Faith's Purchasing Power

06/10/2019 13:17

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Date: 3 October.
Text: Jeremiah 32:14-27
Title: Faith's Purchase Power
 
Introduction:
 
I shared with the church on Thursday night that God has answered our prayers for a mobile caravan for furlough next summer.
 
God led us to do this before through his provision of the sale of our home.
- we owned a home in Michigan for about two and a half years
- the economy was poor at the time.
- we added onto the property and split the side garden off as a separate buildable lot.
 
exp. There were a lot of faith steps along the way.
- I had done very little carpentry - God helped us add 400 square feet onto our home.
- A union electrician friend was laid off and he helped me do the project.
- I also needed to put out a couple thousand dollars to rezone our property, survey it and split it.
- There was no guarantee that they would rezone it - (there was an argument just before our property came up in the planning permission department - they were very kind to me and passed it.)
 ill. Later as I was doing door to door - one of the members of the planning department said, "I should listen to you. If you are as good at convincing me of the Bible as you were of convincing the board, then I had better listen."
exp. Our text this morning - is the story which God used to convince me to take the big step of faith to rezone and split the property. (Without that we couldn't have afforded a travel trailer.)
 
note: In our story....
- Jeremiah is in Jerusalem and is a prophet to the kingdom of Judah
- Jerusalem is under seige by Babylon because of God's judgment.
- The Babylonian captivity is going to take place and Babylon is going to be over all the land of Judah.
- King Zedekiah does not like Jeremiah's preaching and has put him in prison.
- But, Jeremiah is to take a step of faith in purchasing this property as a sign to the people that they will return to the land.
 
1  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
2  For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
3  For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
4  And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
5  And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
IN PRISON WITH THE KINGDOM ABOUT TO FALL INTO AN ENEMIES HANDS GOD TELLS JEREMIAH TO PURCHASE A PROPERTY BY FAITH.
 
6  And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
7  Behold, Hanameel (Jeremiah's cousin) 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.
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.
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.
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.
16  Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,
exp. Jeremiah has taken a big step of faith in purchasing this property.
- He's a prisoner.
- Jerusalem is about to fall.
- We would think that Hanameel was wise to sell and Jeremiah was foolish to buy.
 
Jeremiah had the money to purchase the property although we don't know how much he had left over. But, he had something better with which to purchase the property and that was his faith.
 
My message this morning, "FAITH'S PURCHASING POWER."
 
Jeremiah purchased some property by faith.
 
exp. Nobody else in prison was buying land but they should have followed Jeremiah's example.
WE OUGHT TO FOLLOW JEREMIAH'S EXAMPLE.
 
We need to purchase some property for God's glory by faith. Faith has great purchasing power. 
What have you obtained by faith? What has your faith purchased?
 
I. Purchase by faith in God's sovereignty.
def. sovereignty is - supreme power or authority.
exp. As you make a purchase by faith - remember that GOD IS OVER ALL. He is sovereign.
 
A. He is the all powerful Creator.
17  Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm,
exp. Jeremiah may have been able to see the night sky from the courtyard of the prison. As he looked at the multitude of distant stars and considered the wonder of God's creation - HE DIDN'T THINK IT A HARD THING FOR GOD TO HONOUR HIS FAITH PURCHASE.
 question -   When is the last time you lifted up your eyes to the heavens and marvelled at God's creation.
ill. Germany - village surrounded by the Black Forest - not as much light polution - watching starts (God's handywork) and satelites (man's handywork.) 
 exp. That kind of contemplation get's you thinking like David about how tiny we are....
Psalm 8:3  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
exp. If we are so small and God is so big - what takes big faith for us is very simple to the God who made all things.
B. Nothing is too hard for Him.
... and there is nothing too hard for thee:
exp. There are a lot of things that are too hard for us.
 ill. We purchased a flugabone for furlough (to accomodate traveling with a brass instrument similar to our trombones.) I have never played an instrument with valves. (A trombone has a slide.) I took the valves out and struggled to get everything going correctly. (We daily face things that are TOO HARD for us.)
note: Praise God as believers, we have One with us for whom NOTHING IS TOO HARD.
 ill. Abraham and Sarah stuggled to have children and passed the years of child bearing. God still believed they were able to have children - BECAUSE HE WAS ABLE TO REVITALIZE THE WOMB OF SARAH AND ALLOW THEM TO CONCEIVE A CHILD.
Gen. 18:10  And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12  Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13  And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14  Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
exp. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE - TO EVERYONE BUT GOD. (Nothing is too hard for the Lord.)
exp. Jeremiah didn't have to trust God for the money to buy the land. He had to trust that this wasn't a waste of his savings and that the land would not be purchased in vain. HE TRUSTED IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.
 app. Do you trust in God's Sovereignty this morning? When God has a faith purchase in front of you - do you move forward by faith in God's supreme power and authority?
 
