I’d like to begin with a song (unknown writer) which says:
I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah! The message unto you I’ll give; ’Tis recorded in His word, Hallelujah! It is only that you “look and live.”
Chorus: Look and live, O sinner, live, Look to Jesus now and live; ’Tis recorded in His word, Hallelujah! It is only that you look and live.
I’ve a message full of love, Hallelujah! A message, O my friend, for you: ’Tis a message from above, Hallelujah! Jesus said it and I know ’tis true. (Chorus)
Ladies and gentlemen there is a good message for you this year and I am honored to be the bearer. The message is from the Lord, saying, “be not afraid of their faces …”
Like Jeremiah, anyone one here who is afraid of doing God’s work, the Lord say, be not afraid
Jeremiah was responding to God’s call from the view point of impossibilities, but the God of possibilities assured him that He would be with him.
- 1. When God saw someone He had sanctified and ordained from his mother’s womb, Jeremiah saw a young person who is not fluent in speech.
- 2. When God saw a Jeremiah whom He had already chosen for greatness among other priests, he himself responded with self-abasement.
- 3. God saw a man He wanted to give responsibility to over His people and nation, but Jeremiah saw himself as a man who could not do God’s biding because of how people might perceive or receive him
But thank God who still took the time to encourage Jeremiah with assuring words.
For those whose bosses or coworkers are giving a hard time, the Lord says, be not afraid of their faces.
Do you have fear of exams? Be not afraid of their faces, exams are meant to take you to the next level.
Are you afraid of leaving the woman you have been having affairs with, because she might expose you? Do not be afraid of their faces; God who knows that you want to do the right thing will be with you.
Jeremiah 20:11 But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.
Jeremiah 42:11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands.
May the Lord give you boldness against bullies in Jesus name.
Are you afraid of threats from family members? God said, “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them” Acts 26:17
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Priests: Afraid of church members and societal expectations:
Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Jeremiah 1:19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 2:6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house.
Please learn to pray for pastors, church workers and leaders in general, that they will not work under fear of people but under the grace of God and boldness in the Holy Spirit.
Are you afraid of serving in God’s house as an usher or group leader, due to the general attitudes of people? The word of God says in Jer. 1:7-8, “Be not afraid of their faces;” the God whom you serve will reward you greatly.
Church Members:
Agents of the devil may rise up against you because you love the Lord but God says,
Jeremiah 15:20 I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the LORD.
Truly Jerusalem was captured as Jeremiah already warned (Jer. 39:1-10), but glory be to God Jeremiah himself was saved (Jer. 39:11-14). If you will allow God to use you, no matter how tough the job is, He will rescue you when troubles come. He just says, be not afraid of their faces.
Imagine if you do not accept the call to serve in your church, who else would do the job when you are the one sanctified and ordained by God to do it?
Imagine if there was no Jeremiah, who would God have used to speak the words in the following chapters
29:12 – that I can call on Him and He would answer.
- a. Thank God that Jeremiah accepted to deliver this message
- b. Pray that God will let you accept the courage to be His messenger of deliverance
- c. Pray that all your requests today shall be granted in Jesus name.
29:11 – that God has thoughts of peace and bright future for me
- a. Pray that God will grant you His promised peace
- b. Pray that the promised bright future will begin for you now (31:17)
Pray all the points in chapter 30
If you refuse to answer God’s call, He will dismay you before the people (Jer. 1:17). To be in dismay is to be in disillusion, to be perturbed or be in complete loss of courage because of sudden danger. Please do not refuse to work for God.
All you need is boldness:
Where will the boldness come from?
1) From God’s words which says, “fear not.” (Jer. 1:8)
2) From the Holy Spirit as in the case of Peter and others in Acts 1:1-4
3) From God’s touch as in the case of Jeremiah himself in Jer. 1:9.
When fear is gone:
1) Your eyes will open to God’s revelations and prophetic visions (Jer. 1:11)
2) God will begin to perform His words through you (Jer. 1:12)
3) God will visit you frequently and you will say “moreover” (Jer.1:11,13 & 2:1).
Be not afraid of their faces.
Do you have a sermon notebook for yourself? I have customized one for you. You can also request for my book “Chosen But Naughty” if you call 516-8605729. Also available for your benefit is a daily devotional that you may obtain by calling 718-658-8981
A sermons by Pastor Abraham Obadare on Jan. 31, 2013