I. Introduction – I will attempt to do my best to bring the message as God has laid upon my heart. I have struggled with this all week and in trying to find the heartbeat of God, I pray I will do Him justice.
II. We are taught in studying the Bible that what the Jews of the Old Testament had To do in the physical, we are to do in the spiritual. We have in a sense been deemed the Spiritual Jews of the New Testament.
In the Book of Romans, Paul tells us that we have been brought into this thing through adoption, in fact he says, “we have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.”
That being said, any time you read the Old Testament where the Word of God is speaking to the Children of Israel, read it as if He were speaking directly to you, because He may be!!! Note that I referred to the Word of God as being a “He”?!? Well I only do that because we are taught that the Word of God is Him!!! 1 John 5:7 tells us that there are 3 that bear record in Heaven, the Father, The Word & The Holy Ghost. The Word IS Jesus!!! (By the way… the rest of that scripture says these 3 are 1!!!)
III. The Lord told Jeremiah that Israel was back-sliding, that they justified themselves and that they were worse than the worst!!! (A little Drake Revised Edition for you!) Then He gave them instructions as to what they should do.
IV. I think the Lord would talk to an Apostolic young person tonight if we would listen! The Lord is trying to let us know that it’s not too late. If there’s one thing I’ve learned with God…. Is that it’s not too late until it’s too late!!!
V. God told Israel to return and He would not cause His anger to fall on them. That tells me that if they don’t return than He WILL allow His anger to fall. He simply told them that they needed to acknowledge their iniquity, admit they transgressed and He would intervene.
VI. And just as I said that several of you just had this crazy thought in your mind that you’re doing alright!!! You’re saying, “I’m only a teenage Bro Drake, I haven’t transgressed (transgone… or what ever you just said…) I don’t have any of that iniquity stuff.” And that is why I am here tonight. Many teens have this misconception today that everything is alright. As long as I’m not stealing, sleeping around or drinking than I’m going to Heaven.
VII. I have one thing to say to that, I hope you’re right. Many times we read in the Bible where “Children of God” thought they were ‘alright’.
Annainias & Saffiriah fell dead in the church because they thought they were alright!!!
Judas hung himself on a tree, choking the life out of himself, because he thought he was alright.
On and on we read of those who thought everything was alright, yet disaster hit home.
Romans 8:23 tells us that All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. That’s you, that’s me, that’s our Pastors…. All means all.
Not only that, but read the rest of Jeremiah Chapter 3, look closely at verse 25 Young People. The word says, “For we have sinned against the Lord our God… we and our Fathers…. From our YOUTH even unto this day.”
The point I’m trying to make is that we all have our “hang-ups”, our little “hidden sins”, you know…. The ones nobody else knows about?!?!
VIII. Well I see a bright NEON sign lighting up Heaven tonight telling us to repent!!!
God said to return and THEN He will withhold His anger. We MUST take action first!!!
IX. So what does end up happening to Israel? Does she adhere to the proclamations of Jeremiah? Does she listen to the warnings of God and Return?!? Or does she become “Scattered Under the Green Tree and not Hear His Voice”?!?!?!
Well…. There’s only 49 more chapters in the Book of Jeremiah, read it and find out yourself!!!
IX. I will say this, as I close, she does go through a lot. But you know what? Israel is not my main concern tonight. It doesn’t really matter what Israel did with the warnings of God.
You see, Israel has already answered to their Jehovah for all their wrong doings, but you and I still have tonight!!!
We still have prayer service this weekend, Sunday morning Services, and Sunday evening Services……. Or do we!?!?!? Are we promised tomorrow? Or does the Word teach that the Lord will be returning as a thief in the night?
These altars are open tonight, young people listen to the voice of God.
Behold He comes quickly!!
