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Fire & Hammer
Contributed by Jon Daniels on Aug 11, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Based on Jeremiah 23:23-32 - Challenges hearers to understand that the Word of God constantly calls us to return to the Lord.
“FIRE & HAMMER” Jeremiah 23:23-32
FBCF – 8/10/25
Jon Daniels
INTRO – Kids’ song from my childhood: “The B.I.B.L.E., Yes that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the W of G. The B.I.B.L.E.”
Every Sunday, we gather in this place & we gather around this book. We don’t gather around a dictionary or an encyclopedia (do we even still have those around anymore???). We don’t gather around a history or science textbook, a social studies or algebra textbook. We don’t gather around a comic book or a fiction book. We don’t gather around a trashy romance novel or a Louis L’amour western novel. We don’t gather around a children’s storybook or a fairy tale book. We don’t gather around a self-help book or a cookbook. We don’t gather around the Quran or the Book of Mormon or the Tripitaka of Buddhism.
We gather around THIS book – THE book – HIS book – the Bible, which, as 19th-century pastor J.C. Ryle said: “It is still the 1st book which fits the child’s mind when he begins to learn religion, & the last to which the old man clings as he leaves the world.”
Your staff LOVES the W of G! “Why do you love the W of G?” (Cindy on mission trip)
Mark: His Word provides peace and comfort.
Cindy: It has brought such comfort & hope to me in difficult times.
Michael: God’s Word speaks to every situation I could ever face! It leads, guides, and directs my life.
Brody: It is how the Lord SPEAKS to you, and it NEVER CHANGES.
Jordyn: It reminds me I don’t have to be perfect I just need an honest faith and God does the rest.
Matt: It has kept me alive and steadied me when I was shaken to the point, I didn’t think I could continue
Christian: I love the Word of God because it is truly God’s handbook for life. Now it may not give us the exact answers we want, but there is a passage for anything and anyone.
Why do we gather around this book & no other? Let’s let the Word speak about the Word & show us why it is different from every other book in the world:
It alone is a living book! Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive & active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul & spirit, joints & marrow; it judges the thoughts & attitudes of the heart.”
It alone was breathed out by God - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed & is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting & training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” It doesn’t just contain the word of God – it IS the Word of God!
It alone is eternal - Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven & earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
It alone WILL accomplish what God wants it to accomplish - Isaiah 55:11 – “…it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, & shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
It alone brings life - Matthew 4:4 - “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
It alone will light the way for us to live - Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet & a light to my path.”
We continue to consider what true revival looks like & what will happen when it come to our lives & our church. And one thing is certain: Revival will only come when we, as the people of God, obey God & submit to His Word. And today is the only day that we are guaranteed to have that opportunity.
EXPLANATION – Jeremiah 23:23-32
Hebrews 1:1 – “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.” And one of the prophets He used was Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet.” We continue to explore how God used him as His megaphone to deliver strong messages to His people. And that consistent message was repent, return to the Lord, & He will revive & restore you.
“Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Isaiah – every major & minor prophet was sent by God to invite His people to come home. ‘Return to Me,’ God said through one prophet, ‘that I may return to you.’ The OT is the record of a relentless calling to stubborn people from a merciful Father.” (Elliff, The Presence-Centered Life, p. 31).
APPLICATION – The W of G constantly calls us to return to the Lord!
If you’re going to experience revival in your life:
