, 1978 adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College

Jeremiah prophesies against Judah’s leaders and false prophets, but they refuse to listen WARNING ! WARNING! Jer. 21-23 Source: The Picture Bible, Chariot Books, David C Cook, 1978

Jeremiah’s Imprisonment Enemies accuse Jeremiah of defecting to the Babylonians so he is put into a dungeon. Zedekiah calls for him, but refuses to listen to his message, “Babylonians will return! Surrender!” He is later thrown into a cistern. Ebed-melech rescues him by pleading before the king. Jer. 37-38 Picture Source: The Children’s Bible in 365 stories, Lion Publishing, 1985

Future challenges for Jeremiah
taken to Egypt
buying and burying a linen belt – how God wishes to ruin Judah’s pride

Object lessons – signs of judgment Ruined waistband – rots in rock crevice. Judah strayed from God, being exposed to pagan influences, is now spiritually worthless Fill jugs with wine! Get drunk! – God will have no mercy and compassion when they suffer. Jer. 13 adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College

taken to Egypt
buying a jar of clay and smashing it – how God will smash Judah

Breaking a jar of clay You have forsaken me for other gods and shed innocent blood. I will smash you like the pot by your enemy. Jer. 19 Picture Source: The Children’s Bible in 365 stories, Lion Publishing, 1985 adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College

taken to Egypt
buying a jar of clay and smashing it – how God will smash Judah
make and wear a yoke of wood – Babylonians will enslave Judah

Jerusalem’s leaders resist Babylon’s rule Jeremiah wears a yoke to symbolize Judah’s future submission to Babylon. Jer. 27-28 Picture Source: The Picture Bible, Chariot Books, David C Cook, 1978

Opposition by False Prophets
The false prophet Hananiah breaks Jeremiah’s yoke to symbolize God breaking Babylon’s power and claims captivity is only two years. Two months later, he dies.
The false prophet Shemaiah also preaches against Jeremiah.
Jer. 28-29

Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth, the royal household, the nation of Judah (12:6) The nation of Judah and Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, Ammonites, Babylonians how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? more sufferings for Jeremiah as he continue to prophecies God’s judgment on Judah (12:7-13) and God’s judgment on the surrounding nations (12:14-17) Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Opposition Problems

Nebuchadnezzar comes (597 BC) Takes exiles and King Jehoiachin away. Places Zedekiah on throne, gives another chance for Judah to submit to Babylon. Jer. 24-25 70 year captivity predicted Picture Source: The Children’s Bible in 365 stories, Lion Publishing, 1985

Nebuchadnezzar’s Six Deportations to Babylon Size Date King of Judah Number taken Key Captives Results/ Comments 1 Minor 605 BC Jehoiakim Few (Dan 1:3) Daniel, 3 friends & nobility & royalty Tribute imposed. Egypt powerful. 2 Moderate 598 BC Jehoiakim 3023 (Jer. 52:28) Minor deportation 3 Major 597 BC Jehoiachin 10,000 (2 Kings 24:14) Jeoiachin, Ezekiel, Mordecai Large deportation. Zedekiah 4 Minor 587 BC Zedekiah 832 (Jer. 52:29) Before destruction 5 Major 586 BC Zedekiah ca. 10,400 (2 Kings 25:11) Zedekiah Jerusalem & temple destroyed 6 Minor 582 BC 745 (Jer. 52:30) 4 years after Jerusalem’s destruction

God’s response to Jeremiah?

JER 1:17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land--against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Reverend Doctor George Campbell Morgan D.D. (9 December 1863 – 16 May 1945)
evangelist, preacher and a leading Bible scholar
pastor of Westminster Chapel in London from 1904 to 1919, and from 1933 to 1943
Known as prince of expositors, Preaching Magazine ranked him among the ten greatest preachers of the 20th century.

“ God never calls a man to content with horses until He has practiced him with footmen; that God has never yet send a man into the wilds of Jordan until He has trained him in the land of peace… It is a great principle, always obtaining in God’s method with His servants, and in all His dealings with His people”

Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth, the royal household, the nation of Judah (12:6) The nation of Judah and Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, Ammonites, Babylonians how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? more sufferings for Jeremiah as he continue to prophecies God’s judgment on Judah (12:7-13) and God’s judgment on the surrounding nations (12:14-17) God has helped us in our struggle with our problems in the past and is helping us in the present God has his own timing God is with us Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Lessons for us Opposition Problems

In spiritual warfare Satan uses WMD

In spiritual warfare Satan uses WMD Weapons of Mass Discouragement

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph. 6:12-18

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

God will help us in our struggle with our problems in the future God’s judgment is just Armour of God Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth, the royal household, the nation of Judah (12:6) The nation of Judah and Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, Ammonites, Babylonians Spiritual warfare how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? more sufferings for Jeremiah as he continue to prophecies God’s judgment on Judah (12:7-13) and God’s judgment on the surrounding nations (12:14-17) Idolatry God has helped us in our struggle with our problems in the past and is helping us in the present God has his own timing God is with us Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Lessons for us Opposition Problems

Lessons for us
God has helped us in our struggle with our problems in the past and is helping us in the present
God is sovereign (God has his own timing)
God is with us
God will help us in our struggle with our problems in the future
God’s judgment is just

If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? Morgan: “ In my contending with horses, I shall also and again be weary; but I shall win, for I have already won by Thy strength in running with footmen” G. Campbell Morgan, Studies in the Prophecy of Jeremiah , 1994, Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 93

If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? Morgan: “ that He is God, though in the wilds I shall oftentimes be assaulted by fear, yet I shall win, as I have won in the land of peace” G. Campbell Morgan, Studies in the Prophecy of Jeremiah , 1994, Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 93

God is with you, will give you strength and will not let you face problems more than you are able to overcome. He wants you to continue to shine for him. sermon statement

How do we keep our lights burning bright without giving up and finish the course?

What motivates us ?

What motivates us?
Autonomy
Mastery
Purpose

Discussion How do we continue to be bright lights that shine for Christ (maintain), and how do we ensure that we finish our spiritual journeys well?

Jenny, I believe that God made me for a purpose, He also made me fast,

Jenny, I believe that God made me for a purpose, He also made me fast, And when I run, I feel His pleasure

I feel His pleasure

I feel His pleasure PASSION

Unless the eye catch fire The God will not be seen. Unless the ear catch fire The God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catch fire The God will not be named. Unless the heart catch fire The God will not be loved. Unless the mind catch fire The God will not be known. Passion

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02 keep.light.bright

by Alex Tang on Dec 10, 2010

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02 keep.light.bright — Presentation Transcript