Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon explores God's unfailing love, mercy, and grace, and how our present choices shape our divine destiny.
Good morning, dear friends. We are gathered here today, not by chance or coincidence, but by divine appointment. We are here to delve into the richness of God's word, to seek His face, and to find solace in His promises.
Opening Scripture Reading – Our focus today is the well-loved verse from the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
This verse, dear friends, is a testament to God's unfailing love for us, His children. It is a declaration of His divine providence, His merciful kindness, and His unchanging faithfulness. It is a beacon of hope in times of despair, a source of strength in times of weakness, and a wellspring of joy in times of sorrow.
Jeremiah's message was not always easy to hear, but it was always filled with God's love and mercy. And it's this message of love and mercy that we're going to focus on today. You see, friends, the people of Israel had a habit of turning away from God. They would disobey His commands, ignore His prophets, and chase after their own desires. But God, in His infinite mercy, never gave up on them. He continued to reach out to them, to call them back to Him, and to promise them a future filled with hope.
Now, let's take a closer look at this idea of disobedience and divine mercy.
A. We'll start by examining the nature of disobedience. Disobedience is more than just breaking a rule or failing to do what's expected. It's a rejection of God's authority and a decision to go our own way. It's a choice to ignore the voice of our Creator and to listen instead to the voices of the world. But here's the thing about disobedience. It never leads to true happiness or fulfillment. Instead, it leads to pain, suffering, and a sense of emptiness. It's like trying to fill a God-shaped hole in our hearts with things that can never satisfy. It's a futile effort that only leads to disappointment and despair.
Yet, even in our disobedience, God's mercy is still available to us. His love for us is so great that He is always ready to forgive us when we turn back to Him. He is always waiting with open arms to welcome us home. And this is the beauty of divine mercy. It's not something we earn or deserve. It's a gift that God freely gives to us, even when we've turned our backs on Him.
As we ponder the words of Jeremiah 29:11, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a profound truth - God's unfailing grace ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO