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What if the reason people aren't being reached isn't because they don't want Jesus, but because we've stopped finding ways to reach them.
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I'm Pastor Jason Marnet, and this isn't our Pastor My Podcast.
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I should probably give you a little warning before we get started.
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I'm a little more passionate in this sermon than I intended to be.
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I've just been a difficult season, and apparently some of that fire followed me into the pulpit.
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So I came into Sunday with this determination that darkness doesn't get the last word.
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God is still restoring people, God is still changing lives, and the church still has a mission worth giving ourselves to.
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We're starting with a simple question.
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What happens when there's somebody you desperately want to see restore to God, but there's a very real obstacle standing between you and reaching them?
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So grab your coffee, settle in, and forgive the preacher if he if he gets a little fired up this week.
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Let's hit the dirt path.
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I think at this point, most of you, you know the story of how Nicole and I met.
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Right?
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Most of you know that story.
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If you know, that's a really fun story.
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It's a really long story, but I don't have time to tell you the whole version today.
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So I'm just gonna give it to you in one terribly crafted sentence.
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Three hours of pickup lines, Christian Mingle.
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That's that's all you need to know.
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That's how Nicole and I met.
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And so after Nicole and I started dating, I thought that was the end of my days coming up with these bad, terrible pickup lines.
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But believe it or not, God gave me another fantastic use for them.
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And it was as I was working with teenagers, and I was working with a lot of these young teenage boys, and they needed to learn how to talk to girls that they were interested in.
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So I found a new direction to channel that energy to help them.
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Now, I will say I didn't just give them pickup lines, okay?
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I did teach them to be themselves.
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I did teach them to approach them and actually strike up a conversation and not be super weird about it most of the time at work, not very often.
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And I I and I also taught them that if she says no, no means no.
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Go away, right?
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But but but really also my other main point for them was too, if she says no, at least make sure she remembers you with a smile and a laugh later in life.
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You know?
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And so that was so that was what I would do.
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I would I would help these young guys out.
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I would feed them lines and send them in to watch what happened.
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Now, one of my favorite memories was with me and two of the boys.
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One of them was a high school student, one of them had just graduated.
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Both of them were homeschooled, so they they really needed some help interacting.
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And I remember one of the older boys, he we were walking through the mall together, and he sees this girl that he liked, he wanted to go talk to.
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And she worked at the Lady Footwalker, and that was a problem for him.
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He's like, but I don't have any reason to go into the Lady Footwalker.
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And so keep in mind, this kid, he had a he had a sister that was younger.
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He has a mom, right?
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Christmas comes every year, birthdays come every year, and sometimes, sometimes brothers and sons can just be nice for no reason at all.
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Right?
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Like, don't tell my sister that I said that or Nicole's sisters.
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Um, but but brothers can be nice for no reason at all.
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And so I gave I gave this kid some advice on this situation about this girl he wanted to go talk to.
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And my advice was deeply profound.
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It was you find a reason.
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You make up something, you think of a reason to go in there so you can talk to her.
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Um he did it, he didn't eventually go and talk to her, but I won't tell the rest of that story for now, but but my point to him was if if you really want to talk to this girl, if really if getting to know her and getting to know her name and wanting to go on and think this girl is really important to you, you will be creative and you will find a way.
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Right?
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That's what we do.
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That's what happens when something or someone really matters to us.
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We will find a way.
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And see, when we encounter, and sometimes though, as we're trying to find a way, we will encounter obstacles like this kid did with the lady footwalker.
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It's an obstacle.
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And sometimes an obstacle can be an excuse, but sometimes an obstacle is an obstacle.
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It means we have to stop, examine it, and figure out what we're gonna do.
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But if it really matters to us, what's really important, we will find a way to make sure that obstacle is not the end of the story.
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But too often we'll come to an obstacle and we'll say, Well, I tried.
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I tried.
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Teacher, I was gonna do my homework, but the cults were on yesterday, so I'm sorry I tried.
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Too big of an obstacle.
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Okay, that's a really poor example.
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But we come up to real obstacles that really matter, but rather than trying to find a way around, rather than trying to do other than we just like, yeah, well, oh well.
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Again, I'm not making light of obstacles, and again, I'm not making I'm not saying that you know, when we say there's an obstacle, we're just making an excuse.
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It can be a legit explanation to why this makes it hard, why this is a problem.
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But my question for us today is what happens when we run into an obstacle?
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When I'm talking about running into house, what happens when we run into an obstacle for the mission that's in front of us?
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It might be a legitimate obstacle in the way, but what are we gonna do about it?
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And I think that is the question that Jeremiah 36 is gonna answer for us today as we dig into it.
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So we're gonna be in Jeremiah chapter 36.
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I'm gonna be reading verses 1 through 7.
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And it says, it's my turn to butcher some names this morning.
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Jeremiah chapter 36, starting at verse 1, it says, In the fourth year of Judah's king, Jehaiakim, Josiah's son, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord.
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Take a scroll and write in at all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations from the time of Josiah until now.
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Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I intend to bring upon them, they will turn from their evil ways, and I will forgive their wrongdoing and sins.
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So Jeremiah sent for Baruch, Mariah's son.
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That's Jeremiah had dictated all the words that the Lord had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them in the scroll.
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Then Jeremiah told Baruch, I'm confined here and can't go to the Lord's temple.
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So you go to the temple on the next day of fasting and read the Lord's words from the scroll that I have dictated to you.
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Read them so that all the people in the temple can hear them.
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As well as all the Judeans who have come from their towns.
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If they turn from their evil ways, perhaps the Lord will hear their prayers.
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The Lord has threatened them with fierce anger.
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This is the word of God for the people of God.
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Thanks be to God.
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Alright.
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Now just notice when you read the book of Jeremiah, there's a reason why Jeremiah is known as a weeping prophet.
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There's not a whole lot in there to get excited and cheerful about, okay?
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But let me give you some context to what's going on here.
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Who here has read through the book of Jeremiah before?
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Well, if you read through the book of Jeremiah, you'll notice that Jeremiah has a very unique way of telling the story and sharing his prophecies.
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It's not written in chronological order.
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One minute you'll be talking about the fall of Jerusalem, next minute you'll be talking about his early days in ministry.
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He bounces around and sharing what God tells you to share.
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So Jeremiah is very interesting in that department.
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Now, chapter 36 actually takes place way before the chapters right before it.
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The chapters right before it and right after it talk about the fall of Jerusalem.
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Talk about the seizure of Jerusalem by Babylon.
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But here in chapter 36, Jeremiah is going back to the early days of King Jehoiakim.
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The early days of his ministry, where he first starts sharing these prophecies.
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So in verse 1, when it says in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, right?
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That's what it says in verse 1.
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To us, that doesn't mean a whole lot, right?
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It's like, okay, great.
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I can even tell you it's around the year 605, 604 BC.
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That's what year it happened around.
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I just told you that date.
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You're probably thinking, okay, great, I don't care.
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This isn't history class.
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There's no quiz going to take place.
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I'm not going to remember that date.
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But to the Jewish people, to God's people living in Jerusalem at this time, this is a date they remember.
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This isn't a date that's important to them.
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Why?
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Because this is the year that Egypt gets defeated by Babylon.
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See, up to this point, God's people are kind of a vassal state.
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Matter of fact, Jehoiakim is made king.
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Yes, he's the son of Josiah, a very godly and righteous king that loved the Lord.
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But Jehoiakim is made king because Egypt takes power and puts him on the throne.
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And all of a sudden, this bigger nation that was their protector and their watchers, all of a sudden, they just got whooped by the Babylonians.
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So this is at the doorstep of a national crisis.
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They know this is not a good situation for them to be in.
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They are concerned.
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You see, Jeremiah, he'd been warning Judah for years that they need to repent to turn to God.
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Because remember, God's people have a covenant with God.
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It's basically, I will be your God, you'll be my people, right?
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But but for that, God's like, I'll be there for you, I'll be with you.
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I've built my temple here to show you my presence is here.
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But this promises covenant is only gonna work is if you keep your side of it too.
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And God's people don't keep their side of it.
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So Jeremiah's task is trying to tell these people that think they're okay because they have God's temple in their country that they're not okay.
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You can imagine that made him very popular.
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That's sarcasm if you didn't know that.
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He was not very popular.
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Yeah.
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So let's move into verse two here.
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I could camp out in the context section of that sermon all day to it, because there's so much there, but that'd be boring for you all and exciting for me.
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So verse 2.
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This is this is kind of the meat of the text we're gonna start getting into here.
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It says, take God tells Jeremiah, take a scroll and write in it all the words I have spoken to you.
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Remember, Jeremiah, this is so for Jeremiah, God's not saying, Hey, I need you to go write a new sermon for today.
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He's saying, remember all those messages I gave you before?
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It's time to write them down.
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I want you to write them down so the people can hear them, so people can read them.
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Remember, Jeremiah's been preaching this, he's been saying it, he's been talking about it.
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And God's like, alright, that's not working.
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They're not paying attention, so let's try writing it down.
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And so Jeremiah's message, the message that God gave Jeremiah to give them, the message itself isn't changing.
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The message is staying the same, but you know what is changing?
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How that message is getting delivered.
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It's going to be delivered in a different way now.
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So that's what God tells Jeremiah in verse 2.
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Then you go on to verse 3.
