Then I said, 'How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!' I thought you would call Me 'Father' and never turn away from following Me. Sermons
I. GOD'S GRACIOUS PURPOSE OF LOVE TOWARDS SINFUL MEN. He would put them, among the children," etc. Think what this involves. Picture to ourselves the lot of the children in the homo of an affluent, affectionate, wise, and godly father. What condition fairer, more enviable, can be conceived? What freedom from all care! What unrestrained, confiding, loving intercourse between the children and their father! What healthful development and direction of character and disposition! How sheltered; how secure; how happy in the abiding consciousness of their father's love! How full of all good their position cannot but be! But the brightest, fairest lot that ever fell to any children in an earthly home fails fully to set forth what it must be to be set amongst God's children, and to be numbered amongst his sons and daughters. Blessed indeed are such; how blessed none but they who are thus "set among the children" can fully know. But such was the gracious purpose of God towards man, nothing less than this. He created us for this very purpose, with this very intent. And it is the reason and motive of the creation of every newly born child. For this every human soul is endowed with faculties which can find their complete exercise and enjoyment only amongst God's children: "God hath made us for himself, and our hearts have no rest until they find rest in him." But the verse, by its very form, indicates - II. THE TERRIBLE THWARTING AND HINDERING OF THAT GRACIOUS PURPOSE WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE. "How shall I put thee," etc.? plainly denoting that there is some giant obstacle in the way. In the case of Israel the previous portions of this prophecy show clearly what this was. But it is equally true of us all. And this dread hindrance to God's carrying out his purposes of grace towards us consists not so much in what we have done as in what we are. The heart of man is not right in the sight of God, and whilst that is so, God cannot set us amongst his children. Transgressions and offences are but the symptoms of the deadlier evil that lurks within, not the evil itself. That consists in the state of heart Godwards which, alas! characterizes us all, until the new heart and the right spirit be given. What should we say if towards ourselves as parents our children were to order themselves as we do towards God? - rarely thinking of us, placing no confidence in us; though we would delight to have them speak to us, yet maintaining a sullen silence always; in their hearts disliking us and resenting the expression of our will; disobeying us on the slightest pretext, and choosing for their friends those they well know to be our foes. If any parent was so unhappy as to have such a son or daughter, how could he set such a one amongst his other children who love him as children should? And that this is the case between the unrenewed man and God, let conscience and men's works, words, and ways witness. This being so, how can we "marvel" that our Lord hath said, "Ye must be born again?" But we are shown also - III. THIS DIFFICULTY, VAST AS IT IS, TRIUMPHANTLY OVERCOME. In the latter part of the verse and in the confessions of the twenty-second and following verses it is clear that a great change has taken place. The rebel heart has gone, the child's heart has come in its place. The erewhile sinful godless soul is heard calling upon God as "My Father," and in daily conduct is found not turning away from him. What a change! No wonder that the Scripture emblems of it are all drawn from contrasts the most vivid and intense that experience furnishes or the mind can conceive: life and death, darkness and light, crimson red and snow whiteness, leprous and pure; as one possessed of the devil, and as one calm, sober, and in his right mind; - such are some of them. But the beholding of so great a change leads of necessity to the inquiry how it was brought about. Hence note - IV. THE MEANS WHEREBY THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED. These were as they ever are, the manifestation of the love of God. In Christ God came to seek and to save his self-lost children. But they, instead of welcoming the Christ of God, crucified and slew him. That rebel alienated heart which is common to us all wrought this awful crime. But it is when by the Holy Spirit men are led to see what they have clone to him who so loved them as to come from heaven to save them, there is produced that conviction of sin, that deep and genuine repentance, that sense