Eastwood Baptist Church
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      • Jeremiah 17:7–10ESV

  • Ancient of Days
  • Fairest Lord Jesus (My Soul's Glory)
  • Offering

  • Introduction

    Different restaurants and their menus.
    Cheesecake Factory - notoriously long.
    Cain’s - choose the number of chicken fingers or a sandwich.
    But neither looking at a menu nor the process of ordering are fulfilling.
    Maybe you’ve had that experience of sitting in a restaurant and waiting for your food.
    Then you discover that your order has been lost.
    Watching everyone else eat while you have nothing. Hungry!!
    Jeremiah found himself in a situation where people were starving, not for physical food, but spiritual food.

    Receive The Meal

    Notice how Jeremiah begins this, “You’re words were found.”
    Found is often used to imply a divine encounter.
    Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
    You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
    It isn’t just seeing something but attaining or securing.
    This seeking isn’t an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual exercise.
    Reading Scripture is a spiritual exercise.
    And an action that should bring about transformation.
    Jeremiah understood what this hunger was like.
    It was during this time that the Scripture had been literally lost.
    Five years into Jeremiah’s ministry, was when the Law was rediscovered during the Temple remodel.
    2 Kings 22:8 ESV
    And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
    2 Kings 22:11 ESV
    When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.
    Led to a national reformation.
    Unfortunately it was short lived.
    This national reformation was surface.
    Consuming Scripture brings internal transformation.
    An important note here, Jeremiah doesn’t brag, “I found your words.”
    The verb is passive, “They were found.”
    They were delivered to me.
    Like a waiter laying the food on the table.
    When we open God’s Word, He bring it to life.
    Why we find the work of the indwelling Spirit so impactful:
    John 14:26 ESV
    But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
    But our job is not finished when the meal has arrived…

    Consume The Meal

    Imagine walking into a restaurant, every table full, every person with a plate of food in front of them… each meal cold and uneaten.
    Yet, for many Christians, their interaction with Scripture is just as unusual.
    For Jeremiah, he distinctly consumed the food.
    Not just smelling its araoma. Not just a nibble or a bite.
    Chewing on it and swallowing. it.
    Three levels of consumption of Scripture:
    Meditate / Study / Memorize
    Wedding cake image.

    Enjoy The Meal

    Some food is utilitarian.
    You eat it because it’s good for you or you are just hungry and it’s available.
    But then there are some things that you eat to enjoy.
    Enjoyable foods:
    This should be our attitude as we approach Scripture.
    How do we move from reluctant or grudging to joyful?
    Approach Scripture with expectation.
    The marketing of fajitas.
    The sound, the sight, and the smell!
    When they sit it down in front of you, it creates expectation!
    Same with Scripture, open it with an expectation that God is going to speak to you!
    This comes with the fact that we are transformed in our relationship to Him.

    Conclusion

    A decision. A commitment.
    The value of routine.
    Because the reality is sometimes you will wake up and not want to read.
    And one of the most discouraging things is when you get behind…. so a couple of things.
    Don’t be legalistic.
    Allow grace. I have times when I’m traveling or sick.
    Double up or just skip ahead. Building this as an annual discipline.
    2. Create a routine.
    Arnold: My best advice is to stop using motivation as your only fuel. I know it feels great when you’re fired up, but it’s a short-term fuel source. That’s why the vast majority of people who start anything - diet, fitness, new projects - don’t finish. They run out of gas. The only lasting fuel is routine. And you only get a routine by dragging yourself on the days when you have no motivation. Over and over. I know that’s not the answer anyone wants. I wish I had a magic pill for you. But the only thing that works long term is showing up for yourself even when you don’t want to. Brute force.
    Pick a time and place.
    Pick a reading plan.
    Options.
    3. Find accountability.
    Things are easier in community and with expectation.
    Rick Carman in college.
    During invitation, come up and grab a reading plan.
    Consider a time.
    Find a partner.

      • Jeremiah 29:13ESV

      • 2 Kings 22:8ESV

      • 2 Kings 22:11ESV

      • John 14:26ESV

  • Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Eastwood Baptist Church
405-769-3110
http://www.eastwoodmwc.net
9 members • 9 followers