Sunday School
December 29, 2024
Lessons On Courage From Jeremiah
(Jeremiah 38:14-23)

Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America

16705 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio  44112
(216)   692-0016


​Email: faithcpca@gmail.com
​Rev. Dr. Anthony Johnson, Pastor
Elder Greg Scruggs, Church Clerk

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Lessons On Courage From Jeremiah
(Jeremiah 38:14-23)
 
This week’s lesson focuses on the need to give godly advice in our relations with others. The Bible tells us to speak as though our words are from God. This means having to tell the truth to those who may be hurt, or turn a friend into an enemy. Think about this: someone gives you spiritual advice and the truth hurts. Your reply, “Who are you to be giving me advice?” It’s hard to receive unwanted advice that exposes our defiance of the laws of God. Either we are the chosen speaker or the chosen target of a divine message. When God calls you to advise those who are stubborn, will you have courage to speak?
 
In our narrative, Jeremiah is the prophet on hand to bring a word from the Lord; but he was in for an awakening; God sends Jeremiah to Zedekiah, an evil king; Jeremiah was to advise Zedekiah to return to God and advise him on saving his family and city of Judah.
 
First, Zedekiah is being besieged by the Babylonians and he needs advice; he sends for Jeremiah; Zedekiah wants a positive prophecy; Jeremiah is reluctant to speak unless Zedekiah promises not to put him to death or hand him over to those who want his life.
 
Second, Jeremiah was weak, at first, but Zedekiah needed to hear God’s message; so, Jeremiah delivers: “if you go and surrender to the Babylonians,” was the message; then Zedekiah would live, Judah would be spared, and his entire household would survive.
 
Third, Jeremiah gives Zedekiah the alternative, should he refuse to surrender; there is nothing but gloom and doom; the city would be burned down, and Zedekiah and his family would fall into the hands of the Babylonians; but he refused to surrender or obey God!
 
Fourth, Zedekiah was more afraid of his countrymen who were already in the Chaldeans’ hands; he feared the Jews more than God; Jeremiah pleads with Zedekiah to obey God!
 
Fifth, Jeremiah has suffered much in his relationship with Zedekiah, but knows trouble is at hand; Jeremiah labors hard to convince Zedekiah to go the Babylonians and live.
 
My friends, many lessons apply here; God may call on you to give spiritual truth to those who won’t listen; God’s calling isn’t always easy; we face many who refuse to yield to God; when God appoints you to go speak His word, be bold in His glory! God be praised!

​
Stay Blessed in Christ,

​
Rev. Dr. Anthony W. Johnson
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