COURAGE TO STAND IN A FALLEN WORLD

“The Day of Judgment”

Pastor Duane Cross | 04.14.2013

“Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’” Jeremiah 39:16-18

“This is how Jerusalem was taken; In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city wall was broken through.” Jeremiah 39:1-2

THE JUDGMENT TO COME

“You must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’”  2 Peter 3:3-4

What does the Bible say about judgment?

The Lord Jesus Christ will return

“This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

“The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with trumpet call of God.” I Thessalonians 4:16

“The present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men...But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare...That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”  2 Peter 3:7,10,12

“...will give to each person according to what he has done.” Romans 2:6

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”  Matthew 25:31-32

“...the unrighteous will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  Matthew 25:46

“Now Nebuchadnezzer king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: ‘Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks.’” Jeremiah 39:11-12

“While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’” Jeremiah 39:15-18

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

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

Jeremiah 37-39; Matthew 25

Getting Started

What insight or principle from this weekend’s message or from Jeremiah 39 did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

Do you believe that one day God will judge the world? Why or why not?

Will you be judged by God? Based on what?

Are you glad that Jeremiah talks about evildoers “being judged”? Did you rejoice when Osama Bin Laden was killed? Why or why not?

A Closer Look

Read Jeremiah 39. Answer these questions:

•How did Jerusalem fall?

•Why did Jerusalem fall?

•Why was Jeremiah saved?

•Why was Ebed-Melech saved?

God gave Israel two choices: surrender and live or resist and die. The leadership under King Zedekiah chooses the latter (see 38:1-6) and paid the consequences (see 39). Discuss the consequences of disobeying what God tells us. Where else do you see this in Scripture? In your experiences?

How are you saved? Give biblical evidence to back up your claim.

Digging Deeper

Read Matthew 25: 31-46. Based on the text, what can you say about...

•the righteous?

•the unrighteous?

•the sheep and the goats?

•the hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked?

What application does this text reveal to you?

Do you fear God’s judgment? Why or why not?