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And actually in verse 3, he tells us why God wants Jeremiah to do this.
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He says, Perhaps they will turn from their evil ways and I will forgive them.
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So Jeremiah's been preaching all these messages about, hey, if you don't stop doing what you're doing and turn back to God, bad things are going to happen to you.
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It's a message of warning, right?
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It's a message of, you know, there are consequences to sin and disobedience.
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Following God doesn't mean you're going to do whatever you want.
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Just having the temple of God doesn't make you immune from committing sin and doing things that displease God.
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So that's the message Jeremiah's been saying.
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But he's not saying it because he's trying to scare him straight.
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Because here's the thing: when you scare people, when you use fear to try and manipulate people, it only works for a little while.
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It only works while they're afraid.
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But when fear wears off, so does the commitment.
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But understand God's heart behind this warning, the reason he gives this message is not because God wants to destroy them.
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We don't serve a God that's sitting up there with a newspaper waiting to swatch you and smash you like a bug or strike you with a lightning bolt.
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No, God gives this message to Jeremiah because God's heart is God wants to restore the relationship between him and his people.
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That is always God's heart.
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Yes, we serve a God that is all-powerful and almighty, but you know what governs God's power and his mightiness?
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He doesn't just use his power to put it on display and say, I'm the one in charge.
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God uses his power to display his love.
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His love is what controls his power.
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This is a side quest.
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I might have a few of these today, but you see, we live in a world that bases everything on who has the power, who's in charge.
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That's not the way God's kingdom operates.
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God's kingdom operates like who loves the most.
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That's not my notes.
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We'll keep going.
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Alright, verse two.
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So again, this message, it's not changing, it's the delivery is changing based on what God wants him to say.
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But God's heart is still the same, no matter what the message says.
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And then that those words are interesting, right?
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That word perhaps.
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God's giving them a genuine opportunity.
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He's gonna, he's like, he's like, I'm giving you this chance to stop what you're doing and turn around.
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And that word turn literally means turn back or return.
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So again, this verse gives a glimpse into God's heart.
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So we know God God gave this, God gave his word to Jeremiah again, changed the delivery system.
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Now Jeremiah is supposed to share it with the people.
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But Jeremiah has a problem.
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He has a very big problem.
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In verse 5, it tells us what the problem is.
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Jeremiah says, I'm confined here and I can't go to the Lord's temple.
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Now, if you're like me and ask questions, I was that kid in Sunday school class that always asked the teacher a thousand questions because I always had a thousand questions.
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And I would have asked the teacher, well, why can't Jeremiah go to the temple?
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Why can't he do it?
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Well, we don't really, no one really knows for sure why you can't go there.
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So my confident answer to you today is we don't know why he couldn't go there.
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Give you some of the speculate things.
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It may have been possible he was ceremonially unclean, right?
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For a Jewish person to be unclean meant they couldn't go to the temple.
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Like they touched a dead body or they touched something that was considered unclean.
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That would make them unclean, so they couldn't go to the temple.
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So that might be why Jeremiah couldn't go.
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Personally, now again, this is this is speculative theology.
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I can't prove this to you.
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This is just based on what I know about Jeremiah and the book of Jeremiah.
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I think Jeremiah couldn't go to the temple because the last time they went, they tried the killing.
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And to understand why they tried to kill him, he went to the temple and he and basically his sermon, and you can read this earlier in the book of Jeremiah, he's like, his sermon is, you think you're safe because you have the temple.
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This building means nothing without following the God who gave it to you.
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That's the sermon he preached in the temple to the people that were leaders of the temple.
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You can kind of imagine how they responded.
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They loved it so much they tried to kill him.
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So that's how that went.
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So I personally I think that's why he's like, I can't go back there.
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If I go back there, I'm not even gonna get a chance to talk, they're gonna lock me up, burn the scroll, and kill me.
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But now we have a problem, don't we?
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Because God gave Jeremiah this word that he was supposed to write down, take it to the temple and share with God's people, because God's heart was for these people to turn away from the path of destruction that they were on and follow God.
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But Jeremiah says, I can't go there.
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He runs into this obstacle.
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But understand something, the obstacle didn't change Jeremiah's mission, didn't change the goal behind it, it didn't diminish God's word.
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It meant Jeremiah had to find a way.
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So in verses 6 and 7, and I'll kind of give you a fill in a little bit of this, Jeremiah calls for Baruch, right?
00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.440
Baruch is a scribe.
00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.440
He's a professional writer.
00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.759
Kind of Jeremiah's secretary.
00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:44.240
And actually, a lot of scholars believe he really helped write much of the book of Jeremiah.
00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:50.240
In fact, one of my commentaries refers to the later part of Jeremiah as the book of Baruch instead of the book of Jeremiah.
00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:58.880
And so he comes and actually when Jeremiah starts writing, having, you know, having all his sermons wrote down, it's Baruch who records them.
00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.400
He just dictates them to him.
00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:05.359
And as this is taking place, I don't know if it happens immediately or if it happened before he got there.
00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:10.559
This is a plan, but somewhere along the lines, Jeremiah realizes I can't go to the temple.
00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:13.359
But Baruch can.
00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:19.759
My voice, what God wanted me to say, is already wrote down on this scroll thing.
00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:21.359
It's already written in this book.
00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.400
I can't go there and read it, but you know you can, Baruch can.
00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:28.559
So he simply tells Baru, hey, I want you to take this there.
00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:34.640
On the day of fasting, which I think I skipped that part on the slide because that but that was important.
00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:37.200
And he tells him to go on the day of fasting.
00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:44.400
Now we don't know if this was an annual day of fasting or if it was an emergency call to fasting.
00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:46.559
Because again, remember what just happened, right?
00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:49.599
The Babylonians whooped up on the Egyptians.
00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:51.359
And so the man the nation's in a panic.
00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.240
They know they're in trouble.
00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:56.880
They've been hearing Jeremiah's messages for a few years up to this point.
00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:04.000
And so, because the nation was scared, oftentimes the Jewish officials say, hey, let's just do a national fast.
00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:08.000
Let's all just go and pray, cry out to God, and see what God does.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:13.119
But for whatever reason, there's there's a national fast that's been declared.
00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:17.359
And so all these people are gonna be at the temple on this day, and Jeremiah knows this.
00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:24.240
Jeremiah knows I can't go there, but this is the opportunity to read this scroll so as many people can hear it as they can.
00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:38.559
So again, rather than try and go and do it himself, because he couldn't, because the obstacle was real, Jeremiah found a way, and his way was I'm gonna give this to Mark, and Baruch's gonna go and then he's gonna read.
00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:43.279
And he tells them, read them, read them so all the people can hear them.
00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:47.599
Because if they turn from their evil ways, perhaps the Lord will hear their prayers.
00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.319
There's something beautiful about that.
00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.119
Because do you know something?
00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:56.799
Verse 3 and verse 7 essentially say the same thing.
00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.119
What was God's desire?
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:06.400
God was desirous for his people to turn back from their evil ways and be restored to the covenant with him.
00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:10.960
And here in this last of this last verse we're looking at this morning, it's verse 7.
00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:15.279
The prophet's heart is the same heart as God's heart.
00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:18.000
His heart is aligned with God's heart.
00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.839
He wants what God wants.
00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.440
God wants the people restored.
00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:24.319
Jeremiah wants to see the people restored.
00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:33.839
You see, the prophet's heart is aligned with God's heart.
00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.920
His mission is God's mission.
00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:38.240
The message is God's message.
00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:51.279
You see, Jeremiah loves God, he loves his neighbor, he loves his country, he loves his countrymen, and he loves them so much that he knows that they have this not just because God's told him, he knows because his heart's aligned with God's heart.
00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:55.839
He knows this message he has is so important, somebody has to tell them.
00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.279
He knows I can't go.
00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.799
There's this real obstacle, right?
00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:00.079
I can't go there.
00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:02.880
But this message has to be told.
00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:10.240
And I care, I love him so much, I care so much that I'm going to send Baruch to do it for me to make sure that they hear this message.
00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:24.319
Jeremiah doesn't get to the obstacle of I can't go to the temple and say, oh well, I tried.
00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:31.680
No, his inability to go to the temple matters less because the people beyond it matter more.
00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:34.960
Right?
00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:42.960
He cares more about making sure the people hear what God wants them to hear than the obstacle itself.
00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:46.000
So he finds a way.
00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:58.480
That is our lesson in this passage for us today.
00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:03.119
You see, you and I, we have the complete good news of Jesus Christ.
00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:03.920
Right?
00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:07.039
We know that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:11.680
We know that he rose again, trampling death and giving us victory.
00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:21.039
We know that he rose again and sent the Holy Spirit, and now we can live in triumphal victory over sin and death in our life, not just later, but here and now.
00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:24.400
That is the complete good news of Jesus Christ.
00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.799
We have that, we possess it.
00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:34.480
Not of our own abilities, not of our own ingenuity, but of God's grace and our faith in Jesus.
00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:45.599
And to be honest, though, God's message now really isn't that different from Jeremiah's message.
00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.240
Right?
00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:50.559
Like we have a fuller picture, but Jeremiah's message is the same message.
00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.720
He's saying the same thing.
00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:59.359
Our God is not about destruction.
00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.440
He's not about destruction.
00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.960
He's not about destroying people.
00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:12.799
Yes, there is a difference between a sinner who doesn't repent and dies and a believer who professes faith and walks in that faith.
