They Went Backward

They Went Backward

Jeremiah 7:21-27Jeremiah 7:21-27

By David DannBy David Dann

They Went Backward Jeremiah 7:21-27 sums up the spiritual Jeremiah 7:21-27 sums up the spiritual

condition of Israel throughout the Old condition of Israel throughout the Old Testament.Testament.

They Went Backward

““Thus says the LORD of hosts, the Thus says the LORD of hosts, the

God of Israel: Add your burnt God of Israel: Add your burnt

offerings to your sacrifices and eat offerings to your sacrifices and eat

meat. For I did not speak to your meat. For I did not speak to your

fathers, or command them in the fathers, or command them in the

day that I brought them out of the day that I brought them out of the

land of Egypt, concerning burnt land of Egypt, concerning burnt

offerings or sacrifices” (Jeremiah offerings or sacrifices” (Jeremiah

7:21-22).7:21-22).

They Went Backward

““But this is what I commanded them, But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ Yet they did not be well with you.’ Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and evil hearts, and went backwardwent backward and and not forward” (Jeremiah 7:23-24).not forward” (Jeremiah 7:23-24).

They Went Backward

““Since the day that your fathers Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. Yet they up early and sending them. Yet they did not obey Me or incline their ear, did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers” (Jeremiah worse than their fathers” (Jeremiah 7:25-26).7:25-26).

They Went Backward

““Therefore you shall speak all these Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you” (Jeremiah they will not answer you” (Jeremiah 7:27).7:27).

They Went Backward Jeremiah 7:21-27 sums up the spiritual Jeremiah 7:21-27 sums up the spiritual

condition of Israel throughout the Old condition of Israel throughout the Old Testament.Testament.

Israel “went backward” in a number of different Israel “went backward” in a number of different areas.areas.

Are God’s people going “backward” today?Are God’s people going “backward” today?

They Went Backward

I.I. In Our Respect For Bible Authority?In Our Respect For Bible Authority?

Our respect for God’s word must remain Our respect for God’s word must remain strong.strong.

Are we going backward…

They Went Backward

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

They Went Backward

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).

“…the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).

They Went Backward

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).

They Went Backward



Lack of respect for God’s word is at the Lack of respect for God’s word is at the root of many problems.root of many problems.

Current efforts to reinterpret the Bible:Current efforts to reinterpret the Bible:

The creation account.


They Went Backward

““For in six days the LORD made the For in six days the LORD made the

heavens and the earth, the sea, and heavens and the earth, the sea, and

all that is in them, and rested the all that is in them, and rested the

seventh day. Therefore the LORD seventh day. Therefore the LORD

blessed the Sabbath day and blessed the Sabbath day and

hallowed it” (Exodus 20:11).hallowed it” (Exodus 20:11).

They Went Backward






The Flood.


They Went Backward

““The waters prevailed fifteen cubits The waters prevailed fifteen cubits

upward, and the mountains were upward, and the mountains were

covered. And all flesh died that covered. And all flesh died that

moved on the earth: birds and cattle moved on the earth: birds and cattle

and beasts and every creeping thing and beasts and every creeping thing

that creeps on the earth, and every that creeps on the earth, and every

man. All in whose nostrils was the man. All in whose nostrils was the

breath of the spirit of life, all that was breath of the spirit of life, all that was

on the dry land, died.” (Genesis on the dry land, died.” (Genesis

7:20-21).7:20-21).

They Went Backward






The Flood.

The serpent in the Garden of Eden.


They Went Backward

““Now the serpent was more cunning Now the serpent was more cunning

than any beast of the field which the than any beast of the field which the

LORD God had made. And he said LORD God had made. And he said

to the woman, ‘Has God indeed to the woman, ‘Has God indeed

said, You shall not eat of every tree said, You shall not eat of every tree

of the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1).of the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1).

They Went Backward






The Flood.

The serpent in the Garden of Eden.

The punishment of the wicked in hell.


They Went Backward

““Death and Hades and the wicked, Death and Hades and the wicked, those whose names were not written those whose names were not written in the book of life, existence came to in the book of life, existence came to an end in the lake of fire” (p. 179).an end in the lake of fire” (p. 179).

““This second death would bring the This second death would bring the individuals to extinction as it did individuals to extinction as it did death and Hades” (p. 180).death and Hades” (p. 180).

(Homer Hailey, “God’s Judgements & Punishments”).

They Went Backward

““And if your eye causes you to sin, And if your eye causes you to sin,

pluck it out. It is better for you to pluck it out. It is better for you to

enter the kingdom of God with one enter the kingdom of God with one

eye, rather than having two eyes, to eye, rather than having two eyes, to

be cast into hell fire -- where ‘Their be cast into hell fire -- where ‘Their

worm does not die, And the fire is worm does not die, And the fire is

not quenched’” (Mark 9:47-48).not quenched’” (Mark 9:47-48).

They Went Backward




Current efforts to reinterpret the Bible.Current efforts to reinterpret the Bible.

Where are we headed in our respect for Where are we headed in our respect for the Scriptures?the Scriptures?


They Went Backward


II.II. On Moral Issues & Worldliness?On Moral Issues & Worldliness?