II. Purchase by faith in God's justice. (Jeremiah knew that God was just and right.)
 exp. If this deal was to be a bad deal, it would not be because God was wrong in what He did.
A. God is just in his mercy.
18  Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, 
ill. In our Thursday night study we saw Jacob struggling to come to faith in the good ruler in Egypt. (He didn't realize that the GOOD SON on the throne was the man whom he loved above all others.)
 question: How do you view God this morning? Do you trust in His mercy?
ill. The Last of the Giants - how the Gospel came to the Lumberjacks
John Sornberger - prize fighter - easily won 127 fights in the ring. 
Became a drunkard, thief, shot a man and got on the wrong side of the law.
 exp. He got saved  and became a preacher. Frank Higgins, the man who led him to the Lord sent him a message saying, "I am in a jam in St. Paul trying to help a friend. Will you come at once and help me? - Frank
When he met him he said, "Don't ask any questions right now, but do as I tell you and I'll explain later." He asked him if he had been to the city and said, "Wel, we are going over there now and get in touch with some pretty imortant people to see if they can help this friend of mine. You follow my lead and answer any questions they ask you."
It was not until they were in the governor's office that John knew what had happened. He felt trapped and looked around for a way out, but all the doors were closed; the windows were too high to reach, and he saw that he was unable to either fight or run. He truste dhHiggins and knew that if he was delivering a friend to the law, it was the best thing to do."
 
After speaking with him the governor said, "John, I feel happy and honoured to know you. Not because of what you were, but because of what you have become. Never go back on the God who has done so much for all of us in and through the cross of His son!' Then turning to the Sky Pilot, he said, "Mr. Higgins, I am convinced. This man is really converted. Nothing but the power of God Almighty can put before our happy eyes a man like this, made over from the  man he was. I will be misunderstood; I will be condmned; I will be criticized for this, but I have a duty as a Christian, which means more than my political career. I am going to give this man a full and coplete pardona nd leave him free to serve our blesed Saviour."
app. Are you trusting in the justice of God this morning. The justice of his mercy.
Psa 130:4  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
B. God is just in His judgment.
...and recompensest the iniquity (pays back the sin) of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: 
exp. If for some reason the promised return never came it would not be because God had let his people down. If it happened, it would be because the people of God had let God down. 
ill. Moses - led the children of Israel - to Canaan - by faith - but not into Canaan because he got angry with the people and struck the rock instead of speaking to it.
Deuteronomy 3:23  And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,
24  O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?
25  I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
26  But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.
27  Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Deuteronomy 34:4  And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.
 exp. Was God wrong to refuse Moses that purchase of faith? No, God was just in his judgment.
exp. Jeremiah couldn't trust the people to uphold their part of the bargain. But, Jeremiah knew that God would uphold his part. Jeremiah trusted in the justice of God and purchased the land by faith. 
 app. Are you ready to purchase by faith believing that GOD WILL BE JUST in your situation whether for blessing or judgment?
 transition - purchase by faith in God's justice, by faith in God's Sovereignty.
 
III. Purchase by faith in God's name.
the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
exp. Jeremiah had great faith in WHO God is.
ill. Like Paul's encouragement in 
Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
question: Who is the God in whom Jeremiah trusts?
A. The Great.
exp. There is none greater than God.
 ill. David's cry to Goliah, the great giant.... 
1Sa 17:45  Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
app. Do you lack faith when facing great enemies? Have you forgotten the greatness of God?
B. The Mighty God.
 exp. Our finite mind can't comprehend the power of God.
Isaiah 40:12  Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
C. The LORD of hosts.
 ill. Elisha's prayer for his fearful servants was that he would see the host of the Lord.
2 Kings 6:16  And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
exp. They that be with us are more than they that be with them.
 app. Have you claimed God's name recently as you purchased some land by faith?
Have you trusted in His sovereignty, in His justice?
 
