A sermon idea based on Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28.
Jeremiah 4:11-12,22-28 NRSV
t that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse— [12] a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them. [22] “For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good.” [23] I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. [24] I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. [25] I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. [26] I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the LORD, before his fierce anger. [27] For thus says the LORD: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. [28] Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.
Angle
The relevant topic I would be addressing, based on this text…
When we turn ourselves away from the wisdom God has provided to us, both naturally and supernaturally, the result is that we see our world fall apart around us.
Anchor
Information about the text that matters to the message…
Jeremiah is announcing, in this section of his prophecy, that judgment is coming from the direction of Babylon. And Jeremiah describes this judgment as a sort of reversal of the kind of world God had created for the care and provision of mankind.
The prophet portrays an earth moving backward, so to speak, in terms of the blessings of nature all around us. And he levels three particular indictments about the “why” behind the phenomena.
- My people don’t know me.
- My people don’t have understanding.
- My people don’t know how to do good.
All three are in progression. When we fail to recognize God as Creator, then we fail to understand how his world really works. And when we fail to see him and to see his works, then we definitely will fail to understand his word, his self-revelation of what is wise.
When preaching this passage in light of the cross and resurrection, everything is new. Everything is renewed. Jesus has demonstrated the willingness of God to take on our sins and failures, in this regard, and to give us grace and mercy instead.
Application
The big call-to-action in the message…
How can you soak up more of God’s wisdom and walk in it, so that we enjoy the world God intended for us to enjoy?
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About the Cover Art: Photo by David Marcu on Unsplash.
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