SERMON NOTES
JEREMIAH 3:12b-15 (NLT)
(12)...This is what the Lord says: “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever. (13) Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to listen to my voice. I, the Lord, have spoken! (14) “Return home, you wayward children,” says the Lord, “for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel— one from this town and two from that family— from wherever you are scattered. (15) And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.
YOUR JOB VS. GOD’S JOB
YOUR JOB: CONFESS & COME HOME
- Our job is to confess and if we’ve turned away, our job is to come home.
- When the Bible talks about sin, it talks about how sin separates us from God.
- Confession is good for your soul, it’s good for your relationship with others, and most importantly, it’s good for your relationship with God!
GOD’S JOB: EVERYTHING ELSE
- Everything you read about this in this passage outside of confession is God’s job to do.
- Mercy is related to forgiveness, but mercy also means the withholding of judgment, and the compassion of God towards those who are afflicted.
- We’re called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God because when we do, we’re acting like Him.
- God is not like us humans…His love is unfailing, His mercy unending, and His desire to restore and reconcile goes beyond anything we have to offer.
- God promises restoration and guidance.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
- Share how the spiritual practice of confession works in your life?
- When it comes to ‘God’s job’ (mercy, restoration, or good shepherds) what are you seeking most right now?
- Is there anyone in your life who needs to ‘come home’ spiritually and how can you join God’s work in their life?
SERMON AUDIO
