Turning Back to God: True Solutions for Humanity

 

Summary

In the second chapter of the book of Jeremiah, the prophet addresses the Israelites, who are in a state of distress and facing the threat of invasion. Despite their dire circumstances, they persist in their refusal to turn back to God. Jeremiah's message is a call to repentance, urging them to abandon their reliance on foreign powers like Egypt and Assyria, symbolized by the waters of the Nile and the Euphrates, and instead return to God. This message is not just historical but is profoundly relevant to our modern world, which is similarly seeking solutions in all the wrong places.

The greatest need of our world today is the message of the Bible. Many dismiss this as outdated, yet the Bible offers a consistent and unified perspective on life that stands in contrast to the fragmented and often contradictory views of the world. The Bible presents two fundamental attitudes: the biblical and the non-biblical. The non-biblical view, despite its diversity, is unified in its departure from God's truth, leading to a consistent pattern of failure and dissatisfaction.

The world is in turmoil, seeking peace, happiness, and security, but often in the wrong places. Like the Israelites, who sought help from Egypt and Assyria, modern society turns to pleasure, economic security, education, and other expedients, hoping to solve its problems. However, these solutions are inadequate because they ignore the root issue: humanity's estrangement from God. The Bible teaches that true change comes not from superficial adjustments but from a complete transformation—a new creation in Christ.

The core problem is theological: humanity's ignorance of God and His truth. This ignorance leads to a failure to recognize the soul's needs and the reality of sin. The world attempts to address its issues through legislation, education, and social reforms, but these efforts fall short because they overlook the spiritual dimension of human existence. True peace and satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The Israelites' reliance on Egypt and Assyria symbolizes humanity's tendency to seek solutions in the wrong places. True peace and security come from turning back to God, not from external alliances or expedients. [16:39]

- The Bible offers a unified and consistent perspective on life, contrasting with the fragmented views of the world. It presents two fundamental attitudes: biblical and non-biblical, with the latter leading to dissatisfaction and failure. [05:11]

- Humanity's greatest need is a complete transformation, not superficial adjustments. Becoming a Christian means becoming a new creation, with old things passing away and all things becoming new. [11:29]

- The core problem of the world is theological: ignorance of God and His truth. This leads to a failure to recognize the soul's needs and the reality of sin, resulting in inadequate solutions to life's problems. [30:54]

- True peace and satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The world's attempts to solve its problems through legislation, education, and social reforms fall short because they overlook the spiritual dimension of human existence. [51:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Jeremiah's Message
- [01:09] - Israel's Dire Circumstances
- [02:38] - The Relevance of Jeremiah's Message Today
- [03:11] - The Bible's Unique Perspective
- [04:20] - Two Attitudes Towards Life
- [06:15] - The Unity of Biblical Teaching
- [08:13] - Humanity's Quest for Peace and Security
- [10:48] - The Need for Complete Transformation
- [12:10] - Ignorance of Biblical Teaching
- [14:31] - False Expedients and Their Futility
- [17:26] - Modern Parallels to Israel's Mistakes
- [22:31] - The Limitations of Education and Social Reforms
- [30:54] - The Theological Core of Humanity's Problems
- [51:05] - Finding True Peace in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 2:18

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the Israelites relying on instead of turning back to God, according to Jeremiah 2:18? How does this symbolize humanity's tendency to seek solutions in the wrong places? [16:39]

2. In the sermon, what are the two fundamental attitudes towards life that the Bible presents? How are they described? [04:20]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the greatest need of the world today, and how is this need often perceived by society? [03:11]

4. How does the sermon describe the world's attempts to solve its problems, and why are these attempts considered inadequate? [30:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the reliance on Egypt and Assyria in Jeremiah 2:18 reflect modern society's search for peace and security in the wrong places? What are some contemporary examples of this behavior? [18:42]

2. The sermon mentions that humanity's greatest need is a complete transformation. What does it mean to become a "new creation" in Christ, and how does this differ from making superficial adjustments? [11:29]

