JEREMIAH SPOKE IN SOME DARK DAYS FOR HIS NATION, BUT HE SPOKE OF THE HOPE GOD OFFERED

• Throughout His life, Jeremiah cried out God's offer of hope, forgiveness, and salvation
• The people around him kept trying man's solution to every problem, but refused God's
• But Jeremiah continued to be a faithful voice through every disappointment, even to death

He continued to cry out the way to God, to forgiveness, and to salvation

I. IF THOU WILT RETURN . . . THEN RETURN UNTO ME 4:11

The people when facing the consequences of their sin confessed and Jeremiah explained- 3:24,5

A. IF YOU ARE GOING TO RETURN, THEN RETURN UNTO ME SAITH THE LORD * Jer 4:1

• The return to God, and the return to the land - sin causes a person to drift far from God
• If you will return- "Put away thine abominations out of my sight" - & God sees everywhere
• "Then shalt thou not be a fugitive" - as long as a person is in sin, they are ever fleeing

B. "AND THOU SHALT SWEAR, THE LORD LIVETH" 4:2a  WE TAKE THE LORD TOO LIGHTLY- WON'T SWEAR FOR HIM

• "In truth" - as man says "Murder will out" - so will the truth - that is as long as God lives - but some today say there is no truth
• "In Judgment" - man shall give account of himself before God- we need to swear it- know it's true
• "In Righteousness" - there is a moral life- and God can give us light to live it if we try.

C. AND THEN THE NATIONS SHALL BLESS THEMSELVES IN HIM, AND IN HIM SHALL THEY GLORY 2b

• If the heathen bless themselves, they will come to God and find faith and salvation in Him
• When Israel is in the land, and under God's blessing, the nations see God's power and glory
• When  the Christian is in God's will, and under His blessing, the lost see God and can be saved

The heart of Jeremiah was to His people- Return to God- for your sake, and for all nations

II. BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND 4:3b

The frequent use in the scriptures of common pictures to show spiritual truth- Soul=Agriculture

A. "THUS SAITH THE LORD, BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND" 3b SOIL TILLAGE IS PICTURED AS SOUL TILLAGE

• We need to plow under the weeds of sin that sap the soil's strength- and to plow the corners, too.
• Col. 3:5 ff- "Mortify" the list includes the weeds of life that need to be plowed before seeding-- if they seed, and bear fruit-- more sin--
• Plowing cuts the soil deep, and our souls need deep plowing- but we avoid sorrow- 2 Cor 7:10

B. "SOW NOT AMONG THORNS" 3c- THE REAL DAMAGE OF SIN IS THAT ITS WEEDS KEEP GOOD FOOD FROM GROWING

• Once the ground is cleared, and well broken up - anything will grow - what kind of seed?
• Make sure you sow good seed (sensitivity training plows deep- but dangerous for bad seed)
• God's Word contains good seed - Parable of sower- I Cor 9:10 - Plow with hope

C. "LEST I COME LIKE A FIRE ... BECAUSE OF THE EVIL OF YOUR DOINGS" 4:4b IF WE DO NOT DO AS HE SAYS

• V. 5-9 a terrible picture of the judgment of Israel by Babylon- after God's warning in 4b
• V.10 even cries out that God has deceived the people by offering them salvation - and then this
• V.11- further description of complete destruction- strong wind from southeast- sand and death for all

The utter destruction  of Israel was unavoidable because they refused to leave their sin

III. WASH THINE HEART FROM WICKEDNESS  4:14a

God is not mocked, nor is He fooled by our religious ceremonies or services - Israel tried

A. HOW LONG WILL VAIN THOUGHTS LODGE WITHIN THEE? 4:14b JEREMIAH LOOKED WITHIN THE HEART OF MEN

• Wash your heart- only way for inner cleansing - Blood of Christ Col 1:14 -- don't lose it
• That thou mayest be saved - the reason for heart washing is to be saved, no salvation without it
• Instead of cleansing the heart, they tried the head and the body- man's way is foolishness

B. JEREMIAH WAS SENT TO SEEK A MAN IN JERUSALEM THAT OBEYED GOD AND GOD WOULD PARDON IT  5:1

• Though they say the Lord Liveth- they swear falsely - 5:2 they sought God many false ways
• "Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" 5:9 If Israel - then America, too?
• Jeremiah found no one- and 8:20,22 wondered that they were not saved, no balm in Gilead v.7

C. BUT GOD'S PROMISES STILL REMAIN AND IN JESUS CHRIST THEY ARE VERY PERSONAL, SEE Jer 29:12-13

• If we call on Him and pray- God will still hearken - There is a way to come to God!
• If we search with all our heart- we shall find Him- v.13  Read your Bible yourself and see Christ
• Make personal v.14 - "I will turn away your captivity" - to sin, to circumstances, if you let Him

The only hope for Israel, and for us today, is to claim the promises of God personally

CF. HOS. 10:23 IT IS OUR JOB TO BREAK THE GROUND, AND GOD'S JOB TO GIVE THE RAIN

• God will not despise a broken and contrite heart- rain on broken ground helps, hard ground- rubs right off.
• God asked Israel to swear- do you take God seriously enough to swear allegiance to Him?
• Does your life measure up to your claims? If not, plow the corners of your life and let God make you fruitful for His glory!