Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon Text: Jeremiah 20:7-13

Other Readings: Romans 5:12-15 and Matthew 10:24-33

 

  1. Throughout his ministry, Jeremiah faced adversity from his countrymen. In our text, he recalls how he heard many saying, “Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let’s denounce him” (v. 10)! Why were people saying, “Terror on every side”? Confer Jeremiah 20:1-6.

 

  1. Jeremiah was clearly down in the dumps in our text. But do you think Jeremiah was sinning by feeling and talking this way? Defend your answer.

 

  1. Put into your own words what it means that God “[examines] the righteous” (v. 12). (Genesis 22:1-19 might be of some help, too.)

 

  1. Based on Jeremiah’s words here and on our Gospel reading (Mathew 10:24-33), give reasons why we should commit our causes here on earth to God, as Jeremiah did.

 

  1. Think about a time when we gave into the temptation to hold God’s Word in your heart in order to avoid adversity. Then use verses 9 and 11-13 to write or say a prayer in which you confess that sin, ask God for forgiveness, and ask for his help in speaking his Word.

 

 

  1. “Terror on every side” was part of the prophecy Jeremiah spoke to an unfaithful priest named Passhur because Passhur did not take God’s Word seriously. What the people mean in verse 10 of our text, then, is this: “Jeremiah, you’re telling Passhur that there will be terror all around him? How dare you! We will denounce you and make your life miserable.”

 

  1. Perhaps we better not say one way or the other since God’s Word doesn’t clearly say. We do know that at other times in Jeremiah’s ministry, he did sin when he was feeling similar to this (15:16-19). This is a good reminder to always check our emotions against the promises of God and his Word.

 

  1. The righteous are those who trust in God for his mercy and forgiveness. God allows things into his believers’ lives which help them see the genuineness of God’s strength and faithfulness and, therefore, the genuineness of faith in God. It’s not about God learning something for himself; it’s about God showing the believer what he’s created in him or her.

 

  1. God cares deeply about us and knows everything going on in our lives, as Jesus said. Because of that, he will be with us like a mighty and violent warrior, making sure that ultimately we are saved in heaven.

 

  1. Answers will vary.