Reasons religion is Worthless

 Read Jeremiah 10.

The people of Judah were religious.  It is natural for all people to place their trust in some sort of belief system that explains to their satisfaction how we got here, what life is all about, and what happens when we die.

Some have chosen to believe in themselves.  This not only fails all logic in attempting to answer the three issues above, but the very statement is full of selfish pride.  Jeremiah got it right when he said, "I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps." (v.23)  Our own self-help efforts will always prove to be inadequate.

Most have chosen to place their faith something they or others concocted.  Jeremiah's message from God in this chapter takes on the silliness of man-made religion.  Craftsmen cut down a tree, shaped the wood, covered it with gold, and then irrationally ascribed supernatural power to it.  They chose to believe in what they made rather than the God who created all things (vv.12-16).  The LORD said, "They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood!" (v.8)  "They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish." (v.15) 

In the personal search for meaning in life, not all believe in the same God.  The God of the Bible is unique in both Who He is and His claims upon every individual.  Simply consider the statements in verse 10.
1. "He is the true God."
If this claim is correct, all other beliefs and so-called gods are false.  A mix of the truth and falsehood is no longer the truth.  He alone is God.  There is no one else.

2. "He is the living God."
Unlike the idols and the religions based upon the sayings of dead philosophers, the God of the Bible speaks, hears, sees, and acts.  He loves, forgives, rewards, blesses, judges, and punishes evil.  He is not distant to our needs but up close and personal.

3. "He is the everlasting King."
Or, King of Eternity.  The Apostle Paul wrote concerning God, the Son, in 1 Timothy 6:16-16, "He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality..."  Only He can address how we got here, what life is all about, and what happens when we die because He is the only authoritative source.  He was there in eternity past and the original Cause.  He is present with us now fulfilling His plans.  He will be in full control for all eternity future.

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6).  This is not belief in a system but a person.  This is not a religion but a relationship.

 

Our nation is in trouble. What is the answer?

 Read Jeremiah 9.

With the intensity building of God's pending judgment, the preacher shared his personal feelings.
-Jeremiah wanted to cry.  This is why he is often called the weeping prophet.  Not only that, he called upon the women of the nation to mourn with him (vv.17-21).
-Jeremiah wanted to run.  If only there was some desolate place for him to escape and to get away from all this mess.

But if he did not stand under the pressure, if he did not speak the truth and urge others to seek God, if he did not live for God in an ungodly culture, he would have missed the very reason the LORD put him there.

The message was not his, but God's.  The nation was not his, but God's.  The problem was not rejection of him, but God.  The people chose to believe "falsehood and not truth" and, therefore, "they do not know me, declares the LORD." (v.3)  The people chose to live deceitful and sinful lives and, therefore, "they refuse to know me, declares the LORD." (vv.4-8)

How can a nation or individual, not only survive, but enjoy the blessings of God? (v.23-24)
1. Some trust themselves and their leaders to make wise decisions.
"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom."  It does not require a political scientist to figure out that there are no human solutions to the world's problems and pressures.  None of us are wise enough on our own to even lead ourselves, let alone others.

2. Some trust in their personal ability or the power of their nation.
"Let not the mighty man boast in his might."  No one is truly independent and no nation can survive merely because of their superior military strength.

3. Some trust in their wealth.
"Let not the rich man boast in his riches."  Money and investments may disappear quickly in a national collapse.  Finances have no value when one is facing death.

So, what is the answer?
"Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

"Blessed is the nation (and persons) whose God is the LORD." (Psalm 33:12)

 

What is the problem Here?

 Read Jeremiah 8.

The first step to a solution is recognizing there is a problem.  Though the prophets of God had consistently delivered warnings, the people refused to admit anything was wrong (v.6).  Having ignored God's word and turning to their own so-called wisdom (vv.7-9), the sin of Judah reached a point beyond repair. 

