God Knows and God Cares
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Introduction
- Wed night talked briefly there are three different people in this world today
-- Just got out of a struggle
-- Are going through a struggle
-- Are headed for a struggle that they aren’t aware of
- Even with all that, God is not caught off guard by your circumstances
- Today we will amplify this statement and see if we cannot be strengthened by it
- Word of God, Speak
- Stand and read Jeremiah 29:10-14
Point 1 – God Knows
- Your thoughts matter to God; because of His love for us; He gives us Jesus
-- Emphasis on give (we did not earn it, we did not achieve it, He was given to us)
- Divinely, everything that you are He is aware of … nothing is missed by Him
- He knows your flaws, your uncertainties, and your wants …
- He never said He was mad
- He never said that He hated you
- He never said He was disappointed in you
- But what He did say is that He loves you unconditionally no matter what
- APP: If you will call upon Him and ask Him to help you
- Some of us are dealing with struggle today; some of us need to be comforted
- The God of the Bible who reveals Himself through the scriptures … cares
- How do I know? Go to: Psalm 139:1-4 (how much He knows us - expound)
- John 3:16 has an emphasis in this verse (For God so loved (cared))
- TRANS: Not only does God know us, but He cares for us in everything we do
Point 2 – God Cares
- Jeremiah 29:12 “THEN” you will call – then He will listen
- It requires an action on our part to be reconciled to Him; to come to Him
- But when we take that action we have assurance that He listens and cares
- 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”
- Everything that we have is given by God, so that we can give back to Him
- Because of the cross we have a line of communication directly to Him
- Because of the cross we have the ability to talk to the creator of this world
- Because of the cross we can join together and be strengthened in common bond
- However, if you haven’t come to the cross for forgiveness and repentance of your sin then this comfort is eluding you.
- APP: God still cares, but the cross is the bridge to communicate with Him.
- The cross is how God reconciled us to Him, and we must follow it in everything
- Are we following church? God is listening for us to come to Him (its obedience)
- First though, we must take that step and avoid the genie in a lamp syndrome
- God’s desire, His very care, is for our small lives here on a very big Earth
-- James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
-- Life has never been about you and me; we are tiny and small on this planet
- Yes, He cares; yes, he loves; yes, He desires – but we have to want too as well
-TRANS: If God is caring and drawing, then what is our response?
Point 3 – Our Response
- Read Jeremiah 29:13
- Are you seeking right now? Does your life desire to follow after Him?
KEY POINT FOR TODAY ... HERE IS OUR PATH TO FOLLOW
- APP: Let’s take a look at the path we have to follow the Lord in our lives
- Give a few verses that show us a roadmap for living well, and focusing on Him
- Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.”
- Thought: What is a person before he becomes king? An heir. What are we?
- Romans 8:17, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
- Do you see that? (Repeat)
- As heirs God says if you want to be a King, you will search out the matters of His and seek them in your life –seeking will bring you happiness and peace (glory)
- As an heir we must seek after the Lord to draw closer to Him
- It is not about partaking in a feel good religion
- It does not have anything to do with “name it and claim it” religion
- It has nothing to do with coming to this place and desiring to be blessed
- Life is about cultivating a relationship with Him because He knows and He cares
- You see, we meet together to be challenged; to grow and to seek after God
- Standing on the fringe of God’s calling won’t impact your life – it’s time to move
- Because God cares, He will be there to comfort you and He knows what you need
- However, before you’ll receive you have to come, and you have to ask Him
- In this place today, will you respond to Him? None of us is perfect and none of us has it all together. We need to respond because God calls us to respond.
- So today, what is your response?
- Invite singers
- With every head bowed and every closed let me ask you something today
- No one is looking around and it is a quiet place to be honest
- Would you slip your hand up if you need something from the Lord today?
- Would you be honest in His house and let Him know that you need Him?
- Just slip your hand up and profess it; all we are doing is signaling we need Him
- Maybe you’ve never met this God who loves you – I’d love to introduce you
- Maybe you are seeking a church home to be a part of – we’d love to receive you
- Or maybe, you are just tired or running from God and need to rest in Him
- When the music starts you come this morning, don’t delay and don’t wait
- If you’ve confessed that you need God’s peace this morning, then there is work
- Pray
