THE WORD OF THE LORD
Text: Jeremiah 1
4 October 2009
(I) THE LORDSHIP OF GOD SEEN IN HIS WORD
“…the word of the LORD…” Jeremiah 1:2
1. The Lord’s word to be seen as commands
a) Whatever God commands
“…And whatever I command you, you shall speak.” Jeremiah 1:7
b) All that God commands
“…And speak to them all that I command you…” Jeremiah 1:17
2. The Lord’s involvement in giving His word
“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.’ “ Jeremiah 1:9
a) Touching His servant’s mouth
b) Saying to His servant
c) Placing His words in His servant’s mouth
(II) THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF THE LORD
1. Over kings
“To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of…” Jeremiah 1:2-3
a) In the days of King Josiah
b) In the days of King Jehoiakim
c) In the days of King Zedekiah
2. Over nations
“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms…” Jeremiah 1:9-10
(III) THE SUBMISSION OF GOD’S SERVANT TO HIS WORD
1. Through obeying despite personal adequacies
“But the LORD said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth’…’ ” Jeremiah 1:7
2. Through relying on the promise of His presence
” ‘Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the LORD” Jeremiah 1:8
3. Through being trained to see spiritual insights
“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Jeremiah, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a branch of an almond tree.’ Then the LORD said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.’ ” Jeremiah 1:11-12
4. Through personal preparation
“Therefore prepare yourself and arise…” Jeremiah 1:17
a) To speak what God commanded
“…And speak to them all that I command you…” Jeremiah 1:17
b) To have a formidable spirit
“For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land…” Jeremiah 1:18
(IV) RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY TO THE WORD OF THE LORD AS SERVANTS OF GOD
1. Seeing the Lordship of God in His word
a) His Commands
b) His Words
2. Seeking the Lord to place His word on our mouth
3. Submitting to the word of the Lord
4. Speaking only what He commands