From Broken Cisterns to the Fountain of Life
Summary
In the book of Jeremiah, we find a profound message that resonates with our current world. Jeremiah, a prophet called by God, addressed the Israelites during a time of great turmoil and distress. The essence of his message was simple yet profound: the people had committed two evils. They had forsaken God, the fountain of living waters, and instead, they had created broken cisterns that could hold no water. This metaphor highlights the futility of seeking satisfaction and fulfillment outside of God.
The world today mirrors the situation of Jeremiah's time. People are in a relentless pursuit of satisfaction, peace, and happiness, yet they often turn to man-made solutions that ultimately fail to satisfy. These broken cisterns represent human philosophies, theories, and efforts that lack divine authority and are inherently limited. They are static, lifeless, and incapable of meeting the deepest needs of the human soul.
In contrast, the fountain of living waters, which is God Himself, offers an inexhaustible source of life, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Unlike the limited and decaying cisterns, the fountain is eternal, refreshing, and life-giving. It is a divine provision that requires no human effort to create or maintain. It is a gift of grace, offering forgiveness, peace, and power to those who turn to it.
The choice before us is clear: we can continue to rely on our own broken systems, or we can turn to the living God, who offers us everything we truly need. The call is to forsake the futile and embrace the eternal, to find in Christ the satisfaction and joy that the world cannot provide.
Key Takeaways:
- The Futility of Human Efforts: Human philosophies and efforts, represented by broken cisterns, are inherently limited and cannot satisfy the deepest needs of the soul. They lack divine authority and are subject to decay and failure. [12:11]
- The Fountain of Living Waters: God is the fountain of living waters, offering an inexhaustible source of life and satisfaction. Unlike man-made solutions, God's provision is eternal, refreshing, and life-giving. [36:29]
- The Call to Repentance: Just as Jeremiah called the Israelites to turn back to God, we are called to forsake our futile pursuits and embrace the divine provision offered through Christ. [06:18]
- The Inexhaustible Riches of Christ: The depth and richness of God's provision in Christ are unsearchable and limitless. It offers forgiveness, peace, and power, meeting every need of the human soul. [43:03]
- The Eternal Hope in Christ: In a world filled with uncertainty and despair, the hope found in Christ is unchanging and eternal. It provides comfort and assurance, even in the face of death and the unknown. [51:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Jeremiah's Message
- [01:11] - The Context of Israel's Turmoil
- [02:13] - The Essence of Sin
- [03:11] - The Relevance for Today
- [04:36] - The World's Quest for Satisfaction
- [06:18] - The Call to Repentance
- [07:38] - The Two Evils
- [10:03] - The Folly of Broken Cisterns
- [13:50] - The Limitations of Human Philosophy
- [19:05] - The Static Nature of Cisterns
- [25:41] - The Brokenness of Human Systems
- [36:29] - The Fountain of Living Waters
- [43:03] - The Inexhaustible Riches of Christ
- [51:19] - The Eternal Hope in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 2:13: "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the two evils that the Israelites committed according to Jeremiah 2:13? How does this relate to the metaphor of the fountain and cisterns? [00:27]
2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the state of the world today in comparison to the time of Jeremiah? [04:36]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of "broken cisterns" that people rely on today? [12:11]
4. How does the pastor describe the characteristics of the "fountain of living waters"? [36:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the pastor emphasize the futility of human efforts and philosophies in seeking satisfaction? How does this relate to the metaphor of broken cisterns? [13:50]
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of God as the "fountain of living waters"? What does this metaphor suggest about God's nature and provision? [36:29]
3. What does the pastor mean by the "call to repentance" in the context of Jeremiah's message? How is this relevant to us today? [06:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the "inexhaustible riches of Christ"? What implications does this have for believers? [43:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there any "broken cisterns" you have been relying on for satisfaction? How can you begin to turn away from these and seek fulfillment in God instead? [12:11]
2. The sermon calls us to embrace the "fountain of living waters." What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and experience His life-giving presence? [36:29]
3. Consider the "call to repentance" mentioned in the sermon. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to change or return to Him? How can you respond to this call? [06:18]
4. The sermon highlights the "eternal hope in Christ." How can this hope influence the way you face challenges and uncertainties in your life? [51:19]
5. Think about the "inexhaustible riches of Christ" described in the sermon. How can you share this richness with others in your community or family? [43:03]
6. The pastor mentions the importance of recognizing the futility of human efforts. How can you apply this understanding in your daily decision-making and priorities? [13:50]
7. Reflect on the metaphor of the fountain. How can you ensure that your spiritual life remains vibrant and refreshing, rather than static and lifeless? [36:29]
Devotional
Day 1: The Futility of Human Efforts
Human efforts, philosophies, and systems often promise satisfaction and fulfillment but ultimately fall short. These "broken cisterns" are limited by their lack of divine authority and are subject to decay and failure. In Jeremiah's time, the Israelites turned away from God, seeking fulfillment in their own creations, which could not hold water. Today, people continue to pursue satisfaction through human means, only to find them inadequate. The call is to recognize the limitations of these efforts and to seek the true source of life and fulfillment in God. [12:11]
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than seeking God's guidance and provision? How can you begin to shift your focus to Him today?
