Lessons From A Wicked King

LESSONS FROM A WICKED KING

Text: Jeremiah 36:1 – 32

Introduction:

· Jehoiakim was a very wicked king

· Originally named Eliakim, was put into power by Pharoah Necho after the defeat of his father and captivity of his brother

· Oppressive, godless, covetous, violent

· Executed Urijah the prophet

· Allowed the worship of false gods

· Used forced labor to build the palace and enforced a heavy tax upon the people of Judah

· 2 Kings 23:37 – he “did evil in the sight of the Lord”

· What can we learn from his story?

Body:

A. God is merciful and patient, and wants to forgive (vv. 2, 3)

· Hemphills – “It Wasn’t Rainin’ When Noah Built the Ark”

· Jeremiah had been prophesying for 22 years, other prophets before him

· People of Judah had seen Northern Kingdom fall to the Assyrians

· John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9

· How long has God been calling you to repentance? Why do you keep rejecting?

B. God hates sin and will punish the sinner who refuses to repent (v. 7)

· Ecclesiastes 8:11

· 1 Timothy 5:24

· Galatians 6:7

· Revelation 20:11 – 15

· Repentance doesn’t always get rid of the consequences of the sin in our lives

· Drunk that beats wife, doesn’t provide for family, and gambles away money, may repent, but could still develop cirrhosis, go to prison, lose his family and possessions

· Repent now before the consequences get worse

C. It is foolish to ignore the parts of God’s Word that you don’t like (v. 23)

· Theistic evolutionists believe the entire Bible except for Genesis 1 and 2

· People in America today have the idea that they can ignore the parts of God’s Word that they don’t like

· Cult member that told me they don’t believe in sin, hell, judgment

· 2 Timothy 4:3

· Wouldn’t think of cutting and burning God’s Word, but say we don’t believe the parts about how we should handle our money, homosexuality, church attendance, marriage and divorce, taking God’s name in vain

· Next time you come across something you don’t like, ask yourself why and pray about it.

D. Stand up for what is right no matter what it costs (v. 26)

· “One of the hardest things about doing what’s right is that you often do it alone”

· Jeremiah prophesized for 40 years without results

· Had to go into hiding with Baruch so they would not be imprisoned or killed

· Branded as a traitor when Jerusalem fell

· Wanted to quit, but couldn’t

· What are you willing to suffer for what’s right?

· Ridicule, criticism, rejection, friends, family, material gain, injury?

· Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long / This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song / To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be / He with the King of glory shall reign eternally

· Don’t give up

E. God’s Word never fails (vv. 29 – 31)

· King of Babylon: Prophecy in 604 BC, fulfillment 605 BC

· Land was unoccupied and sat barren for 70 years

· Jehoiakim: Prophecy in 604 BC, Taken captive to Babylon in 605 BC, died in obscurity in 598 BC

· Son: reigned in his stead for 3 months, throne taken from family and never regained

· Every prophecy concerning Christ’s first coming was fulfilled to the letter (born of a virgin, Bethlehem, riding a donkey, day that he rode a donkey, crucifixion, breaking bones in legs, resurrection)

· Prophecies about second coming will be fulfilled too

· Don’t you think it’s about time to start listening and do something about it?

Conclusion:

· Repent of your sins now, before it is too late.

· Adjust your life to fit God’s Word instead of adjusting God’s Word to fit your life.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 – Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

1 Timothy 5:24 – Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

Galatians 6:7 – Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;