Even the gospel is called, ‘the good news’. No-one wants to hear bad news. Sometimes to alleviate the pain we might be tempted to tell folk good news, when the news is actually not good at all. As we go back to the book of Jeremiah this is what confronted Jeremiah’s ministry.
Jeremiah 27: The Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar
1 In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD.
2 Thus the LORD said to me: "Make yourself straps and yoke-bars, and put them on your neck.
3 Send word to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the sons of Ammon, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon by the hand of the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.
4 Give them this charge for their masters: 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: This is what you shall say to your masters:
5 "It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me.
6 Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him.
7 All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
8 "'"But if any nation or kingdom will not serve this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, declares the LORD, until I have consumed it by his hand.
9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your fortune-tellers, or your sorcerers, who are saying to you, "You shall not serve the king of Babylon."
10 For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish.
11 But any nation that will bring its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave on its own land, to work it and dwell there, declares the LORD."'"
12 To Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke in like manner: "Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people and live.
13 Why will you and your people die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, as the LORD has spoken concerning any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?
14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, 'You shall not serve the king of Babylon,' for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you.
15 I have not sent them, declares the LORD, but they are prophesying falsely in my name, with the result that I will drive you out and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you."
16 Then I spoke to the priests and to all this people, saying, "Thus says the LORD: Do not listen to the words of your prophets who are prophesying to you, saying, 'Behold, the vessels of the LORD's house will now shortly be brought back from Babylon,' for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you.
17 Do not listen to them; serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city become a desolation?
18 If they are prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, then let them intercede with the LORD of hosts, that the vessels that are left in the house of the LORD, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem may not go to Babylon.
19 For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, the sea, the stands, and the rest of the vessels that are left in this city,
20 which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away, when he took into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem---
21 thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that are left in the house of the LORD, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem:
22 They shall be carried to Babylon and remain there until the day when I visit them, declares the LORD. Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place."
Things to think about…
1. Jer 27 is all about Babylon having the rule and coming as conquerors not only over Judah, but the lands of Moab, Ammon and Syria. Jeremiah makes the yoke bars and straps, vs 2. The people of Judah never enjoyed being under the yoke of anyone, who does? Yet Jeremiah was saying this was going to be the case. How do you feel when you are told news that limits you in some way? IE Financial constraints because an interest rate goes up, or inflation. You can’t go on that holiday, didn’t get that promotion, etc, etc. Perhaps limited physically due to sickness. What is your response to being under a yoke, as it were?
2. Imagine the feeling of these kings from Jer 27:2, “the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the sons of Ammon, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon” when they were given the yokes from Jeremiah. No doubt Zedekiah, the king of Jerusalem, was embarrassed with Jeremiah’s message. These kings were united against Babylon and Jeremiah is telling them they will all be under Nebuchadnezzar’s subjugation.
3. If these kings did not receive the yoke, they would be under punishment from Babylon, vs 8. This happened when Babylon marched on Jerusalem in 587BC. Babylon had already marched against Jerusalem in 605BC and 597BC and had taken some vessels and the best of the land, including the best and brightest people, Daniel and Ezekiel were taken at these times. Jeremiah here says that the false prophets were saying those vessels would not stay in Babylon but be returned soon, Jer 27:16. Not only would this not happen until the right time, 70 years were fulfilled, but in a few short years Jeremiah says Nebuchadnezzar would return and take the things that remained “the pillars, the sea, the stands, and the rest of the vessels that are left in this city”, vs 19. These also would be taken from the city, Jer 27:20-22Sometimes warning messages from the Lord are sent to us. This can take many forms including the loss of finances or health. If these have been a result of sin (though this is not always the case, 2 Tim 4:20) and sin has not been repented of, the life of the believer can take a turn for the worst. We saw this even with Alexander and Hymenaeus whom Paul handed over to Satan to mortify the flesh, 2 Tim 2:17.
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
1. Jay asked about your freedom or other wise around Christians/non Christians. What has been your experience with Christian Pharisaism. Have you experienced situations where someone has exalted law over grace in the past?
2. Paul spoke about the fading glory of Moses’ face. Why did Moses’ face fade over time and what has this to do with the New Covenant in Christ?
3. Paul says we go from ‘glory to glory’. What does he mean. Stephen’s face shone as he was being killed in Acts 7. How is the glory of God reflected in our lives.
4. Explain your understanding of “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life”.
Prayer Points
1. Continue to pray for Brett, Zac, Elyssa and others with this virus as they recover.
2. Ministries as they start back this week.
3. That we see Christ even as Covid goes through the community.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. A number of people asking about faith and life in Christ
2. And families who have recovered from Covid.
3. People encouraged by Sunday’s message.
4. Joy in our service, great times in the cafe.
5. Worship and technical team. Thanks everyone.
Announcements
1. Cell groups back up this week – see Helen for more details. A new cell group will start at the church for residents around Karalee. This will start next week.
2. Kidz@Church back on Sunday
3. Members Meeting after the service 27th Feb
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for February...
Q. 16. Who should partake of the Lord's Supper? A. Only those who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation and live according to his word.
