Chosen by God for a Purpose
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTORY SERMON
Sermon Title: Chosen by God for a Purpose
Text:
Focus: The historical facts in the first three verses reveal how God prepared Jeremiah for this prophetic ministry in a specific historical time. God has worked on our background to prepare us for our assignment in serving Him.
Introduction:
Of the billions of snowflakes, scientists tell us no two are exactly alike. Nor are any two believers identical. Each of us is unique, specially chosen by God for His service.
1. We Each Have a Unique Assignment (1:1a)
a. God called Jeremiah to be a prophet.
He was born into the priestly family. He was of the levitical tribe of Benjamin.
b. God has a task. He wants you to do
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
2. We Each Have a Unique Background (1:1b)
a. Jeremiah’s early life prepared him for his assignment.
1) The small, rural town of Anathoth exposed him to valuable lessons of nature.
The was a town set aside for the Priest and became a town of escape.
2) Being reared in a priestly family taught him the Law of Moses.
3) Living in the tribal area of Benjamin exposed him to the prophetic teachings of Amos and
Hosea.
4) The close proximity of Anathoth to Jerusalem kept him informed of world events.
b. Your life experiences have prepared you to carry out your assignment.
What life experiences do you have that have prepared you for your assignment?
You know in preparing this message I began to think of my own life and the experiences that I have had.
3. We Each Have a Unique Domain (1:2-3)
a. Jeremiah preached during a crucial era of Judah’s history.
Josiah was King! His grandfather Manasseh was king and had been very corrupt. He had allowed Assyrian influence into Judah greatly. Idol worship had become very common even to the point of defiling the temple. His son Amon Josiah’s father had continued in his fathers footsteps until he was assassinated when Josiah was eight years old. . Josiah died in battle defending the advance of the Egyptian army who had allied with Assyria. Leaving his son Jehoiakim to take his place. The Assyrian - Egyptian coalition was brought down by Babylon. Jehoiakim would revolt against Babylon and was killed leaving Jehoiachin his son as leader. He would continue where his father left off for another 3 three months and would end up imprisoned. Zedekiah Josiah’s other son would take over but end up being brought down by Nebuchadnezzer.
b. God has put you in this time and this place to complete your assigned task.
We live in one of the most evangelical times in US history. God has placed us here and now for a reason. Are you ready for your assignment?