Sermon Central
-
Journey Thru Jeremiah
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 7, 2004 (message contributor)
-
1. Formed For A Purpose
Contributed on Jun 7, 2004
The Bible repeatedly tells us we were created with a purpose. So, why do we have such a hard time believing that?
OPEN: Several years ago, the Country Gazette in Franklin, Massachusetts had this listing in its classified section: “Unknown item for sale. We know it’s valuable; we don’t know what it is. If you can identify it, we’ll sell it for $250.” APPLY: Now isn’t that interesting? They had no idea what ...read more
-
2. Accept No Substitutes
Contributed on Jun 13, 2004
Why would the Israelites accept stale stagnant water rather than the living water God offered them? Did they just wake up one morning and say "I don’t want to follow God"? Consider these intriguing thoughts.
OPEN: How many of you have ever bought “generic” products? Many of us do. We’ll go to the pharmacy and we’ll ask for the “generic” version of the medicine the Doctor has prescribed. Or, we’ll go the grocery store and purchase the store version of whatever product Kellogg’s or Seyfert’s or Land ‘o ...read more
-
3. The Smell Of Sin
Contributed on Jun 21, 2004
Why would God tell Israel that their sins had denied them the blessings He wanted to give?
(Children’s song, tho’ it can be read to a good effect as well as sung if you know the tune) Well I stuck my head in a little skunk’s hole And the Lil’ skunk said, "Well bless my soul, Get it out, get it out... remove it." Well I didn’t get it out and the lil’ skunk said "If you don’t ...read more
-
4. If I've Got It - Why Can't I Flaunt It?
Contributed on Jul 12, 2004
God hates boastfulness. But what so wrong with a little bragging if you’ve got a special talent or ability?
OPEN: An older woman was cruising a busy parking lot in her new Mercedes-Benz looking in vain for a parking space. She finally saw someone loaded with packages heading for a car, so she followed him, put on her blinker and waited patiently until he pulled out. Just as he pulled out a young man ...read more
-
5. The Effect Of Judgment
Contributed on Jul 19, 2004
Jeremiah is a book of God’s judgment upon Judah... but Jeremiah’s prophecies seemed to affect only one man - Jeremiah.
OPEN: As the crowded airliner was about to take off, the peace was shattered by a five-year-old boy who picked that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother did to try to calm him down, the boy continued to scream furiously and kick the seats around ...read more
-
6. Time To Decide
Contributed on Jul 26, 2004
God rebukes Jeremiah in this text. Jeremiah is told to "repent." Why?
OPEN: (A Poem by Dr. Seuss) Did I ever tell you about the young Zoad - who came to a sign at the fork of the road? He looked one way and the other way too - the Zoad had to make up his mind what to do. Well, the Zoad scratched his head, and his chin, and his pants. – And he said to himself, ...read more
-
7. Planning For The Future.
Contributed on Aug 8, 2004
In the midst of tragedy and the misfortunes of life, it’s hard to remember that God still has a plan for your life... but He does.
OPEN: I once read the true story of a woman who told about how frustrated she’d gotten with her husband during the early years of their marriage. Apparently they both worked, but she took pride in the idea that she could still prepare good meals for them to eat. She’d prepare meals in advance and ...read more
-
8. A New Hope
Contributed on Aug 16, 2004
God was giving Jeremiah a chance to be a messenger of hope. There was to be a new covenant. But when was this covenant to take effect and who would be part of it?
OPEN: I recently ran across a “good news” “bad news” joke for preachers: Good News: You baptized four people down at the river last Sunday Bad News: You lost 2 others to the river’s current Good News: You finally found a choir director who did things your way. Bad News: The choir ...read more
-
9. Knowing God's Phone Number
Contributed on Aug 23, 2004
Why did God tell Jeremiah to "call upon" Him? And just how do I "call upon the name of the Lord?"
OPEN: Last year, when Jim Carrey starred in his movie “Bruce Almighty” the writers of the script gave God a phone number that Carrey could dial to talk with the Almighty. But instead of using the 555 prefix that movie makers and TV shows generally give phone numbers – they gave God a 776 prefix. ...read more
-
10. You Can't Tell Some People Anything
Contributed on Aug 30, 2004
This passage contains one of the most tragic but repeated statements in all Scripture: "We will not listen to God..." Why did the Jews say it and how can we avoid the same error in our lives and in our churches?
OPEN: A young boy, about eight years old, was at the corner "Mom & Pop" grocery store picking out a pretty good size box of laundry detergent. The grocer walked over and, trying to be friendly, asked the boy if he had a lot of laundry to do. "Oh, no laundry," the boy said. "I’m going to wash my ...read more