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah giving him a preview of what would happen to the nation.  Babylon's army will be loud and so thunderous it will feel like an earthquake.  Cities and people will be destroyed.

God gave them every opportunity to repent and turn to Him.  Solomon wrote, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)  Migratory birds know this (v.7).  Farmers know this to be true.  But with Judah, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended" and with no response they would not be delivered (v.20).

This was so devastatingly sad, that all Jeremiah wanted to do was to sit down and cry (8:21-9:1).  In a desperate prayer he asked the LORD "Is there no balm in Gilead?  Is there no physician there?"  Gilead is located in the foothills on the east side of the Jordan River.  They were known for their commercial trade of an aromatic gum thought to have a medicinal effect.  Jeremiah called for some medicine and a doctor to come and restore his nation's spiritual health.  Help was available but the nation refused.

In Luke 5:27-32, Jesus called Levi (Matthew) to follow him and Matthew invited Him to dinner.  This prompted the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes to criticize Jesus for eating with sinners.  "And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'"

Like Jeremiah, followers of Jesus weep over those who do not know Him yet.  Before one can experience the forgiveness of their sin and the spiritual healing God offers through Christ, there must be an admission of their need.  Oh, how we pray for the Holy Spirit to help others to see the urgency of their need for Him.

 

Do you take your worship with You?

 Read Jeremiah 7.

The Temple in Jerusalem was the most sacred place in the world.  Inside, the very presence of God filled the Holy of Holies.  Judah felt safe, even invincible, because God was on their side.

At the Temple, the people of Judah showed outward signs of obedience to God.  But, during the week their lifestyles betrayed the faith they said they believed.  They proclaimed, "'We are delivered!'--only to go on doing all these abominations." (v.10)  They went through the motions but there was no demonstrated life-change.  This lack of spiritual integrity and blatant sin would no longer be tolerated.

God named their sins.  Most all of them had to do with their mistreatment of others.  In addition, they were looking to man-made gods and making sacrifices to them.  The LORD will not share His position of exclusivity with anyone or anything.

Twice, Shiloh is mentioned.  That was the place where the Tabernacle had been and the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10-11).  God warned Judah that such a thing could happen in Jerusalem.

His call to them in verse 23 is simple:
1. "Obey my voice." 
They had been listening to the voices of false teachers and ungodly leaders.  Do not miss the establishment of this message in verses 1-3.  "The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD...proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD...Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel..."

God has more to say about life than can be learned and implemented in a lifetime.  In our day, it is written down for us.  We have no excuse.  God has spoken on what we are to do and what we are to avoid.  His challenge for us is to listen, learn, and live obediently according to His word.

2. "Walk in all the way that I command you."
Our worship of God should remind us of our spiritual standing and commitment to the LORD.  The time should be inspiring, educational, encouraging and challenging.  But the proof of worship is what happens next.  Some leave their worship in a special place, like Judah did.  True followers take their worship with them and live radically different lives as a result.

3. "That it may be well with you."
This is God's goal in our personal relationship with Him.  He will meet our needs and protect us because we are His.

 

Does a loving God reject People?

 Read Jeremiah 6.

Are there any more sobering words in the universe than "the LORD has rejected them"? (v.30)  Yes.

While the context has to do with Judah experiencing God's punishment with 70 years of captivity, there are words even more devastating.  Jesus foretold of the final judgment when He will say to those who rejected Him, "Depart from me, you cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41)  "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)

In His steadfast love and grace, the LORD sent spokesmen to warn the people about their sin.  He offered forgiveness and restoration of themselves and their nation.  In His patience, God waited for them to respond.  "Behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.  Therefore I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in." (vv.10b-11)

The false prophets kept preaching, "'Peace, peace', when there is no peace." (v.14)

They could have experienced God's blessings instead.  They had a choice but refused to take it.  "They have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it." (v.19)

What did God want them to do?  They had spiritually lost their way.  The comparison in verse 16 is that of a traveler who took the wrong turn.  Instead of trying to figure it out on your own and making matters worse, just admit you are lost and go back to the place you know is right.  Pride keeps us going in the wrong direction.
1. "Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is."
The Bible was complete by the end of the first century A.D. and it is the only authoritative source of knowing God, receiving forgiveness of sin, and having eternal life.  Indeed, it is good news and the good way.

