“ Rejoice in the Lord, I will say again, Rejoice.” (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8.)

 

“ Rejoice in the Lord, I will say again, Rejoice.” (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8.)

Before we start today Sermon, let us look 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8.

⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.

He stayed Thessalonica church in three Sunday.  This church becomes model church in Macedonia and Achaia. Do you know WHY?

Let us look 1 Thessalonians 2:13

¹³ And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

So, please, consider today sermon as God speak into your heart.

In book of Acts, Paul has three times personal testimony. Basically, whenever he had a chance. He starts with personal testimony.

My name is Youn-soo, park. Here is my testimony. I have been born and raised in Pusan Korea. I have been raised as Buddhist environment. Even my third sister is in Nepal as monk. She left home 16 years ago, never come back home. I came to Waco, Texas in July 1999. God loves me so much. God prepared a retired missionary for me. There were two missionary couples, Frank and Libby, Gene and Anne. They just loved me accepted me as their own children. I got baptized in Columbus Baptist church at Waco, Texas in Jan. 2000.

A lot of things happen in our life, we do not have all of answers.

Let us take a look for the life of Jeremiah.

First, let us take a look of history, Jeremiah has been known as ‘ Weeping prophet.’ In 586 B.C Judah fell down by Babylon. Then Jerusalem was destroyed.

Jeremiah was rejected by his neighbors, his family, the false priest , prophet, and the kings.

BUT, in God’s eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all of history.

Success, as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness.

We have to understand nutshell of Jeremiah story in order to understand today text.

Main theme of Jeremiah is “Repent and turn to God or He will punish.” He had 9 general prophesy and 4 specific prophesy of judgment.

Best example is in Jeremiah 18. 18:11-12

“ Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: Look ! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions. But they will reply, ‘ it is no use, we will continue with our own plans, each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.’

Let us come to today text. Jeremiah 29 setting is like this.

Jeremiah is in Jerusalem. He is writing a letter to the captives in Babylon, instructing them to move ahead with their lives and to pray for the pagan nation that enslaved them.

Verse11:  “for I know the plans,” this is good news for everybody. Yahweh has the plans. I am praying that you find a comfort from this verse. Maybe, you do not have any ideas that what you need to do in your life. This is hope. This is from the word of God. “ God has the plans.” Halleluiah.

NIV say, “ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future.”

King James version said, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Original Hebrew word is Shalom.  ‘Plan to give you shalom not evil.’ He plans to give you hope and future. Bible did not say, when you become Christian, you do not have any pain , suffering and tribulation. Bible did say, Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

As Christians, insults and persecutions are expected. Bible say, “Rejoice and be glad.”

Bible did tell us, Romans 8:28, “ We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

So, let me ask you? Who has the plans? God does. His plan is shalom; his plan is the perfect plan to give you hope and future. Your plan will fail most likely. But, God of all mighty, creator heaven and earth, God of Yahweh has plan, plan to shalom and give you hope and future.

Second, verse 12 say, “you will call upon me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you.” Prayer is conversation not notification. A lot of time, we just notify to God. Oh God ! this is what I want, make this happen, would you? P

Promise says, I will listen to you.

Third, verse 13 say, “you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Yahweh promise is “when you see me, you will find me.” Question is ‘ have you seek him lately?” his promise is I am here to listen, you will find me when you try it.

In my conclusion, Jeremiah wrote a letter to the Exiles.

Yahweh has plan, his plan is Shalom, not to harm you, plan to give you hope and future. When you pray, God will listen, When you seek him with all your heart, he will be found by you. Did you received today. Let us pray.

 

by park yoon soo