3. According to the sermon, why is ignorance of God and His truth considered the core problem of the world? How does this ignorance affect the way people address life's issues? [30:54]

4. The sermon contrasts the biblical and non-biblical views of life. How does the unity of biblical teaching provide a consistent perspective, and why is this important for believers? [05:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be seeking solutions in "Egypt" or "Assyria" instead of turning to God? What steps can you take to redirect your focus towards God? [16:39]

2. The sermon emphasizes the need for a complete transformation in Christ. What specific areas of your life do you feel need transformation, and how can you invite God into that process? [11:29]

3. Consider the ways in which you might be ignoring the spiritual dimension of your existence. How can you become more aware of your soul's needs and the reality of sin in your life? [30:54]

4. The sermon suggests that true peace and satisfaction come from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. How can you deepen your relationship with God this week? What practices or habits might help you in this journey? [51:05]

5. Think about the societal solutions you often hear about, such as education or economic security. How can you balance these with a biblical understanding of humanity's core issues? [22:31]

6. The sermon challenges us to recognize the limitations of human wisdom and to embrace a childlike faith. In what ways can you practice humility and openness to God's guidance in your daily life? [45:27]

7. Reflect on a time when you felt restless or dissatisfied. How might this restlessness be pointing you towards a deeper need for God? What can you do to seek rest in Him? [46:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking Solutions in the Wrong Places
The Israelites' reliance on Egypt and Assyria serves as a powerful metaphor for humanity's tendency to seek solutions in the wrong places. In Jeremiah's time, the Israelites were facing dire circumstances, yet they continued to look to foreign powers for help instead of turning back to God. This misplaced trust is mirrored in today's world, where people often seek peace, happiness, and security in material wealth, pleasure, or human alliances. These external solutions, however, are inadequate because they fail to address the root issue: humanity's estrangement from God. True peace and security come from a relationship with God, not from external expedients. [16:39]

Jeremiah 2:18-19 (ESV): "And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts."

Reflection: What are some "foreign powers" or external solutions you find yourself relying on instead of turning to God? How can you begin to shift your trust back to Him today?


Day 2: The Bible's Unified Perspective
The Bible offers a unified and consistent perspective on life, contrasting sharply with the fragmented and often contradictory views of the world. While the world presents a myriad of philosophies and ideologies, the Bible provides a coherent narrative that centers on God's truth. This biblical perspective is not just a set of rules but a comprehensive worldview that addresses the deepest needs of the human soul. The non-biblical view, despite its diversity, is unified in its departure from God's truth, leading to a consistent pattern of failure and dissatisfaction. Embracing the biblical perspective means aligning one's life with God's truth, which brings true fulfillment and peace. [05:11]

Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: In what ways do you see the world's fragmented views influencing your thoughts and actions? How can you intentionally align your perspective with the unified truth of the Bible?


Day 3: The Need for Complete Transformation
Humanity's greatest need is not for superficial adjustments but for a complete transformation. Becoming a Christian means becoming a new creation, with old things passing away and all things becoming new. This transformation is not merely about changing behaviors but about a fundamental change in identity and purpose. It involves a shift from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness, from living for oneself to living for God. This new creation in Christ is the only way to experience true and lasting change, as it addresses the root issue of sin and estrangement from God. [11:29]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: What old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to embrace your new identity in Christ? What steps can you take today to live as a new creation?


Day 4: Ignorance of God and His Truth
The core problem of the world is theological: ignorance of God and His truth. This ignorance leads to a failure to recognize the soul's needs and the reality of sin, resulting in inadequate solutions to life's problems. The world often attempts to address its issues through legislation, education, and social reforms, but these efforts fall short because they overlook the spiritual dimension of human existence. True peace and satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Recognizing and addressing this theological core is essential for finding real solutions to the challenges we face. [30:54]

Hosea 4:6 (ESV): "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel a lack of knowledge about God and His truth? How can you seek to grow in your understanding and relationship with Him?


