Purpose: Show what the Christian should glory in.
II. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet and for good reason.
A. He underwent great hardships and trials for the message which he delivered.
B. The message he had to deliver was not a popular one.
C. We often see the picture of him weeping because of the fate of Israel.
III. Jeremiah spent much of his time pleading to God and asking him to spare the people.
IV. He also tried to get the people to repent of their sins.
V. In Jeremiah 9:23-24, Jeremiah relays a message from God that applies very well today.
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (KJV).
VI. The word "glory" means simply "to boast."VII. Notice there are three things we are told not to boast in and then are told what we are to boast in.
A. Do not boast in:
1. Wisdom.
2. Might.
3. Riches.
B. Do boast in:
1. Knowledge and Understanding of God.
2. Specifically his:
a. Loving kindness.
b. Judgment.
c. Righteousness.
A. Wisdom: applied knowledge.1. What is our wisdom compared to God's? (1 Corinthians 1:20).
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV)
2. Wisdom can be a good thing.
a. Fools despise wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)
b. We are to get wisdom (Proverbs 4:5-9).
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Proverbs 4:5-9 (KJV)
c. We are to apply our hearts to wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (KJV)
d. We are to walk as wise (Ephesians 5:15).
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Ephesians 5:15 (KJV)
3. Wisdom becomes wrong when:
a. We boast in it. Again, what is our wisdom compared to God's.
b. It becomes earthly (materialistic) (1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19; Isaiah 29:14).
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Corinthians 3:19 (KJV)
c. We have many people today who think that they are more wise than God (evolutionists).
B. Might: physical strength.
1. What is our strength compared to God's? (Job 38:4-12).
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; Job 38:4-12 (KJV)
2. It is not wrong to be powerful.
a. David was mighty.
b. Abraham was a mighty man.
c. Even Job had an huge house with many servants.
3. Might becomes wrong when we boast in it.
a. Nebuchadnezzar was a man who boasted in his might (Daniel 4:30); and he was humbled (Daniel 4:32).
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? Daniel 4:30 (KJV) 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Daniel 4:32 (KJV)
b. David when he numbered Israel (2 Samuel 24).
c. God is the one who gives men power (Romans 13:1).
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1 (KJV)
d. If our world leaders could only learn this!
C. Riches: material wealth.
1. What is our wealth compared to God's? (Psalm 24:1).
1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
2. It is not wrong to be wealthy.
a. Job was wealthy.
b. David was wealthy.
c. The apostle John was probably well-off (Mark 1:19-20; John 19:26).
19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. Mark 1:19-20 (KJV)
3. Wealth is wrong when:
a. You boast in it (Luke 12:16-21).
b. You are not generous in your giving to the Lord (2 Corinthians 9:7).
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)
c. You make obtaining wealth your number one priority (Luke 12:22- 31).
d. Wealth is dangerous (Matthew 19:23-24).
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:23-24 (KJV)
D. Conclusion to this section: Proverbs 16:18.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
A. Understanding of God.1. This takes a great deal of work (2 Timothy 2:15).
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
2. However, we can understand God's word.
a. John 8:32.
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 (KJV)
b. Colossians 2:2-3.
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3 (KJV)
c. We can gain this understanding without the "illumination" of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
B. Knowledge of God.
1. We can know that we know God (1 John 2:3-5).
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1 John 2:3-5 (KJV)
2. We know that we know him if we keep his commandments.
3. By keeping his commandments, we can have fellowship with him (1 John 1:7).
C. Specific things to boast in:
1. He exercises loving kindness.
a. Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 26:3; 35:7-10; 1 John 3:1.
b. Christ shows all the qualities of the Father (Colossians 2:9; John 14:8-9).
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:8-9 (KJV)
(1) Matthew 9:36.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (KJV)
(2) He healed the lame.
(3) He died for us.
2. He exercises judgment.
a. What a comfort this is to us. The wicked will not go unpunished and we will not go unrewarded.
b. God's judgment is righteous.
c. Psalm 62:12; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 2:24-25; Romans 2:2-6; 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:10.
3. He exercises righteousness.
a. To exercise righteousness is to do righteous works.
b. Romans 3:24-25.
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:24-25 (KJV)
c. Romans 1:16-17.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17 (KJV)
II. Do not glory in material things; they pass away (1 John 2:15-17).
III. What are we to glory in? God (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18).
IV. Do you have reason to glory in God?
V. Have you been glorying in God?
-- Ralph Price, February 2000 --
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