Going Thru God's Discipline

Going Thru God’s Discipline

Jeremiah 29:10-14

10 This is what the LORD says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.

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. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 “I will be found by you”, declares the LORD , “and I will bring you back from captivity…”

Introduction

-- Have you ever been disciplined by God?

-- Historical context

-- Personal context

---- Premarital sex, addiction, marrying an unbelieving spouse?

-- Child of a divorce?

1. Trust God

-- Because He fully knows

---- “For I myself know… (v.11a).”

----Heb 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”

-- Because He loves you

---- “Plans to give you shalom and not to harm you. (v. 11b)”

---- Isa 55:8 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so as my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Discipline vs. Punishment

-- Both seem to be the same from our standpoint

-- Discipline is out of love (temp); Punishment is out of wrath (final).

-- God disciplines His children, but punishes the nonChristians

-- Because He is in control

---- “Plans to give you hope and a future.”

---- He is the Yahweh Sebaoth – the God Almighty (v.8)

2. Pray Hard

-- Pray not to change God’s plan

-- Pray not to change the situation

-- Pray for a change in your heart.

3. Worship God

-- Verse 13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

-- Worship is God’s prerequisite

-- Worship God with all your heart.

-- Worship is practicing the presence of God.