2. "Walk in it."
When one experiences a personal relationship with the LORD, there is a responsibility to keep learning and living for Him each day.

3. "Find rest for your souls."
The results are beyond compare.  Instead of aimlessly wandering through life, a follower of Jesus lives on purpose.  The storms of life come but "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

 

What will you do when the end Comes?

 Read Jeremiah 5.

The people of the city of Jerusalem had become so corrupt that there was not one person "who does justice and seeks truth."  Jeremiah thought that perhaps this was due to ignorance.  The people did not know what God expected.  But he discovered that the same corruption of sin existed among those who knew better.

The LORD reminded them of some of His blessings.  He provided for them and took care of them.  Yet, they used their health and strength to sin.  Even when warned by the prophets of God, they said, "He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us." (v.12)  The false prophets and priests kept up their messages of encouragement, peace and prosperity.  It was popular preaching.  "My people love to have it so." (v.31a)

God's judgment came, just as He said.  "As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours."  Some lost their lives.  All lost their homes, possessions, and the nation.  The Babylonians overran them like attacking wild animals (v.6).

The people of Judah were not prepared for what was about to take place.  They thought everything would continue as it has been and become even better in the future.   God's question to them was, "But what will you do when the end comes?" (v.31b)

Just as they were warned and God's temporary judgment fell upon Judah, in the same manner every person must answer God's question about the end of this life and eternal judgment for personal sin.

The return of Christ is an unfulfilled fact.  Judgment is coming upon all the ungodly.  Hell is real; a place of eternal punishment for those who reject God's offer of forgiveness in Jesus.  "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." (2 Peter 3:10)

For those of us who know the truth, be prepared.  For those who do not know, the clear message is to prepare now.  Forgiveness from Jesus and eternal life is only a prayer away.

 

3 mistakes that will bring God's Judgment

 Read Jeremiah 4.

"Return," the LORD declared to His wayward people.  But they did not.

Jeremiah saw the consequences for Judah in advance.  The coming events were terrifying.  "Blow the trumpet" of warning.  Sound the alarm.  "Cry aloud."  Why?  Because God's judgment on the nation's sin was about to take place.  "The fierce anger of the LORD" (v.8) will come in the form of an enemy "from the north" (v.6).

Sure enough, God used the Babylonians to destroy the land and take many of the people away as captives.  The invasion is described as being like a lion charging out of his hiding place to attack his prey (v.7).  They would sweep across the land as quickly and brutally as a scorching hot wind (v.11).  "Chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles" (v.13).  The people of Judah would run for their lives, leaving their cities deserted.

What caused God to drop His protection and allow this to happen?
"Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you." (v.18)

What did they do exactly to cause this judgment?
1. They refused to remove the "detestable things" from their lives and turn wholeheartedly to God. (v.1)
The people loved their sin more than wanting to live for the LORD.

2. They listened to the wrong people and believed a false message of hope. (vv.9-10).
The prophets of God had been warning them all along and calling the nation to repent.  But false prophets and ungodly leaders spoke only of peace and prosperity.  When the disaster struck, some then would blame God for not telling the truth.  He did tell them the truth.  They did not want to hear it and so they turned to those who had a message they liked better.

3. They learned about evil instead of learning how to live for God.  (v.22)
"For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding.  They are 'wise'--in doing evil!  But how to do good they know not."  Dr. Bill Bright used to say that people are not Gospel hardened.  They are Gospel ignorant.  They have either never heard or never taken the time to know a real relationship with God and discover the truth from His word. 

Out of His goodness, the Lord continues to call for individuals to come to Him.