IV. Purchase by faith in God's knowledge.
 ill. Today is the 6 October - Brexit happens - deal or no deal on 31 October - we don't know what is going to happen, but God does.
ill. God's knowledge is complete.
Psa 147:4  He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5  Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
ill. God's knowledge is active.
Mat 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
A. He knows what we should do and how to do it.
19  Great in counsel, and mighty in work: 
ill. We met with Nicky this past week. She was very helpful. We benefited greatly from her knowledge of community asset transfer requests.
1.) She knows the legislation.
2.) She knows what has been purchased or leased.
3.) She knows by experience how these things work.
exp. We are wise to follow the counsel of someone who is knowledgable.
 app. Are you following the counsel of God who knows what we should do and how to do it?
B. He is completely aware of every aspect of the situation and will work accordingly.
...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. If you have stepped out by faith, isn't God aware that you are following him by faith? Is He not going to reward you for your trust and obedience?
 ill. Job's faith was severely tested because of a Satanic attack HE HAD TO MAKE A VERY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY FAITH PURCHASE AND GOD WATCHED IT ALL.
Job 42:7  And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8  Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
9  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
10  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
 app. Is your faith purchase tough this morning? TRUST IN GOD'S KNOWLEDGE. He is observing. He is counseling. He will reward your faith!
transition: Purchase by faith in God's knowledge, God's name, God's justice, God's sovereignty,
 
 
V. Purchase by faith in God's purpose.
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;
exp. Jeremiah knew that God's great purpose was to glorify HIS GREAT NAME .
Ill. Elisha on Mount Carmel believed God was willing to honour the faith of his servant for the PURPOSE OF GLORIFYING HIS NAME BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
1 Kings 18:30  And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
31  And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
32  And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33  And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34  And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35  And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36  And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38  Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
exp. Elijah though walking by faith was walking on solid ground because his purpose was the purpose of God.
 app. Is the glory of God your motivation for stepping out by faith? Are you trusting in God's purpose - of glorifying his great name.
transition: Purchase by faith in God's purpose, God's knowledge, God's name, God's justice, God's sovereignty,
 
VI. Purchase by faith in God's faithfulness.
ill. "track record" - record of past performance.
 exp. Track records are important for decisions of trust. 
ill. People are warry of trusting air travel because of the recent failure of Thomas Cook. Thousands of  people were let down and stranded.
 question: Doesn't God have a track record that we can base our faith upon? He who has never let anyone down.
exp. Jeremiah knew that God had always done what he said and He put faith upon it.
A. He blessed as He said.
22  And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
exp. The fact that they were in the land, proved that God was faithful to His Word.
B. He cursed as He said.
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. The fact that they were under seige, proved that God was faithful to His Word.
Num 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
app. Are you stepping out by faith believing in God's faithfulness? You won't go wrong in trusting in God's faithfulness!
transition: Purchase by faith in God's faithfulness, God's purpose, God's knowledge, God's name, God's justice, God's sovereignty,
 
VII. Purchase by faith in God's Word.
 exp. Because God is faithful - if God has said it - He will do it!
A. God had said....
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. This was a big step of faith which Jeremiah had taken. But, it is in obedience to what God had said to do. AND GOD WAS CONTINUING TO SPEAK TO JEREMIAH ENCOURAGING HIM IN THE STEP OF FAITH HE HAD TAKEN.
B. God was saying....
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?
question: Is God speaking to you about taking a big step of faith?
- Maybe you need to get saved this morning.
Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
- Maybe you need to follow the Lord in believer's baptism.
Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
- Maybe you need to surrender your life this morning. 
Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
 app. Are you going to make a faith purchase - by faith in God's Word like Jeremiah?
 
conclusion: I'm thankful for how God used this faith purchase in our family as God prepared us to travel on deputation. How does God want to use it in your life this morning.
 
We need to purchase some property for God's glory by faith.
 
WHAT HAVE YOU PURCHASE BY FAITH?
 
1.) Faith in God's sovereignty.
2.) Faith in God's justice.
3.) Faith in God's name.
4.) Faith in God's knowledge.
5.) Faith in God's purpose.
6.) Faith in God's faithfulness.
7.) Faith in God's Word.
 
FAITH HAS GREAT PURCHASING POWER! 
 

Date: 3 October.

