Monday July 13 2015

Read Jeremiah 34

C.S Lewis was a very gifted and intelligent Christian in his day. At one time the best theological minds of the day were trying to figure out the difference between Christianity and all other religions. When they asked C.S Lewis his thoughts he simply replied, ‘Grace’. He summed up the difference in one single word, grace. Our God is a God of grace. No other religion can boast of having a god of grace. As you think through all the religions of the world, they are all based on works. Put simply, you have earn your salvation or acceptance by doing a certain number of good works or religious deeds. Christianity, on the other hand, is a religion of grace.

Unfortunately, many believers see the New Testament as being of grace but the Old Testament being of works and law. This is a false divide. In 2 Kings 24:19 we read a summary statement about king Zedekiah – ‘he did evil in the eyes of the Lord‘. Yet even so we read in Jeremiah 34 that God graciously came to Zedekiah through the prophet Jeremiah and declared:

Jeremiah 34:4b-5

This is what the LORD says concerning you: You will not die by the sword; 5 you will die peacefully. As people made a funeral fire in honour of your fathers, the former kings who preceded you, so they will make a fire in your honour and lament, “Alas, O master!” I myself make this promise, declares the LORD.’ ”

God will graciously allow Zedekiah to die in peace unlike the many who died at the hands of the Babylonian sword, famine and plague.

In response to God’s grace Zedekiah entered into a covenant with the people to free the Hebrew slaves. In Hebrew society one could pay off one’s debt by becoming a slave for 7 years. In the 7th year all the slaves were to be set free and the debt was cancelled. Zedekiah had received the Lord’s grace and out of gratitude he entered into a covenant with the people to set all slaves free. Grace had changed Zedekiah’s heart.

But the people soon forgot their covenant and forced the emancipated slaves back into submission. The wrath of God was once again aroused.

Not withstanding this change of mind, grace is meant to change our heart. When we truly realise our predicament before God we have no option but to throw ourselves at His mercy. When we receive that mercy, God’s grace changes our heart. By grace we change from the inside out.

Out of this changed heart flow good works. The motivation for our good works is never to buy or earn our salvation, much less to gain an advantage over God. The motivation is love – love for God and love for our fellow man. The motivation wells up from the grace we ourselves have received. Has grace changed your heart? Have you been changed from the inside out? Is your life lived out in gratitude towards God for the grace He has lavished upon you?

Prayer:

Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for

Adoration:

Confession

Thanks

Supplication:

· Pray for all the cell groups and prayer groups that meet in your church. Ask the Lord to make these groups havens of grace that grow each other in the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

· Pray that you would be able to share the grace of God with 3 other people who don’t know grace this week. Share with your group the list you have and agree to pray for each others’ lists.

 Discussion Questions

1. How would you explain the grace of God?

2. Someone quips to you that Christianity is just like every other religion - seeking to indoctrinate people and lead them into their own little selfish set of beliefs. How can you respond in a biblical and sensitive way?

3. Garrick, not his real name, is a firm believer in your church. Yet someone tells you he has a criminal and drug background & should not be in the church. How do you respond?

                          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 34-39

Use this space to write down and define key words/phrases. Look for repetition and biblical themes from other parts of the Bible. Consider also: Romans 12:9-16; Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:2-3; and 1 John 3:11,21-24, 4:7-21.

                       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.

                                   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

The Passage:    Jeremiah 34-39

Before Cell, complete the ‘On Your Own’ section on the previous page. Describe the context of Jeremiah 34-39.

How often is the Word of God/ the Lord mentioned in these chapters?

As you peruse chapter 34, in what ways is that chapter related to grace?

What response did grace evoke in a/. The King?

b/. The people?

Many people argue that the Old Testament is about works while the New Testament is about grace. Explain whether you agree or disagree with this statement.

In chapter 35, God called for the Recabites and used them as an example. Why do you think He did so?

What is the main point of chapter 35?

In chapter 36 the scroll of Jeremiah is burnt. What is the main point of this passage?

In chapter 37, why is Jeremiah thrown into prison? What is his attitude towards suffering for the Word of God?

Given your answers above, how does Jeremiah 37 speak to believers today?

In what ways is Jeremiah 38 different to and the same as Jeremiah 37?

What role or function does Jeremiah 39 play in the narrative of Jeremiah?

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