THE WORD OF GOD SERIES
SERMON FOUR – AS A HAMMER
Jeremiah 23:28-30
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.?
In this passage there are two similes used – FIRE AND HAMMER
I want to deal with the Latter of the Two
THE WORD OF GOD AS A HAMMER
This Scripture teaches that the Bible is Like a hammer which rouses and strengthens the life and conscience, crushing everything that is evil within the heart.
What this metaphor is teaching is about the POWER OF THE WORDS OF GOD
It’s been said that the pen is mightier than the sword.
What that means is that words can be powerful.
Words can be weapons.
A careless, harsh word can cut a person like a knife.
But Words can also be helpful tools.
Wise words spoken at the right time can prevent tragedy.
A kind word can also provide comfort and consolation to someone who’s
hurting.
Words are powerful. This certainly pertains to the greatest words of all – God’s Word.
God’s Word is like no other. It is infallible and all-sufficient.
And God’s Word affects people in unimaginable ways.
IN THIS PASSAGE GOD IS REVEALING THE POWER of HIS WORD by using the Symbol of a HAMMER
I BEGAN THINKING ABOUT A HAMMER THIS MORNING IN RELATION TO THE WORD OF GOD!!!
I. THE DEMOLITION OF A HAMMER
One of the first things we’d use a hammer for would be pounding or even breaking.
That’s the picture that God is painting concerning his holy Word.
There are Four Different Types of Hammers mentioned in the Word of God
1. pattiysh pat-teesh’ – Which is just a General type of Hammer used by
Goldsmiths
2. maqqabah mak-kaw-baw’ – Used for Cutting Stones
3. halmuwth hal-mooth’ – Sharp Hammer – Piercing effect
4. mappets map-pates’ – War Club or Battle Axe
The One Mentioned here is Hammer for General Use
The situation in Jeremiah’s day was not unlike our day.
In this chapter God gives one of the most scathing indictments against false prophets who were scattering His sheep!!!
There had been a controversy between Jeremiah and the false prophets over the simple question, Will God punish sin, yes or no?
There was a war being waged in Judah against the faithfulness of God’s Word.
These false prophets were placing false hopes in their own imaginations.
They were teaching the People what they had dreamed up instead of Preaching What Thus Saith the Lord
The False Prophets were telling the People what they wanted to hear
Jer 23:16
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
Jer 23:22
But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
Jer 23:32
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
Lightness means – The Prophets did not take the things of God Serious
They Spoke to the People jokingly
They treated the Things of God as Trivial
They just had fun with the People of God
BASICALLY DID NOT TAKE THEIR POSITION SERIOUS AND USED THEIR SPEECHES TO LIGHTEN THE MOODS AND MAKE THE PEOPLE FEEL BETTER
BOY THAT SOUNDS LIKE AMERICA TONIGHT – WE’VE GOT A GENERATION TONIGHT THAT WANTS A PREACHER TO BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
We have a Generation that Does not Like Preaching that Tears Down
We’ve got a Generation that Wants to here about the good things in life The Funny Side of things
THAT’S WHAT PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY WOULD HAPPEN
II Timothy 4:3-4
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
The word itching-- knetho knay’-tho -- This is the Only Place that this word is found in the Bible
It means to rub, to scratch; and then to tickle
To Scratch and rub to please or gratify.
The image is derived from the desire which we have when there is an itching sensation, to have it rubbed or scratched.
LOOK AT THE OTHER WORDING
According to "their own lusts;" that is, their own tastes, or wishes.
People want a Preacher who coincides with their whims;
A Preacher Who promotes their self worth
A Preacher who Smiles on their Lifestyle no matter if it is
contrary to what thus saith the Lord
A Preacher who will advocate their errors
And could be bought off so not to rebuke their faults!!!
These are the principles on which many persons choose their religious teachers.
The true principle should be, to select those who will faithfully declare the truth, and who will not shrink from exposing and denouncing sin, wherever it may be found!!!
No Matter Which Person’s House
No Matter who’s child it is
No Matter what Social Standing they have in the Community
No matter what Contributions they may make to the Church
GOD HELP THESE LILY LIVERED BACK SCRATCHERS
Paul called them “MEN PLEASERS” in 1Th 2:3-4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
“HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE PREACHER “RUB YOU THE WRONG WAY” HAVE YOU THANKED HIM FOR IT???
HEY IF I DON’T HIT YOU EVERY NOW AND AGAIN – I’M NOT FULFILLING MY CALL!!!
THIS BOOK IS A HAMMER!!!
It Will Destroy some Things
It’s a Sin Destroyer
You Can’t Open up this Book without knowing what Sin is and Will Sin will do to You!!!
A PREACHER and A KING JAMES BIBLE IS A DEMOLITION CREW!
