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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Reformation Then and Now

February 24, 2013 Speaker: Series: Courage To Stand In A Fallen World - Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet

Topic: Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet Verse: Jeremiah 7:3–7:4

COURAGE TO STAND IN A FALLEN WORLD

“Reformation Then and Now”

Pastor Duane Cross | 02.24.2013

 

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!’”  Jeremiah 7:3-4

“Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.”
II Chronicles 34:29-31

“But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, ‘You must die! why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?’ And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord... Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, ‘This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!’”  Jeremiah 26:8-9,11

The Content of the Temple Sermon can be summarized:

• Religious observance cannot save

• Only a relationship with God manifested in obedience pleases God

John Calvin put it this way:

“Sacrifices are of no importance or value before God, unless those who offer them wholly devote themselves to God with a sincere heart.”

“Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front for everyone. Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand. ‘ He stretched out, and his had was completely restored.” Mark 3:3-5

“Go now to the place in Shiloh.” Jeremiah 7:12

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

For the Week of February 24, 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 7-10; Philippians 3:8-11

Getting Started

What insight or principle from this weekend’s message or from the Temple Sermon (Jeremiah 7:1-11) did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

What’s the difference between reformation and transformation?

What area(s) of your life need(s) to be reformed? Community? Country? World?

Describe people you know who “talk the talk” but do not “walk the walk”.

Why is God more interested in the results of our worship than the forms of our worship?

A Closer Look

Martin Luther was consumed with the verse, “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17) What do you think impacted him so much about this verse?

Read II Chronicles 34:29-3l. Why was the reading of God’s word so reforming?

The Temple Sermon can be summarized as follows: (1) Religious observance cannot save; and (2) only a relationship with God manifested in obedience pleases God. What are your thoughts/reactions to this terrifying sermon? (7:1ff)

Digging Deeper

How do we attempt to cover up our sins with religious activities? (cf. Psalms 78:58-60) How do we make idols of our worship forms and places?

Where is the disconnect lately between your faith and practice? How can you “reform your ways and your actions“ to please God?

Jeremiah 7:11 says that “God is watching” us. What does this mean and why does it matter in your everyday life?

Read Philippians 3:8-11. Paraphrase this text and share it with you group

The remains of Shiloh (7:12-15) represent a place void of God and his personal presence. How can you stay away from Shiloh? How can you help others steer clear of Shiloh?

More in Courage To Stand In A Fallen World - Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet

April 21, 2013

Jeremiah's Prayer

April 14, 2013

The Day of Judgement

April 7, 2013

Book Burning