Text: Jeremiah 32:14-27

Title: Faith's Purchase Power

 

Introduction:

 

I shared with the church on Thursday night that God has answered our prayers for a mobile caravan for furlough next summer.

 

God led us to do this before through his provision of the sale of our home.

- we owned a home in Michigan for about two and a half years

- the economy was poor at the time.

- we added onto the property and split the side garden off as a separate buildable lot.

 

exp. There were a lot of faith steps along the way.

- I had done very little carpentry - God helped us add 400 square feet onto our home.

- A union electrician friend was laid off and he helped me do the project.

- I also needed to put out a couple thousand dollars to rezone our property, survey it and split it.

- There was no guarantee that they would rezone it - (there was an argument just before our property came up in the planning permission department - they were very kind to me and passed it.)

 ill. Later as I was doing door to door - one of the members of the planning department said, "I should listen to you. If you are as good at convincing me of the Bible as you were of convincing the board, then I had better listen."

exp. Our text this morning - is the story which God used to convince me to take the big step of faith to rezone and split the property. (Without that we couldn't have afforded a travel trailer.)

 

note: In our story....

- Jeremiah is in Jerusalem and is a prophet to the kingdom of Judah

- Jerusalem is under seige by Babylon because of God's judgment.

- The Babylonian captivity is going to take place and Babylon is going to be over all the land of Judah.

- King Zedekiah does not like Jeremiah's preaching and has put him in prison.

- But, Jeremiah is to take a step of faith in purchasing this property as a sign to the people that they will return to the land.

 

1  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.

2  For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.

3  For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

4  And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

5  And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

IN PRISON WITH THE KINGDOM ABOUT TO FALL INTO AN ENEMIES HANDS GOD TELLS JEREMIAH TO PURCHASE A PROPERTY BY FAITH.

 

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

7  Behold, Hanameel (Jeremiah's cousin) 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

exp. Jeremiah has taken a big step of faith in purchasing this property.

- He's a prisoner.

- Jerusalem is about to fall.

- We would think that Hanameel was wise to sell and Jeremiah was foolish to buy.

 

Jeremiah had the money to purchase the property although we don't know how much he had left over. But, he had something better with which to purchase the property and that was his faith.

 

My message this morning, "FAITH'S PURCHASING POWER."

 

Jeremiah purchased some property by faith.

 

exp. Nobody else in prison was buying land but they should have followed Jeremiah's example.

WE OUGHT TO FOLLOW JEREMIAH'S EXAMPLE.

 

We need to purchase some property for God's glory by faith. Faith has great purchasing power. 

What have you obtained by faith? What has your faith purchased?

 

I. Purchase by faith in God's sovereignty.

def. sovereignty is - supreme power or authority.

exp. As you make a purchase by faith - remember that GOD IS OVER ALL. He is sovereign.

 

A. He is the all powerful Creator.

17  Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm,

exp. Jeremiah may have been able to see the night sky from the courtyard of the prison. As he looked at the multitude of distant stars and considered the wonder of God's creation - HE DIDN'T THINK IT A HARD THING FOR GOD TO HONOUR HIS FAITH PURCHASE.

 question -   When is the last time you lifted up your eyes to the heavens and marvelled at God's creation.

ill. Germany - village surrounded by the Black Forest - not as much light polution - watching starts (God's handywork) and satelites (man's handywork.) 

 exp. That kind of contemplation get's you thinking like David about how tiny we are....

Psalm 8:3  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

exp. If we are so small and God is so big - what takes big faith for us is very simple to the God who made all things.

B. Nothing is too hard for Him.

... and there is nothing too hard for thee:

exp. There are a lot of things that are too hard for us.

 ill. We purchased a flugabone for furlough (to accomodate traveling with a brass instrument similar to our trombones.) I have never played an instrument with valves. (A trombone has a slide.) I took the valves out and struggled to get everything going correctly. (We daily face things that are TOO HARD for us.)

note: Praise God as believers, we have One with us for whom NOTHING IS TOO HARD.

 ill. Abraham and Sarah stuggled to have children and passed the years of child bearing. God still believed they were able to have children - BECAUSE HE WAS ABLE TO REVITALIZE THE WOMB OF SARAH AND ALLOW THEM TO CONCEIVE A CHILD.

