Heritage Baptist Church of Frankfort IL

The nation of Israel constantly gave itself to sin. The first 29 chapters of Jeremiah record the sins of Israel. However, God gives a book of consolation to the nation in chapters 30-33. Even though the nation was related to God but they had failed to follow God. God was moved with compassion to reach out to a people that wandered away.

This passage has three statements that would trouble any human being. These statements can be unsettling. However, there is one truth, "Fear not" that provides comfort. God loves and cares eternally for His children.

Abraham and Lot appear together in several stories in Genesis. At first glance some would see Abraham as a righteous man, but Lot was not. However, the Scripture has something to say about the righteousness of both men. Lot serves as a warning to righteous people that they can still ruin their lives.

This passage is often used to express that God's plans are different than our plans. However, this section is magnifying the compassion of God. He is compassionate when we would not be compassionate.

Jesus was a different kind of shepherds. The religious shepherds of Israel had hurt the flock of Israel. This hurt was illustrated by their callous treatment of the blind man in the previous chapter. Jesus as the good shepherd would even be willing to give His life for His sheep. His love extends not just to the Jewish nation but to all the nations. He looks to gather them together in one fold.

The people of the Corinthian church were living letters of recommendation for the Apostle Paul. Paul, through God's Spirit, impacted the lives in Corinth. They had their start and their growth due to the work of Paul. Do you have living letters of recommendation of people you have impacted for eternity?

When asked to show His glory, God declared His goodness. Moses was looking for a renewed vision of God, and God reminded him of His character that magnifies mercy and grace. This passage became a creed for the nation of Israel. It can be found throughout the Psalms and the prophets. It serves as a great foundation of confidence for any believer.

Blindness is not a sign of judgment. In the case of John 9 it was an opportunity for God to display His glory. That glory needed to be seen by religious leaders. A simple uneducated blind man is able to school the religious elite of his day with uncomplicated theology.

Paul closes off the lengthy introduction to this letter by focusing on God. He blessed God at the beginning and now he thanks God. He thanks God for be a captive led forth as an odor of life and death depending on people's response to the gospel. Living a life for the gospel leads to being consumed in this life, yet in the future it yields great rewards.

Acts 13 gives us the first recorded intentional missionary endeavor. Paul and Barnabas went to Cyprus and Asia Minor attempting to establish churches. It was not easy work. It required Holy Spirit guidance while declaring the Word.