The Self-Pity of a Persecuted Preacher
Dan Rodgers
Jeremiah 20:14-18
Wednesday, July 5, 2007
INTRODUCTION:
1. In our story this evening we find Jeremiah the prophet
discouraged. He is discouraged because he is being persecuted. He is being persecuted because his message had not been well received.
2. God had called Jeremiah to preach a message of judgment
against Judah (20:5).
3. Zedekiah was King of Israel at this time--and, was in fact,
the last King and worst king to ever rule over Judah.
a. God’s judgment was severe for Judah and for King
Zedekiah. Zedekiah had his eyes put out by the
Babylonians, and was carried away in chains--but not before he had witnessed the execution of his sons.
4. We can see why Jeremiah and his message were not very
well received (19:15; 20:1, 2).
5. Let’s put down a few things we find in our story about
Jeremiah:
I. His Prophecy
II. His Persecution
III. His Pity
I. JEREMIAH’S PROPHECY
A. It was not a popular message
1. God’s message is usually not very popular with
those who are unwilling to change their lives.
a. In Acts 7:54, after Stephen had delivered his
scathing message to the Jews, the Bible says, "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth."
B. It was not a pleasant message
1. There is much in the Bible that has to do with peace
and comfort. There are a lot of verses that are pleasant—they sooth our broken hearts and comfort our souls.
a. However, much of God’s Word can be unpleasant. Why? Because it goes against the grain of what we want, and what we want to do.
b. The Bible is a message from a Holy God to
sinful and unholy people. It is sometimes very unpleasant…and when you happen to be the bearer of this message, you’re not always going to be well received.
2. There are some Christians who refuse to take to
heart an unpleasant message. Th ...
Dan Rodgers
Jeremiah 20:14-18
Wednesday, July 5, 2007
INTRODUCTION:
1. In our story this evening we find Jeremiah the prophet
discouraged. He is discouraged because he is being persecuted. He is being persecuted because his message had not been well received.
2. God had called Jeremiah to preach a message of judgment
against Judah (20:5).
3. Zedekiah was King of Israel at this time--and, was in fact,
the last King and worst king to ever rule over Judah.
a. God’s judgment was severe for Judah and for King
Zedekiah. Zedekiah had his eyes put out by the
Babylonians, and was carried away in chains--but not before he had witnessed the execution of his sons.
4. We can see why Jeremiah and his message were not very
well received (19:15; 20:1, 2).
5. Let’s put down a few things we find in our story about
Jeremiah:
I. His Prophecy
II. His Persecution
III. His Pity
I. JEREMIAH’S PROPHECY
A. It was not a popular message
1. God’s message is usually not very popular with
those who are unwilling to change their lives.
a. In Acts 7:54, after Stephen had delivered his
scathing message to the Jews, the Bible says, "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth."
B. It was not a pleasant message
1. There is much in the Bible that has to do with peace
and comfort. There are a lot of verses that are pleasant—they sooth our broken hearts and comfort our souls.
a. However, much of God’s Word can be unpleasant. Why? Because it goes against the grain of what we want, and what we want to do.
b. The Bible is a message from a Holy God to
sinful and unholy people. It is sometimes very unpleasant…and when you happen to be the bearer of this message, you’re not always going to be well received.
2. There are some Christians who refuse to take to
heart an unpleasant message. Th ...
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