Buy the Land

Link to the sermon video

Date: 23 August, 2021

Text: Jeremiah 32:6-27

Title: Buy the Land

Introduction:

ill. Katie and I were enabled by God to purchase a home after only a couple years of marriage. 

exp. Government first time home buyers loan - no down payment - only had to pay closing costs.

note: With that property came three thoughts that proved to be of the Lord.

exp. When we bought it.

  1.) We could split the side garden off for a separate buildable lot.

  2.) We could add onto the house by building into the garage.

exp. The third thought CAME LATER and had to do with missions.

  3.) If God calls us into missions I will sell the side garden and by a mobile caravan for deputation.

- surveying and planning permission cost $2,000 - lot of money in 2005.

- I had to get the property rezoned to be able to do it. (zoned commercial...)

This was a big faith step - I wanted to be sure of God's directing us to do it.

exp. God used our text - Jeremiah's faith purchase, to encourage me to step out by faith in splitting the property. 

note: JEREMIAH BOUGHT LAND IN A WAR ZONE, SOON TO BE OCCUPIED TERRITORY

Jeremiah 32:24  Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.

25  And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

ill. His purchase is like buying the British embassy in Kabul believing you will be able to keep it safe from the taliban and reopen it in the future. (No guarantee....)

note: Some men of God have obtained some land by faith for God's glory.

 - Caleb -Jos 14:12  Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. 

- Jonathan - Taking the land from the Garrison of the Philistines

1Sa 14:6  And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. 

I want to challenge us tonight with this thought....

AS GOD DIRECTS, GO BUY A FIELD BY FAITH.

exp. We ought to go do something by faith in obedience to God and for His glory.

prayer:

AS GOD DIRECTS, GO BUY A FIELD BY FAITH.

I. Get your directions from God.

exp. Jeremiah's purchase of a field was at the direction of God.

6  And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

7  Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.

exp. God was getting him thinking about something before it ever came to pass. His cousin, Hanameel, was going to come and offer him the purchase of family property.

 note: God at times prepares His servants to do His will, but getting them thinking about it.

 ill. Peter in Joppa - at Simon the Tanners house - very hungry - has a trance, Acts 10

- Before the trance - we are told that Cornelious is sending men to Peter. 

exp. We know that but Peter does not.

- His trance - a sheet coming down from Heaven with unclean animals in it.

- God tells him to rise up and eat - 3 x - Peter argues and God says it is cleansed.

19  While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20  Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

 exp. Peter was prepared by God to follow God's direction because God spoke ahead of time.

 ill. Jesus often spoke ahead of time with his disciples.

John 13:18  I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19  Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

John 14:28  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

29  And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

exp. He wanted them to know that His directions were being followed. He spoke ahead of time.

note: God was the one DIRECTING Jeremiah to do what his cousin desired him to do.

exp. We are not being mystical today to say that the God who spoke audibly to Jeremiah has the ability to....

Speak to us through His written Word.

1 Th 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

Speak to our heart by His Spirit according to His Word.

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

 ill. When I was in college, God was speaking to my heart about several important things.

- He was speaking to me about ministry. 

(ill. Changed to a ministry major before being called to preach.)

- He was speaking to me about church planting.

(ill. My favorite class was my church planting class with Dr. McAllister.)

ill. During an invitation at the end of a service we righly ask, "Is God speaking to your heart?" Is there a direction He is giving to you?

 app. I'm not asking you to be overly mystical this evening. But, are you in tune with God? Are you receptive to His direction? GET YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

II. Confirm your directions from God.

exp. God told Jeremiah ahead of time and then it was soon after confirmed.

8  So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

 ill. BBC News - During WWII the British had an operation called, "Operation Mincemeat."

- Took the body of a homeless Welsh Alcoholic who had committed suicide.

"Into his pockets went an identity card, ticket stubs and mementos from a fiancee. Chained to his wrist was a briefcase containing a letter marked "PERSONAL AND MOST SECRET", identifying Greece for invasion by Allied forces. Greece was a dummy target - the real plan was to invade Sicily.

When found floating near the port of Huelva, the corpse was assumed to be a British military courier who'd perished in a plane crash.

After a tense week or so - it took the Germans several attempts to get sight of the briefcase's contents - photographs of the falsified documents made it to Hitler's desk. He was fooled, and moved an entire panzer division - 90,000 soldiers - to Greece."

exp. 90,000 soldiers were moved because of a fake directive.

 note: Satan, the great adversary, isn't nieve at war games. 

- He will seek to get us to move under false directions. 

- We need to confirm that the DIRECTIONS WE RECEIVE ARE GENUINE.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

 exp. God has given us AT LEAST 3 tools to help us identify His direction. 