00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.839
There is a difference, right?
00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.039
There's a different destination.
00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:17.039
I'm not denying that today.
00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:23.200
But God, I understand God's will is not for that person to die and go to hell.
00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:25.039
That's not what God wants.
00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:29.440
If God wanted that, he wouldn't have sent Jesus to provide a way around that.
00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:37.200
What God wants is for each and every one of us to put our faith in Jesus and then we be restored to a relationship with God.
00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.759
God wants those outside the faith to turn toward him.
00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:51.359
Everyone outside the faith to turn toward him.
00:25:55.359 --> 00:26:02.640
And here's the thing: if their restoration matters to God, it should matter to us.
00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:11.200
And if it matters to us, it should matter to us to find a way to share the good news with them.
00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.799
Again, I'm not talking about forcing things to happen, right?
00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:20.400
I'm not talking about being a spiritual SWAT team kicking down people's doors.
00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.759
Be like, go to church.
00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:28.640
I had a friend one time that missed Sunday school, and one of the Sunday school teachers went to his house, got in his bedroom, and drug him out and got him on the church fan.
00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.920
I'm not talking about doing that.
00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.000
That kid's not in church to this day.
00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:38.160
I'm not saying that was the reason for it, but that was not exactly a good picture of what God wants us to do.
00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:42.000
We don't need to be like this polar bear trying to get to this guy.
00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:47.039
If I was the guy, I'd be a little leery of the polar bear telling me about, I want to talk to you about Jesus too.
00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.160
I'm not so sure.
00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:50.240
I think the polar bear is ready for lunch.
00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:53.440
Which I should have said lunch, but now you're all ready for lunch, so.
00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.119
Oops.
00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.240
Alright.
00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:00.160
So I'm not talking about forcing things to happen.
00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:03.200
I'm not talking about spiritual SWAT teams to kick down the words.
00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:11.440
But my question is, because of this passage, is how deeply are we committed to getting the message of Jesus to the people who need it most?
00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.599
How committed to that are you?
00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:17.680
How committed to that am I?
00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:22.400
And remember, verses three and seven, right?
00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:24.079
Verse three shows God's heart.
00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:27.440
God's heart is that all people, that his people be restored to him.
00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:30.559
And we know through Jesus that that extends to all people.
00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:33.200
Verse 7 shows the prophet, right?
00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.880
His heart is aligned with God's heart.
00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:37.359
And what does the prophet want when his heart's aligned with God's heart?
00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:39.440
He wants to see people restored to God.
00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:45.359
He wants to see his countrymen off the brink of destruction and walking in relationship with their God.
00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:56.559
It's that desire for restoration that should drive our effort.
00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:00.799
That's what I'm talking about this morning.
00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:10.400
If our desire is to really to get the good news of Jesus Christ to lost and broken people, then that should be the effort that drives us above everything else.
00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:14.079
Everything else should bow to that one mission.
00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:16.720
Everything else should fit into that mission.
00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:21.599
Seeing lost people saved is not the side mission of the church.
00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.640
It is the mission.
00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.480
There is no other mission.
00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:30.079
And if we get focused on anything else, we're focused on the wrong things.
00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:35.599
And when we get focused on the wrong things, the church stops paying the church and it starts becoming a country club.
00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:37.759
It starts becoming a museum.
00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:43.599
And I'll be honest with you, I am a pastor that has zero interest in being a museum caretaker.
00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:48.480
I have zero interest in being a part of a church that has no interest in reaching lost people.
00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.079
I am here for one reason only.
00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:56.160
I've been called for one reason only, and that is to share the good news of Jesus with anyone and everyone who can hear them.
00:28:57.440 --> 00:29:01.359
And I will do whatever it takes to get in front of one more person.
00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:12.720
Not because I want it to be cool, not because I want to be popular.
00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:14.640
I couldn't give a care about my name.
00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.359
I don't care.
00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.880
Matter of fact, my dirt, my my social media house called the Dirt Path Pastor.
00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.519
You know why?
00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:21.839
I don't care that they don't know my name.
00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:25.440
I want them to know Jesus.
00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.799
Because I can't save them.
00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.400
Our church really can't save.
00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:32.240
We know who can save if Jesus can.
00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:41.359
It's that desire for restoration that drives the effort.
00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:48.319
Because finding a way is not about attendance or programs, it's about people.
00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.319
That's what it boils down to.
00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.440
It's about people.
00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:58.799
Not just people collecting, the individual person.
00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:04.559
And you have to go to them one by one because no one is the same.
00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:10.240
And they all come with a different story, they all come with different hurts and different problems, but you have to go to them one by one.
00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.039
How do I know that?
00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:13.039
Because that's what Jesus did.
00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:24.480
God's heart for people has to become our heart.
00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:28.160
You see, we can know the message.
00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:35.039
But we can do so with a heart that lacks the commitment and love for those who need it.
00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:40.480
Do we genuinely want to see people restored?
00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:45.119
And here's the thing, obstacles demonstrate our desires.
00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.720
Right?
00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:53.759
When we come up to an obstacle and try to reach someone for Jesus, do we say, oh well, too bad.
00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.480
Well, I tried.
00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:03.279
Yeah, I'm not I'm not trying to diminish the obstacle.
00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:05.440
I'm not trying to say we're making excuses, right?
00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:12.160
Because there are sometimes real obstacles that you're gonna run into, real problems that you're gonna have to address and work through.
00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:20.319
But I don't think we can get to heaven and say to God that we gave it our best when we said, oh well, I tried.
00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:34.160
If that's a response, do we when we were when we get to option, is that how we respond, or do we respond like our neighbor's life depends on it?
00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.079
Think about it.
00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:41.359
If you were watching your neighbor's house get flooded and watching them get washed down the stream, would you just stand there and watch them?
00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:46.000
Would you do everything you could to try and get them out of that river to a safe spot?
00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:50.400
What would you do?
00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:55.920
You would do everything, I hope, to try and save them.
00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:58.319
Think about the firefighters, right?
00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.799
Actually, 9-11 just passed.
00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.839
That building, those buildings were on fire.
00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:05.920
They could collapse at any minute, but you know what?
00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:08.000
You see video after video of them walking inside.
00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.559
You know why?
00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:12.240
Because someone's life depended on them getting in there and getting to them.
00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:21.359
That's the desperation I'm talking about.
00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:31.279
And it can't just be the pastor or the associate pastor, it can't just be the church board, it has to be every single one of us who call ourselves by the name of Jesus.
00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:33.759
We have to have that same desperation.
00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:40.160
If we want to carry on the faith tradition that was handed down to us by the apostles, that's who we have to become.
00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:45.359
If we want to reach this broken, messed up world that we live in with all these problems.
00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:48.480
If you want to do that, that's who we have to become.
00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.839
Why do we have to become that?
00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.359
Why is it that way?
00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:57.599
It's because we see it in Jesus.
00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:59.519
Jesus shows us God's heart.
00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.200
That's who our God is.
00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:01.920
Right?
00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:05.359
We were so lost in sin that we did not know we needed God.
00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:08.400
But God didn't say, oh well, he didn't say, I tried.
00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.039
What did he do?
00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:10.640
He sent his one and only son.
00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.759
He took it.
00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:16.640
But as in John 1.14, it says, the word became flesh and made his home among us.
00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:20.960
God became flesh and crossed the distance.
00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.279
Why?
00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:23.759
Because our restoration mattered that much to him.
00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:26.079
He was that desperate to do it.
00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:31.920
So if that's God's heart, that needs to be what our heart is becoming.
00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:37.759
I'm not sitting here telling you I achieved it or I'm right there.
00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:40.079
There's still moments where Jason gets in the way.
00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:54.319
But when I decided to follow Jesus, when I was sanctified to God, I surrendered my will to you.
00:33:54.880 --> 00:34:01.680
I stood before that group of people at my ordination service and made a promise before God, the Church of the Nazarene.
00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:07.279
My promise was my life, my everything is given to Jesus to see one more person get saved.
00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:09.119
And that's all that happens in my ministry.
00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:11.360
One more person makes it, it was worth it.
00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:19.920
And if that's God's heart, that needs to be what our heart is becoming.
00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:23.920
So right now, I want you to think about someone in your life right now.
00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.599
One person.
00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.920
Maybe it's a family member.
00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:33.599
Maybe it's a friend, a neighbor, or someone you work with.
00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:36.239
And hey, maybe it's someone you've invited before.
00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:38.880
Maybe it's somebody you've been praying for for a long time.
00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:42.000
And again, I understand.
00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:44.880
I'm not saying that you haven't tried.
00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.639
I'm not saying you haven't tried your hardest.
00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:48.559
I'm not saying that's not what you want.
00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:54.880
And I come across a little harsher today than I have intended to.
00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:58.320
But hopefully you hear the hope behind this is this.
00:34:58.559 --> 00:35:00.800
My call to you is don't give up.
00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:04.480
Don't give up because you run into an obstacle.
00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:07.599
That obstacle is not the end of the story.
00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:11.760
That obstacle isn't a spot where you say, well, well, I tried, I give up now.
00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:24.800
Who do you generally want to see restored to God?
00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:28.400
Now we guys talk about now what is the obstacle?
00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:31.599
What's between them and Jesus?
00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.960
Again, I know, I know you're thinking.
