This sermon discusses nine lessons for the church in America based on the book of Jeremiah. It warns that standing up for truth will become lonely, the faithfulness of a few is no guarantee a nation will repent, and a nation can reach a point of no return from God's judgment. It also notes that God values hearts over institutions, the righteous will suffer with the wicked when a nation is judged, and God uses other nations to punish his people. However, God also promises to be with his people to help them survive in a pagan culture if they live out their faith.

1. When God Judges a Nation
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From the Sermon Series, “The Church in Babylon”
Delivered Sunday, November 10, 2013
Dr. Erwin Lutzer,
Pastor Emeritus, Moody Church
When God Judges the Nations

2. In this sermon, listen for these...
NINE LESSONS FOR THE CHURCH IN AMERICA
FROM JEREMIAH
(Supporting Scripture references supplied by Sam Ward)
1. Our present challenges are not new; others have
been down this road before.
Jeremiah 4:22 (NIV2011) “My people are fools;
they do not know me. They are senseless children;
they have no understanding. They are skilled in
doing evil; they know not how to do good.”
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3. 2. Standing for truth and righteousness will
become an increasingly lonely venture.
Jeremiah 20:8 (NIV2011) Whenever I speak, I
cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So
the word of the LORD has brought me insult and
reproach all day long.
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4. 3. The faithfulness of a few is no guarantee that
a nation will turn back to God.
4. A nation can reach the point of no return.
Jeremiah 15:1 (NIV2011) Then the LORD said
to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand
before me, my heart would not go out to this
people. Send them away from my presence! Let
them go!”
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5. 5. God values hearts, not institutions or
buildings.
Jeremiah 52:12-13 (NIV2011) 12 On the tenth
day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan
commander of the imperial guard, who served
the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 13 He
set fire to the temple of the LORD, the royal
palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every
important building he burned down.
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6. 6. When a nation is judged, the righteous suffer
with the wicked.
7. God uses evil nations to judge His people.
Jeremiah 1:15 (NIV2011) I am about to
summon all the peoples of the northern
kingdoms,” declares the LORD. “Their kings will
come and set up their thrones in the entrance of
the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against
all her surrounding walls and against all the
towns of Judah.”
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7. 8. God gives His people promises to survive in a
pagan culture.
Isaiah 43:1b-2 (NIV2011) 1b But now, this is what
the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who
formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have
redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you
are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will
be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you. When you walk
through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames
will not set you ablaze.”
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8. 9. We must not be passive but are called to live out
our faith TODAY!
Jeremiah 1:17-19 (NIV2011) 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.
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