The Questions We Never
Ask
Jeremiah 8:5,6,2:7
INTRODUCTION
Jeremiah was a priest before he became a prophet. He has the unique experience of being called before his birth. He warned Israel prior to their overthrow by Babylon in 586 BC. " I called out to them to turn from their sin, their wickedness or face destruction." His words failed to inspire lasting repentance. Israel felt secure because of her glorious past as a nation favored by God. America too has been favored by God and has a rich past. ISRAEL failed to see that God requires obedience rather than sacrifice.
1. Look at Jeremiah 8:5,6, 2:19. Jeremiah was scolding Israel, warning this chosen people. IF God did not allow Israel to get by with her sinning and corruption as His chosen people why would He allow America or any other nation escape.
2. Thank God He has provided complete salvation and deliverance by His atoning work on the cross when He shed His blood and died for our sins.
3. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow.
4. More than half of the book of Jeremiah is prophecy concerning Israel. Israel is still God's chosen people and He will return one day in answer to their fervent, desperate prayers as they are surrounded by her enemies. Right now they are dug in, 24/7 protecting against land invasion. Since the Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in mid-June 2007 there are daily rocket and mortar fire on Israel. Over 1000 rockets and over 1000 mortar bombs have been fired at Israel since one year ago. Sirens go off nearly every morning as children are on their way to school. We are to support and pray for peace in Israel.
5. Getting back to their response to Jeremiah, 'WHAT HAVE I DONE?" To Malachi they said," werein have I sinned? That is always the question of those who refuse to submit to his authority. Me? not me?
6. My pastor use to tell me there are no foolish questions. Asking questions is how we learn. Isn't that right? One of my sons was observing me pay a toll on the turnpike. Dad that man gave you a piece of paper and you gave him money. Why is that? If I give you paper will you give me money? I said no son. He said I don't understand. Son, I don't know why either. Congress better start asking more questions to people who want our tax dollars. Amen?
7. Man invented the GPS device I think because he doesn't like to ask questions. Honey we are lost. Pull over and ask for directions.
8. Last week I lost a set of keys to my motor cycle. Yes you heard me right. What pastor drives a motor cycle? I guess I do.
I guess I'm not like most ministers. SOME of you put up with me even if I am a Yankee fan. Popeye the sailor use to say(anyone know who that was? Your age is showing) I am what I am and that's all that I am. I looked everywhere, every stitch of clothing, closets, yards, sheds, blds, restaurants, cars,vans,busses, NO Keys. It wasn't in the lock position so I could move it as to not get a parking ticket. I went to a dealer with my problem. He asked the year and model. Right away he said do you have locks on the back of the trunk for your helmet? Yes but I never use them. They come off with a pair of plyers. Take it to a locksmith they will match your ignition. WOW...Young people ask questions. Who, what, when, where, why.....till you get what you want to know. YET there ARE SOME QUESTIONS WE NEVER ASK. TODAY I WANT TO ASK A FEW...TO YOU. THIS MORNING.
LOOK AT Jere 8:6. BACKSLIDDEN Israel WAS SAYING TO Jeremiah’s' PREACHING, WHAT HAVE I DONE? Are you talking to me?? Jeremiah
said like a horse speeds off into battle without flinching. That's how you rush to danger by ignoring ME. Horses can jump through fire. Dogs can be trained to attack someone who is shooting at them while explosions are going off. In training they never lose. Blank ammunition is used and explosions w/o shrapnel. So when the real thing happens they know no fear .What are some questions we never ask ourself?
I. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS CHRIST?
1. PILATE ASKED THAT QUESTION to a crowd before the crucifixion. Instead of asking it to himself. Don't listen to what others want to do with Him. They will not be with you when you meet your God at the end of life.
2. Every day w/o Christ as savior you have trampled His blood under your feet. He shed His blood for you and for me. Living w/o Him you must walk on His shed blood.
3. Christian what have you done with Jesus Christ? You have received Him great. ARE you living for Him? Are you serving Him? A great man of God once said you are either a missionary or a mission field. WHAT I'm saying is who is Number 1 in your life?
4. I remember the day I said to Linda ,Honey there is someone else that has come into my life but it will make us better. Jesus Christ is with me and us and must be acknowledged. Things will be better from now on.
5. Our priority must be Christ first for things to run smoothly. Mat 6:33, not friends first, not family first, not money first..not church first but the Lord Jesus Christ then He makes everything else come together.
6. Christian what have you done with Him since you got saved? Been baptized? Started reading, studying Bible, started tithing, giving to missions, giving of your time to others??
II. SECONDLY, THE QUESTION WE SELDOM ASK, WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH HIS CHURCH ?
1. This IS THE INSTITUTION THAT WE NEED TO TIE OUR LIves TO AND TO SERVE GOD THROUGH.
2. It is the church that helps and blesses us in the most vital hours of our life. To get married in. To preach funerals in the hour of death. It is place where the gospel is preached to help win your loved ones to Christ.
