God's Relentless Plea for Repentance and Transformation

 

Summary

In the book of Jeremiah, God speaks through the prophet to the Israelites, highlighting their spiritual decline and rebellion. Despite their persistent disobedience, God declares, "I will yet plead with you," emphasizing His relentless pursuit of His people. This plea is not merely an emotional appeal but a legal argument, a divine controversy where God presents His case against the people's sinfulness. The Israelites' troubles stem from their forgetfulness of God and their ingratitude for His past deliverance. They have turned away from Him, defiling the land He gave them and following false prophets who lead them astray.

This message is timeless, resonating with our current world, which mirrors the chaos and confusion of Jeremiah's time. The root cause of societal and personal turmoil is the same: a departure from God. The plea of God is a call to recognize the irrationality of sin, which offers no true benefit or defense. Sin is deeply ingrained in human nature, stubbornly persisting through generations. Despite the knowledge of its consequences, humanity continues to repeat the same mistakes, highlighting the need for a profound transformation—a change of heart that only God can provide.

God's character is revealed in His plea. His condescension, compassion, and long-suffering nature are evident as He continues to reach out to humanity, despite our rebellion. He desires repentance, not destruction, and His patience is not to be mistaken for indifference. There will come a time when His justice will be executed, and His righteousness vindicated. God's pleadings serve to open our eyes to our true condition, leading us to repentance and ultimately justifying His actions when judgment comes.

The ultimate question is whether we have read and understood God's pleadings. Have we acknowledged our sinfulness and accepted His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ? The pleadings are clear, and the offer is free. In the end, there will be no excuse for rejecting God's grace, and those who do will find themselves speechless before Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Unreasonableness of Sin: Sin is utterly irrational, offering no true benefit or defense. Despite knowing its consequences, humanity continues to engage in sinful behavior, highlighting the need for a profound transformation—a change of heart that only God can provide. [13:31]

2. The Stubborn Nature of Sin: Sin is deeply ingrained in human nature, persisting through generations. Despite historical lessons and personal experiences, humanity repeats the same mistakes, underscoring the need for divine intervention and a new heart. [22:26]

3. God's Compassion and Long-Suffering: God's plea reveals His condescension and compassion. Despite our rebellion, He continues to reach out, desiring repentance rather than destruction. His patience is not indifference; it is an opportunity for us to turn back to Him. [30:34]

4. The Justice and Righteousness of God: God's justice will ultimately be executed, and His righteousness vindicated. His long-suffering is not to be mistaken for indifference. There will come a time when His judgment will be fulfilled, and His character will be justified. [41:21]

5. The Call to Repentance: God's pleadings aim to open our eyes to our true condition, leading us to repentance. The offer of salvation through Jesus Christ is free, and rejecting it leaves us without excuse. In the end, those who refuse will find themselves speechless before God. [44:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Jeremiah's Message
- [01:10] - The Condition of Israel
- [02:38] - The Cause of Their Troubles
- [03:54] - The Failure of Leaders
- [05:06] - God's Plea to His People
- [07:20] - Understanding the Plea
- [09:32] - God's Legal Argument
- [12:11] - The Unreasonableness of Sin
- [17:24] - The Stubborn Nature of Sin
- [22:26] - The Depth of Sin
- [26:02] - God's Compassion and Long-Suffering
- [33:19] - The Justice and Righteousness of God
- [41:55] - The Purpose of God's Plea
- [49:57] - The Call to Repentance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 2:9 - "Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the Lord, and with your children's children will I plead."
- Micah 6:2 - "Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel."
- Ezekiel 18:23 - "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?"

