Aligning Our Hearts with God's Grief Over Sin

 

Summary

In our journey through the scriptures, we often encounter the profound emotions of the prophets, who were deeply moved by the sins of their people and the impending judgments of God. Today, I want to reflect on the importance of aligning our hearts with God's heart, particularly in how we respond to sin and the brokenness of the world around us. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, exemplifies this deep emotional connection to God's heart. He wept not out of anger or judgment, but out of a profound sadness for the people who had turned away from God. His tears were a reflection of God's own grief over sin and rebellion.

As we read through the prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra, and Daniel, we see a consistent theme: these men of God were not indifferent to the sin around them. They mourned, they wept, and they interceded for their people. This is a powerful reminder for us today. We live in a culture that often shies away from discussing judgment and the consequences of sin. We focus on the promises and blessings, but neglect the warnings and the reality of God's justice. This imbalance can lead to a lack of genuine mourning over sin, both in our lives and in the world.

The prophets were tasked with two primary responsibilities: to proclaim the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. This dual message is crucial for us to understand the full counsel of God. When we only focus on the blessings, we miss the gravity of sin and the urgency of repentance. We must allow ourselves to feel the weight of sin, not just in a personal sense, but in a communal and global sense. This is not about being judgmental, but about being compassionate and aligned with God's heart.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves: what breaks our hearts? Are we moved by the things that move God? Do we weep over the things that grieve Him? It's easy to become desensitized or distracted by the cares of this world, but we are called to be a people who reflect God's heart. This means being willing to confront sin, not with a spirit of condemnation, but with a heart of compassion and a desire for restoration.

Key Takeaways:

- Aligning with God's Heart: We must strive to align our emotions with God's heart, allowing ourselves to be moved by the things that move Him. This means not only rejoicing in His promises but also mourning over sin and its consequences. Our tears should reflect God's grief over the brokenness of the world. [01:56]

- The Role of the Prophets: The prophets were tasked with proclaiming both the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. This dual message is essential for understanding the full counsel of God. We must not shy away from discussing judgment, as it is a vital part of God's truth. [21:19]

- The Importance of Mourning: Genuine mourning over sin is a sign of spiritual maturity and alignment with God's heart. It is not about being judgmental, but about being compassionate and desiring restoration for those who have turned away from God. [16:19]

- Reflecting on Personal Priorities: We must examine what truly moves us emotionally. Are we more affected by worldly concerns than by the spiritual state of those around us? Our priorities should reflect God's priorities, and our hearts should break for what breaks His. [08:31]

- Community and Accountability: As a church, we are called to support one another in aligning our hearts with God's. This involves holding each other accountable and encouraging one another to care deeply about the things that matter to God. [34:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Praying for Pastors
- [00:41] - Confession of Hypocrisy
- [01:11] - Jeremiah's Tears
- [02:28] - The Weeping Prophet
- [03:19] - Confronting Sin with Compassion
- [04:26] - Break My Heart for What Breaks Yours
- [06:21] - Emotional Reactions and Priorities
- [09:22] - The Sin Within the Church
- [12:19] - Ezekiel's Mark of Sorrow
- [15:10] - Ezra's Response to Sin
- [17:02] - Daniel's Confession
- [20:33] - The Prophets' Dual Message
- [22:40] - The Reality of Judgment
- [28:22] - God's Heart for Repentance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Jeremiah 9:1-3
2. Ezekiel 9:4-6
3. Daniel 9:3-6

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Observation Questions:

1. In Jeremiah 9:1-3, what emotions does Jeremiah express, and what are the reasons for his grief? How does this reflect his relationship with God? [02:12]

2. According to Ezekiel 9:4-6, what specific action does God command before executing judgment, and what criteria are used to mark certain individuals? [12:56]

3. In Daniel 9:3-6, what actions does Daniel take in response to the sins of his people, and how does he address God in his prayer? [17:19]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the prophets in delivering God's message, and what dual responsibilities were they given? [20:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Jeremiah's weeping over the sins of his people reveal about the nature of true compassion and alignment with God's heart? How might this challenge contemporary attitudes towards sin? [01:56]

2. In Ezekiel 9, why do you think God chose to mark those who "sigh and groan" over the abominations? What does this tell us about God's values and expectations for His people? [13:54]

