Accept Your Commission Jer. 1:4-14, 17-19 June 05, 2011

Introduction

       Do you believe God has an occupation He chose for you, and a place of service to use that call? It is great to have that assurance from the Lord and to know your vocation came because you accepted your commission.

1.   Accept Your Commission . . Recognizing God’s Call. (Jer. 1:4-7)

       A.   Recognize God’s . . Appointment. 1:4-5

4 The word of the LORD came to me: 5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart

       before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

       B.   Recognize God’s . . Accommodating Plans. 1:6-7

       6 But I protested, “Oh no, Lord, GOD! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.”

       7 Then the LORD said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you

       to and speak whatever I tell you.  

       When God calls a prophet or minister He obviously knows what He is doing. He appointed Jeremiah knowing full well of Jeremiah’s age and abilities. I believe He knew Jeremiah would object for reasons of his youth. Whatever the objections if God calls He can overcome any and all objections. If you interview 100 men who experienced a call from God every one would tell you they had some objections. Personally I had dropped out of High School in my second year and all the ministers of our church had seminary degrees. I did not think

I could get the needed education. Today I have an earned doctors degree. Like Jeremiah God knew my possibilities.

2.   Accept Your Commission . . Receiving the Lord’ Power (Jer. 1:8-10)

       A.   Receive The Lord’s Power Through His . . Declaration. 1:8

8 Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the LORD’s declaration.

       B.   Receive The Lord’s Power Through His . . Demonstration. 1:9

9 Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have now filled your mouth

       with My words.

       C.   Receive The Lord’s Power Through His Ministry . . Direction. 1:10

10 See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and

       demolish, to build and plant.

       Many times when God called a prophet He told them to, “fear not their faces.” I did not understand that until I stood in the pulpit and saw some of the stern faces. God declared to Jeremiah to not be afraid for He will be with him. Then the Lord extended a hand and touched Jeremiah. We may not understand the hand touching him but he did. God gave Jeremiah further direction about his different kinds of messages he would deliver.

3.   Accept Your Commission . . Realizing the Lord’s Reassurance (Jer. 1:11-14)

       A.   Realize the Lord’s Reassurance Through The Revelations About His . . Word. 1:11-12

      11 Then the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I replied,

       “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for

       I watch over My word to accomplish it.”

       B.   Realize the Lord’s Reassurance Through The Revelations About His . . Work. 1:13-14

13 Again the word of the LORD came to me inquiring, “What do you see?” And I replied,

       “I see a boiling pot, its lip tilted from the north ?to the south?.” 14 Then the LORD said to

       me, “Disaster will be poured out from the north on all who live in the land.

       You might say the Lord gave Jeremiah a preview of coming attractions. God pointed out that He watches over His word to accomplish its intended purpose. When a preacher plans his sermons with the major part of the content centered in the Word of God he may not see immediate results but God promises it will not return

void. God works through His word. Recently I gave a lost man a New Testament and I am looking forward to a time when he begins asking questions about it. The Holy Spirit works through the Word even when we seem to have failed in our efforts.

4.   Accept Your Commission . . Relying on the Lord’s Resources (Jer. 1:15-19)

       A.   Relying on the Lord To Carry Out His . . Promised Punishment for Disobedience. 1:15-16

      15 Indeed, I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north.” This is the

       LORD’s declaration. They will come, and each king will set up his throne at the entrance

       to Jerusalem’s gates. They will attack all her surrounding walls and all the other cities of

       Judah. 16 “I will pronounce My judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned

       Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands.

       B.   Relying on the Lord To Carry Out His . . Protection for His Prophets. 1:17-19

17 “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them

       or I will cause you to cower before them. 18 Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an

       iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and

       the population. 19 They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue

       you.” This is the LORD’s declaration.

       When you go to Israel you will see evidence of the old ruins when God allowed Israel to be defeated and destroyed just like He promised. Jeremiah told the people these calamities would happen but the vast majority did not believe him. Some of the people tried to do great harm to him and kings placed hin in a dungeon. He tried to forget his role as a prophet but their remained a fire in his bones to be faithful to the Lord. The Lord protected him and no doubt today he would declare God was faithful to me as He kept His promises. This is even more reason for all Christians to accept their commission. Amen? Amen!