Day 5: Finding True Peace in Christ
True peace and satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The world's attempts to solve its problems through legislation, education, and social reforms fall short because they overlook the spiritual dimension of human existence. While these efforts may bring temporary relief, they cannot address the deeper issues of the heart. Only through Christ can we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, as He reconciles us to God and transforms our lives from the inside out. This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging nature of God. [51:05]

John 14:27 (ESV): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Reflection: Where do you currently seek peace and satisfaction in your life? How can you begin to rely more on your relationship with Christ to find true peace?

Quotes



The greatest need of the world tonight at this very moment, what is the greatest need of the individual, what is the greatest need of men collectively? And I'm here to make this assertion on behalf of Christianity, the Christian message, the Christian Gospel, on behalf of this book and to assert that the Supreme and the most urgent need of this world at this minute is this book. [00:02:57]

The Bible, you see, takes this fundamental point of view. It says that ultimately there are only two attitudes towards life, towards men, and to all our circumstances. There are only two attitudes ultimately, and they are these: the attitude of the Bible and every other attitude. Now it doesn't matter what the other attitudes may be, the thing that is important about them is that they don't subscribe to the biblical attitude. [00:04:15]

What is the great problem confronting everybody tonight? What's the problem confronting the individual? What's the problem confronting this country? What is the problem confronting the whole universe of mankind? Isn't it this: are we not all in different ways and in some shape or form or another seeking for peace, seeking for happiness and joy, seeking for satisfaction, seeking for security? [00:08:24]

What man needs is not to correct his difficulties and his problems here and there; he needs to change his whole position. Now that's the fundamental statement of the Bible. To become a Christian is not a mere improvement on the surface; it isn't to make an adjustment here or there. There are many people who think that that is Christianity, but it isn't. Christianity is the change entirely. [00:10:49]

Men also turn to false expedience because he does not believe the teaching of the Bible. You see how he puts it here: you are, he says, you're in trouble, you've become a slave, you've been spoiled. The Young Lions have roared upon him and yelled, they've made his land waste, his cities are burned without inhabitant. [00:13:57]

The world as a whole tonight is in the position of the children of Israel. The world realizes that there's something wrong. Our papers are full of the problem, parliament's always discussing it, it comes before us everywhere. It's recognized that things are not as they should be. Now the question is, what are we to do therefore? [00:17:59]

The main problem confronting the world tonight is a purely biblical and a purely theological one. Why are men and women, I say, rushing to these various things that I've been describing to you? And the one answer is that they are ignorant of the truth and ignorant of the truth of God. [00:30:54]

What is being entirely ignored is the fact of sin in the human heart and in the human breast. What is being forgotten is that man is just not a mind or an intellect. He has these other parts in him; there are lusts and passions and drives and forces stronger than a man's mind, stronger than his will. [00:33:48]

The whole notion of crime is rapidly disappearing amongst us. Everything is being explained today in terms of disease, diminished responsibility they call it. They say don't regard that man as a criminal, he can't help himself, he's mad like that. Why did he do that? Well, he couldn't help it, there was a great drive, it's something physical, it's almost disease. [00:34:54]

The whole of recorded history, including modern history, proves that the case of the Bible is true. What are you doing there at the end, he puts it still more plainly, verse 36: why Gest thou about so much to change thy way? Thou shalt also be ashamed of Egypt as th was ashamed of Assyria. [00:37:05]

The way of the transgressor is hard; it always leads to trouble. Egypt and Assyria cannot save, and isn't this obvious at the present time? We've never had it so good, we've never been so wealthy, we've never had such good houses, we've never had so many pleasures, we've never been so well educated, we've never had so many institutions catering for every part and portion of our life and existence. [00:38:39]

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and men must be taught the fear of God. He must be taught again the law of God, and he must be taught that if he breaks it, he'll suffer, and he will. And when he's been convicted by this law of God and sees his miserable failure, he must be pointed to the love and the grace of God in Jesus Christ. [00:50:19]

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Transcript
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