3. How does Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 demonstrate a model for confession and intercession? What elements of his prayer can be applied to personal or communal repentance today? [17:19]

4. The sermon mentions the imbalance in focusing only on God's promises and not His judgments. How might this affect a believer's understanding of God's character and their spiritual growth? [22:58]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: What are the things that break your heart? Are they aligned with what breaks God's heart? How can you cultivate a heart that is more in tune with God's emotions? [05:29]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of mourning over sin. When was the last time you felt genuine sorrow for sin, either personally or in the world? How can you develop a deeper sense of compassion and urgency for repentance? [16:19]

3. Consider the dual message of the prophets: blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. How can you ensure that you are not neglecting either aspect in your understanding and sharing of God's Word? [21:19]

4. In what ways can you support your church community in aligning more closely with God's heart? How can you hold each other accountable in a loving and compassionate manner? [34:31]

5. Think about a specific area in your life where you may have become desensitized to sin. What steps can you take to confront this with a heart of compassion and a desire for restoration? [03:50]

6. How can you actively seek to prioritize God's concerns over worldly distractions in your daily life? Identify one practical change you can make this week to reflect God's priorities. [08:31]

7. The sermon discusses the importance of community and accountability. How can you foster an environment in your small group or church where people feel supported in their spiritual journey? [34:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Our Hearts with God's Emotions
Aligning our hearts with God's emotions means allowing ourselves to be moved by the things that move Him. This involves not only rejoicing in His promises but also mourning over sin and its consequences. The prophets, like Jeremiah, exemplified this alignment by weeping over the sins of their people, reflecting God's own grief. In today's world, it is easy to become desensitized to sin and brokenness, but we are called to reflect God's heart by feeling the weight of sin and responding with compassion and a desire for restoration. [01:56]

Ezekiel 9:4 (ESV): "And the Lord said to him, 'Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.'"

Reflection: What specific sin or brokenness in the world today grieves your heart? How can you align your emotions with God's by responding to this with compassion and action?


Day 2: The Prophets' Dual Message
The prophets were tasked with proclaiming both the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. This dual message is essential for understanding the full counsel of God. In a culture that often shies away from discussing judgment, it is vital to remember that God's truth includes both His promises and His justice. By acknowledging the reality of judgment, we can better appreciate the gravity of sin and the urgency of repentance. This balanced understanding helps us to live in alignment with God's will and to communicate His truth effectively to others. [21:19]

Amos 3:7 (ESV): "For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets."

Reflection: How can you incorporate both the blessings and warnings of God's message into your conversations with others this week? What specific steps can you take to ensure you are sharing the full counsel of God?


Day 3: Mourning as a Sign of Spiritual Maturity
Genuine mourning over sin is a sign of spiritual maturity and alignment with God's heart. It is not about being judgmental, but about being compassionate and desiring restoration for those who have turned away from God. The prophets demonstrated this by interceding for their people and expressing deep sorrow over their sins. In our own lives, we are called to reflect this same heart of compassion, allowing ourselves to feel the weight of sin and to respond with a desire for healing and reconciliation. [16:19]

Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "'Yet even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.' Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."

Reflection: When was the last time you genuinely mourned over sin, either in your life or in the world? How can you cultivate a heart that is more sensitive to the things that grieve God?


Day 4: Reflecting on Personal Priorities
Reflecting on personal priorities involves examining what truly moves us emotionally. Are we more affected by worldly concerns than by the spiritual state of those around us? Our priorities should reflect God's priorities, and our hearts should break for what breaks His. By aligning our emotions with God's, we can ensure that our lives are focused on what truly matters and that we are living in accordance with His will. This reflection requires honesty and a willingness to make changes in our lives to better align with God's heart. [08:31]

Haggai 1:5-7 (ESV): "Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways."

Reflection: What are the top three priorities in your life right now? How do they align with God's priorities, and what changes can you make to better reflect His heart in your daily life?


Day 5: Community and Accountability
As a church, we are called to support one another in aligning our hearts with God's. This involves holding each other accountable and encouraging one another to care deeply about the things that matter to God. By fostering a community that prioritizes spiritual growth and alignment with God's heart, we can create an environment where individuals are encouraged to live out their faith authentically and compassionately. This communal support is essential for spiritual formation and for living out the full counsel of God in our daily lives. [34:31]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week for mutual encouragement and accountability in aligning your hearts with God's? How can you actively support each other in this journey?