of his infinite love, and that consequent entire trust in him, - all which are the very elements of that heart of a dear child which calls God "My Father," and which will not turn away from him. I have read of one who was forever reclaimed from the deadly sin of drunkenness by the deep anguish of heart which he experienced when he found that one day, when brutalized by drink, he had smitten to the ground his own dear child, and wounded her with a wound the scar of which she would never lose; and that he had done this whilst she was lovingly seeking to lead him away from the place and the people who were tempting him to his ruin. When he came to himself and knew what he had done, his horror and remorse had no bounds. "The drink! ay, it was all the drink!" he exclaimed when, years after, telling the story. "Could I ever touch it again? I kept my finger lightly on the little maid's forehead, and lifted my face to heaven, and vowed that I would never touch the murderous thing again as long as I lived, and with a broken heart I prayed the Lord to help me." That well-known story serves to illustrate how, in this great matter of man's restoration to God, he who once was a godless rebel becomes filled with another heart, and God can, as he desires to, place him amongst the children. For when I clearly see the wounds which I in my mad sin have inflicted on him who sought to save me, and who tenderly loves me still notwithstanding all I have done, the sight of his cross and of those wounds will fill my soul with such a hatred of sin and love of God that I am no longer what I was; I am born again, I have passed from death unto life. Yes, it is the sight of the love of God in Christ which turns the sinner into the child of God, and wins for him a place amongst the children of God. With what fervor, then, may we pray the blessed Spirit to fulfill his work in and for us and for all men! - C.
How shall I put thee among the children. I. A MOST DELIGHTFUL CONDITION OF PRIVILEGE AND ENJOYMENT.1. A real and endearing relation, not a mere figure or shadow. Though all worlds wait on His will, God's heart is a Father's heart; and its home, its place of joy and singing, is "among the children." 2. This relationship implies dependence. The two principles of trust and obedience constitute the great requirements which the Head of the redeemed family urges upon all His children. 3. The relation between child and parent implies solemn obligations. The children of God are required to exhibit a character and conduct in harmony with their illustrious relationship. The glory of the Father, the honour of His name; the welfare of the whole household of faith; the furtherance of sacred truth in the world are interests dear to their hearts. They are partakers of the Divine nature, "each one resembles the children of a king." 4. This relation implies the possession of privileges — "If children then heirs," etc. All that the Jew possessed in Canaan, all that Adam delighted to see in Paradise, falls short of the expectations of the believer. The inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and it fadeth not away. II. SOME FORMIDABLE DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF CONFERRING THE BLESSINGS OF SONSHIP. 1. This relation between God and man is not natural "By nature children of wrath," etc. 2. Justice demands the infliction of the penalty of sire Mercy pleads for compassion and forgiveness. In the courts of earthly sovereigns there is no escape from the dilemma. The sovereign can punish, and thus inflict justice; or pardon and show mercy. But in Christ all the requirements of law are satisfied, while the freest manifestation of mercy is made. 3. The character and condition of the sinner himself. Shall the leper be brought into companionship with the pure and the sound? Shall the outcast and the profligate nestle with the virgin and the holy? III. THE SOLUTION OF THE DIFFICULTY AND THE PROCESS OF ATTAINING THE FULL ENJOYMENT OF THE PRIVILEGE. "Thou shalt call Me, My Father." 1. Prayer is the birth cry of the soul. Like that first welcome sound by which the mother knows she has a living child. Every kind of sorrow and distress have driven men to their knees, but there are no prayers, for their fervour, like those which are the fruit of conviction of sin. 2. The spirit of adoption. "My Father." Not by the thunders of Sinai, or the curses of Mount Ebal, are men preserved in Christ Jesus, but by the all-powerful grace of the Holy Spirit. 3. The salvation of a child of God is evinced by the spirit of perseverance. (W. G. Lewis.) 1. As to the Holy Lord. 2. As to the unholy person. 3. As to the family. 