I'm saying tie your life to the church. Some of you are tying but using a slip knot. Amen? What we need is the square knot. Any ex boy scouts out there?
3. I decided many years ago to join it, love it, build my life around it. My kids never asked me, Daddy are we going to church today?(brother) WE need a new generation of parents that say to their kids, Get up its Sunday. You know where we are going and keep doing it till it is just a habit and every Sunday there is no discussion about it.
4. What would you think of a husband who said every week, honey should I go to work this week? Many treat God's house that way. They wonder why God does not bless them.
5. You may neglect the church now, but one day you will face God for not serving and being faithful through the church. THERE is strength in unity and you can serve better in the church than without it. That's the purpose He gave it to us.
III. THE THIRD QUESTION WE SELDOM ASK, WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ?
1. God sent the H. S. for a duel purpose.
2. To convict sinners and draw them to Christ and to work in the hearts of Christians to bear fruit.
Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
3. This morning let Him bring you to Christ. Then let Him work in our life and make changes. Are you still fighting Him, His people, His church, His word?
4. The New Testament tells of a great feast where many asked to be excused. Have me excused. You don't want God to excuse you from heaven and His prescience one day and grant your request saying take him away, take her away.
5. Christian are you bearing fruit? I hope so, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance:
IV. ANOTHER QUESTION WE SELDOM ASK IS WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH THE BIBLE?
1. Think about that for a minute. 66 books, over 31,000 verses, over one in 4 concern the subject of salvation, over 1900 verses deal with the need of holy living, over 400 verses speak of future judgment of unbelievers, and over 2500 verses speak of temporal punishment of unbelievers.
2. What have I done with all the many promises in the Bible? Do I know what they are? A promise of God is like having a check when there is money in the bank acct. What good is the money if we don't know that it’s there for our use? Good question isn't it..
3. Today we have more conferences than ever before, more Bibles printed than ever before, better teaching methods than ever before and yet more spiritual ignorance than ever before.
4. I challenge all of of our members to try to read their Bible through once each year. What if I don't make it? Well you will accomplish more than if you didn't try.
5. 3.2 chapters a day every day. We are talking 10 mins just listening by audio. I tried once but got discouraged, well try again. You might make it this time.
1189 chapters. Just keep at it if you miss a day.
V. ANOTHER QUESTION SELDOM ASKED IS, WHAT HAVE I DONE ABOUT PRAYER?
1. Prayer IS A ONE WAY PATH TO GOD.Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
2. Do I have a special place or time each day where He waits for me? Don't you hate it when you make an appointment with someone and they don't show up or even call? If you asked them about it later they said, Oh I just forgot.Oh sure..ok, got it.
3. God wants us to keep our appointment w/Him. He gives just enough grace for one day at a time, amen?
4. Always remember sometimes God says NO. It’s not best for you. This Wednesday night come to prayer meeting and I'll give you a gift from the Holy Land.
5. The Questions up to now have been easy. Now even some of my friends aren't gonna like it. You've been enjoying the sermon so far, saved, check, church, check, baptized, check, Bible,holy spirit ,prayer,check.
VI. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH MY MONEY?
1. I knew it. I knew. All they talk about is money.
2. The whole world has talked about nothing but money the past couple weeks but it only bothers you now.?
3. You say that's easy. I give it to Uncle Sam. I feel your pain also.
4. In Malachi's day the temple was the storehouse where God's people brought their offerings. The Church in principal is the same thing today.
5. The Bible doesn't endorse cake sales to raise money or Bingo or other man made plans. We are to give off the top, our best to the Lord. It was a great day when I learned that 9/10 of my money with God's blessing will go farther than 10/10 without it. Ladies if your husband says no it’s out of your hands. He is the spiritual leader of the home and let the Lord deal with Him. You pray for Him.
If he is unsaved God does not want his offering anyway God wants to give Him a new heart. Some sermons are like a ride in the park where you stop and look at all the nice sights. Then there are some sermons that are like a greasy wrench. Its greasy because its trying to fix something. This is one of the greasiest I've had in awhile. It's almost over, hang in there. I'm trying to tighten up a lot of loose bolts. I turn them down and they keep coming up! Well amen.
VII. WHAT HAVE I DONE AS A SOUL WINNER?
1. First our lives must be in order to win, help, bring or lead folks to Christ.
VIII. LASTLY WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH GOD'S WARNINGS ?
1. GOD WARNS THE UNSAVED.Pr 27:1 ¶ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth
2. GOD WAS WILLING to forgive Israel if they returned to Him but if not He would end the controversy.
Am 4:12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
3. People said of the Titanic, It can't be sunk, unsinkable. 1600 people perished because of failure to heed the warning. Receive Christ who died for you. Make peace w/God. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Accept His provission found in the finished work of Christ on the cross.
4. Christians, God has asked us some questions today. What is your answer to Him. Let us pray...
By Pastor Stephen Janke
Community Baptist Church