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Observation Questions:

1. What does God mean when He says, "I will yet plead with you," in Jeremiah 2:9? How does this reflect His relationship with the Israelites? [00:10]

2. In the sermon, how is the word "plead" explained in a legal context, and what significance does this have for understanding God's message to His people? [07:20]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of false prophets during Jeremiah's time, and what impact did they have on the Israelites' spiritual state? [01:58]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the "unreasonableness of sin," and how does this concept challenge our understanding of human behavior? [13:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that the stubborn nature of sin affects both individuals and societies over generations? What implications does this have for our understanding of human nature? [22:26]

2. In what ways does the sermon highlight God's compassion and long-suffering, and how does this contrast with human rebellion? [30:34]

3. How does the sermon explain the justice and righteousness of God in relation to His patience and eventual judgment? What does this reveal about God's character? [41:21]

4. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate purpose of God's pleadings with humanity, and how does this relate to the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ? [44:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you recognized the "unreasonableness of sin" in your own life. How did this realization impact your actions or decisions? [13:31]

2. The sermon discusses the stubborn nature of sin. Are there recurring sins or habits in your life that you struggle to overcome? What steps can you take to address them? [22:26]

3. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for God's compassion and long-suffering in your daily life? What practical ways can you demonstrate gratitude for His patience? [30:34]

4. In what ways can you actively respond to God's call to repentance in your life? Are there specific areas where you need to seek forgiveness and change? [44:49]

5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding God's pleadings. How can you ensure that you are attentive to God's voice and guidance in your life? [50:15]

6. Consider the justice and righteousness of God as described in the sermon. How does this understanding influence your perspective on current events or personal challenges? [41:21]

7. How can you share the message of God's offer of salvation with others in your community? Identify one person you can reach out to this week with the message of hope in Christ. [44:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Irrationality of Sin
Sin defies logic and reason, offering no real benefit or defense. Despite being aware of its destructive consequences, humanity continues to engage in sinful behavior, revealing a deep-seated need for transformation. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own; it requires a change of heart that only God can provide. The plea from God is a call to recognize the futility of sin and to seek the profound change that comes from turning to Him. [13:31]

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: Identify a recurring sin in your life that seems irrational. How can you invite God to transform this area of your life today?


Day 2: The Generational Persistence of Sin
Sin is deeply ingrained in human nature, persisting through generations despite the lessons of history and personal experience. Humanity's tendency to repeat the same mistakes underscores the need for divine intervention and a new heart. This stubborn nature of sin highlights the importance of seeking God's help to break the cycle and embrace a life aligned with His will. [22:26]

Ezekiel 18:30-31 (ESV): "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!"

Reflection: Consider a pattern of sin that has persisted in your family or community. What steps can you take to break this cycle with God's help?


Day 3: God's Compassionate Pursuit
God's plea reveals His condescension and compassion. Despite humanity's rebellion, He continues to reach out, desiring repentance rather than destruction. His patience is not indifference; it is an opportunity for us to turn back to Him. This relentless pursuit is a testament to His love and desire for a restored relationship with His people. [30:34]

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can you respond to His compassionate pursuit and draw closer to Him today?


Day 4: The Vindication of God's Justice
God's justice will ultimately be executed, and His righteousness vindicated. His long-suffering is not to be mistaken for indifference. There will come a time when His judgment will be fulfilled, and His character will be justified. This understanding calls us to live in a way that honors His righteousness and prepares us for the day of His judgment. [41:21]

Nahum 1:3 (ESV): "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

Reflection: In what ways can you align your life with God's justice and righteousness today, knowing that His judgment is certain?


Day 5: The Urgency of Repentance
God's pleadings aim to open our eyes to our true condition, leading us to repentance. The offer of salvation through Jesus Christ is free, and rejecting it leaves us without excuse. In the end, those who refuse will find themselves speechless before God. This call to repentance is urgent, inviting us to accept His grace and live transformed lives. [44:49]

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to repent and accept God's grace? How can you take action on this today?

Quotes


Here is a history that aerate by now looking backwards covers at a minimum 6,000 years and what has been said to the human race during this 6,000 years the answer is the very selfsame thing that needs to be said to it tonight you see there's nothing new about Sin it's a very old trouble it's a continuing trouble here it is from generation to generation still the same old thing isn't it clear from the history of the Bible and from the general secular history of the human race. [00:18:24]

The utter unreasonableness of sin what do I mean by that well it's this little word yet that tells me that wherefore I will yet plead with you he means this you see I've already been doing it but I'm going to go undoing it and of course we have seen already that he has been doing so but he hasn't finished he's multiplied his arguments he's brought out reason after reason but he says you know I haven't finished even yet I've got more then he begins to say this and he says that you read your chapter and you'll find how he brings out his further arguments. [00:12:11]

