The Peril Of Unrepentant Sin

The Peril Of Unrepentant Sin

Jeremiah 19:1-13

I want to tell you a story about a local church: They had a Pastor with a message straight from God. In fact this Pastor is an ambassador who came on behalf of God with a word of warning. The words that the pastor shared were not his own, but God’s This pastor began by illustrating how much God loves His people. The people seemed to enjoy this story of mercy and love. But the Pastor was faithful to his calling and he shared a bold message that proclaims that if God’s people fail to repent, they will suffer some tragic consequences. The people were not as impressed with the word of wrath as they were the proclamation of God’s love. The people were offended and ignore the warning of the coming wrath of God. Some of these people joined together and plot against the pastor and begin to ignore his message and then spread lies about him. The people of the congregation enjoyed their sin and had no plans to cease their sinful lifestyles. The pastor warned them again and they failed to repent.

I know you are curiously awaiting the name of this church…. Well, I am actually referring to Israel & Jeremiah! Notice verses 11&12 of Jeremiah 18 -“Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘this is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’”12 But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.”

It is amazing to think that the people of God could be so blatantly rebellious unto God. The fact is that it happened then and it still happens today. Join me as we preach on the subject… “The Peril Of Unrepentant Sin”

Imagine a man departing from Birmingham on his way to San Francisco, turning his car toward the east instead of the west. He realizes his error, but does not want to turn around; and so, as he journeys, with intentions and desiring to go to the Pacific coast, he one day ends up confronted by the Atlantic. He finds himself in the complete opposite end of the country…. As a result of his own choices.

In Jeremiah chapter 18 verses 1-6 we find a beautiful illustration of God’s love for His people.

The Lord sent Jeremiah to a potter working at his wheel. The vessel the potter was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. The Lord made it clear to Israel that “As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand”

We find in these verses that the Potter Works:

1) Passionately – He is constantly molding and fashioning the clay into a vessel that He can use.

2) Personally – The clay is always in the hands of the potter.

3) Precisely – He knows exactly what He wants the vessel to look like and what He desires to use it for.

These verses show God’s love for Israel but the next two verses show a clear warning to them as well - Jeremiah 18:7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. 9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

These are some very bold words spoken to His chosen people! In fact the boldness illustrates the extent of His love for them. Consider - Revelation 3:19 as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 Repent {H} – (shoob) - to turn back.

 Repent {G} - (metanoeō - met-an-o-eh'-o) - to think differently.

J.R Miller Says - Sorrow for a wrong way does not take us out of that way. Tears of penitence will not blot out sin; we must turn about and walk in holy paths. Repentance is ceasing to make blots on the record, and beginning to live a fair, clean, white life.”

A Sunday School teacher once asked a class what was meant by the word “repentance.” A little boy put up his hand and said, “It is being sorry for your sins.” A little girl also raised her hand and said, “It is telling God about your sins and being sorry enough to quit them.” —Donald Grey Barnhouse