Morals are principles of right & wrong Morals are principles of right & wrong behavior.behavior.


They Went Backward

““Through Your precepts I get Through Your precepts I get

understanding; Therefore I hate understanding; Therefore I hate

every false way. Your word is a every false way. Your word is a

lamp to my feet And a light to my lamp to my feet And a light to my

path” (Psalm 119:104-105).path” (Psalm 119:104-105).

They Went Backward




Going backward with our families.Going backward with our families.

Unlawful divorce & remarriage.


They Went Backward

““And I say to you, whoever divorces And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9).

They Went Backward





Unlawful divorce & remarriage.

Failure to train & discipline children.


They Went Backward

““Children, obey your parents in the Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’ And you, live long on the earth.’ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1-4).(Ephesians 6:1-4).

They Went Backward

““The rod and rebuke give wisdom, The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother” (Proverbs shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15).29:15).

““Now no chastening seems to be Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).(Hebrews 12:11).

They Went Backward





Going backward in worldliness.Going backward in worldliness.

Entertainment.


They Went Backward

““Finally, brethren, whatever things Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things” meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).(Philippians 4:8).

They Went Backward






Entertainment.

Immodest & Lascivious Clothing.


They Went Backward

““I desire therefore that the men pray I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:8-10).with good works” (1 Timothy 2:8-10).

They Went Backward






Entertainment.


Social Drinking.


They Went Backward

““For we have spent enough of our For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, lewdness, lusts, drunkenness,drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).

They Went Backward

“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).

They Went Backward

“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).

They Went Backward






Entertainment.


Social Drinking.

Materialism.


They Went Backward

““For we brought nothing into this For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7).nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7).

They Went Backward

““Do not lay up for yourselves Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

They Went Backward



III.III. In Our Attitudes Toward Preaching?In Our Attitudes Toward Preaching?

There is one kind of preaching that will There is one kind of preaching that will please God & save souls.please God & save souls.


They Went Backward

““Preach the word! Be ready in Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).Timothy 4:2).

““For I am not ashamed of the gospel For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

They Went Backward




There is one kind of preaching that will There is one kind of preaching that will please God & save souls.please God & save souls.

Many will not tolerate that kind of Many will not tolerate that kind of preaching today.preaching today.


They Went Backward

“‘“‘Therefore let all the house of Israel Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Now when they Lord and Christ.’ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:36-37).what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:36-37).

They Went Backward




IV.IV. In Tolerating Error & False Teachers?In Tolerating Error & False Teachers?

We have a responsibility to uphold the We have a responsibility to uphold the truth.truth.


They Went Backward

““Now I urge you, brethren, note Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).(Romans 16:17).

They Went Backward

““Whoever transgresses and does Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11).deeds” (2 John 9-11).

They Went Backward

““And have no fellowship with the And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).5:11).

““Reject a divisive man after the first Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11).(Titus 3:10-11).

They Went Backward





We have a responsibility to uphold the We have a responsibility to uphold the truth.truth.

A more tolerant attitude toward error is A more tolerant attitude toward error is being promoted.being promoted.


They Went Backward

““I have discussed the matter with I have discussed the matter with brother Hailey on more than one brother Hailey on more than one occasion, and, although I am occasion, and, although I am impressed by the erudition and impressed by the erudition and sincerity of his arguments, I do not sincerity of his arguments, I do not believe that he is correct.”believe that he is correct.”

(Ed Harrell, “Homer Hailey: False Teacher?” Christianity Magazine, Nov. 1988, pp. 6).

They Went Backward

““It is perfectly proper that some It is perfectly proper that some congregations have not, and would congregations have not, and would not, invite Homer Hailey to preach not, invite Homer Hailey to preach because of the position that he holds because of the position that he holds on this subject. Others, rightly I on this subject. Others, rightly I believe, have decided to use him in believe, have decided to use him in spite of the differences.”spite of the differences.”


They Went Backward

““This, then, is my personal defense This, then, is my personal defense of Homer Hailey as a man who has of Homer Hailey as a man who has earned the respect and esteem of earned the respect and esteem of the Christians of our time.”the Christians of our time.”

““I confess that the recent personal I confess that the recent personal attacks on him seem to me to be an attacks on him seem to me to be an unheroic assault on an 85-year-old unheroic assault on an 85-year-old warrior.”warrior.”


They Went Backward





V.V. In Our Devotion To The Lord?In Our Devotion To The Lord?

Christ demands total devotion.Christ demands total devotion.


They Went Backward

““Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23).daily, and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23).

They Went Backward

““If anyone comes to Me and does If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple…So Me cannot be My disciple…So likewise, whoever of you does not likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, 33).disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, 33).

They Went Backward

““Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great your mind. This is the first and great commandment’” (Matthew 22:37-commandment’” (Matthew 22:37-38).38).

They Went Backward





V.V. In Our Devotion To The Lord?In Our Devotion To The Lord?

Christ demands total devotion.Christ demands total devotion.

Where are we headed in our personal Where are we headed in our personal devotion to the Lord?devotion to the Lord?


Are you going backward???

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They Went Backward