4. As to the inheritance. II. A WONDERFUL ANSWER. 1. It is from God Himself, and is therefore a perfect answer. 2. It is in the Divine style: "Thou shalt"; and "thou shalt not." Omnipotence speaks, and grace reveals its unconditional character. 3. It is concerning a Divine work. 4. It is effectual for its purpose. III. A MATCHLESS PRIVILEGE. 1. We are indeed made children of God, and joint heirs with Christ. 2. We are as much loved as the children. 3. We are treated as the children. (1) (2) (3) (4) 4. We are placed under filial obligations — to love, honour, obey, and serve our Father. This should be regarded as a high honour, not a burden. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) ( C. H. Spurgeon.) Whom God adopts, He anoints; whom He makes sons, He makes saints.(Watson.) One of my parishioners at East Hampton, converted after having lived, through three or four revivals, to the age of fifty, and having given up hope, used to exclaim for several weeks after his change, "Is it I? Am I the same man who used to think it so hard to be converted, and my case so hopeless? Is it I? Is it I? Oh, wonderful!"(Lyman Beecher.) I. HOW THE OBSTRUCTIONS TO THE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS SHALL BE SURMOUNTED.1. God Himself presents to them the formidable difficulty. Jews always obdurate. How restored to favour of God?(1) Extent of their wickedness forbids it.(2) Honour of God forbids it. To admit rebels to privileges encourages rebellion. 2. These obstacles, though formidable, shall be surmounted. As God spake the universe into existence, so will He form the "new creation." II. HOW ALONE THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF OUR SALVATION CAN EVER BE OVERCOME. 1. There are immense difficulties. Our wickedness equals or exceeds that of the Jews. 2. But these shall be overcome. God will interfere for us in way of sovereign grace and by the exercise of His almighty power.Conclusion — 1. To those who question the possibility of their own salvation. God is able. 2. To those who have entertained no such fears. You think salvation easy; but only Christ's blood could atone for such sin as yours; only the Divine Spirit could renew your depraved heart. 3. To those who profess to have been brought into the family of God. Obey and trust Him, as your "Father"; let nothing lead you to "turn away from Him." (C. Simeon, M. A.) People Jeremiah, JosiahPlaces Assyria, Jerusalem, ZionTopics Armies, Beauteous, Beautiful, Desirable, Desired, Gladly, Glory, Goodliest, Goodly, Heritage, Hosts, Inheritance, Nation, Nations, Pleasant, Sons, Treat, TurnOutline 1. God's great mercy to Judah the polluted land6. Judah is worse than Israel 12. The promises of the gospel to the penitent 20. Israel reproved, and called by God, makes a solemn confession of their sins Dictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 3:19 1040 God, fatherhood 6232 rejection of God, results Library Gregory the Patriarch and the Society at Kunwald, 1457-1473. A brilliant idea is an excellent thing. A man to work it out is still better. At the very time when Peter's followers were marshalling their forces, John Rockycana,5 Archbishop-elect of Prague (since 1448), was making a mighty stir in that drunken city. What Peter had done with his pen, Rockycana was doing with his tongue. He preached Peter's doctrines in the great Thein Church; he corresponded with him on the burning topics of the day; he went to see him at his estate; he recommended his works … J. E. Hutton—History of the Moravian Church Stanzas by the Warden Concerning the Ministry. "The Heritage of the Heathen" How the Impudent and Bashful are to be Admonished. How those are to be Admonished who have had Experience of the Sins of the Flesh, and those who have Not. Conversion of all that Come. The Saints' Privilege and Profit; Assurance Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved. The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ Backsliding. The Covenant of Grace Bunyan's Last Sermon --Preached July 1688. Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: Concerning Justification. Messiah's Easy Yoke "They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. " The Divine Jesus. Jeremiah Links Jeremiah 3:19 NIVJeremiah 3:19 NLT Jeremiah 3:19 ESV Jeremiah 3:19 NASB Jeremiah 3:19 KJV Jeremiah 3:19 Bible Apps Jeremiah 3:19 Parallel Jeremiah 3:19 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 3:19 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 3:19 French Bible Jeremiah 3:19 German Bible Jeremiah 3:19 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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