The Bibles says “IS not my Word Like a Hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT NEED TO BE BROKEN DOWN
Walls that have been Built by Satan – NEED TO BE DESTROYED
Walls Between God and Man – Need a Wrecking Crew
Sin has Caused the Hearts of Men to be like Rocks
We need the Hammer to Break up the Fallow Ground
Walls Between Husband and Wife– Need a Wrecking Crew
Walls Between Pastor and Congregation – Need a Wrecking Crew
Walls Between Brothers and Sisters – Need a Wrecking Crew
THIS BOOK WILL TEAR DOWN THAT WHICH IS HINDERING
THIS BOOK WILL TEAR DOWN THAT WHICH IS HURTING OUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
SWING THE HAMMER MAN OF GOD!!!
THE RUBBISH IS HINDERING THE CONSTRUCTION
We need to Tear Down the decaying Foundations
One thing about Hammer – ANY ONE CAN USE A HAMMER
I’m Glad that God’s Men can come out of any Place, any background, any environment and use this Book
To use a hammer right, one has nothing to do but to strike with it.
A person who is trying to break up a pile of rocks, only has to hit them as hard as he can, and to keep on hitting until they are all broken.
MEN OF GOD, when you preach, take the gospel hammer, and strike as hard as you can with it.
Preachers today "Trying to improve the way my hammer looks;
I want a mahogany handle for my handle!"
Never mind about the mahogany handle; use your hammer for striking, for hammers are not for decoration, they are meant to be used for real hard work.
And when you come to use the gospel as it ought to be used, the result is wonderful; it Shows it’s Power over the Hardness of Sin!!!
Wherever there’s a hard-hearted man!" Strike at him with the gospel.
Wherever there is ridicule and scoffing at the truth!" Keep on striking with the gospel.
I’ve struck at my husband for years – He’s yet to break -- Still go on Striking it, this is a hammer that has never failed yet.
Continue to use it
Everything is not accomplished with one stroke
nor with twenty strokes.
The rock that does not yield the first time, nor the second time, nor the third time, nor the twentieth time, will yield at last.
There is a process of disintegration taking place with every stroke;
The great mass of Rock is inwardly moving even when you cannot see that it is doing so; and there will come at last one blow of the hammer which will seem to do the deed, but all the previous strokes contributed to it, and brought the rock into the right state for breaking it up at last.
I. THE DEMOLITION OF A HAMMER
II. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HAMMER (Constructive)
The Word of God is a Tool that is not only Destructive – But it is also Constructive
It’s amazing that the same tool that can put holes every where and rip and snort through walls – CAN ALSO BE USED TO FASTEN THINGS TIGHTLY TOGETHER
IN THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH – THE WORD OF GOD IS NECESSARY
Eph 2:19-22
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Fitly framed together.
The word here used means, to joint together, as a carpenter does the frame-work of a building.
The materials are accurately and carefully united so that the building is firm and unwavering.
Different materials may be used, and different kinds of timber may be employed; but one part shall be worked into another, so as to constitute a durable and beautiful construction.
WHAT IS THE KEY INGREDIENT OF THE CHURCH – THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS
IT’S TALKING ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD
The Church is nothing if she has not been built with the Hammer of God’s Word
The Same Goes for our homes
The Same Goes for our Individual Lives
The Same Goes for our Country
THE WORD IS THE HAMMER WITH WHICH TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL LIFE!!!
Isn’t it amazing how far you’ve come since you got saved!!!
IT’S ALL THE WORD OF GOD
IT HAS COME BY FOLLOWING THE PRECEPTS OF THIS BOOK
Ps 112:1
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that
delighteth greatly in his commandments
Ps 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.
Lu 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Ps 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Ps 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Mt 7:24-27
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
2Ti 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure”
127
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION YE SAINTS OF THE LORD
IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD
390
MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS
THAN JESUS BLOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
I DARE NOT TRUST THE SWEETEST FRAME
BUT HOLY LEAN ON JESUS NAME
ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND
ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND
ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND
I. THE DEMOLITION OF A HAMMER
II. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HAMMER
III. THE DRIVING OF A HAMMER -- PIERCING
IV. THE DISCIPLINE OF A HAMMER
CARE MUST BE PLACED IN THE USE OF A HAMMER
1. It will Break if Swung to Hard
2. It will not have any effect if swung to soft
3. It will bend things to a shape that can never be repaired
4. It can Cause Scars
IF THERE IS DAMAGE DONE WITH THE HAMMER – IT IS NOT THE HAMMERS FAULT
IT IS THE HAND OF THE HAMMER THAT DID THE DAMAGE
THE POWER OF THE SWING IS DETERMINE BY THE MATERIAL THAT IS BEING STRUCK
1. Deal with different People different Ways
2. Children – much Care -- Their lives can be shattered
GOD’S WORD IS LIKE A HAMMER!!!
