NEVER DESPISE YOUR YOUTH

JEREMIAH 1:1-10

INTRODUCTION

            The prophet of old knew nothing of human ordination like today. Instead of rushing into the Lord’s work, they frequently shrank from it. Moses said “I am not eloquent”, Isaiah said “I am a man of unclean lips”, Jonah fled in fear, Jeremiah said “Oh Lord God, I cannot speak”, but God out of weakness He ordains strength. Do not despise your youth, God makes the weak very strong indeed.

Let us learn:

I.  THE CALL OF JEREMIAH (V.5)

• “Before I formed thee, I knew thee, I sanctified thee, I ordained thee”
• Jeremiah was called before he was created, he was set apart before he was born.
• Life begins not at birth, not at conception but life began in eternity.
• Abortion and infanticide are anathema to the God of creation.
• The zygote, the fetus, the infant is fully human.
• Jeremiah’s life, like all other life, is the result of sovereign grace.
• Whom He did foreknow, He also did predestine, our destiny is in the hands of God (Rom.8;29)

II.  JEREMIAH’S EXCUSE, “AH, LORD! BEHOLD, I CANNOT SPEAK, FOR I AM A CHILD” (V.6)

• A child is not expected to be an eloquent speaker, but obedient and trustful.
• The kingdom of God must be received as a little child.
• Our sufficiency is not in our selves, but of God (2Cor.3:5)
• It is not to the wise and prudent that the great things of the Kingdom are revealed, but unto babes (Luke 10:21)

III.  JEREMIAH’S COMMISSION (V.7)

• “Say not, I am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.”
• The prophet has only one master and one purpose in his life. To go and speak
• “One is your Master, even Christ. It is expected of God’s called ones that His message be fully spoken.

IV.  JEREMIAH’S ENCOURAGEMENT.

• “Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee” (V.8)
• In the work of God, there are many faces that frown with anger.
• To obey God is to oppose the course of this world.
• But light is always stronger than darkness (Heb.13:6)

V.  JEREMIAH’S EQUIPMENT.

• The Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth- Behold I have put my words in thy mouth” (V.9)
• Divine touch is important for ministry.
• Isaiah was touched with coals of fire (Isa.6:6-7)
• The disciples were touched in the upper room (Acts.2:1-4)
• The hand of the Holy Spirit make the word burn like fire.

VI.  JEREMIAH’S WORK.

• “ See I have set thee- to root out, and to pull down, to build and to plant (v.10)
• A destructive work is to be done before constructive work is begun.
• The weed must be uprooted before the good seed is planted.
• Demons must be cast out before they can hear the word of God.
• Sin must be put away before a powerful character can be built up.
• Everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (II Cor. 10:4-5)

CONCLUSION

• God uses young people, even children, are you ready to be used of God.
• God has an answer to your excuses for not serving.
• The Lord says “I knew you, I sanctified you, and I ordained you- in eternity.
• You are not an accident, you are here for a divine appointment.