“LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE”
Jer 1:11 “11 The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.”
INTRO: Seeing is very important in our lives. The majority of statistics say that we remember 30% of what we see and over 50% of what we see and hear. God, according to the Bible speaks. It specifically says in different ways and forms but in the last days He was spoken to us through His begotten Son Jesus.
“Looking toward the Future” I went to the Bible and was amazed that God spoke to individuals and asked them “What do you see?” He showed them something of the present that involved the future of their lives. As I share this with you, let the Spirit of God speak to you, show you and you look toward the future of your life.
I. JEREMIAH, A YOUNG MAN
1. The excuses of wanting to just stay where we are at
1) Jer. 1:6 “6 “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
(1) I don’t know how to speak
i. 1 Cor 1:5 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge”
(2) I am to young
i. 1 Tim 4:12 “12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
2. Jer 1:11 “11 The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.”
1) The meaning:
(1) Jer 1:12 “12 The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
i. He is watching over you
ii. He will fulfill your destiny “I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled”
3. Jer 1:13 “13 The word of the LORD came to me again: “What do you see?” “I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”
1) The meaning
(1) Vs. 14 “14 The LORD said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.”
(2) Many would start to worry and be despair
2) 1:17-19 “17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.”
(1) Get yourself ready
(2) Stand up
(3) Say to them whatever I command you
(4) Do not be terrified
(5) I have made you a fortified city
(6) Iron pillar
(7) Bronze wall
(8) You will overcome
(9) I am with you
(10) I will recue you
II. ZECHARIAH, THE PROPHET
1. The command: What do you see?
1) Zech 4:2 “2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps”
2. Solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps
3. The meaning
1) 4:6 “6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
2) It is not by your own strength, nor by your own wisdom
3) You will be successful because the Lord is with you
CONCLUSION:
