Rejecting Divine Truth: A Call to Repentance

 

Summary

In reflecting on the incident involving King Jehoiakim of Judah, we are reminded of the timeless relevance of God's message to humanity. The narrative from Jeremiah 36 serves as a mirror to our modern world, illustrating how humanity often reacts to divine warnings and guidance. The Bible, a book about life and living, offers practical wisdom and a path to redemption, yet it is frequently met with indifference or outright rejection. This story of Jehoiakim, who burned the scroll containing God's words, symbolizes the modern tendency to dismiss divine truth in favor of self-reliance and pride.

The core of God's message is a condemnation of sin and iniquity, which are the root causes of human suffering and calamity. Sin is defined as turning away from God, disobeying His laws, and living according to one's desires. This message is not just a condemnation but also a call to repentance—a chance to turn back to God, acknowledge our wrongs, and seek His forgiveness. Repentance involves a change of mind and heart, a recognition of our folly, and a commitment to live according to God's will.

Despite the clarity and urgency of this message, many, like King Jehoiakim, choose to ignore it. This rejection is often rooted in pride and a refusal to acknowledge any authority higher than oneself. The modern man, much like Jehoiakim, is confident in his own wisdom and resents the idea of needing divine guidance. This pride is compounded by a love for darkness and a hatred of the light, as the Bible's message challenges the sinful lifestyles that many are unwilling to abandon.

Yet, the futility of rejecting God's word is evident. God's truth remains unchanged, and His promises and warnings are eternal. The Bible assures us that sin leads to destruction, but it also offers hope through the promise of forgiveness and eternal life for those who repent and believe in Christ. This is the gracious offer of the gospel: a call to return to God, receive His forgiveness, and live in the light of His truth.

Key Takeaways:

- God's message condemns sin and iniquity, highlighting that our troubles stem from turning away from Him. Sin is not just an act but a state of rebellion against God's will, leading to inevitable consequences. [12:41]

- Repentance is a central theme, calling us to acknowledge our wrongs and return to God. It involves a change of heart and mind, recognizing our need for divine guidance and forgiveness. [18:35]

- Pride and self-reliance often lead to the rejection of God's message. Many, like King Jehoiakim, refuse to accept any authority higher than themselves, resulting in spiritual blindness and folly. [29:05]

- The futility of rejecting God's word is evident, as His truth remains unchanged. Despite human attempts to dismiss it, God's promises and warnings endure, and His word will ultimately prevail. [45:25]

- The gospel offers hope through the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. God's message is not just one of condemnation but also of grace, inviting us to repent and believe in Christ for salvation. [55:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Jeremiah 36
- [01:06] - The Bible: A Practical Book
- [02:00] - Human Responses to Crisis
- [03:26] - The Futility of Human Reliance
- [04:01] - God's Word Confronts Humanity
- [05:03] - Mankind's Reaction to God's Word
- [06:15] - Historical Context of Jeremiah's Message
- [07:41] - The Threat of Babylon
- [09:05] - King Jehoiakim's Reaction
- [10:25] - Modern Parallels to Jehoiakim's Response
- [12:41] - God's Message: Condemnation and Call to Repentance
- [18:35] - The Meaning of Repentance
- [29:05] - Pride and Rejection of Authority
- [45:25] - The Enduring Truth of God's Word
- [55:07] - The Gospel's Offer of Forgiveness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 36:2-3
- Romans 8:7
- John 3:19

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific actions did King Jehoiakim take in response to the scroll containing God's words, and what does this reveal about his attitude towards divine authority? [09:50]

2. According to the sermon, what is the primary reason for the troubles faced by the people of Israel during Jeremiah's time? [13:01]

3. How does the sermon describe the modern world's reaction to God's message, and what historical example is used to illustrate this? [10:25]

4. What does the sermon suggest is the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's word, as demonstrated by King Jehoiakim's actions? [45:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the act of burning the scroll as a symbol of modern humanity's rejection of divine truth? What are the implications of this rejection? [10:25]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that pride and self-reliance contribute to the rejection of God's message? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual blindness? [29:05]

3. The sermon mentions that God's message is not only one of condemnation but also of grace. How does this duality affect the way individuals might respond to the gospel? [55:07]

4. How does the sermon use the historical context of Jeremiah's message to draw parallels with contemporary society's challenges and responses to divine warnings? [07:41]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you, like King Jehoiakim, might have dismissed or ignored a message from God. What was the outcome, and how might you respond differently now? [09:50]

2. The sermon highlights pride as a barrier to accepting God's authority. Identify an area in your life where pride might be preventing you from fully submitting to God's will. How can you address this? [29:05]

3. Consider the sermon’s emphasis on repentance. What specific steps can you take this week to acknowledge your wrongs and seek God's forgiveness? [18:35]

4. The sermon warns of the futility of rejecting God's word. How can you ensure that you are actively engaging with and applying God's truth in your daily life? [45:25]

5. The gospel offers hope through forgiveness and eternal life. How can you share this message of grace with someone in your life who might be struggling with feelings of guilt or unworthiness? [55:07]

6. Reflect on the sermon’s discussion of the modern world's tendency to rely on self rather than divine guidance. How can you cultivate a greater dependence on God in your decision-making processes? [03:07]

7. The sermon draws parallels between historical and modern responses to God's message. How can you use the lessons from Jeremiah's time to navigate current challenges in your spiritual journey? [07:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Sin as Rebellion Against God
God's message condemns sin and iniquity, highlighting that our troubles stem from turning away from Him. Sin is not just an act but a state of rebellion against God's will, leading to inevitable consequences. The narrative of King Jehoiakim in Jeremiah 36 serves as a stark reminder of how humanity often reacts to divine warnings. Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll symbolizes the modern tendency to dismiss divine truth in favor of self-reliance and pride. This rejection of God's word is not just a historical event but a reflection of our own lives when we choose to ignore His guidance. The Bible, a book about life and living, offers practical wisdom and a path to redemption, yet it is frequently met with indifference or outright rejection. [12:41]

Jeremiah 5:23-24 (ESV): "But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’"

Reflection: In what ways have you turned away from God's guidance in your life? How can you begin to realign your heart with His will today?


Day 2: The Call to Repentance
Repentance is a central theme, calling us to acknowledge our wrongs and return to God. It involves a change of heart and mind, recognizing our need for divine guidance and forgiveness. The story of Jehoiakim illustrates the futility of rejecting God's call to repentance. Despite the clarity and urgency of God's message, many choose to ignore it, rooted in pride and a refusal to acknowledge any authority higher than oneself. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins but involves a genuine transformation of our inner being, a commitment to live according to God's will. This is an invitation to experience God's grace and forgiveness, a chance to start anew. [18:35]

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 specific steps can you take today to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness? How can you demonstrate a genuine change of heart in your daily actions?


Day 3: The Danger of Pride and Self-Reliance
Pride and self-reliance often lead to the rejection of God's message. Many, like King Jehoiakim, refuse to accept any authority higher than themselves, resulting in spiritual blindness and folly. This pride is compounded by a love for darkness and a hatred of the light, as the Bible's message challenges the sinful lifestyles that many are unwilling to abandon. The modern man, much like Jehoiakim, is confident in his own wisdom and resents the idea of needing divine guidance. This attitude not only distances us from God but also blinds us to the truth and wisdom that He offers. [29:05]

Proverbs 16:18-19 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride has taken root. How can you humble yourself before God and seek His guidance instead of relying solely on your own understanding?


Day 4: The Enduring Truth of God's Word
The futility of rejecting God's word is evident, as His truth remains unchanged. Despite human attempts to dismiss it, God's promises and warnings endure, and His word will ultimately prevail. The story of Jehoiakim serves as a reminder that God's truth is eternal and unchanging. While human wisdom may falter, God's word stands firm, offering guidance, hope, and redemption. The Bible assures us that sin leads to destruction, but it also offers hope through the promise of forgiveness and eternal life for those who repent and believe in Christ. [45:25]

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Reflection: How can you prioritize God's word in your daily life to ensure that His truth guides your decisions and actions? What practical steps can you take to immerse yourself in Scripture regularly?


Day 5: The Gospel's Offer of Forgiveness
The gospel offers hope through the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. God's message is not just one of condemnation but also of grace, inviting us to repent and believe in Christ for salvation. This is the gracious offer of the gospel: a call to return to God, receive His forgiveness, and live in the light of His truth. The story of Jehoiakim reminds us of the consequences of rejecting God's word, but it also points us to the hope and redemption available through Christ. Embracing the gospel means accepting God's invitation to a transformed life, filled with His love and grace. [55:07]

Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."

Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you need to accept God's forgiveness. How can you embrace the gospel's offer of grace and allow it to transform your life today?

Quotes



The Bible is full of that kind of story. These children of Israel were always relying on these other things. They often relied on Egypt and other countries. It never paid them. It always brought them disaster. Whatever it is that we rely on will certainly let us down sooner or later. [00:03:26]

Here confronting the human race has been this word of God with its pronouncement upon the whole problem, its indication of the one and only way of Escape. Now, this is the thing that throughout the centuries this message has been there confronting mankind, showing it the cause of its ills, showing it the way of Escape. [00:04:01]

This is God's message to this world this evening. First and foremost, it is a message which condemns sin and iniquity. That's the first thing about it. This was the cause of all their trouble. They were in their difficulties. They were threatened with this attack and this overwhelming disaster because of their sin and of their iniquity. [00:12:41]

Repentance means what I've been saying. It means you think again. It means you change your mind. It means you say, well, I see I've been a fool. I've been all wrong. I've been foolish. I've brought all this upon myself. And you turn to God and you confess it and acknowledge it. [00:18:35]

The futility of rejecting God's word is evident. God's truth remains unchanged, and His promises and warnings are eternal. Despite human attempts to dismiss it, God's promises and warnings endure, and His word will ultimately prevail. [00:45:25]

The gospel offers hope through the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. God's message is not just one of condemnation but also of grace, inviting us to repent and believe in Christ for salvation. [00:55:07]

The Bible also teaches whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. And isn't it true? Haven't you proved it true already? You do evil, you'll bear the consequences. You're bound to. You can't help it. You'll have remorse if nothing else. You'll have an accusing conscience. You'll be unhappy. [00:46:25]

The message goes on to offer pardon, free pardon, tells us that God so loved us and the world that he gave his only begotten son to death for us that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. [00:56:41]

The Bible's a book about life and about living. It's the most practical book in the world. It isn't something remote. It isn't just a story. This is a very practical book about life, daily life, and living. [00:01:06]

The natural mind, says the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:7, is enmity against God, is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. The trouble is, my friend, that you, as you are, are a hater of God. You hate the thought of him. [00:40:33]

The way of the transgressor is hard. The Bible also teaches whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. And isn't it true? Haven't you proved it true already? You do evil, you'll bear the consequences. You're bound to. You can't help it. You'll have remorse if nothing else. [00:46:25]

The message of the Christian church: God condemns sin. God threatens punishment for this sin and for this iniquity. But thank God, he doesn't stop at that. He sends his Messengers, these prophets, not merely to announce that there's to be punishment but to call men and women to repent. [00:17:27]

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Transcript
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