Prince Nkang Williams

…Ministering

…Text Reading JEREMIAH 29:11

ESV: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ESV

NIV: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

NAU:For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

1. TO EXPOSE GOD’S DESIRED DESTINATION... as shown in Gen 1-3

2.TO GUIDE AND HELP SAINTS TO AVOIDTHE PIT-FALLS THAT CHARACTERIZED THE LIFE

OF THE ISREALITES...disobedience and pride

3. HELP THE SAINTS TO MAKE GOOD DECISSION THAT WILL LEAD THEM TO THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION

...the image of God

Objective of the sermon…GET TO CAANAN SAFELY

• These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.  2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem.  3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said:  4 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.  6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.  7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.  8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,  9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD.  10 "For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.  11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  13 You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart,  14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.  15 "Because you have said, 'The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon,'  16 thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your kinsmen who did not go out with you into exile:  17 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, behold, I am sending on them sword, famine, and pestilence, and I will make them like vile figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten.  18 I will pursue them with sword, famine, and pestilence, and will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, a terror, a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them,  19 because they did not pay attention to my words, declares the LORD, that I persistently sent to you by my servants the prophets, but you would not listen, declares the LORD.'  20 Hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles whom I sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon:  21 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall strike them down before your eyes.  22 Because of them this curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: "The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire,"  23 because they have done an outrageous thing in Israel, they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and they have spoken in my name lying words that I did not command them. I am the one who knows, and I am witness, declares the LORD.' (Jeremiah 29:1-23 ESV)

Background of the text. Jer. 29

• Nebuchadnezzer, King of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem for the first time in 605 BC. The king of Judah paid tribute and promised future payments to entice Nebuchadnezzer to withdraw.

• The Babylonian did so, but took away to Babylon some exiles, including Daniel and his three friends (whom we know best by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).

• Shortly before Nebuchadnezzer attacked, Jeremiah prophesied that it would happen, and that the exiles would remain in Babylon for 70 years (Jeremiah 25).

The historical context

Seven years later, Nebuchadnezzer returns, after the Judean king foolishly stops paying tribute. This time he deposes the king, sets up his own puppet from the Judean royal family, and takes thousands more into exile. Jeremiah remains in Jerusalem

Today’s text is part of a letter Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon, three years later. False prophets in Babylon and Jerusalem were claiming that the captivity was going to be very short – that God would break the power of Nebuchadnezzer and send the captives back to Jerusalem very shortly

Do we still have such false prophets Today?

The Historical context

• In effect, the false prophets were saying, “God will prosper both you(in Babylon) and Jerusalem.

• Jeremiah clearly says, “No! God is NOT going to prosper Jerusalem during the next several years. Don’t think you’re coming back soon – therefore live out a normal life in Babylon!” read Jer. 29:8-11

Historical context

In the Days of old Prophets are called directly by God (e.g Jeremiah)

to serve as a watchman to the people (Jer. 6:16-17),

to pronounce judgment to the people. Jer. 4:5-18 , to predict the future 1 Sam.9:9 and

call the people to repentance Amos 9:11-15

prophets…

What Jeremiah was saying…The so called prosperity prophets are NOT working for

God, why? …Because SAINTS can not live in sin and rebellion and

expect God to continue to PROSPER THEM,..why? it will mean that God DOES NOT HAVE

INTEGRITY .Which was Exactly what was happening in Jerusalem at

that time when Jeremiah wrote Jer. 29:11 against the false prophet of their days.

The people who were taken captive because they were reaping the direct consequence of God’s earlier prophesy, therefore, they can not return back to Jerusalem soon

Test for determining the true prophet: does it come true? Jer. 28:1-17; Deut. 18:21-22

Jeremiah was saying “No ways! God is NOT going to prosper Jerusalem during the next several years – live out a normal life in Babylon, THEREFORE...

Jer. 29:5-7 “build homes, and plan to stay in Babylon. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouse for your kids so that you may have many grand children. Multiply! Do not dwindle away and work for the peace and prosperity of the city(Babylon) where I(GOD) sent you into Exile. Pray for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare!”

Test for determining the true prophet: Does what they say correspond with God’s word? Deut. 13:1-3;1Jn.4:1-3

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament uses these words to describe shalom: “Completeness, wholeness, harmony, fulfilment. . . . Unimpaired relationships with others and with God.”

God was saying ” I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, not to plans to harm you, but PLAN TO GIVE YO “Unimpaired relationship with ME AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINING IN the garden of Eden in GENESIS before the Fall...

Plans to keep you from disaster, to give you a future a hope...

What the text really means…

You will be taken captive if you do not keep your part of the deal-OBEDIENCE!…Deut. 28The prophesy was fulfilled by the King of Babylon

WHO IS NEBUCHADNEZZAR,…Anyone or anything that opposes the will of God,…anyone or anything that seeks worship.money., job, self, children etc.

WHAT DOES HE REPRESENT IN OUR LIVES? Jn.10a…He represents that which causes us to be in lack..He steals from you.

