We’ll pick up on the Proverbs next week. Today I am going to talk about the prophet Jeremiah. If we ask for a definition of success, most dictionaries tell us that having success means achieving goals and acquiring wealth. Again, that is the world’s definition of success… in the eyes of the world, Jeremiah was not a success, but a miserable failure. But in God’s eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all of history.
For 40 years, Jeremiah served as God’s spokesman to Judah. He might as well of have been talking to the air – nobody listened to him. Judah would rather listen to false priests and false prophets who were always claiming prosperity. Jeremiah proclaimed repentance and judgment. They didn’t want to hear that bad stuff. They wanted to continue with their sinful lifestyle and only listen to the false prophets, because these prophets only told them what they wanted to hear – not the truth. This is in the timeframe of the Book of Daniel… when God’s anger and judgment allowed them to be taken into captivity in Babylon. This was thousands of years ago, but remember…”What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.” Ecclesiastes 3: 15
Are there some today who are listening to false priests and teachers delivering a watered-down gospel? There are those who preach a prosperity gospel, shying away from true repentance, turning away from sinful lifestyles, and suffering for the sake of knowing Christ and the power of the Resurrection. I’m afraid that there are some only listening to what they want to hear. Listen to what Paul has to say…
“But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” 2 Corinthians 5-6, 12-15.
Everyone wants Resurrection power. But the fact is… the Crucifixion precedes the Resurrection. We must die to ourselves in order for Christ’s life to be evident in us. Let’s look at what Peter has to say…
“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threatened revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.”1 Peter 2: 21-24
The same thing is happening today as in Jeremiah’s day. Success, as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness. I remember Jesus asking, “When the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on earth?’ Luke 18:8
I was searching for a picture of the prophet Jeremiah, and found this video…