Gen. 18:10  And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

12  Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

13  And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

14  Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

exp. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE - TO EVERYONE BUT GOD. (Nothing is too hard for the Lord.)

exp. Jeremiah didn't have to trust God for the money to buy the land. He had to trust that this wasn't a waste of his savings and that the land would not be purchased in vain. HE TRUSTED IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.

 app. Do you trust in God's Sovereignty this morning? When God has a faith purchase in front of you - do you move forward by faith in God's supreme power and authority?

 

II. Purchase by faith in God's justice. (Jeremiah knew that God was just and right.)

 exp. If this deal was to be a bad deal, it would not be because God was wrong in what He did.

A. God is just in his mercy.

18  Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, 

ill. In our Thursday night study we saw Jacob struggling to come to faith in the good ruler in Egypt. (He didn't realize that the GOOD SON on the throne was the man whom he loved above all others.)

 question: How do you view God this morning? Do you trust in His mercy?

ill. The Last of the Giants - how the Gospel came to the Lumberjacks

John Sornberger - prize fighter - easily won 127 fights in the ring. 

Became a drunkard, thief, shot a man and got on the wrong side of the law.

 exp. He got saved  and became a preacher. Frank Higgins, the man who led him to the Lord sent him a message saying, "I am in a jam in St. Paul trying to help a friend. Will you come at once and help me? - Frank

When he met him he said, "Don't ask any questions right now, but do as I tell you and I'll explain later." He asked him if he had been to the city and said, "Wel, we are going over there now and get in touch with some pretty imortant people to see if they can help this friend of mine. You follow my lead and answer any questions they ask you."

It was not until they were in the governor's office that John knew what had happened. He felt trapped and looked around for a way out, but all the doors were closed; the windows were too high to reach, and he saw that he was unable to either fight or run. He truste dhHiggins and knew that if he was delivering a friend to the law, it was the best thing to do."

 

After speaking with him the governor said, "John, I feel happy and honoured to know you. Not because of what you were, but because of what you have become. Never go back on the God who has done so much for all of us in and through the cross of His son!' Then turning to the Sky Pilot, he said, "Mr. Higgins, I am convinced. This man is really converted. Nothing but the power of God Almighty can put before our happy eyes a man like this, made over from the  man he was. I will be misunderstood; I will be condmned; I will be criticized for this, but I have a duty as a Christian, which means more than my political career. I am going to give this man a full and coplete pardona nd leave him free to serve our blesed Saviour."

app. Are you trusting in the justice of God this morning. The justice of his mercy.

Psa 130:4  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

B. God is just in His judgment.

...and recompensest the iniquity (pays back the sin) of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: 

exp. If for some reason the promised return never came it would not be because God had let his people down. If it happened, it would be because the people of God had let God down. 

ill. Moses - led the children of Israel - to Canaan - by faith - but not into Canaan because he got angry with the people and struck the rock instead of speaking to it.

Deuteronomy 3:23  And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,

24  O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

25  I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.

26  But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.

27  Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

Deuteronomy 34:4  And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

 exp. Was God wrong to refuse Moses that purchase of faith? No, God was just in his judgment.

exp. Jeremiah couldn't trust the people to uphold their part of the bargain. But, Jeremiah knew that God would uphold his part. Jeremiah trusted in the justice of God and purchased the land by faith. 

 app. Are you ready to purchase by faith believing that GOD WILL BE JUST in your situation whether for blessing or judgment?

 transition - purchase by faith in God's justice, by faith in God's Sovereignty.

 

III. Purchase by faith in God's name.

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

exp. Jeremiah had great faith in WHO God is.

ill. Like Paul's encouragement in 

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

question: Who is the God in whom Jeremiah trusts?

A. The Great.

exp. There is none greater than God.

 ill. David's cry to Goliah, the great giant.... 

1Sa 17:45  Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

app. Do you lack faith when facing great enemies? Have you forgotten the greatness of God?

B. The Mighty God.

 exp. Our finite mind can't comprehend the power of God.

Isaiah 40:12  Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

C. The LORD of hosts.

 ill. Elisha's prayer for his fearful servants was that he would see the host of the Lord.

2 Kings 6:16  And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

exp. They that be with us are more than they that be with them.

 app. Have you claimed God's name recently as you purchased some land by faith?

Have you trusted in His sovereignty, in His justice?

 

IV. Purchase by faith in God's knowledge.

 ill. Today is the 6 October - Brexit happens - deal or no deal on 31 October - we don't know what is going to happen, but God does.

ill. God's knowledge is complete.

