Healing at the Top – Preaching in pain and the pain of Preaching…

Jeremiah saw the folly of the political policy of wicked kings and warned them of God’s plan for Judah, but none of them heeded the warning.  Jehoiakim was openly hostile to Jeremiah and destroyed one scroll sent by Jeremiah by cutting off a few columns at a time and throwing them into the fire!  Zedekiah was a weak and vacillating king, at times seeking Jeremiah’s advice, but at other times allowing Jeremiah’s enemies to mistreat and imprison him.

The prophet has a compassionate heart, yet his oracles speak a severe message of doom against foreign nations, condemned rulers, priests, corruption (7:11), false prophets, attacks the people for their continuous idolatry and proclaims severe judgment unless they repented!

Jeremiah, presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase.  He shows us an attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves… when God is writing His law and chastising the rebellious human heart (5:21) speaks through His vessel with a broken heart.  His actions and attitude portrays the lifestyle of Jesus, showing great compassion and weeping over the people, yet bruised and broken for them.  The internal work of the Holy Spirit is revealed in his time of weariness but the power of the Word as burning fire causes him to settle to …  “I could not  … not”! (20:9)

 How do you identify with Jeremiah’s pain?                  Have you had a good cry over God’s people?             Have you heard his voice of assurance and received the   comfort of the Holy Spirit?

• it may be the wounds from a colleague or spouse you have worked with for many years…but now their moral standards disagree with God’s and you can no longer walk together as one. 
• it may be the bruises of slander and lies
•  it may be the pain of rebellious, prideful, sinful lifestyles, unconfessed sin or contrary spirits you’ve witness among members, other pastors and leaders or a nation turned away from God!

Jeremiah… A preacher’s life, illustrating the character of the heart when one has to preach in pain and bare the pain of preaching…                                                              §§§§§

• Jeremiah Chapter 1:The call and preparation of the Prophet Jeremiah

1. (4-5) -Revelation of God’s foreknowledge, the sanctifying work, life’s destiny and purpose.

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

2. (6-10) Jeremiah’s objection and God’s response to the objection.                        –Reassurance and descriptive assignment

Then said I:
“Ah, Lord GOD!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”
But the LORD said to me:
“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD.  (It hurts, but He is with you!)

Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me:
“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to pull down,
To destroy and to throw down,
To build and to plant.”

3. (17-19) God commands Jeremiah to be steadfast in the face of coming opposition.                            -Prepare yourself… Rise up! …The Making of a Prophet

Therefore prepare yourself and arise,
And speak to them all that I command you.
Do not be dismayed before their faces,
Lest I dismay you before them.
For behold, I have made you this day
A fortified city and an iron pillar,
And bronze walls against the whole land—
Against the kings of Judah,
Against its princes,
Against its priests,
And against the people of the land.
They will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you.
For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.” 

 Remember …No one understands and knows pain better than the Lord Jesus Christ…  No one can dry tears and heal the broken heart like the love of Jesus!