The Righteous Branch and the Worthless Leaders

Transcription

1 The Righteous Branch and the Worthless Leaders Jeremiah 23:1-24 (page number from NIV bible) LifeSpring Christian Church July 25, 2010, David Reeves Introduction Open your Bibles Otherwise, ushers have one for you. Reminder of who Jeremiah was and what he said. Summary of this text. Read Jeremiah 23 in NIV (page number) Remainder of sermon I ll be using New American Standard, but you can easily follow in the NIV or other Bible that you may have with you The first part of this lesson is of particular importance to the elders and ministers of the church as we are responsible for pasturing the body here. Our legacy must not be like that of the Isrealite leaders of Jeremiah s day. Negligent Leaders (23:1-2) Civil leaders, tribal leaders, elders of the cities, destroy, scatter, and ignore the people of God. You have not attended to them; behold I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds! (V.1,2) They neglect, scatter, and drive the people of God away from him. The real needs of the people were ignored, left unaddressed While the fed their own desires from the resources of the people. Some actively led the people of into idolatry.

2 False Prophets (23:9-15) Jeremiah is overwhelmed; almost faints when he thinks of the holiness of God and immorality of the prophets of his time. (V.9) V The prophets and priests are adulterers, polluted, practice wickedness in the temple, some promote the worship of Baal; They are liars, encourage evil-doers, they are like Sodom and Gomorrah, (totally given over to their base desires). Pollution has gone forth from the prophets in Jerusalem ( even in My house ). No one is turned back to God. V.10 As a result the land mourns because of the curse, green fields have dried up, people s strength is not right, no one turns away from evil. The curse of sin is always present, but God can affect the environment such that the curse is increased when evil increases, thus the land of milk and honey becomes a waste land. Gods promises to ruin their plans, they will unexpectedly slip, and fall into darkness (V.12) These leaders proactively lead God s people to other gods. Lead them into idolatry. Practice sexual sins and falsehood. In the absence of any restraint by leaders, the no one turns back from sin but rather like Sodom and Gomorrah, any evil desire is fed and flourishes. God will feed wormwood to the prophets and make them drink poisonous water. God s warning to the people: Do not listen to the false prophets and immoral priests. (V.16-23) V Typical of the false prophets: They are leading you into meaningless (futile) activity. They are speaking their own imagination (not God s word). They say you will have peace to those that despise God. They say Calamity will not come on you to the stubborn and willful.

3 V Anyone who has heard the Lord knows he speaks a different message: God s message is a storm, springing from His wrath. A swirling tempest on the head of the wicked, His anger will not turn back, until it has accomplished its purpose which you will only understand after it is completed. God did not send these prophets but they ran to declare a message. Prophets are typically dramatic individuals. Even today there are some that use drama and costume to gain attention (tell the story of Robert Jackson and the young preacher from Indiania). These attractive messengers may not be promoting the glory of God but rather the glory of men. He did not speak to them but they speak for him. If they had heard God, they would have spoken of God s judgment and turned the people to repentance. V God is near and far, sees everyone, fills the heavens and earth. He will not be fooled, you can t escape his gaze. He knows what is going on in your life and heart. Don t ignore His warnings and His call on your life. The Righteous Branch A godly king, from the line of David, is coming; the Righteous Branch. He will do justice and righteousness in the land. Root, stump, sprout, branch indicate heritage, geneology, DNA of David Most of David s sons (the Kings of southern Israel) were wicked this one will be righteous Act wisely, Do righteousness (holy living)

4 Do justice (rightness in relationships between people) (both are required but justice is often neglected today while the gospel is proclaimed.) Discuss the initiative of the Elders for this fall re: missional living. He will be called The Lord our righteousness (v7) Key concept in a few words. Not the Lord brings, shows, demonstrates, explains, but IS OUR Salvation involves a new identity (in Christ) and new life (new thoughts, attitude behaviors) In the new covenant God is EVEN MORE INVOLVED in bringing all this about (Jer. 31:31-34) Gal 3:27 baptised inot C. have been clothed with C. II Cor. 5:21 He became sin that we might become rightheousness in Him I Cor. 1: He is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption Lessons for LifeSpring Admonition for Our Elders and Ministers Gather the flock to the message of the Gospel, a message of grace and of commitment. Do not drive the people away from the hard messages of repentance, holiness, and sacrifice which are from the Lord. Appeal to All Listeners Be careful about the prophets you listen to. Some don t talk like God talks or live like God lives. If you listen to those that deliver only a comfortable message you will be surprised and unprepared for the punishment or discipline that the Lord brings.

5 Hear the call of the Righteous Branch To the Uncommitted consider the call to take up your cross and accept His Lordship: change of heart and obedience of life style To his Disciples accept the way of sacrifice and service; give yourself to the salvation of others thru service and testimony