00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.599
I've been there too.
00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:42.639
I've tried and I've tried.
00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:44.320
I've done everything I know to do.
00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:49.119
Again, I'm not I'm not diminishing how how how real that is.
00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:59.920
But right now, I want you in your mind, I want you to bring that person and bring that obstacle before God and ask, God, is there another way?
00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:02.320
Show me something.
00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:06.719
Again, this is not about forcing something to happen, right?
00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:09.920
You can't force somebody to give their life to Jesus.
00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:14.800
It's what this is about, it's about not giving up.
00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:22.079
Actually, one of my favorite movies, you'd be shocked to know this, it's a football movie.
00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:24.239
It's called Friday Night Lights.
00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:27.119
It's about a high school football team in Texas.
00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:36.079
And they they're projected to go win the state championship that year, but their starter running back gets hurt in the very first game of the season, the very first drive.
00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:40.639
And so this whole movie, they scrap and they claw and they barely make the playoffs.
00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:47.679
They get in the playoffs, they run the table, get all the way to the championship game, and they're up against this team from Dallas that's just, they look like they're the Dallas Cowboys.
00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:50.079
But for the movie, they probably were the Dallas Cowboys.
00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:54.000
Probably just as good as the Dallas Cowboys, which that was a knock at the Dallas Cowboys.
00:36:54.079 --> 00:37:00.159
But um, anyway, this team was big, and in the first half of this game, this team is getting whooped.
00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:02.159
They're getting it handed to them.
00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:10.239
And they go in the locker room, and the coach gets to the front of the room, and he says, I'm probably gonna butcher it.
00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:12.480
If you watch it, you'll you'll you'll be able to see it.
00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:18.079
But he says something to the effect of, boys, I want you to look at each of your teammates and each of your coaches in the eyes.
00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:34.079
I want you to to leave that field today, knowing that you get you did everything that you could, that there wasn't one more thing you could have done out there on that field.
00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:38.159
I want you to look at them with love in your hearts.
00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:42.400
I want you to be able to walk away from that game with love in your hearts because love drove you.
00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:47.199
You did it for them, you did it for each other.
00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:49.360
And I think that's what Jesus is calling you to.
00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:51.920
That's what what Jeremiah is about, right?
00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:55.039
He he loved his countrymen so much that he found a way.
00:37:58.960 --> 00:38:03.280
It's about us not looking back and knowing it's about us, yeah.
00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:05.760
It's about us looking back and knowing that we did everything.
00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:09.119
We are so compelled by love that we did everything we could.
00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:12.480
We held nothing back to try and get them to Jesus.
00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:18.639
Again, it's not about getting something getting someone to come and warm pew.
00:38:19.199 --> 00:38:20.320
I wouldn't mind that, right?
00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:22.079
You want to get people to Jesus.
00:38:22.159 --> 00:38:24.239
At least if you get them in here, they're gonna hear.
00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:33.920
If your preacher's worth anything, that's not about warming the pew, it's about seeing them restored to God.
00:38:34.159 --> 00:38:36.159
Seeing them redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:39.119
It's about seeing them set free by the power of the Holy Spirit.
00:38:39.199 --> 00:38:39.840
That's what I'm about.
00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:41.280
That's what I want to see.
00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:46.480
And sometimes that starts with just a little bit of a crawl.
00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:50.880
I get just as excited when I see that happen.
00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:57.360
So again, ask God, is there another way I can reach them?
00:38:58.559 --> 00:39:09.679
Because here's the thing, because before we ever start looking for another way, before we have the heart to do that, before we know that desire is taken from us, we have to believe that God has not given up on that person.
00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:13.199
If God's not given up, we can't.
00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.920
Remember your person.
00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:18.159
Pray for them.
00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:23.119
Look at the obstacle honestly, then ask God to help you find a way.
00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:29.360
Because if your restoration matters to God, it should matter enough to us to find a way.
00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:31.679
Share the message of Jesus with them.
00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:40.639
Before you move on with your day, I want to give you a moment to respond.
00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:44.159
During the message, I asked you to think about your person.
00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:48.239
Who is the person you desperately want to see restored to God?
00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:52.800
What is the obstacle standing between them and being reached?
00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:56.000
Don't just move on from those questions.
00:39:56.320 --> 00:39:58.000
Carry that person with you this week.
00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.280
Pray for them.
00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:03.599
And bring the obstacle honestly before God and ask, is there another way?
00:40:04.559 --> 00:40:07.039
But maybe as you listen today, you realize something else.
00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:10.480
Maybe you are the person who needs to be restored to God.
00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:14.559
Maybe nobody's ever actually invited you to follow Jesus.
00:40:15.679 --> 00:40:19.199
Maybe you've listened to sermons, been around Christians, or even spent time in church.
00:40:19.760 --> 00:40:21.440
But you've never made the decision yourself.
00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:24.559
Then let me be the person who invites you today.
00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.639
Jesus came for you.
00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:29.360
God has not given up on you.
00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:34.880
Whatever your story has been, whatever you've done, and how far away from God you believe you are.
00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:39.760
You can turn toward him.
00:40:40.239 --> 00:40:41.840
You can receive his forgiveness.
00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:44.159
And you can begin following Jesus today.
00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:46.559
You don't need perfect words.
00:40:47.360 --> 00:40:48.800
You simply need to come honestly.
00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:50.079
Let's pray together.
00:40:50.719 --> 00:40:53.599
Lord, thank you that you are a God who seeks and restores.
00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:59.840
Thank you that when we were lost, you did not remain distant from us, but you came to us in Jesus.
00:41:01.199 --> 00:41:04.079
For the person listening to us, someone on their heart right now.
00:41:04.719 --> 00:41:06.559
Give them your heart for that person.
00:41:07.119 --> 00:41:09.920
Give them wisdom when they f the way forward seems blocked.
00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:15.039
And show them where you're already working, and give them the courage and love to follow your lead.
00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:22.800
And for the person who realizes today that they need your restoring grace, meet them right where they are.
00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:25.360
As they turn towards you, forgive their sins.
00:41:25.840 --> 00:41:28.719
Make them new and help them begin walking with Jesus.
00:41:29.280 --> 00:41:33.119
Fill them with your spirit and surround them with people who will help them grow.
00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:36.800
And make all of us into people who love others with your love.
00:41:37.119 --> 00:41:40.800
A love that refuses to give up when restoration still matters to you.
00:41:44.079 --> 00:41:47.199
If you decide to follow Jesus today, please don't keep that to yourself.
00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:53.760
I will love to hear from you and help you figure out what taking uh what taking your next steps with Jesus can look like.
00:41:54.639 --> 00:41:56.079
You can connect with me by email.
00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:58.400
That's dirtpathpastor at gmail.com.
00:41:58.559 --> 00:42:01.760
Again, dirtpathpastor at gmail.com all over case.
00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:04.800
Or find the dirtpathpastor on TikTok and Facebook.
00:42:07.119 --> 00:42:09.920
And just remember your personal tweak.
00:42:10.239 --> 00:42:11.920
Keep praying, keep loving.
00:42:12.239 --> 00:42:15.199
And don't be discouraged by the obstacle in front of you.
00:42:15.440 --> 00:42:18.960
The God who came looking for us is still at work restoring people.
00:42:19.840 --> 00:42:21.440
So keep walking the dirt path.
00:42:21.599 --> 00:42:23.360
Keep carrying the good news of Jesus.
00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:27.679
And when the way you expect is blocked, ask God if there is another way.
00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:31.519
Until next time, grace and peace be in the name of Jesus.
00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:37.199
Thank you for listening to this episode for that time podcast.
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:07.280
What if the reason people aren't being reached isn't because they don't want Jesus, but because we've stopped finding ways to reach them.
00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:10.640
I'm Pastor Jason Marnet, and this isn't our Pastor My Podcast.
00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:26.159
I should probably give you a little warning before we get started.
00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:29.359
I'm a little more passionate in this sermon than I intended to be.
00:01:29.599 --> 00:01:33.840
I've just been a difficult season, and apparently some of that fire followed me into the pulpit.
00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:38.640
So I came into Sunday with this determination that darkness doesn't get the last word.
00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:45.439
God is still restoring people, God is still changing lives, and the church still has a mission worth giving ourselves to.
00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:01.040
We're starting with a simple question.
00:02:01.519 --> 00:02:09.120
What happens when there's somebody you desperately want to see restore to God, but there's a very real obstacle standing between you and reaching them?
00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:14.960
So grab your coffee, settle in, and forgive the preacher if he if he gets a little fired up this week.
00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:16.800
Let's hit the dirt path.
00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:28.800
I think at this point, most of you, you know the story of how Nicole and I met.
00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:29.360
Right?
00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:30.319
Most of you know that story.
00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:32.479
If you know, that's a really fun story.
00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.879
It's a really long story, but I don't have time to tell you the whole version today.
00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:41.280
So I'm just gonna give it to you in one terribly crafted sentence.
00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.719
Three hours of pickup lines, Christian Mingle.
00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:45.919
That's that's all you need to know.
00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:47.680
That's how Nicole and I met.
00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:56.879
And so after Nicole and I started dating, I thought that was the end of my days coming up with these bad, terrible pickup lines.
00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:02.319
But believe it or not, God gave me another fantastic use for them.
