Hola,
You can probably hear this sermon in 15 min on 1.5 speed.
Here’s the big ideas from Sunday’s Sermon
A future and a Hope: God’s faithfulness in suffering
Everyone loves Jer 29:11
* Short Text: [Jer 29:11 NLT] 11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
* Big Idea of the Message: We often take this and other verses out of context when we believe that God will allow only good things to happen to us. Looking at it in context reveals that it is a promise of delayed relief to those deep in suffering, not a promise that we will never encounter suffering.
* Let’s get the context together Jer 29:1-14
* There’s a ton to unpack here but let’s first establish
Who is the prophet jeremiah
Jeremiah was called not to marry, have kids, go to weddings or funeral (No social currency, no legacy, no outward blessings)
Jeremiah has been dubbed “the weeping prophet” because of the often gloomy nature of his message and the grief he expressed for his people.
In fact, Jeremiah’s life work might be summed up as preaching a message to a people who would not listen. They never repented. They never turned back. (Noah?)
No family. No children. No community. No receptivity to his message. No legacy?
To the contrary, even without those things and even without family, Jeremiah’s message—his legacy—endures to this day in the best-selling book of all time. It’s a spiritual legacy. His legacy will be no less vibrant than those with a spouse or children.
Indeed, our legacy is impacted by our faith, faithfulness and fruit…..all of us can live out that big idea.
5. Bloom where you're planted.
* Build houses and settle down – Don’t live in tents as your ancestors did in the desert. Make Babylon your home. active building of house and garden (care for building and body)
* Plant gardens and eat what they produce – Provide nourishment for yourself from your land.
* Marry and have children – Move forward with your lives. Find a way to have fun.
* Increase in numbers – Don’t let your generations die out.- personal choices like marriage and family then encouragement for family lines to continue.
* Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. – Pray for your neighbors to succeed! prayer for good things
* Pray to the Lord for the city. If the town prospers, so will you. – Don’t wish harm on the people around you. Instead, look for ways for everyone to thrive!
* Don’t be deceived by false prophets. – Seek to discern God’s truth alone. Spiritual life – active choice to avoid the wrong prophets. Counterfeit agents touched real money a ton to know fake.
God never says to try to control or rebel against the Babylonians in any way. The only thing the Israelites are called to do is pray for their prosperity and avoid listening to their false prophets (possible doom & gloom or prosperity).
8. What if we learned:
To enjoy God no matter when and where we are
Know live is christ and to die is Gain.
As we mature, awaken, grow and flow in the realm of the spirit I pray you will….
* Laugh at the absurdity of the world and the days ahead (Prov 31:25)
* Endure our Thorn in the flesh with Grace (2 Cor 12:7-10)
* Practice spiritual disciplines, solitude, journaling, and contemplation so well that you can what Tim Ferriss says from Siddhartha I can think, wait and fast…. “I can think” → Having good rules for decision-making, and having good questions you can ask yourself and others. “I can wait” → Being able to plan long-term, play the long game, and not misallocate your resources. “I can fast” → Being able to withstand difficulties and disaster. Training yourself to be uncommonly resilient and have a high pain tolerance.
* You will begin to center your life according to the kingdom of God and the Lord’s eternal purpose which is hidden in the message of God’s Body, Family, Building, and Bride. (Eph. 2:19–22, Eph. 5:25–32; 1:22–23; 2:15–16; 3:6)
* You and I will begin to lose the fear of rejection and death.
* We will begin to change our wineskins so we can partake of the wine of the spirit. A new wine that will help us be bold, restore innocence and joy.
* May the Holy Spirit help your faith grow. Don’t forget, the disciples couldn’t cast out a demon because of their unbelief. Not because it wasn’t God’s will. (Matt 17: 15-21)
9. Conclusion
Big Idea of the Message: We take this verse out of context when we believe that God will allow only good things to happen to us. Looking at it in context reveals that it is a promise of delayed relief to those deep in suffering, not a promise that we will never encounter suffering.
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Extra credit
Scriptures: https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/jer/29/1/s_774001
Summary of the Book of Jeremiah: Short video
Extra Extra Credit: Jeremiah Movie-
Article: https://www.crosswalk.com/.../don-t-take-jeremiah-29-11...
