The unanswered question
Jeremiah 8:6
What is a question? It is an expression of inquiry that invites or calls for a reply. 2. A subject or point open to controversy; an issue. 3. A difficult matter; a problem: a question of ethics. 4. A point or subject under discussion or consideration. 6. Uncertainty; doubt:
1. To put a question to. 2. To examine (a witness, for example) by questioning; interrogate. 3. To express doubt about; dispute. 4. To analyze; examine.
Questions have been around since the beginning of time, everyone hates to be questioned, because when one does it, it is placing somebody on the spot. Numbers 11:11 He asked the Lord, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? You know when Moses was leading the Children of Israel, the mumbling, the grumbling, the disenchanting, the gripes; it was enough to cause Moses to asked.
Numbers 22:28 Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" 1 Samuel 17:29
"Now what have I done?" said David. "Can’t I even speak?"
1 Samuel 20:1 Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, "What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?" 1 Kings 18:9
"What have I done wrong," asked Obadiah, "That you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death? Job 7:20 if I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? These examples of What have I done, are not as what Jeremiah is speaking of here, Jeremiah placed the Children of Israel on the spot, so much that within the book of Jeremiah he asked 194 questions. Tonight thru the help of God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, I would like to discuss the 54th question, found in Jeremiah 8:6. That question is “What have I done”?
Listen to what the Prophet says. Jeremiah 8:6 I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle. This is a question of issues; this is a question of moral ethics, a question of motives, a question of character. (The prodigal’s son.) This is an on the spot question, a nerve rattling question. A coming to your senses.
Jeremiah placed the Children of Israel on the spot, so much that he within the book of Jeremiah he asked 194 questions. Tonight thru the help of God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, I would like to discuss the 54th question, found in Jeremiah 8:6. That question is “What have I done”?
WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH THE CHURCH? My Brothers & Sisters, I am afraid tonight that the inward bickering, the inward discord, the mumbling and grumbling that goes on within the Church, the power struggles within the church. All of this indicates just how far, we have fallen short of God’s expectations. A genuine commitment to the gospel helps us realize the high priority that the unity of God’s peoples in the scriptures PS 133:1 (Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that may be made perfect in one, that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
If the Church is truly to be the people of God, it must visibly exhibit an attitude of unity. God’s own oneness defines the Church’s oneness. Yes, as God is one in three, so the Church is made up of different parts, with a variety of expressions, yet the body of the Church must function with the complete unity of one. We must affirm the unity of the Church in truth as the purpose of God for his people. We need to pray for renewal and unity in our worship, in our witness, and fellowship.
ABOUT MY CHRISTIAN CONVICTION? (John 16 8-11)
. The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts, and the (inhabited) world is the object of conviction. A study of this passage yields the following results. First, conviction for sin is the result of the Holy Spirit awakening humanity to a sense of guilt and condemnation because of sin and unbelief. Second, more than mental conviction is intended. The total person is involved. This can lead to action based on a sense of conviction. Third, the conviction results in hope, not despair. Once individuals are made aware of their estranged relationship with God, they are challenged and encouraged to mend that relationship. The conviction not only implies the exposure of sin (despair) but also a call to repentance (hope). I need to ask you tonight, is there enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian. Will you be able to stand before the Lord, and hear these word “Well done, well done, my good and faithful servant? Church, I striving to hear those words. I want to bow down at my Savior’s feet, with a bowed down head. I want to feel my Savior hand on my head; I want to feel him wipe all my tears over the years from my eyes. I want to be convicted as a Christian.
WHAT HAS THE LORD DONE FOR ME? The first thing I need to let you know that he stripped off his royal robe, stripped off his royal crown, stripped off his royal shoes, yes he did, stripped off his glory, put on the flesh of man, born a manger. Heal the sick, raised the dead, removed the hate from the Father’s heart for man’s sin, man evil ways. They nailed him to the cross, he was being nailed for my sin, he was being nailed for your sin, and he was being nailed for our sins. He died on the cross, he died, he died, yes he died, but early that Sunday morning, he got up, yes he did, with all power all power. He is my rock, in shifting sand. The Lord has been good, yes he has, he picked me up, when I was down, put love in my heart, joy in my heart. Didn’t he do it, yes he did, anybody here know what the Lord has done for them.