Psa 147:4  He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

5  Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

ill. God's knowledge is active.

Mat 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

A. He knows what we should do and how to do it.

19  Great in counsel, and mighty in work: 

ill. We met with Nicky this past week. She was very helpful. We benefited greatly from her knowledge of community asset transfer requests.

1.) She knows the legislation.

2.) She knows what has been purchased or leased.

3.) She knows by experience how these things work.

exp. We are wise to follow the counsel of someone who is knowledgable.

 app. Are you following the counsel of God who knows what we should do and how to do it?

B. He is completely aware of every aspect of the situation and will work accordingly.

...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. If you have stepped out by faith, isn't God aware that you are following him by faith? Is He not going to reward you for your trust and obedience?

 ill. Job's faith was severely tested because of a Satanic attack HE HAD TO MAKE A VERY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY FAITH PURCHASE AND GOD WATCHED IT ALL.

Job 42:7  And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

8  Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

9  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

10  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

 app. Is your faith purchase tough this morning? TRUST IN GOD'S KNOWLEDGE. He is observing. He is counseling. He will reward your faith!

transition: Purchase by faith in God's knowledge, God's name, God's justice, God's sovereignty,

 

 

V. Purchase by faith in God's purpose.

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;

exp. Jeremiah knew that God's great purpose was to glorify HIS GREAT NAME .

Ill. Elisha on Mount Carmel believed God was willing to honour the faith of his servant for the PURPOSE OF GLORIFYING HIS NAME BEFORE THE PEOPLE.

1 Kings 18:30  And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

31  And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

32  And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

33  And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

34  And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

35  And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

36  And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38  Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

exp. Elijah though walking by faith was walking on solid ground because his purpose was the purpose of God.

 app. Is the glory of God your motivation for stepping out by faith? Are you trusting in God's purpose - of glorifying his great name.

transition: Purchase by faith in God's purpose, God's knowledge, God's name, God's justice, God's sovereignty,

 

VI. Purchase by faith in God's faithfulness.

ill. "track record" - record of past performance.

 exp. Track records are important for decisions of trust. 

ill. People are warry of trusting air travel because of the recent failure of Thomas Cook. Thousands of  people were let down and stranded.

 question: Doesn't God have a track record that we can base our faith upon? He who has never let anyone down.

exp. Jeremiah knew that God had always done what he said and He put faith upon it.

A. He blessed as He said.

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

exp. The fact that they were in the land, proved that God was faithful to His Word.

B. He cursed as He said.

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. The fact that they were under seige, proved that God was faithful to His Word.

Num 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

app. Are you stepping out by faith believing in God's faithfulness? You won't go wrong in trusting in God's faithfulness!

transition: Purchase by faith in God's faithfulness, God's purpose, God's knowledge, God's name, God's justice, God's sovereignty,

 

VII. Purchase by faith in God's Word.

 exp. Because God is faithful - if God has said it - He will do it!

A. God had said....

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. This was a big step of faith which Jeremiah had taken. But, it is in obedience to what God had said to do. AND GOD WAS CONTINUING TO SPEAK TO JEREMIAH ENCOURAGING HIM IN THE STEP OF FAITH HE HAD TAKEN.

B. God was saying....

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?

question: Is God speaking to you about taking a big step of faith?

- Maybe you need to get saved this morning.

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

- Maybe you need to follow the Lord in believer's baptism.

Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

- Maybe you need to surrender your life this morning. 

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

 app. Are you going to make a faith purchase - by faith in God's Word like Jeremiah?

 

conclusion: I'm thankful for how God used this faith purchase in our family as God prepared us to travel on deputation. How does God want to use it in your life this morning.

 

We need to purchase some property for God's glory by faith.

 

WHAT HAVE YOU PURCHASE BY FAITH?

 

1.) Faith in God's sovereignty.

2.) Faith in God's justice.

3.) Faith in God's name.

4.) Faith in God's knowledge.

5.) Faith in God's purpose.

6.) Faith in God's faithfulness.

7.) Faith in God's Word.

 

FAITH HAS GREAT PURCHASING POWER! 

 

 

LET'S PURCHASE SOMETHING BY FAITH FOR GOD'S GLORY.

LET'S PURCHASE SOMETHING BY FAITH FOR GOD'S GLORY.
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