00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:13.439
And it was as I was working with teenagers, and I was working with a lot of these young teenage boys, and they needed to learn how to talk to girls that they were interested in.
00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:18.879
So I found a new direction to channel that energy to help them.
00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:23.439
Now, I will say I didn't just give them pickup lines, okay?
00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:25.520
I did teach them to be themselves.
00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:35.840
I did teach them to approach them and actually strike up a conversation and not be super weird about it most of the time at work, not very often.
00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:41.439
And I I and I also taught them that if she says no, no means no.
00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:42.960
Go away, right?
00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:54.400
But but but really also my other main point for them was too, if she says no, at least make sure she remembers you with a smile and a laugh later in life.
00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:55.120
You know?
00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:57.680
And so that was so that was what I would do.
00:03:57.759 --> 00:03:59.919
I would I would help these young guys out.
00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:03.840
I would feed them lines and send them in to watch what happened.
00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:09.439
Now, one of my favorite memories was with me and two of the boys.
00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.800
One of them was a high school student, one of them had just graduated.
00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:18.560
Both of them were homeschooled, so they they really needed some help interacting.
00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:27.680
And I remember one of the older boys, he we were walking through the mall together, and he sees this girl that he liked, he wanted to go talk to.
00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:33.839
And she worked at the Lady Footwalker, and that was a problem for him.
00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:41.920
He's like, but I don't have any reason to go into the Lady Footwalker.
00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:51.519
And so keep in mind, this kid, he had a he had a sister that was younger.
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He has a mom, right?
00:04:54.639 --> 00:05:03.279
Christmas comes every year, birthdays come every year, and sometimes, sometimes brothers and sons can just be nice for no reason at all.
00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:04.480
Right?
00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:08.079
Like, don't tell my sister that I said that or Nicole's sisters.
00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.519
Um, but but brothers can be nice for no reason at all.
00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:19.199
And so I gave I gave this kid some advice on this situation about this girl he wanted to go talk to.
00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:21.519
And my advice was deeply profound.
00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:24.560
It was you find a reason.
00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:30.560
You make up something, you think of a reason to go in there so you can talk to her.
00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:54.959
Um he did it, he didn't eventually go and talk to her, but I won't tell the rest of that story for now, but but my point to him was if if you really want to talk to this girl, if really if getting to know her and getting to know her name and wanting to go on and think this girl is really important to you, you will be creative and you will find a way.
00:05:56.079 --> 00:05:56.720
Right?
00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:58.399
That's what we do.
00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:05.519
That's what happens when something or someone really matters to us.
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We will find a way.
00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:15.519
And see, when we encounter, and sometimes though, as we're trying to find a way, we will encounter obstacles like this kid did with the lady footwalker.
00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:17.040
It's an obstacle.
00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:24.079
And sometimes an obstacle can be an excuse, but sometimes an obstacle is an obstacle.
00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:27.519
It means we have to stop, examine it, and figure out what we're gonna do.
00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:35.680
But if it really matters to us, what's really important, we will find a way to make sure that obstacle is not the end of the story.
00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:44.319
But too often we'll come to an obstacle and we'll say, Well, I tried.
00:06:47.839 --> 00:06:48.639
I tried.
00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:54.160
Teacher, I was gonna do my homework, but the cults were on yesterday, so I'm sorry I tried.
00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:56.560
Too big of an obstacle.
00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:58.399
Okay, that's a really poor example.
00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:06.399
But we come up to real obstacles that really matter, but rather than trying to find a way around, rather than trying to do other than we just like, yeah, well, oh well.
00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:21.439
Again, I'm not making light of obstacles, and again, I'm not making I'm not saying that you know, when we say there's an obstacle, we're just making an excuse.
00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:26.800
It can be a legit explanation to why this makes it hard, why this is a problem.
00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:33.839
But my question for us today is what happens when we run into an obstacle?
00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:40.319
When I'm talking about running into house, what happens when we run into an obstacle for the mission that's in front of us?
00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:47.120
It might be a legitimate obstacle in the way, but what are we gonna do about it?
00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:52.800
And I think that is the question that Jeremiah 36 is gonna answer for us today as we dig into it.
00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:55.199
So we're gonna be in Jeremiah chapter 36.
00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:58.079
I'm gonna be reading verses 1 through 7.
00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:03.439
And it says, it's my turn to butcher some names this morning.
00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:18.480
Jeremiah chapter 36, starting at verse 1, it says, In the fourth year of Judah's king, Jehaiakim, Josiah's son, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord.
00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:28.959
Take a scroll and write in at all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations from the time of Josiah until now.
00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:40.480
Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I intend to bring upon them, they will turn from their evil ways, and I will forgive their wrongdoing and sins.
00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:44.080
So Jeremiah sent for Baruch, Mariah's son.
00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:50.879
That's Jeremiah had dictated all the words that the Lord had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them in the scroll.
00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:55.840
Then Jeremiah told Baruch, I'm confined here and can't go to the Lord's temple.
00:08:56.240 --> 00:09:03.679
So you go to the temple on the next day of fasting and read the Lord's words from the scroll that I have dictated to you.
00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.919
Read them so that all the people in the temple can hear them.
00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:11.600
As well as all the Judeans who have come from their towns.
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If they turn from their evil ways, perhaps the Lord will hear their prayers.
00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:18.399
The Lord has threatened them with fierce anger.
00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:21.200
This is the word of God for the people of God.
00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:22.399
Thanks be to God.
00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:22.879
Alright.
00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:27.679
Now just notice when you read the book of Jeremiah, there's a reason why Jeremiah is known as a weeping prophet.
00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.360
There's not a whole lot in there to get excited and cheerful about, okay?
00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:34.960
But let me give you some context to what's going on here.
00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:38.240
Who here has read through the book of Jeremiah before?
00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:48.159
Well, if you read through the book of Jeremiah, you'll notice that Jeremiah has a very unique way of telling the story and sharing his prophecies.
00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:50.960
It's not written in chronological order.
00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:56.080
One minute you'll be talking about the fall of Jerusalem, next minute you'll be talking about his early days in ministry.
00:09:56.320 --> 00:10:00.240
He bounces around and sharing what God tells you to share.
00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:05.600
So Jeremiah is very interesting in that department.
00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:18.559
Now, chapter 36 actually takes place way before the chapters right before it.
00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:22.639
The chapters right before it and right after it talk about the fall of Jerusalem.
00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:25.840
Talk about the seizure of Jerusalem by Babylon.
00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:32.559
But here in chapter 36, Jeremiah is going back to the early days of King Jehoiakim.
00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:37.360
The early days of his ministry, where he first starts sharing these prophecies.
00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:42.159
So in verse 1, when it says in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, right?
00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:44.159
That's what it says in verse 1.
00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:47.200
To us, that doesn't mean a whole lot, right?
00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:49.279
It's like, okay, great.
00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:54.000
I can even tell you it's around the year 605, 604 BC.
00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.440
That's what year it happened around.
00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.480
I just told you that date.
00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:59.279
You're probably thinking, okay, great, I don't care.
00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.039
This isn't history class.
00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:02.639
There's no quiz going to take place.
00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:04.879
I'm not going to remember that date.
00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:12.720
But to the Jewish people, to God's people living in Jerusalem at this time, this is a date they remember.
00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:15.120
This isn't a date that's important to them.
00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:15.679
Why?
00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:21.039
Because this is the year that Egypt gets defeated by Babylon.
00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:24.960
See, up to this point, God's people are kind of a vassal state.
00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.960
Matter of fact, Jehoiakim is made king.
00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:30.960
Yes, he's the son of Josiah, a very godly and righteous king that loved the Lord.
00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:36.080
But Jehoiakim is made king because Egypt takes power and puts him on the throne.
00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:48.240
And all of a sudden, this bigger nation that was their protector and their watchers, all of a sudden, they just got whooped by the Babylonians.
00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.399
So this is at the doorstep of a national crisis.
00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:57.120
They know this is not a good situation for them to be in.
00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.720
They are concerned.
00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:10.720
You see, Jeremiah, he'd been warning Judah for years that they need to repent to turn to God.
00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:13.759
Because remember, God's people have a covenant with God.
00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.960
It's basically, I will be your God, you'll be my people, right?
00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:20.240
But but for that, God's like, I'll be there for you, I'll be with you.
00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:23.120
I've built my temple here to show you my presence is here.
00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:27.759
But this promises covenant is only gonna work is if you keep your side of it too.
00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:30.879
And God's people don't keep their side of it.
00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:40.559
So Jeremiah's task is trying to tell these people that think they're okay because they have God's temple in their country that they're not okay.
00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:46.960
You can imagine that made him very popular.
00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:49.039
That's sarcasm if you didn't know that.
00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.080
He was not very popular.
00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:50.639
Yeah.
00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:57.840
So let's move into verse two here.
00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:04.559
I could camp out in the context section of that sermon all day to it, because there's so much there, but that'd be boring for you all and exciting for me.
00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:06.480
So verse 2.
00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:09.759
This is this is kind of the meat of the text we're gonna start getting into here.
00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:16.000
It says, take God tells Jeremiah, take a scroll and write in it all the words I have spoken to you.
00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:23.440
Remember, Jeremiah, this is so for Jeremiah, God's not saying, Hey, I need you to go write a new sermon for today.
00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:27.600
He's saying, remember all those messages I gave you before?
00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:29.679
It's time to write them down.
00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:36.080
I want you to write them down so the people can hear them, so people can read them.
00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:42.080
Remember, Jeremiah's been preaching this, he's been saying it, he's been talking about it.
00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:44.799
And God's like, alright, that's not working.
00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:48.240
They're not paying attention, so let's try writing it down.
00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:55.440
And so Jeremiah's message, the message that God gave Jeremiah to give them, the message itself isn't changing.
00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:58.559
The message is staying the same, but you know what is changing?
00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:01.120
How that message is getting delivered.
00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.919
It's going to be delivered in a different way now.
00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:10.159
So that's what God tells Jeremiah in verse 2.
00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.120
Then you go on to verse 3.
00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:16.240
And actually in verse 3, he tells us why God wants Jeremiah to do this.
00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:22.960
He says, Perhaps they will turn from their evil ways and I will forgive them.
00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:31.360
So Jeremiah's been preaching all these messages about, hey, if you don't stop doing what you're doing and turn back to God, bad things are going to happen to you.
00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:35.440
It's a message of warning, right?
00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:39.919
It's a message of, you know, there are consequences to sin and disobedience.
00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:42.799
Following God doesn't mean you're going to do whatever you want.
00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:49.600
Just having the temple of God doesn't make you immune from committing sin and doing things that displease God.
00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.519
So that's the message Jeremiah's been saying.
00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:58.080
But he's not saying it because he's trying to scare him straight.
00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:03.360
Because here's the thing: when you scare people, when you use fear to try and manipulate people, it only works for a little while.
00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:04.879
It only works while they're afraid.
00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:09.039
But when fear wears off, so does the commitment.
00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:16.559
But understand God's heart behind this warning, the reason he gives this message is not because God wants to destroy them.
00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:23.279
We don't serve a God that's sitting up there with a newspaper waiting to swatch you and smash you like a bug or strike you with a lightning bolt.
00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:30.879
No, God gives this message to Jeremiah because God's heart is God wants to restore the relationship between him and his people.
00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.840
That is always God's heart.
00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:42.720
Yes, we serve a God that is all-powerful and almighty, but you know what governs God's power and his mightiness?
00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:46.879
He doesn't just use his power to put it on display and say, I'm the one in charge.
00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:49.840
God uses his power to display his love.
00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:54.240
His love is what controls his power.
00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.960
This is a side quest.
00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:04.480
I might have a few of these today, but you see, we live in a world that bases everything on who has the power, who's in charge.
00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:07.679
That's not the way God's kingdom operates.
00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:10.080
God's kingdom operates like who loves the most.
00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.399
That's not my notes.
00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.360
We'll keep going.
00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.720
Alright, verse two.
00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:20.879
So again, this message, it's not changing, it's the delivery is changing based on what God wants him to say.
00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:24.159
But God's heart is still the same, no matter what the message says.
00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:26.080
And then that those words are interesting, right?
00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.120
That word perhaps.
00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:29.919
God's giving them a genuine opportunity.
00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:36.000
He's gonna, he's like, he's like, I'm giving you this chance to stop what you're doing and turn around.
00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:38.799
And that word turn literally means turn back or return.
00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:43.840
So again, this verse gives a glimpse into God's heart.
00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:53.759
So we know God God gave this, God gave his word to Jeremiah again, changed the delivery system.
00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:57.120
Now Jeremiah is supposed to share it with the people.
00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.759
But Jeremiah has a problem.
00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.320
He has a very big problem.
00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:05.039
In verse 5, it tells us what the problem is.
00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:09.759
Jeremiah says, I'm confined here and I can't go to the Lord's temple.
00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:18.319
Now, if you're like me and ask questions, I was that kid in Sunday school class that always asked the teacher a thousand questions because I always had a thousand questions.
00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:22.400
And I would have asked the teacher, well, why can't Jeremiah go to the temple?
00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.799
Why can't he do it?
00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:30.640
Well, we don't really, no one really knows for sure why you can't go there.
00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:37.680
So my confident answer to you today is we don't know why he couldn't go there.
00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.599
Give you some of the speculate things.
00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:42.400
It may have been possible he was ceremonially unclean, right?
00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:45.920
For a Jewish person to be unclean meant they couldn't go to the temple.
00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:49.200
Like they touched a dead body or they touched something that was considered unclean.
00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:51.759
That would make them unclean, so they couldn't go to the temple.
00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:54.400
So that might be why Jeremiah couldn't go.
00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:58.000
Personally, now again, this is this is speculative theology.
00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:59.200
I can't prove this to you.
00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:03.680
This is just based on what I know about Jeremiah and the book of Jeremiah.
00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:08.559
I think Jeremiah couldn't go to the temple because the last time they went, they tried the killing.
00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:18.720
And to understand why they tried to kill him, he went to the temple and he and basically his sermon, and you can read this earlier in the book of Jeremiah, he's like, his sermon is, you think you're safe because you have the temple.
00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:23.759
This building means nothing without following the God who gave it to you.
00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:29.440
That's the sermon he preached in the temple to the people that were leaders of the temple.
00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:32.559
You can kind of imagine how they responded.
00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:35.119
They loved it so much they tried to kill him.
00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:37.759
So that's how that went.
00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:40.960
So I personally I think that's why he's like, I can't go back there.
00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:45.839
If I go back there, I'm not even gonna get a chance to talk, they're gonna lock me up, burn the scroll, and kill me.
00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:50.240
But now we have a problem, don't we?
00:18:50.400 --> 00:19:02.720
Because God gave Jeremiah this word that he was supposed to write down, take it to the temple and share with God's people, because God's heart was for these people to turn away from the path of destruction that they were on and follow God.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:05.440
But Jeremiah says, I can't go there.
00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.720
He runs into this obstacle.
00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:20.160
But understand something, the obstacle didn't change Jeremiah's mission, didn't change the goal behind it, it didn't diminish God's word.
00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:24.160
It meant Jeremiah had to find a way.
00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:34.079
So in verses 6 and 7, and I'll kind of give you a fill in a little bit of this, Jeremiah calls for Baruch, right?
00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.440
Baruch is a scribe.
00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:37.440
He's a professional writer.
00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.759
Kind of Jeremiah's secretary.
00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:44.240
And actually, a lot of scholars believe he really helped write much of the book of Jeremiah.
00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:50.240
In fact, one of my commentaries refers to the later part of Jeremiah as the book of Baruch instead of the book of Jeremiah.
00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:58.880
And so he comes and actually when Jeremiah starts writing, having, you know, having all his sermons wrote down, it's Baruch who records them.
00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.400
He just dictates them to him.
00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:05.359
And as this is taking place, I don't know if it happens immediately or if it happened before he got there.
00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:10.559
This is a plan, but somewhere along the lines, Jeremiah realizes I can't go to the temple.
00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:13.359
But Baruch can.
00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:19.759
My voice, what God wanted me to say, is already wrote down on this scroll thing.
00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:21.359
It's already written in this book.
00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.400
I can't go there and read it, but you know you can, Baruch can.
00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:28.559
So he simply tells Baru, hey, I want you to take this there.
00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:34.640
On the day of fasting, which I think I skipped that part on the slide because that but that was important.
00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:37.200
And he tells him to go on the day of fasting.
00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:44.400
Now we don't know if this was an annual day of fasting or if it was an emergency call to fasting.
00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:46.559
Because again, remember what just happened, right?
00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:49.599
The Babylonians whooped up on the Egyptians.
00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:51.359
And so the man the nation's in a panic.
00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.240
They know they're in trouble.
00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:56.880
They've been hearing Jeremiah's messages for a few years up to this point.
00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:04.000
And so, because the nation was scared, oftentimes the Jewish officials say, hey, let's just do a national fast.
00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:08.000
Let's all just go and pray, cry out to God, and see what God does.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:13.119
But for whatever reason, there's there's a national fast that's been declared.
00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:17.359
And so all these people are gonna be at the temple on this day, and Jeremiah knows this.
00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:24.240
Jeremiah knows I can't go there, but this is the opportunity to read this scroll so as many people can hear it as they can.
00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:38.559
So again, rather than try and go and do it himself, because he couldn't, because the obstacle was real, Jeremiah found a way, and his way was I'm gonna give this to Mark, and Baruch's gonna go and then he's gonna read.
00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:43.279
And he tells them, read them, read them so all the people can hear them.
00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:47.599
Because if they turn from their evil ways, perhaps the Lord will hear their prayers.
00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.319
There's something beautiful about that.
00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.119
Because do you know something?
00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:56.799
Verse 3 and verse 7 essentially say the same thing.
00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.119
What was God's desire?
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:06.400
God was desirous for his people to turn back from their evil ways and be restored to the covenant with him.
00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:10.960
And here in this last of this last verse we're looking at this morning, it's verse 7.
00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:15.279
The prophet's heart is the same heart as God's heart.
00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:18.000
His heart is aligned with God's heart.
00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.839
He wants what God wants.
00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.440
God wants the people restored.
00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:24.319
Jeremiah wants to see the people restored.
00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:33.839
You see, the prophet's heart is aligned with God's heart.
00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:35.920
His mission is God's mission.
00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:38.240
The message is God's message.
00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:51.279
You see, Jeremiah loves God, he loves his neighbor, he loves his country, he loves his countrymen, and he loves them so much that he knows that they have this not just because God's told him, he knows because his heart's aligned with God's heart.
