God's Reformation Brings Good News

GOD’S REFORMATION BRINGS GOOD NEWS (Outline)

November 1, 2009 --

REFORMATION / END TIME 1 --

Jeremiah 31:31-34

INTRO: Reformation contains the word reform. Reform means change. People are not always happy with change. People like the daily of a normal life. The world continues to turn from God. Mankind turns to himself for answers. God’s good news brings the change to hearts, souls, and lives that everyone truly, desperately needs. During the time of Jeremiah Israel needed change. Following the Dark Ages the church needed change. God raised up Martin Luther. Today modern churches need to change. Many modern “evangelical” churches need to refocus on God’s good news, the gospel. Thankfully God does not change in his faithfulness. "Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (2 TIMOTHY 2:11-13).

GOD’S REFORMATION BRINGS GOOD NEWS.

I. Man breaks God’s covenant. II. God make his new covenant.

I. MAN BREAKS GOD’S COVENANT

A. God’s chosen people were facing the very lowest point in their history and even very existence.

1. The northern kingdom Israel was already gone. Only the small tribe of Judah still existed.

2. Judah would soon end politically. Judah had also spiritually given up on the Lord

B. Jeremiah is God’s faithful prophet. Verse 31. The time of God’s change was fast approaching.

1. Judah would end politically, physically, and spiritually. Jeremiah mentions Israel.

2. Israel was no more. The Lord through Jeremiah speaks of Israel as New Testament believers.

C. Verse 32a. Man had broken the covenant of the Lord time and time and time again.

1. Covenant means promise or agreement. The Lord had made many promises. Man broke them.

a. Adam and Eve sinned. b. Israel worshiped the golden calf. c. Israel grumbled against God.

2. Verse 32b. The Lord loved his people like a husband. They wanted to be like unbelievers.

D. It is quite easy to look at the sins of others. The Bible contains the many shortcomings of various sinners. The world has not gotten any better after all these years. We are no better than the worst of sinners. Our Lord God Almighty considers sin as sin. God does not consider one sin greater or less than another sin. Year after year mankind breaks the gracious covenant / promises of the Lord God Almighty. "The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant" (ISA. 24:5). God’s everlasting covenant is not to leave nor forsake his creation.

E. Since creation there have been countless generations of wickedness, rebellion, and sin. The world races toward judgment day with ever increasing sinfulness. We live in this world filled with sin. We spend more time in the sinful world than in the house of God. We may even spend more time in worldly living than Scriptural study. Because of this our hearts become calloused to that which is evil. The Lord states there are things done in darkness that should not even be mentioned. There is nothing sacred anymore. Television and the internet bring everything evil right into our very homes. At times we may even turn a blind eye or deaf ear to the world’s wickedness. "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (ROMANS 1:32). There is an unstated approval of things once shocking.

F. Even worse than worldly wickedness is the danger from some leaders in the church itself. Look around and you will see mega-churches dotted throughout our nation. The media likes these big places of the gathering of people. Look closely. Listen closely. Something is missing. Most have removed the cross from their preaching and teaching. The cross is removed because it points our forgiveness. What is wrong with forgiveness? Forgiveness implies something is wrong that needs forgiveness. Today’s society does not want to hear about sin. The cross disappears. God’s gospel is removed for the convenience of not causing controversy. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them" (MATTHEW 7:15,16a).

GOD’S REFORMATION BRINGS GOOD NEWS. Man’s heart needs changing. The bad news of mankind sinning and breaking God’s promises needs to be changed by God’s reformation of Good News.

II. GOD MAKES HIS NEW COVENANT

A. God’s new covenant would be a great, future event, verse 31. Israel would be Christians in the future.

B. Verse 33a. The Lord declares his new covenant. The law of God would be in their minds and hearts.