Day 2: The Fountain of Living Waters
God is described as the fountain of living waters, an inexhaustible source of life, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Unlike man-made solutions, God's provision is eternal, refreshing, and life-giving. It requires no human effort to create or maintain, as it is a gift of grace. This divine provision offers forgiveness, peace, and power to those who turn to it. In a world filled with temporary solutions, the fountain of living waters stands as a constant and reliable source of true satisfaction. [36:29]
Isaiah 55:1 (ESV): "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's refreshing presence in your life? How can you make space to drink from the fountain of living waters this week?
Day 3: The Call to Repentance
Jeremiah's message to the Israelites was a call to turn back to God, forsaking their futile pursuits. This call to repentance is still relevant today, as people continue to seek fulfillment in things that cannot satisfy. Repentance involves recognizing the futility of these pursuits and embracing the divine provision offered through Christ. It is an invitation to experience the forgiveness, peace, and power that only God can provide. Turning to God requires humility and a willingness to let go of self-reliance. [06:18]
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: What is one area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? What steps can you take today to begin this process?
Day 4: The Inexhaustible Riches of Christ
The depth and richness of God's provision in Christ are unsearchable and limitless. In Christ, believers find forgiveness, peace, and power, meeting every need of the human soul. This divine provision is not only sufficient but also abundant, offering more than we can ask or imagine. The inexhaustible riches of Christ are available to all who seek Him, providing a source of strength and hope in every circumstance. [43:03]
Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: How have you experienced the riches of Christ in your life? What is one way you can share these riches with someone else this week?
Day 5: The Eternal Hope in Christ
In a world filled with uncertainty and despair, the hope found in Christ is unchanging and eternal. This hope provides comfort and assurance, even in the face of death and the unknown. It is a hope that transcends circumstances, offering a firm foundation for those who trust in Christ. The eternal hope in Christ is a source of strength and encouragement, reminding believers of the promises of God and the future glory that awaits. [51:19]
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Reflection: In what ways does the hope of Christ impact your daily life? How can you share this hope with someone who is struggling with uncertainty or despair?
Quotes
"For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out systems, broken cisterns that can hold no water." [00:20:47]
"The world is in a terrible state tonight. The world is in awful trouble. The world is a place of unhappiness. The world is ill at ease. The world is perplexed and bewildered and doesn't understand and doesn't know and doesn't realize what it ought to be doing." [00:04:34]
"We are all seeking satisfaction tonight, either from some sister brother or else we have been to what the prophet Isaiah calls the wells of salvation, this fountain of living waters which Jeremiah describes to the people in the name of God and which is nothing but another name for God Himself." [00:07:08]
"All the philosophies and theories and views concerning life and how we are to live apart from what we have in this book of the Bible are entirely the work of men. They come entirely and exclusively from men, and the simple truth about all who are not Christians in this world tonight is just to say that their ideas by which they are living are entirely their own ideas." [00:11:38]
"Do we realize that apart from this book we have nothing but human speculation, human thought, human theorized, human attempts to arrive at a knowledge of truth and of ultimate reality? There is nothing beyond man if we exclude this book and its teaching." [00:13:46]
"The system of course is always limited in its capacity. A system, well, you can tell exactly the cubic capacity of a system. You can measure therefore exactly the contents of a system even when it is full. And here I see a great and the most important parable." [00:18:56]
"Man has this feeling within himself that he's made for another and made by another. He has a longing for some certainty, some absolute. The philosophers have got it if they would talk about the absolute. It's their way of confessing that within them there is a sense of God, a supreme being." [00:31:22]
"Life without God and without Christ is unnaturally hopeless, isn't it? As the poor man who doesn't believe in God in Christ, any hope at this moment with all that's happening in the world and in these conferences and all the threats of calamities coming, where is he? What does he got to fall back upon?" [00:36:49]
"By grace we said no man makes himself a Christian, thank God. No, thank God my hope in life tonight doesn't depend upon me and I will pout on my feeble efforts. You know the first thing this gospel announces is this: we are his workmanship, not our own making creation." [00:41:31]
"There's nothing more wonderful about the fountain than this: its depth. How deep down does it go? Nobody knows. It seems to be coming up from the bowels of the earth. But oh, the depths of the fountain! Listen to the Apostle Paul saying that in his own way: oh, the depth of the riches both of the knowledge of the wisdom of God." [00:42:48]
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. But you say look at the changes that have taken place in history and the amendment in his knowledge. Well, I'm well aware of them all, you know, but I don't know at the same time that the needs of men are unchangeable." [00:45:44]
"Christ is the fountain of life. Come to him, he'll give your life, and you'll never fail." [00:57:05]
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