COURAGE TO STAND IN A FALLEN WORLD

“God Files For Divorce ”

Pastor Duane Cross | 02.10.2013

“If a man divorces his wife and then leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers-would you now return to me?” Declares the lord.

Jeremiah 3:1

“Therefore I bring charges against you again, declares the lord.”

Jeremiah 2:9

THE HONEYMOON

“I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me.”

Jeremiah 2:2

• God had passion for his bride: “Israel was holy to the Lord, the first fruits of his harvest.” Jeremiah 2:3a

• God protected his bride: “All who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster over took them.” ........................................................... Jeremiah 2:3b

• God provided for his bride: “I brought you into a fertile land...”

Jeremiah 2:7

THE GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE

“What fault did your fathers find in me that they strayed so far from me?”

Jeremiah 2:5a

“’They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.”

Jeremiah 2:5b

“Where is the Lord?”

Jeremiah 2:6

THE EVIDENCE

EXHIBIT A

“Has a nation ever changed gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glory for worthless idols.”

Jeremiah 2:11

“I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are luke warm, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Revelation 3:15-16

“Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror.”

Jeremiah 2:12

EXHIBIT B

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

Jeremiah 2:13

EXHIBIT C

“long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bands; you said, ‘I will not serve you.’”

Jeremiah 2:20a

EXHIBIT D

“Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute. ”

Jeremiah 2:20b

EXHIBIT E

“Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me,” declares the sovereign Lord. Jeremiah 2.22

THE RECONCILIATION

“Return, faithless people, declares the Lord, ‘for I am your husband.’” Jeremiah 3.14

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O virgin Israel.’”

Jeremiah 31:3-4

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

For the Week of February 10, 2013

Pastor Duane Cross

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week-to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used for discussion in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Scripture Reading

Jeremiah 1:1- 3:25

Getting Started

What insight or principle from this weekend’s message did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

Why do you believe divorce is so rampant in our society today?

What do you believe are keys to a lasting relationship (marriage, friendship, family)?

A Closer Look

List God’s “charges” against Israel. (from Jeremiah 2:5ff-3:1). What stands out?

Read Jeremiah 2:1-9. When was the honeymoon over between God and Israel?

Read Jeremiah 2:23-24; 3:2; 6-10. What does this obscene imagery tell us about how God views the disobedience of Israel (and the church)? How does the church (or members of the church) commit spiritual adultery today?

Read the three invitations God gives to Israel to return in him in Jeremiah 3:12; 3:14 and 3:22. What does this tell us about God and his desire for reunion with his people? Where do we see this in the New Testament?

God’s love is stronger than our sin. How does God show his love and repair our broken relationship with Him (Jeremiah 31:1-14)?

Digging Deeper

What “other Gods have you pursued”? Explain.

Have you ever “forgotten” or taken God for granted? (Jeremiah 2:32) Have you ever lived “as if” God did not see, love or pursue you?

In this section God desires genuine “repentance” and “confession” from Israel. What do you need to confess to God and others today? (see 1 John 1:9)

Do you have any “God stories” where he received and restored you from a pattern of disobedience?

Read Jeremiah 31:3-4. Reflect on these verses by inserting “me” instead of “us.”