Redemption Bible Church of New Braunfels, TX

Joy is the aim of a healthy, growing, mutually-ministered church.

“I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” 2 Corinthians 12:15

“For you are our glory and joy!” 1 Thessalonians 2:20

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Hebrews 13:17

Joyful ministry is marked by…

1) Integrity (1:23)

2) Humility (1:24a)

”And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”“ ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬-‭45‬ ‭

“shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.“ ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭3‬

3) Helpfulness (1:24b)

”And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.“ ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬

4) Love (2:1-4)

“The goodness of God means that God is the final standard of good, and that all that God is and does is worthy of approval.”

Wayne Grudem

Because God alone is good, He alone can save us.

1) God is in a category by Himself. (17-22)

God alone is good.

God alone is holy.

God alone loves perfectly.

2) We can’t do enough good to save ourselves.(23-27)

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…You cannot serve God and money.”

Matthew 6:21-24

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

1 Timothy 6:10

3) Christ is our good, eternal inheritance! (28-31)

God’s goodness can overcome the darkest despair.

Some context for the book of Jeremiah:

- Jeremiah is one of the Major written prophets

- He is the author of Jeremiah and Lamentations

- He was a prophet during the final Kings in Jerusalem

- He was a witness to several sieges and the final fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians

- He was had a mixed reception since he was seen by leadership as a dissenter

- In spite of this he was referenced by both Ezra and Daniel

- He generally was called to prophecy the fall of the city of Jerusalem

- But sprinkled throughout are prophecies of hope and restoration

God’s goodness can overcome the darkest despair:

The creator God speaks (v 1-3)

Darkness, despair and destruction will come (v 4-5)

God is good and He will keep His promises (v 6-18)

God’s guarantee (v 19-26)

God displays His goodness by redeeming His people from troubles.

God redeems His People from…

Wandering (4-9)

Rebellion (10-16)

Foolishness (17-22)

Trials (23-32)

The Redeemed respond rightly (1-3, 33-43)

Because God is good, everything He creates is good.

1) We steward what is good. (1:1-26)

2) We dignify what is very good. (1:26 - 2:3)

3) We worship and obey the One who is good. (2:15-17)

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him! For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.”

Psalm 33:8-9

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

1 John 5:3

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.”

John 1:1-3

Affliction does not tarnish but brightens God’s goodness.

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He binds up; He shatters, but His hands heal.” Job 5:17-18

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Affliction…

1) tethers us to the Word. (65-66)

“Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

2) turns us to God. (67-68)

3) tells us what’s false and good. (69-70)

4) teaches us what truly matters. (71-72)

God’s goodness and love are inextricably linked. 

“The goodness of God means that God is the final standard of good, and that all that God is and does is worthy of approval.” Wayne Grudem

1) God remembers His people and promises. (4-5)

2) God is merciful despite our remaining sin. (6-25)

Despite Israel’s…

-rebellion He rescued them. (6-12)

-forgetfulness He fed them. (13-15)

-jealousy He protected them. (16-18)

-idolatry He sent a mediator. (19-23)

-grumbling He shows mercy. (24-25)

3) God is just in His judgment. (26-43)

…for the sake of His praise! (44-48)