Life and Ministry of Jeremiah

Training of God’s servant in the end days

Life and Ministry of Jeremiah

1. The Setting of Jeremiah2. The Person of Jeremiah3. The Ministry of Jeremiah

Remember!!

We might not all be called to be a prophetBut we are all called to serve

True Spiritual Condition

• Much outward form, but little inward reality2 Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;

• Characteristic of God’s people in end daysDon’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 SideReveals & releases His provision

Man’s SideReceive & respond to His provision

The Ministry of Jeremiah

The Character of his ministryThe 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 CalvaryTo root up, breakdown, destroy & overthrow

Our Lord's resurrectionTo 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 provision2:29 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 mercy3:12-14 Return, repent, be restored3:22 Return & I will heal

Jeremiah’s heart for the people4:19 My soul, my heart is in anguish

God’s burden is his burdenMessage & the Messenger are one

Condition of the People

5:1 God is looking for a vessel5:4-5 Neither poor nor great know the Way5:7 Again, forsaken Me (also vs. 19)5:31 My people love this condition6:16-17 We 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 Lord11:18 Persecution from home town

Lord defends him and brings it to lightNot rare to be persecuted by close ones

David: Psalm 55: 12-14Jesus: Came to His own; own received Him not

Jeremiah’s Response

12:1 He cries out to the Lord & Lord responds

12:5 If 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 used7:13 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 30-31• 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?