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Things Jeremiah Was Told Not To Do Introduction: Jeremiah was sent to preach the word of God to an idolatrous nation. He was to proclaim that God was about to bring death and destruction upon the people, and Jerusalem would be destroyed. Jeremiah was told not to do some things. I) Do Not Say I Am A Youth, Jeremiah 1.1-8 A) Why? 1. God and not Jeremiah was the source of the message, Jeremiah 1.9 2. Jeremiah was not to minimize the message by relying on his youth. a. A sermon based upon the word of God is not minimized by a young preacher. b. A sermon given by an older preacher is not more scriptural just because of age. 3. God knew the ability of Jeremiah and He selected the messenger. B) Application 1. Youth is not an excuse to disobey God, 2 Timothy 2.22 2. God knows our abilities and we are answerable to Him. 3. We should never minimize the message of God's word. II) Do Not Pray For Them, Jeremiah 7.16 A) Why? 1. God's punishment was set, Jeremiah 22.14-25 a. Our prayers are limited by two elements; our faith, and God's will. b. We must recognize the will of God in our prayers, Luke 22.42b. 2. Prayers asking God to contradict His will, will not be answered, 1 John 5.14b. 3. Prayer is not a substitute for repentance and/or obedience, Jeremiah 11.11-14 B) Application 1. Our prayers must be with faith 2. There are certain things we cannot pray for: God to save the sinner in their sins, to save the lost without obedience or repentance, for His to do our part. III) You Can Not Marry, Jeremiah 16.2 A) Why? 1. Their impending destruction and death, Jeremiah 16.3-4 2. Many would die in battle, the seize of Jerusalem, and captivity, Jeremiah 19.7-9 3. Ultimately God was sparing Jeremiah the heartache of seeing his family suffer these things. B) Application 1. God's restrictions are for a reason, Isaiah 55.8-9 2. God's Law on Marriage seems harsh to many, Matthew 19.20-12 3. Many do not understand congregational discipline or individual discipline 4. Moral behavior such as sex, dress, language, etc. IV) You Can Not God To A House of Mourning, Jeremiah 16.5-7 A) Why? 1. This is not the time to comfort those in sin. 2. Sin brings about pain, death, and destruction. 3. The pain of sin sometimes brings about repentance, 2 Corinthians 7.9 B) Application 1. We should not comfort those in sin but pray they will leave the sin. 2. We should pray they will feel enough pain to get out of sin. V) You Can Not Go Into The House Of Feasting, Jeremiah 16.8-9 A) Why? 1. God was about to bring His punishment, Jeremiah 16.13 2. The time for feasting and having a good time was past. 3. It was not appropriate for Jeremiah to feast with the ungodly. B) Application 1. God's punishment, the judgment to come should get our attention, Hebrews 10.31 a. Ex. Authorities wanted those who refuse to leave the coast during a hurricane to write down their next of kin. This got their attention, this was serious. 2. Some things by their very nature is inappropriate, 2 Corinthians 6.15-17 a. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 9.17 b. Lambs don't wallow in the mire. Conclusion: Let us pray for God's will to be done and then do the will of God. Let us rely on the wisdom of God instead of the wisdom of men. Let us pray for the physical suffering so people will turn to God for spiritual healing. Let us take seriously our salvation.
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