WHRE IS BABYLON, WHAT DOES THEY CITY IN OUR LIVES

WHO ARE THE FALSE PROPHETS,WHAT IS THEIR MESSAGE IN OUR TIME AND AGE?…Motivational speakers who are carnally minded.

THE IMPLICATION OF THE TEXT…

A look at some of God’s written intention for his people

1.We are to be like Jesus/gods/Royal priest a walking wonder on Earth (but ignorance…)…whatever we approve gets approved by Heaven

2. We are to live only be faith and not by sight.…whatever God says is what we are to say also about any situation-Health, finances, life ,marriage etc

3. The purpose of our blessings-Money, wisdom, gifts etc. are for His kingdom expansion.

4. The only recognize and authentic source of information for our daily living after the fall is through the word of God but now we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us

Conditions that brings about the speedy-end of captivity

1. REPENTANCE: follow the path set by God on ALL issues

2. OBEDIENCE: follow God’s prescribed principles

3. LIVE ONLY BY FAITH: Heaven currency4. KEEP YOUR COMMUNICATION LINE CLEAR:

Holiness, prayers and fasting5. BE A KINGDOM CITIZEN: an Ambassador for

Christ.6. LOVE AND FEAR GOD:

.

Shalom for whom? This promise is written to those in exile in Babylon.... The New Testament does refer to us, the church, as aliens, as strangers, as exiles

•Rather than to Confess Sin"Shalom for Whom?2) Shalom means what?3) How should we then live?

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1 Peter 1:17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (ESV)

Shalom means what…?

.

To our ears, “plans to prosper you” sounds like the promise of an easy life. But that is NOT what Jeremiah 29:11 means.

What do we know about the lives of the Jewish exiles? Some went through Pains and hardship...·        Daniel follows Jeremiah’s injunction in 29:5-7, working hard for the welfare of Babylon and he rises to a prominent position. But he also is thrown into a lions’ den.·        Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into a fiery furnace when they refuse to bow down and worship a golden statue of Nebuchadnezzer.

Yes, God saves these three as well as Daniel. But the point is, their lives were not easy. They exhibited courage in the face of great danger prior to God saving them from certain death..

What disqualifies You…

As much as God wants uninterrupted relationship with you while in exile, see to it that you are not disqualified as a result of the following:

1.The Lord hates seven things. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

2. The Lord hates those that serve other gods. (Jeremiah 44:2-5; Deut. 12:29-31)

3. The Lord hates those that imagine evil hearts against his neighbour and love false oaths. (Zechariah 8:16-17)

4. The Lord hates iniquity (a wicked act or sin). (Hebrews 1:8-9; Psalms 5:5)

5. The Lord hates idolatry. (Deu 16:22)

6. The Lord hates those who scheme wickedness and those who are violent. (Psa 11:5)

What distinguished the Exiled-Comarades mentioned above!

1. Their total dedication to God in spite of what they were facing in Exile-(a place of discomfort)

2. They had Strong faith in their God3. They exercised Courage when they were

confronted with odd situations abroad.4.They held on to the Vision that, they will

be alight at the end of the tunnel.We must learn from them…

CONCLUSION…

Jeremiah is giving us a word of caution to beware of this motivational speakers/false prophets of our days who quote God out of context...1.Prophets Who will give us positive words in spite of our sinful lives2.That the promise of shalom in 29:11 is really a promise which will only be fulfilled in sixty years when they return to Jerusalem. The Image of God still remain his perfect plan for Humanity3.God is assuring His people in exile(outside the comfort of God) that He has a purpose, and that purpose will stand. It may look like evil is prospering, it may look like God’s plan to work through the descendants of Abraham to bless all nations is in danger of abortion, but God is assuring the exiles that He is in control. 4.God is working out His purpose even during the tragedies of His people, such as exile. Nothing is pointless; nothing is out from under God’s control. He controls the nations.

Jeremiah’s caution…

The captivity is of God,Ensure that you stay in his will even in captivity, so that his ultimate plan of freedom will be fulfilled eventually

Conclusion: Principles to Live By

1. No matter what our negative experiences might be, we are to trust God’s ability to change our situation

• Believe that God is not man, therefore he does not and will not be limited by our circumstances or the false prophesy by prophets in any way

…conclusionGod’s ultimate destination for you is His presence-A place of

complete obedient to his will and intention He want to draw you there, to love you, cherish and nurture

you, to remain in close relationship with you, a place where you need never be afraid or fear evil.

He want to give you a future and a hope – because He controls the future, It is in his presence

That is when the preceeding verse become relevant.12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will hear you.  13 You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart,  14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations

…• He who promised is faithful:

• Is 60:20 says, ' … your days of mourning shall be ended. Take this word and stand in faith. Remind the Lord of His promises to you. Tell Him, "Lord, if you said it, you will do it. I am not going to give up". Soon you will see the deliverance of the Lord coming to you

Final thoughts…

Whenever you think God has forgotten you, please remember that it is not possible. God never forgets His own,

It is just that he works according to His own timetable.

• God bless You.