00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:55.839
He knows this message he has is so important, somebody has to tell them.
00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.279
He knows I can't go.
00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.799
There's this real obstacle, right?
00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:00.079
I can't go there.
00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:02.880
But this message has to be told.
00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:10.240
And I care, I love him so much, I care so much that I'm going to send Baruch to do it for me to make sure that they hear this message.
00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:24.319
Jeremiah doesn't get to the obstacle of I can't go to the temple and say, oh well, I tried.
00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:31.680
No, his inability to go to the temple matters less because the people beyond it matter more.
00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:34.960
Right?
00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:42.960
He cares more about making sure the people hear what God wants them to hear than the obstacle itself.
00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:46.000
So he finds a way.
00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:58.480
That is our lesson in this passage for us today.
00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:03.119
You see, you and I, we have the complete good news of Jesus Christ.
00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:03.920
Right?
00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:07.039
We know that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:11.680
We know that he rose again, trampling death and giving us victory.
00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:21.039
We know that he rose again and sent the Holy Spirit, and now we can live in triumphal victory over sin and death in our life, not just later, but here and now.
00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:24.400
That is the complete good news of Jesus Christ.
00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.799
We have that, we possess it.
00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:34.480
Not of our own abilities, not of our own ingenuity, but of God's grace and our faith in Jesus.
00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:45.599
And to be honest, though, God's message now really isn't that different from Jeremiah's message.
00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.240
Right?
00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:50.559
Like we have a fuller picture, but Jeremiah's message is the same message.
00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.720
He's saying the same thing.
00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:59.359
Our God is not about destruction.
00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.440
He's not about destruction.
00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.960
He's not about destroying people.
00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:12.799
Yes, there is a difference between a sinner who doesn't repent and dies and a believer who professes faith and walks in that faith.
00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.839
There is a difference, right?
00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.039
There's a different destination.
00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:17.039
I'm not denying that today.
00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:23.200
But God, I understand God's will is not for that person to die and go to hell.
00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:25.039
That's not what God wants.
00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:29.440
If God wanted that, he wouldn't have sent Jesus to provide a way around that.
00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:37.200
What God wants is for each and every one of us to put our faith in Jesus and then we be restored to a relationship with God.
00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.759
God wants those outside the faith to turn toward him.
00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:51.359
Everyone outside the faith to turn toward him.
00:25:55.359 --> 00:26:02.640
And here's the thing: if their restoration matters to God, it should matter to us.
00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:11.200
And if it matters to us, it should matter to us to find a way to share the good news with them.
00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.799
Again, I'm not talking about forcing things to happen, right?
00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:20.400
I'm not talking about being a spiritual SWAT team kicking down people's doors.
00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.759
Be like, go to church.
00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:28.640
I had a friend one time that missed Sunday school, and one of the Sunday school teachers went to his house, got in his bedroom, and drug him out and got him on the church fan.
00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.920
I'm not talking about doing that.
00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:32.000
That kid's not in church to this day.
00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:38.160
I'm not saying that was the reason for it, but that was not exactly a good picture of what God wants us to do.
00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:42.000
We don't need to be like this polar bear trying to get to this guy.
00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:47.039
If I was the guy, I'd be a little leery of the polar bear telling me about, I want to talk to you about Jesus too.
00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.160
I'm not so sure.
00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:50.240
I think the polar bear is ready for lunch.
00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:53.440
Which I should have said lunch, but now you're all ready for lunch, so.
00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.119
Oops.
00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.240
Alright.
00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:00.160
So I'm not talking about forcing things to happen.
00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:03.200
I'm not talking about spiritual SWAT teams to kick down the words.
00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:11.440
But my question is, because of this passage, is how deeply are we committed to getting the message of Jesus to the people who need it most?
00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.599
How committed to that are you?
00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:17.680
How committed to that am I?
00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:22.400
And remember, verses three and seven, right?
00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:24.079
Verse three shows God's heart.
00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:27.440
God's heart is that all people, that his people be restored to him.
00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:30.559
And we know through Jesus that that extends to all people.
00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:33.200
Verse 7 shows the prophet, right?
00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.880
His heart is aligned with God's heart.
00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:37.359
And what does the prophet want when his heart's aligned with God's heart?
00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:39.440
He wants to see people restored to God.
00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:45.359
He wants to see his countrymen off the brink of destruction and walking in relationship with their God.
00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:56.559
It's that desire for restoration that should drive our effort.
00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:00.799
That's what I'm talking about this morning.
00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:10.400
If our desire is to really to get the good news of Jesus Christ to lost and broken people, then that should be the effort that drives us above everything else.
00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:14.079
Everything else should bow to that one mission.
00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:16.720
Everything else should fit into that mission.
00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:21.599
Seeing lost people saved is not the side mission of the church.
00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.640
It is the mission.
00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.480
There is no other mission.
00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:30.079
And if we get focused on anything else, we're focused on the wrong things.
00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:35.599
And when we get focused on the wrong things, the church stops paying the church and it starts becoming a country club.
00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:37.759
It starts becoming a museum.
00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:43.599
And I'll be honest with you, I am a pastor that has zero interest in being a museum caretaker.
00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:48.480
I have zero interest in being a part of a church that has no interest in reaching lost people.
00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.079
I am here for one reason only.
00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:56.160
I've been called for one reason only, and that is to share the good news of Jesus with anyone and everyone who can hear them.
00:28:57.440 --> 00:29:01.359
And I will do whatever it takes to get in front of one more person.
00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:12.720
Not because I want it to be cool, not because I want to be popular.
00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:14.640
I couldn't give a care about my name.
00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.359
I don't care.
00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.880
Matter of fact, my dirt, my my social media house called the Dirt Path Pastor.
00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.519
You know why?
00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:21.839
I don't care that they don't know my name.
00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:25.440
I want them to know Jesus.
00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.799
Because I can't save them.
00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.400
Our church really can't save.
00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:32.240
We know who can save if Jesus can.
00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:41.359
It's that desire for restoration that drives the effort.
00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:48.319
Because finding a way is not about attendance or programs, it's about people.
00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.319
That's what it boils down to.
00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.440
It's about people.
00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:58.799
Not just people collecting, the individual person.
00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:04.559
And you have to go to them one by one because no one is the same.
00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:10.240
And they all come with a different story, they all come with different hurts and different problems, but you have to go to them one by one.
00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:11.039
How do I know that?
00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:13.039
Because that's what Jesus did.
00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:24.480
God's heart for people has to become our heart.
00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:28.160
You see, we can know the message.
00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:35.039
But we can do so with a heart that lacks the commitment and love for those who need it.
00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:40.480
Do we genuinely want to see people restored?
00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:45.119
And here's the thing, obstacles demonstrate our desires.
00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.720
Right?
00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:53.759
When we come up to an obstacle and try to reach someone for Jesus, do we say, oh well, too bad.
00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.480
Well, I tried.
00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:03.279
Yeah, I'm not I'm not trying to diminish the obstacle.
00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:05.440
I'm not trying to say we're making excuses, right?
00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:12.160
Because there are sometimes real obstacles that you're gonna run into, real problems that you're gonna have to address and work through.
00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:20.319
But I don't think we can get to heaven and say to God that we gave it our best when we said, oh well, I tried.
00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:34.160
If that's a response, do we when we were when we get to option, is that how we respond, or do we respond like our neighbor's life depends on it?
00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.079
Think about it.
00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:41.359
If you were watching your neighbor's house get flooded and watching them get washed down the stream, would you just stand there and watch them?
00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:46.000
Would you do everything you could to try and get them out of that river to a safe spot?
00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:50.400
What would you do?
00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:55.920
You would do everything, I hope, to try and save them.
00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:58.319
Think about the firefighters, right?
00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.799
Actually, 9-11 just passed.
00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.839
That building, those buildings were on fire.
00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:05.920
They could collapse at any minute, but you know what?
00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:08.000
You see video after video of them walking inside.
00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.559
You know why?
00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:12.240
Because someone's life depended on them getting in there and getting to them.
00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:21.359
That's the desperation I'm talking about.
00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:31.279
And it can't just be the pastor or the associate pastor, it can't just be the church board, it has to be every single one of us who call ourselves by the name of Jesus.
00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:33.759
We have to have that same desperation.
00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:40.160
If we want to carry on the faith tradition that was handed down to us by the apostles, that's who we have to become.
00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:45.359
If we want to reach this broken, messed up world that we live in with all these problems.
00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:48.480
If you want to do that, that's who we have to become.
00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.839
Why do we have to become that?
00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.359
Why is it that way?
00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:57.599
It's because we see it in Jesus.
00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:59.519
Jesus shows us God's heart.
00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.200
That's who our God is.
00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:01.920
Right?
00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:05.359
We were so lost in sin that we did not know we needed God.
00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:08.400
But God didn't say, oh well, he didn't say, I tried.
00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.039
What did he do?
00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:10.640
He sent his one and only son.
00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.759
He took it.
00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:16.640
But as in John 1.14, it says, the word became flesh and made his home among us.
00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:20.960
God became flesh and crossed the distance.
00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.279
Why?
00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:23.759
Because our restoration mattered that much to him.
00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:26.079
He was that desperate to do it.
00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:31.920
So if that's God's heart, that needs to be what our heart is becoming.
00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:37.759
I'm not sitting here telling you I achieved it or I'm right there.