1. Use the tool of God's Word

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

question: You ought to ask, "What does God's Word say about it?"

 ill. I heard of a preacher whom Katie and I heard preach about 12 years ago. At that time he was conservative. He is now in contemporary ministry and has divorced his wife and married another woman. He's brazenly continuing in ministry.

exp. I don't have to wonder if he is in the will of God. Until death do us part is Biblical.

1 Corinthians 7:39  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 

 app. If God has led you to do it, it must be consistent with God's Word. 

2. Use the tool of Prayer

Proverbs 3: 5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

exp. We aren't to follow our own thoughts. We are to commit our path to the Lord.

Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 

3. Use the tool Godly Council (Parental and pastoral....)

Pro 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 

ill. I went to Bob Jones University - because my parents wanted me....

1) To go to college. (I didn't want to go to college)

2) To go to Bob Jones University. (I didn't want to go to a big school.)

exp. My children should be happy I went there. Katie and I met at BJU.

 app. If you think God is working in your heart in a certain direction - GREAT - back it up with God's Word, pray about it, seek good council. If it is of the Lord, it will be confirmed by Him.

GET YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

CONFIRM YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

III. Follow your directions from God.

note. (Make sure you confirm that it's of the Lord....If it is of God, then step out by faith and do it.)

9  And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.

10  And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.

11  So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:

12  And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

exp: Jeremiah made it a done deal. There was no going back. It was signed, sealed and delivered.

saying: "Put your money where your mouth is."

 ill. If you say this to a politician - "stop talking about funding education, health care, etc. - do it!"

SAYING: "Talk is cheap." (Don't brag about what you will do - do it!)

exp. It's easy to brag about what you say God has put on your heart - it's another thing to do it.

 exp. Jeremiah didn't say, "God put on my heart to buy the field - he bought the field."

 ill. George Mueller - was a man who followed by faith the directions from God.

- needed new property for orphans as neighbours were complaining.

- £10,000 pounds needed (1845)

- 7 acre site - Müller then prayed for the land on which to build and was guided to a 7-acre (28,000 m2) site in Ashley Down surrounded by fields, on sale at £200 an acre. He went to the landowner's home to speak to him, but was told that the owner was at his place of business. Müller duly went there to be told that the owner had returned home. Müller returned to his own home having left his card. The following morning, the landowner called to say that he'd had a sleepless night and believed that God was telling him to sell the land to Müller for £120 an acre. In 1845 Müller entered into a contract for the purchase of 7 acres (28,000 m²) of ground at £120 per acre (£0.03/m²) for "the accommodation, feeding, clothing and education of 300 destitute and orphan children". (Opened in June 1849)

 exp. Mueller was a man of faith who bought the land and built the buildings.

 app. Are you following God's directions? I've heard a saying and whether or not it's absolutely true, I can't say - "God won't show you more to do if you're not doing what you know to do." 

GET YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

CONFIRM YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

FOLLOW YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

 IV. Believe your directions from God.

exp. Jeremiah was too old to benefit from this purchase. HE IS DOING THIS IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD AS A TESTIMONY TO GOD'S PEOPLE.

13  And I charged Baruch before them, saying,

14  Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.

15  For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land. 

exp. Jeremiah didn't just say, "I believe God." Jeremiah showed He believed God. The testimony of that purchase would remind the Jews that GOD'S WORD IS TRUE.

 note: Jeremiah say's put it in "An earthen vessel...."

 ill. I had the privilige of visiting Qumran - 2,000 year old scrolls - kept in earthen vessels. 

 exp. This scroll was to be put into a time capsule. v.14 "That they may continue many days."

 question: Do you think anyone ever reminded him of that time capsule with doubt? "Hey Jeremiah, what about your purchase of that estate in Jerusalem? Do you still believe we are going to be back in the Land?" (I believe Jeremiah's maintained his faith God's direction.)

 saying: "Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light."

 exp. When God reveals it - nail it down - remember how clearly God led.....

 ill. When Katie and I were dating - we were apart for a few months in the summer - she phoned me, my youth pastor was at my house, everyone knew it was my girlfriend. She was concerned about our friendship.... I said, "Just let me come and travel with you back to BJU as we planned." She said she would let me know. (It was a great faith builder - more time in prayer than ever before.)

 exp. Your belief in your directions from God will be tested. Satan will make sure of that. 

YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT YOUR DIRECTION IS FROM GOD - OR YOU WILL QUIT!

 app. Are you maintaining your directions in faith - or have you gone back in unbelief?

GET YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

CONFIRM YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

FOLLOW YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

BELIEVE YOUR DIRECTIONS FROM GOD.

V. Claim your directions from God.

16  Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,

exp. I smile at this part of the story. We are reading the story thinking....

