Monday June 8, 2015

Read Jeremiah 25:1-14

Let’s imagine that you are on the precipice of starting a new ministry. It can be any ministry you like, preferably one that excites you and fills you with passion. Let me ask you a direct and simple question. How long would you remain in that ministry if you were to see no results and if you were to face in-house opposition? The general consensus in my own experience is generally that people resign from ministry involvement within 12 months if they see no results and remarkably less if they face in-house opposition. There are of course exceptions to this rule. While on mission in Vanuatu for example, we heard tales of missionaries staying on islands for up to 10 years before they saw even 1 single convert. Some even lost their lives in missionary service without seeing a single soul won for the Lord.

As we get to Jeremiah 25 we see that he has ministered to the people of Jerusalem for 23 years with no results. The people have remained hard- hearted and obstinate, stiff necked and reluctant to change. Rather than repenting of their evil ways they have been confirmed in their hardness and have opposed Jeremiah and his ministry. And even so, Jeremiah has faithfully served the Lord for over two decades.

Staying power in ministry comes from knowing God’s will and calling for our lives. We have to be certain that God has called us to a particular ministry and we have to know for certain that God wants us to continue in that ministry. Results in and of themselves are not always a good pointer of God’s approval or disapproval for ministry. Early missionaries to China, for example, saw little progress in evangelism but paved the way for a great out pouring of God’s Spirit decades later which would see millions come to faith in our Lord and Saviour. Without the staying power of these early missionaries, we may not have seen as many conversions as we did.

To know whether or not God wants us to continue in ministry, we must rise above the “instant gratification” mentality of our times. Far too many Christians think that God should answer their prayers immediately upon praying and are somewhat annoyed at God if they are forced to pray 2 or 3 or, heaven forbid, 4 or 5 times!

Knowing God’s will for our lives doesn’t come from spending a few rushed moments with God as we race off to work or before we fall asleep. Knowing God’s will grows within us as we grow in depth and intimacy with God. Depth and intimacy come with time and openness. Both need to be present. A husband and wife can spend hours together each day but if they spend that time watching TV or playing video games they will never grow closer together in depth and intimacy. Both time and openness are needed. Make time to be with God and learn to be honest and open in His presence. Pour out your heart to the Lord and be free in His love. Grow closer to God by opening your heart, your mind, your soul to the Lord.

Jeremiah was able to persevere for 23 years in ministry because he was honest and open with God. He grew closer to God and deepened in his relationship with God. Will you make the same commitment today? Will you pencil in both quantity and quality time with your Lord and Saviour each and every single day?

Prayer:

Using today’s passage and the reading notes spend time in prayer.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

· Pray that the Lord would call you into deeper fellowship with Himself and that each person in your congregation would have the same calling.

· Pray that the students in the Reformed Bible College in Myanmar would be learning deeply, growing in the Word and being more solidly equipped to preach the Word and to minister the Gospel in an often unfriendly society.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. If Joe came to you at Church one Sonday and said he wants to stop his leadership involvement in youth group, how would you respond?

2. What are some good reasons to leave a ministry?

3. What are some poor reasons to leave a ministry?

                          P r e p a r a t i o n f o r C e l l

Read this week’s passage and jot down any problems or issues that come to mind about the passage, it’s application or meaning to you and/or your church.

                             O n Y o u r O w n

Key Words/Phrases                          Jeremiah 25-29

Use this space to write down and define key words/phrases. Look for repetition and biblical themes from other parts of the Bible.

                       P r e p a r a t i o n f o r C e l l

After your cell has met, jot down the solutions you found having studied the passage together.

                                   P r a y e r

Prayer:

How does this passage lead you to pray in terms of

Adoration: Confession Thanks Supplication:

Non Believers to be Praying for

              C e l l G r o u p - D i g g i n g D e e p e r .

The Passage:      Read Jeremiah 25-29

Before Cell, complete the ‘On Your Own’ section on the previous page. Describe the context of this passage?

List the key words/phrases and what they mean? Use your previous page notes

How would you break up Jeremiah 25-29 into its various sections and what heading would you give each section?

How do you explain the exile biblically?

As you read chapter 25 take note of the names of God used. Can you see any rhyme or reason for the use of different names?

In chapter 26 Jeremiah is threatened with death. What was his reaction? What would your reaction be if you were threatened with death for ministering?

In chapter 27 God tells us that the Babylonian army will reign supreme. He even tells us that those who fail to submit to this army will be destroyed and those who do submit will be ‘blessed’. Why does God allow this to happen?

In chapter 28 Hananiah proved to be a false prophet. Given 1 John 4 tells us to test the spirits, how can we be testing prophesies and the like today?

Why were the exiles blessed and those who stayed in Jerusalem not blessed?

What is the theological point of the exile?

How does Jesus fulfil the words of Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:10-14?

Describe one practical thing you can take away from this passage that gives you stamina in terms of maintaining your ministry and calling. Think of your

head heart hands

How does this passage help you or encourage you in proclaiming Jesus to the world?