HEARTS AFIRE
Jeremiah 20:1-13
Text: Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
If there has ever been a day when the Christian's needed to be burning bright for God it is the day in which we live. When we think of a fire we need to consider:
A. THE FORCES AGAINST THE FIRE:
Fire extinguishers
1. Carelessness.
2. Carnality.
3. Conformity.
B. THE FUEL FOR THE FIRE:
1. Preaching.
2. Praying.
3. Praise. {Nothing like being where folks are praising God. }
C. THE FLAMES OF THE FIRE:
1. There are INSIGNIFICANT flames. * Like a match, can be put
out with the fingers.
2. There are INTENSE flames. * Nothing you can do, but stand back,
and watch it burn.
I. THERE WILL BE PERSECUTION: vss.1-2; 7
* Derision - Means to be laughed at made fun of, to be made
sport of.
Persecuted because of:
A. HIS SERMON: v.1c “These things” 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
Back in chapter 19 Jeremiah preached a message of judgment.
B. HIS STAND: He would not back up, Let up, or Shut up.
* Anytime you start burning bright persecution is sure to follow.
II. THERE WILL BE PRIORITIES:
v.9d But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up
in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not
stay.
* When the fire is burning bright you want have to beg folks
to come to Church, do right.
* We put to many things before God.
A. WE ARE SILENT WHEN WE SHOULD BE SPEAKING:
B. WE ARE SELFISH WHEN WE SHOULD BE SERVING:
C. WE ARE SCARED WHEN WE SHOULD BE STRONG:
III. THERE WILL BE A PRESENCE: vss.11-12
Jeremiah 20:11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one:
* NOT WAS, OR WILL BE, BUT IS. THANK GOD !!
A. THE REVELATION OF HIS PRESENCE:
LORD - JEHOVAH He reveals himself as:
1. A FRIEND that is closer than a BROTHER.
2. A FORTRESS in the heat of BATTLE.
3. A FOUNDATION for the BELIEVER.
B. THE RESULTS OF HIS PRESENCE: v.11b therefore my persecutors
shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly
ashamed; for they shall not prosper:.
C. THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS PRESENCE: v.11c their everlasting confusion
shall never be forgotten
IV. THERE WILL BE PRAISE: v.13
A. THE FOCUS OF OUR PRAISE: v.13a Jeremiah 20:13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD:
B. THE FUNCTION OF OUR PRAISE: Singing, shouting, with hands lifted up.
C. THE FRUITS OF OUR PRAISE: 13b for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.