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HOPE Covenant Sermons

At the Crossroads

February 17, 2013 Speaker: Series: Courage To Stand In A Fallen World - Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet

Topic: Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet Verse: Jeremiah 6:16–6:16

 COURAGE TO STAND IN A FALLEN WORLD

“At the Crossroads ”

Pastor Duane Cross | 02.17.2013

 

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘we will not walk in it.’”  Jeremiah 6:16

A FORK IN THE ROAD

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord..”  Joshua 24:24-25

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”  1 Kings 18:21

ASK FOR DIRECTIONS

“Ask for the ancient paths.” Jeremiah 6:16

“Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’” Ecclesiastes 7:10

“They have not listened to my words and have rejected my law.” Jeremiah 6:19

“Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.”
Psalm119:1

MY CHOICE

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘we will not walk in it.’” Jeremiah 6:16

“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.”  Amos 5:21-23

“I am not pleased with you.” Malachi 1:10

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”
Malachi 4:6

“Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”  John 14:5-6

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’”
Matthew 11:28-29

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

For the Week of February 17, 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

II Chronicles 34;Jeremiah 4-6

Getting Started

What insight or principle from this weekend’s message did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

Some say whatever is “newer is truer”, and whatever is “the latest is always the greatest”? What do you think?

When have you faced a crossroads in your life? Which way did you go?

What crossroad will you face in the future?

A Closer Look

The “ancient paths” of Israel were, in part, the teachings of the Mosaic Law Israel received through Moses. How was the law’s teaching life giving and perfect? (Psalm 19:7-9) Why did Israel swerve?

What were Israel’s choices in Jeremiah 4-6? What were some of Jeremiah’s warnings?

Read Joshua 24:14-15. Is it easy to make gods of success, beauty, material possessions, wealth, popularity, power, sex, pleasure, and family? Why or why not? How do we practically choose “what god to serve”?

What are consequences of following God’s path of reform? (Read Jeremiah 7:18 and Hebrews 6:13-20) What are the consequences of following the path of disobedience? (Read Jeremiah 7:14-15 and Hebrews 10:26-31)

If “burnt offerings are not acceptable” (6:20), what is an acceptable offering to God? (Hint: read Romans 12:1-3;6:13; Hebrews 13:15, Philippians 4:18)

DIGGING DEEPER

What “other Gods have you pursued”? Explain.

If you ask God for direction (e.g. which way should I go?) how does he typically show you?

What are some different ways that the Scriptures and the Spirit can provide guidance and direction in your life in the coming weeks?

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

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April 14, 2013

The Day of Judgement

April 7, 2013

Book Burning