Arts, crafts, and repentance 3-14-21

Context:

• Josiah is King
• Israel is in idolatrous rebellion
• Less than 1 generation away from Babylonian captivity

 

What God and Jeremiah are up to:

Jeremiah is one of the prophets tasked by God to warn Israel.

He’s told to go to the potter’s shop:

 

God gives Jeremiah an object lesson

Jer. 18:3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

 

The creative process in not simple…

I once had an art teacher that wouldn’t allow the use of erasers. We had to find ways to use what we had done. It forced me to change my mind about what the finished product was going to be.

 

God shares his burden

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 6 “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

           

What we value usually becomes what molds us. This is because with time we identify with it.

 

What does God want to do for those that are faithful, and obedient when molding us?

 

9 I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it;

 

In other words, God wants to be the foundation we’re built on, and soil we’re rooted in.

 

But what if He’s not?  God issues a warning

11b ‘Thus says the Lord, “Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds.”

 

What are the Israelites up to?

19:4 Because they have forsaken Me and have made this an alien place and have burned sacrifices in it to other gods they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent 5 built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal

 

“The pain of staying the same has to be greater than the pain of change in order for true change to occur.”

Greg fell when we have misplaced our value it’s hard to recognize sin.

Many times our sin becomes a part of our identity as a result.

 

Where does our value come from?

 

 

3 types of biblical law

 

• Moral
• Civic
• Ceremonial

 

What are we up to?

The Law of Moral is one of pursuit, which is how God is able to mold us.

            Pursuit = change

            If we’re not in pursuit of the Holy Spirit of God are we not in sin?

 

When we don’t pursue Christ we’re forced to make hard choices, and sacrifices, though in the moment it may feel easier like auto-pilot.

 

Sin is like a patient fisherman in that case…

Story credit to Kim Meeder and her Book “Revival Rising”

What are we sacrificing to avoid change?

 

What should we do?

Repent – Put your faith in Christ, and what He values

Pursue Christ – Realize your identity in Him

Walk in the spirit – Watch as God changes the world around you

 

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Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.