00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:40.079
There's still moments where Jason gets in the way.
00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:54.319
But when I decided to follow Jesus, when I was sanctified to God, I surrendered my will to you.
00:33:54.880 --> 00:34:01.680
I stood before that group of people at my ordination service and made a promise before God, the Church of the Nazarene.
00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:07.279
My promise was my life, my everything is given to Jesus to see one more person get saved.
00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:09.119
And that's all that happens in my ministry.
00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:11.360
One more person makes it, it was worth it.
00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:19.920
And if that's God's heart, that needs to be what our heart is becoming.
00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:23.920
So right now, I want you to think about someone in your life right now.
00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.599
One person.
00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.920
Maybe it's a family member.
00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:33.599
Maybe it's a friend, a neighbor, or someone you work with.
00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:36.239
And hey, maybe it's someone you've invited before.
00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:38.880
Maybe it's somebody you've been praying for for a long time.
00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:42.000
And again, I understand.
00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:44.880
I'm not saying that you haven't tried.
00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.639
I'm not saying you haven't tried your hardest.
00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:48.559
I'm not saying that's not what you want.
00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:54.880
And I come across a little harsher today than I have intended to.
00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:58.320
But hopefully you hear the hope behind this is this.
00:34:58.559 --> 00:35:00.800
My call to you is don't give up.
00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:04.480
Don't give up because you run into an obstacle.
00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:07.599
That obstacle is not the end of the story.
00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:11.760
That obstacle isn't a spot where you say, well, well, I tried, I give up now.
00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:24.800
Who do you generally want to see restored to God?
00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:28.400
Now we guys talk about now what is the obstacle?
00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:31.599
What's between them and Jesus?
00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.960
Again, I know, I know you're thinking.
00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.599
I've been there too.
00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:42.639
I've tried and I've tried.
00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:44.320
I've done everything I know to do.
00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:49.119
Again, I'm not I'm not diminishing how how how real that is.
00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:59.920
But right now, I want you in your mind, I want you to bring that person and bring that obstacle before God and ask, God, is there another way?
00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:02.320
Show me something.
00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:06.719
Again, this is not about forcing something to happen, right?
00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:09.920
You can't force somebody to give their life to Jesus.
00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:14.800
It's what this is about, it's about not giving up.
00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:22.079
Actually, one of my favorite movies, you'd be shocked to know this, it's a football movie.
00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:24.239
It's called Friday Night Lights.
00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:27.119
It's about a high school football team in Texas.
00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:36.079
And they they're projected to go win the state championship that year, but their starter running back gets hurt in the very first game of the season, the very first drive.
00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:40.639
And so this whole movie, they scrap and they claw and they barely make the playoffs.
00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:47.679
They get in the playoffs, they run the table, get all the way to the championship game, and they're up against this team from Dallas that's just, they look like they're the Dallas Cowboys.
00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:50.079
But for the movie, they probably were the Dallas Cowboys.
00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:54.000
Probably just as good as the Dallas Cowboys, which that was a knock at the Dallas Cowboys.
00:36:54.079 --> 00:37:00.159
But um, anyway, this team was big, and in the first half of this game, this team is getting whooped.
00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:02.159
They're getting it handed to them.
00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:10.239
And they go in the locker room, and the coach gets to the front of the room, and he says, I'm probably gonna butcher it.
00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:12.480
If you watch it, you'll you'll you'll be able to see it.
00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:18.079
But he says something to the effect of, boys, I want you to look at each of your teammates and each of your coaches in the eyes.
00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:34.079
I want you to to leave that field today, knowing that you get you did everything that you could, that there wasn't one more thing you could have done out there on that field.
00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:38.159
I want you to look at them with love in your hearts.
00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:42.400
I want you to be able to walk away from that game with love in your hearts because love drove you.
00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:47.199
You did it for them, you did it for each other.
00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:49.360
And I think that's what Jesus is calling you to.
00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:51.920
That's what what Jeremiah is about, right?
00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:55.039
He he loved his countrymen so much that he found a way.
00:37:58.960 --> 00:38:03.280
It's about us not looking back and knowing it's about us, yeah.
00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:05.760
It's about us looking back and knowing that we did everything.
00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:09.119
We are so compelled by love that we did everything we could.
00:38:09.280 --> 00:38:12.480
We held nothing back to try and get them to Jesus.
00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:18.639
Again, it's not about getting something getting someone to come and warm pew.
00:38:19.199 --> 00:38:20.320
I wouldn't mind that, right?
00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:22.079
You want to get people to Jesus.
00:38:22.159 --> 00:38:24.239
At least if you get them in here, they're gonna hear.
00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:33.920
If your preacher's worth anything, that's not about warming the pew, it's about seeing them restored to God.
00:38:34.159 --> 00:38:36.159
Seeing them redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:39.119
It's about seeing them set free by the power of the Holy Spirit.
00:38:39.199 --> 00:38:39.840
That's what I'm about.
00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:41.280
That's what I want to see.
00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:46.480
And sometimes that starts with just a little bit of a crawl.
00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:50.880
I get just as excited when I see that happen.
00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:57.360
So again, ask God, is there another way I can reach them?
00:38:58.559 --> 00:39:09.679
Because here's the thing, because before we ever start looking for another way, before we have the heart to do that, before we know that desire is taken from us, we have to believe that God has not given up on that person.
00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:13.199
If God's not given up, we can't.
00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.920
Remember your person.
00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:18.159
Pray for them.
00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:23.119
Look at the obstacle honestly, then ask God to help you find a way.
00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:29.360
Because if your restoration matters to God, it should matter enough to us to find a way.
00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:31.679
Share the message of Jesus with them.
00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:40.639
Before you move on with your day, I want to give you a moment to respond.
00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:44.159
During the message, I asked you to think about your person.
00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:48.239
Who is the person you desperately want to see restored to God?
00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:52.800
What is the obstacle standing between them and being reached?
00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:56.000
Don't just move on from those questions.
00:39:56.320 --> 00:39:58.000
Carry that person with you this week.
00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.280
Pray for them.
00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:03.599
And bring the obstacle honestly before God and ask, is there another way?
00:40:04.559 --> 00:40:07.039
But maybe as you listen today, you realize something else.
00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:10.480
Maybe you are the person who needs to be restored to God.
00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:14.559
Maybe nobody's ever actually invited you to follow Jesus.
00:40:15.679 --> 00:40:19.199
Maybe you've listened to sermons, been around Christians, or even spent time in church.
00:40:19.760 --> 00:40:21.440
But you've never made the decision yourself.
00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:24.559
Then let me be the person who invites you today.
00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.639
Jesus came for you.
00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:29.360
God has not given up on you.
00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:34.880
Whatever your story has been, whatever you've done, and how far away from God you believe you are.
00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:39.760
You can turn toward him.
00:40:40.239 --> 00:40:41.840
You can receive his forgiveness.
00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:44.159
And you can begin following Jesus today.
00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:46.559
You don't need perfect words.
00:40:47.360 --> 00:40:48.800
You simply need to come honestly.
00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:50.079
Let's pray together.
00:40:50.719 --> 00:40:53.599
Lord, thank you that you are a God who seeks and restores.
00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:59.840
Thank you that when we were lost, you did not remain distant from us, but you came to us in Jesus.
00:41:01.199 --> 00:41:04.079
For the person listening to us, someone on their heart right now.
00:41:04.719 --> 00:41:06.559
Give them your heart for that person.
00:41:07.119 --> 00:41:09.920
Give them wisdom when they f the way forward seems blocked.
00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:15.039
And show them where you're already working, and give them the courage and love to follow your lead.
00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:22.800
And for the person who realizes today that they need your restoring grace, meet them right where they are.
00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:25.360
As they turn towards you, forgive their sins.
00:41:25.840 --> 00:41:28.719
Make them new and help them begin walking with Jesus.
00:41:29.280 --> 00:41:33.119
Fill them with your spirit and surround them with people who will help them grow.
00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:36.800
And make all of us into people who love others with your love.
00:41:37.119 --> 00:41:40.800
A love that refuses to give up when restoration still matters to you.
00:41:44.079 --> 00:41:47.199
If you decide to follow Jesus today, please don't keep that to yourself.
00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:53.760
I will love to hear from you and help you figure out what taking uh what taking your next steps with Jesus can look like.
00:41:54.639 --> 00:41:56.079
You can connect with me by email.
00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:58.400
That's dirtpathpastor at gmail.com.
00:41:58.559 --> 00:42:01.760
Again, dirtpathpastor at gmail.com all over case.
00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:04.800
Or find the dirtpathpastor on TikTok and Facebook.
00:42:07.119 --> 00:42:09.920
And just remember your personal tweak.
00:42:10.239 --> 00:42:11.920
Keep praying, keep loving.
00:42:12.239 --> 00:42:15.199
And don't be discouraged by the obstacle in front of you.
00:42:15.440 --> 00:42:18.960
The God who came looking for us is still at work restoring people.
00:42:19.840 --> 00:42:21.440
So keep walking the dirt path.
00:42:21.599 --> 00:42:23.360
Keep carrying the good news of Jesus.
00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:27.679
And when the way you expect is blocked, ask God if there is another way.
00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:31.519
Until next time, grace and peace be in the name of Jesus.
00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:37.199
Thank you for listening to this episode for that time podcast.
