Discouragement:Last-Job 23..Next-Gal. 6
“You Just Can’t Quit”-Jer.20:7-11
devil has one tool not for sale…many Christians are living in
despair,defeat,and discouragement…difficult days in which
we live…affected by various outside influences…many have
no desire to power on,press on,or push on…many inevitably
quit….Jer.-the weeping prophet on a roller coaster of bitter-
ness and belief;pity and praise,despair and delight………….
seems to convey the message that regardless of what looms
On the horizon ; you just can’t quit!
I-The Initial Dilemna That He Faced (v.7-8)
A-he felt as if God had deceived him (v.7a)
1-had been preaching for 22 years…first encounter with
physical attack…in stocks,chains, and prison
2-feels God has turned the tables on him
3-“deceived”:enticed,allured,or tricked
4-feels as if God has played a trick on him (1:5,7,8)
5-***bitterness***14th President,Franklin Pierce…2 months
after being elected president,he and his wife,and their 11
year old son,Benny,were involved in a train wreck outside
of Concord,New Hampshire.Benny died in the wreck.
Pierce could not understand why God would allow that to
Happen in their hour of celebration. As a result,he was so
Bitter against God,that he refused to use a Bible in his
Inaugural speech.****
B-he felt as if God had despised him (v.7b-8)
1-unpopular message…pronounced judgment
2-blamed God
II-The Inner Disturbance That He Found (v.9)
A-there was a battle with his heart (v.9a)
1-sit down and shut up….not preach anymore!!!
2-wants to quit, but he can’t quit***sure sign you are called
3-if you can quit,go ahead!
4-***I tried to quit pasturing***can’t quit!
5-***1 soul will be worth it all***2 saved in Awana Wed.**
B-there was a burning in his heart (v.9b)
1-he won’t quit because he can’t quit….won’t be silent,
because he can’t be silent
2-v.9b-“shut up”-the picture of placing a lid on a boiling pot
to suppress the pressure…***it will explode!!!***
3-an explosion that he can’t control,he can’t conduct, and
he can’t contain
4-pressure is mounting within him and his heart is on fire
5-***David Livingston***
III-The Incredible Decision That He Formed
(v.10-11)
A-He decides to reject his circumstance (v.10)
1-no one to turn to, to trust, or to talk to
B-he decides to rebuild his confidence (v.11)
1-goes back to the beginning,to an unchanging God
2-says:” God is with me”
3-***song:”O yes,He cares;I know He cares,His heart is
touched with my grief.When the days are weary,the
long nights dreary,I know my Savior cares.***
close:a man at the point of total despair,discouragment,defeat,and doubt.
By God’s grace;he just couldn’t quit!
Freedom:1-27-02 s.n.