Live Above Board - Jeremiah 7:1 - 10:25

Disguised as laws to protect personal confidentiality there are many questions that an employer is not allowed to ask a prospective employee; questions regarding political and religious preferences are examples. If you had moved to Heber Springs a couple of years ago and gone to work at one of the local industries, would anyone know by now whether you are a Christian or not? Assuming you were a member of a church would you have joined one here by now? If you had united with a church here, would you have told your buddies at the factory about the experience? Would you have invited any of your friends to attend with you? More importantly, would you have spoken to anyone about their relationship with God?

Would you participate in telling or even listening to the ‘dirty joke’ sessions that take place at break time? Would there still be some, if not all, that did not even know that you profess to be a Christian? The questions that you need to ask yourself are: “Do I demonstrate my trust in God? DO I LIVE ABOVE BOARD? Note: the title of this lesson is DO I LIVE ABOVE BOARD. Does your life really count for Christ? Remember that only you and God need to be fully satisfied; however it is rewarding to please others.

Since God can not condone sin, surely one of His greatest concerns is the fact that his people who claim to be believers are practicing life styles that are no different from those who have never claimed Him as their Lord. This is nothing new. In the Old Testament, God chose Israel as His special people and established His covenant with them. The basis for this covenant was the Ten Commandments. His people continually broke the covenant yet they blindly continued to believe that they were still under His protection. If you will study His word, you will find that, in many cases, they paid a horrible price for their sins while they were still living; and the unsaved will continue paying. It is no wonder that people who claim to be Christian seem to have so many problems confronting them daily. Sometimes God allows Satin to have his way in the lives of sinful Christians; and often they learn the hard way—experience is a good teacher but her lessons usually cost much more than we would like to pay.

Our covenant with God is something like a contract with a company to provide a service. We agree to pay and the company agrees to provide the service and if either fails to live up to the contract there is always a problem. There is one main difference though…because God is the company, the provider, and He never fails to keep his end of the bargain, Christians are the ones who fail. The bible teaches that ‘all have sinned and come short’ of God’s expectations, and many times we come short of his commands.

In our lesson today, Jeremiah prophesied that in the future, following the impending judgment on the nation, Judah, God would make a new covenant with Israel and Judah. Unlike the old one which was so severe that man could not keep it…the new one would enable people to uphold it. Under the new one, His law would be written on our hearts. We now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and when our lives are dedicated [in our daily living] we receive forgiveness for our daily sins. In Ezekiel we find that he prophesied that we could keep the new covenant because of God’s Spirit that is within Christians, [Ezek.36: 26]. This prophesies came true as recorded in [Hebrews 8-9]. And it was sealed with the blood of Christ [Matt. 26: 28].

In the early verses of this lesson God instructed Jeremiah to stand in the gate of the Lord and warn the people that visiting the temple regularly [going to church] does not fulfill the requirements made by God. The example that matters continues seven days a week, and twenty four hours each day. How does your life demonstrate that your faith is genuine? How do your day-to-day actions differ from those of unbelievers around you? Jeremiah warned the Jews; your pastor, Sunday school teachers, and the bible warn you today.

It is imperative that you read this lesson in order to get the total message, but I insist that you re-read verses 9 through 11; “Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house…and say “we are safe” safe to do these detestable things? Has my house become a den of robbers to you? “I have been watching! Declares the Lord. The soldier standing guard may fall asleep on his watch; however, we can be assured that God never sleeps, and is watching our every move…both good and bad.

It is easy for us to say that we do not do these specific sins that are named above…but do we? Ever cheat a little on income tax? Stealing. Ever gossip about another’s actions? Murdering reputation. Ever look, see and lust? Adultery already in your heart. Miss represent the truth in anyway? Lying. Ever partook in Lord’s Supper without first confessing sin and asking forgiveness? Burning incense. Ever preferred a great home; a new car: a vacation; or even your family to being with, or trusting in God? Following other gods. Folks, it is not easy to totally trust God and live righteous daily…in fact it is impossible, but we must endeavor to do our best and trust God to forgive us when we fail…and we must not fail intentionally and continually. God has promised to forgive 7X70; however he has also told us that his spirit will not always strive with men. There is a limit to God’s patients; I do not know where it is, no one does, but I fear for America today. Too many have forgotten God; too many are carrying their luck far beyond safe bounds.

In verses 12-15 God told these people to take a look at Shiloh, use it as an example to see what their fate would be. You should remember that God established his headquarters at Shiloh and placed the arc of the covenant there. Eli was high priest and Samuel was called to serve there, but because of the people’s wickedness, the Lord allowed the Philistines to capture the ark [which symbolized God’s presence] and He departed from the people there. God will not live where sin prevails and that includes the heart of his people. Jerusalem and Judah have now become as the people were in Shiloh, and God is warning that there will be a pay day. America has moved into Shiloh territory, and God will not allow his Holy Spirit to be trampled under the feet of undeserving, un-Godly, and non-repenting sinners or Christians.

This lesson contains what was known as Jeremiah’s temple sermon and it warned the people that they were involved in deceptive worship. It is deceptive when we practice our religion on Sundays and at church and live as the world lives throughout the rest of the week. We are not to be deceived, and we must remember that what so ever we sow, that shall we also reap. God will not be mocked and he is watching to determine what seed we are sowing.

In closing, you must read 7: 30 and 31 about the Valley of Slaughter. These people built one or more alters called ‘high places’ in the Valley of Ben Hinnom on which to sacrifice their sons and daughters in fire. How terrible!! Americans would never do that!! No. The law would not allow it…yet. However it is acceptable for butchers to use a grinding instrument and bore their brains out while still in the womb, then allow them to birth as a glob of dead flesh and blood that was only a few moments ago…a living sole.

God saw these American babies just before they were killed, and He said that they were alive, and that he already knew what they were to accomplish is the life which is taken from them. Is there any difference in what the people of Judah was doing and what the Americans are allowing to be done?

There are viable organizations at work today trying to stop this hellish devastation of human life; I have signed several petitions lately, asking, begging, and demanding that Congress put a stop to our ‘Valleys of Slaughter that are operating in almost every community. Have you taken your stand against the murder of the unborn? I urge you to speak out at every opportunity, let God know that this is not one of your un-forgiven sins. Some Christians will argue that there are exceptions; that conditions can exist that justifies abortion. That may be so; but, personally, I prefer to let God decide, rather than some quack doctor. Let God have his way and the outcome will be acceptable in the sight of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I prefer to please Him, rather than abide by a man-made permissible abortion [murder] law. If you disagree with me regarding the sin of abortion—then my hope is that I have at least drawn your attention long enough to reconsider your stand. Every Christian should continue daily to LIVE ABOVE BOARD and be proud of the example their life sets before others.