Quotes

"Jeremiah was crying I mean he's referred to many refer to him as the weeping prophet he was always crying when he talked about God's judgment it wasn't like hey you guys are all gonna burn in hell he's bawling his eyes out don't you understand who this God is and then his judgments really coming and he would cry and he would weep." [00:01:56]

"Break my heart for what breaks yours I've just been singing that non-stop like the last month I just whenever I have I just I just have that one bridge and my break my heart for what breaks yours it's gonna it's just I just kept singing how my god because my heart isn't broken for the things that break your heart." [00:04:26]

"You can tell a lot about a person by what gets them emotional what gets them riled up what makes them angry and what makes them cry right you find out what they love, that's the barometer you go what does this guy care about well what what makes him sad what makes him angry what get some emotional what gets her so fired up what is it what makes you weep are they the things of God the things that God weeps over." [00:06:21]

"God's gonna destroy right he's gonna he's gonna judge the city but before he judges the city look at what he says the Lord tells this guy in Chapter 9 verse 4 he calls this man clothed in linen verse 4 the Lord said him passed through the city through Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it." [00:12:19]

"Ezra 9 verse 3 as soon as I heard this I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled then all who trembled at the word of the God of Israel because the faithlessness of the returned exiles gathered around me while I sat appalled until evening sacrifice and at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting with my garment and my cloak torn and fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God." [00:15:10]

"Daniel chapter 9 ok I just bizarre I don't think there's anything in it that's just weird that it's or that's easy to remember at least chapter 9 what is what is Daniel doing yesterday and in verse 3 he goes I turned my face to the Lord God seeking him by prayer and please former see with fasting and sackcloth and ashes I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession O Lord the great and awesome God who keeps covenant in steadfast love with those who love him and keep his Commandments." [00:17:02]

"Every prophet without fail was given two tasks from God one tell the people of all the great rewards that are coming their way if they obey my commands second job tell the people of all the curses and the punishment that are coming their way if they don't obey the Word of God that's it promised the people reward for following me and warn the people of punishment if they disobey me that's it two jobs." [00:20:33]

"We live in an era here in America where people will tell you the promises all day long do this and you'll receive life do this you'll receive life but we don't dare talk about judgment because that's offensive and we want to fit in and we don't want to be rejected no one wants to believe in hell anymore no one wants to believe in the end where I I'm guilty I like to read about the New Jerusalem I love that part that's fine." [00:22:40]

"Everyone who makes a practice of sinning and practices lawlessness also practices lawlessness sin is lawlessness verse 6 no one who abides in him keeps on sinning no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him little children let no one deceive you whoever practices righteousness is righteous as he is righteous whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil for the devil has been sinning from the beginning." [00:28:22]

"I am so concerned for you man I see some of you you get in arguments with each other and it's like don't you see that God hates that is in there everything in you that goes I got to make peace I got to make peace because this Greed's the heart of god this is what grieves the Holy Spirit when there's division man if any of you you know calls on the name of Jesus you know I mean Isaiah you know like if you had something against me alright something against you it's like man let's get that right let's this is fixes this changes why because it's breaking his heart break my heart for what breaks yours." [00:31:19]

"God is sad when he sees places called Church that are supposed to be his children and there's fighting there's all sorts of sexual immorality no one's really serious about him I'm just seeing more and more it breaks his heart and that's why we're trying so hard to say you guys let's let's give him something different let's be a church that actually really loves each other where we open up our houses to each other open up our wallets to each other we we we serve each other we serve each other's kids we don't care if you're black white asian Hispanic at this place this is beautiful I love it." [00:34:31]

"The reason why we do this is not so because we like it necessarily it's like no this God is what you asked for and you weep over places that call themselves Christian and Church and yet they live like the world and I'm just saying god I don't want that I don't want that here so I'm praying for you guys I ask that you pray for me because I just want to care about the things God cares about and it's just called each other on that and say hey I think you care about that too much you know about this or that and because when we have too many things we care about we don't have enough left in the tank for the things that matter." [00:36:31]

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Transcript
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