The Deep SE and the stubborn character of sin where do you find that says someone well let me tell you where I find it here he says I will yet plead with you say the Lord and with your children and with your children's children he's already said in verse 5 thus said the Lord what iniquity have your fathers found in me there it is you see this is what God is saying he says you know I said in the past the very things I'm saying to you to your fathers I'm now saying them to you I'll go on saying them to your children I'll go on saying them to your children's children. [00:22:26]

The character of God as it is revealed in the pleading you know there's something tremendous about this verse have you got it wherefore I will plead with you say the Lord and with your children and your children's children I will plead with you have you ever realized it what it tells us do you see here the condescension of God this is the Lord God Almighty speaking the creator of the heavens and the earth and the Sea and all that in them is the Lord God who said let there be light and there was light who made Men Out of the Dust of the earth. [00:30:34]

The infinite condescension of the almighty God who Almighty as he is Stoops to our weakness and comes down and as it were is prepared to let us speak and to say what we've got to say he's going to enter into controversy oh the condescension of the allm Mighty God but then look at it in terms of his compassion it's the same thing you see the fact I say that he's prepared to do that what makes him do it why does he trouble with us at all why doesn't God destroy the universe and get rid of sinful men. [00:33:19]

The goodness of God says Paul to the Romans leadeth thee is leading thee to repentance that's the meaning of his long suffering and his compassion and all the delay of the execution of the final sentence the goodness of of God leadeth thee to repentance he wants you to see it and to acknowledge it and to get down before him and to prostrate yourself before him and to cry out for mercy and for compassion that's why he pleads but you know he's got another reason and I free to confess that this is to me one of the most amazing things in the whole of the Bible. [00:44:49]

God pleads with us in this way in order to justify himself to us and to the whole world when at the end he comes to execute the sentence and to meet out the punishment that sin in all unrepentant persons so richly deserved God pleads in order that he may justify himself and his own action now let me take you to David again Psalm 51 It's a Wonderful commentary on this verse of ours tonight I am confessing my sin says David against thee against thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight why why does he say that well David tells you that thou mightest be just when thou speakest. [00:49:57]

The pleadings have got it all God has told us beforeand he has made it quite plain andar that if a man dies unrepentant he goes to torment and to hell so God is Justified he's told us he's warned us oh but there's something much stronger any man whoever finds himself in hell will be there in spite of God's love and mercy and Grace and compassion God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten some it isn't only that if we've ignored the law and have sped The Voice Divine and have refused to listen to The Mighty argument God in the person of his son came down to plead to put the case not only that to deliver us out of it. [00:41:21]

The whole meaning of the Incarnation it's the whole meaning of his death upon the cross and all he suffered and endured his death the shedding of his blood the breaking of his body it's the whole explanation and if you're in hell if you find yourself in hell I say it will be in spite of that that God offered you pardon for nothing A New Life to become a partaker of the divine nature and to make you an heir of heaven and eternal bless it's in spite of that you'll find yourself in hell in other words I say this and I say it with a reverence there is nothing more that even God could do when God gave His only begotten son even to the death of the cross for our sins that we might be forgiven and reconciled and made on you even God can't do anymore God's given himself in his son. [00:44:49]

The question I want to ask you as I close is this have you read the pleadings are you familiar with the case against you God's put it to you you have no excuse they're all here he's taken it step by step he's reasoned he's argued it out have you read the pleadings tell me secondly having read the pleadings aren't you ready to accept his terms aren't you ready to accept his offer aren't you prepared to take your stand with David and say you're right there's nothing to be said you're absolutely just I deserve nothing have mercy upon me oh Lord are you ready to become like that Publican in the temple slighting his breast and saying God be propitiated towards me a sinner. [00:49:57]

When God looks upon any man in the final judgment who has not accepted his offer of free salvation in Jesus Christ he will just say I gave you the pleadings what have you got to say and there'll be nothing to say every sinner will be speechless God had W God had condemned God had put it all in W above all he sent his son there was the way out the offer all for nothing what is there to say there is nothing to say oh beloved friends consider the pleadings of God and submit to him in Repentance and receive the Glorious offer of free salvation in Jesus Christ Our Lord. [00:49:57]

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Transcript
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