JEREMIAH IS A GREAT MAN OF FAITH - God says, "Buy the land." He buys it.

 NOTE: He is a great man of faith and shows that great men of faith....are just that - men of faith.

He pays the money - then he claims God's enablement for the successful outcome.

EXP. He casts himself upon God and says in effect....

 GOD you are powerful, personal, noteable, wonderful, historical, providential, and faithful.

A. Claim God's power.

17  Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

exp. Jeremiah took a faith step because God is powerful. 

 question: How many people today know what God wants them to do, but have a reason they can't?

1) I can't get saved because I can't give up (this sin.) Can God's power help you with that?

2) I can't get baptized because I'm scared of water. Can God help you?

3) I can't commit to tithing because I can't afford to tithe. Can God help you with that?

4) I can't surrender to ministry because I'm scared of lack ability. Can God help you with that?

saying: "I take thou must undertake"

 app. You need to claim your directions from God. Go to prayer and let God know that you can't but that nothing is too hard for Him.

B. Claim God's mercy and justice.

18  Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: 

exp. God wasn't going to get it wrong. He was a just God and was dealing fairly. 

 exp. Because God is a God of justice and mercy. Israel would eventually be saved.

app. You may step out in faith and feel like it's not going as I planned. God is a God of mercy and justice. He isn't going to get it wrong. Keep your eyes on Him and know He will take care of you.

C. Claim God's name.

...the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

19  Great in counsel, and mighty in work: 

exp. If you are going to do something, it's nice to know you've got someone Awesome on your side.

 ill. Police Officer - Bobby White - complaint - kids playing too loudly - officer came and played basketball with the kids (50 million views) Brought Shaquiel Oneil - gave each of the kids $100

note: They had an NBA legend on their side

exp. The LEGENDARY GOD IS ON OUR SIDE.

exp. We have the GREAT the MIGHTY GOD the LORD OF HOSTS 

- great counsel and mighty works are to be expected! Claim HIS NAME.

 app. Are you holding that position of faith knowing that God is with you? Are you claiming his name? Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

D. Claim God's observation.

...for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

exp. God was very aware of everything that was taking place. Jeremiah had honoured God and done something by faith. God knew and God would take care of Jeremiah.

 ill. Nehemiah - took a faith step and let God's people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (He did this at great personal expense.) God saw what it cost him.

Neh 13:14  Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

Neh 13:22  And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Neh 13:31  And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

 app. Have you stepped out by faith? God knows how it is going. God is aware. Claim his observation.

E. Claim God's control.

exp. Jeremiah was looking at the people - whom God had blessed and whom God was judging. GOD WAS OVER EVERYTHING THAT HAD, WAS AND WOULD TAKE PLACE.

20  Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;

21  And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;

22  And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;

23  And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:

24  Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.

exp. If it is happening to God's people, God intends it to happen. If it happened to God's people, God intended it to happen. It does not happen outside of God's providence.

 app. Whatever you are facing as you "buy the land by faith" it is either allowed by God or ordered by God. As you buy the land by faith - Are you claiming God's control over all your circumstances?

F. Claim God's plan.

25  And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

exp. God you said to do it. I did it. It was your plan. 

 ill. Peter stepped out by faith - "If it is you Lord - bid me come - he came... he started to sink and thought "What have I done? Lord you said to come." (Jesus reached out his hand and saved him.)

note: God wasn't going to let Peter sink. He wasn't going to let Jeremiah sink. He won't let us sink.

26  Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

27  Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

 app. If we are absolutely confident that this is God's direction - THEN IT IS GOD'S PLAN AND GOD'S PLANS DO NOT FAIL. HE'S GOT IT. NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM.

CONCLUSION:

yellow house - This was a big faith step - I wanted to be sure of God's directing us to do it.

ill.  I presented my case to the town council - argument before my turn to speak - I had gotten several neighbors together to rezone - God put it through. Later as I did evangelism one of the councilors said, "If you are as good at convincing people of the Bible as you are at convincing the board to rezone, I should attend your church."

exp. We bought a brand new caravan and a used pickup truck. Moved out of our home 18 days after Logan's birth and enjoyed our home on wheels for the next 4 years as we raised support.

note: We sold the property, paid off the brand new caravan and had some money to help us get started on deputation.

question: Does God have any land that he wants you to buy by faith? 

1) Get your directions from God. (Listen to God speak.)

2) Confirm your directions from God. (Make sure it's God - Bible, prayer, council)

3) Follow your directions from God. (Don't say God spoke to you, show God spoke to you.)

4) Believe your directions from God. (Believe God will do in your life what He called you to do.)

5) Claim your directions from God. 

(Get on your knees and claim God's blessing on your faith purchase.)

His power

His mercy and justice

His name

His observation

His control (Sovereignty)

His plan