Title: Proud of God (Lent Day 8 Sermon)
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus says the LORD, “Let the wise not boast in their wisdom. A warrior should not boast of his bravery. Don't let the rich boast about their wealth. 24 Let him who boasts boast in this, that he has understanding and knows me, that he may know that I, the LORD, are a doer of kindness, fairness, and uprightness in the earth. I rejoice in this.” saith the LORD.
23 Thus says the LORD:
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glory glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and
impartiality in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the LORD. (NKJV)
“Let not the rich glory in his wisdom”, “Let not the mighty man glory in his mighty” and “Let the rich man glory in his riches” are repeated in NKJV The phrase “glory in” means “to boast about it.”
The world we live in today is full of good people. There are many who glory in their wisdom. Behind their names are the many titles they have. They want people to know how smart they are by looking at their academic achievements.
There are many people in the world who glory in their power. Professional athletes boast of their physical strength and skills. Business people show off their leadership or business skills. And the world is full of people bragging about their money. They want people to know how rich they are. They show off their money by wearing expensive clothes or jewelry. They roll expensive luxury cars. They live in expensive mansions. Passing by the house, people asked, “How much money would a person live in a house like that?” and envious. However, the Bible says that this is the life of man who has fallen into sin. “We are proud of our wisdom.” “We are proud of our strength.” “We are proud of our money.” Such pride is said to be the image of a fallen human being.
The prophet Jeremiah expresses the word of the Lord this way: “If you are going to brag, brag about knowing who I, the Lord, are.” If we, as Christians, can boast in front of people, it must be the knowledge of God. Really? Everyone? If there's anything you can boast about, it's that you know God, and if there's anything you're ashamed of, it's that you don't know God. Are you ashamed that I am ignorant of God?
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29: “Saints, think about what you were like when God called you. By the standards of the world, there were not many wise people, not many powerful people, and not many good-looking people. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly, despised, and nothing of the world to destroy the powerful. This was so that no one could boast before God.”
what do you mean? Try paraphrasing this word in another way. “Of those who have aristocratic status in this world, those who hold power in this world, and those who have a lot of money, there are not that many Christians. For God, before and now, chooses his people from among the lowly, the humble, and the weak. Therefore, we cannot say, “We are the strongest people in the world.” Instead, we say: “We are people who know God.”
I'm sitting in one of the cheapest economy seats right now and reading the Bible. Sitting next to me is a man who appears to be Middle Eastern. he asks me
“Can I ask you a question?”
"of course."
“I am an Iranian who has just immigrated to the United States. I don't know much about American religion. Everyone in my country is Muslim. However, there seem to be many religions in America. Can you tell me about the religion of the American people?”
“It is. But what is your question?”
“Tell me about Catholicism and Protestantism and Baptism.”
I explained to this person as simply as I could.
“Can I ask you one question now?”
“Oh, of course. What is your question?”
“Are you a sinner?”
“Oh, not like that. I have sinned.”
“So, what if you sin in your religion?”
“Of course I am going to hell.”
“Then, what hope do you have that you won’t fall into hell?”
“I have hope that God will forgive me.” I told him.
"I do not know. I know God, but... … .He will not forgive you.” He looked at me and said.
“Do you know God?”
I could read the mind of what he was thinking at that moment. “How do you sit in the middle of these cheap seats if you know God?” His eyes looking at me were saying:
It was never easy to tell this man that I knew God. However, I wanted to tell you about the God I know. I explained to him about the God in Jeremiah 9:24.
First, God is a lovingkindness to all people. Of course for Iranians like you.
Second, God judges the world and does his righteousness. Those who do not know God will be judged by God and will go to hell. But there is good news. Anyone in this world can receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.
I know God. This fact makes my heart pound. The board of directors excites me. Isn't it amazing how small and finite beings like me know the God of the universe? God made Himself known to me in His Word and in Jesus Christ. If I can boast to the world that I know the God of this universe, how can I boast of human wisdom? How can I boast of human strength and money? My relationship with God in Jesus Christ is more precious than human intelligence, human strength, or money.
But, gentlemen, do not misunderstand that you know God. This in no way means knowing God intellectually. If you know God, you must become like him from now on. I like what God likes, and I must hate what God hates.
The knowledge of God is invaluable to me. However, more precious than that is the fact that when I know God, I become so precious to God. That fact is revealed in today's verse 24. “God is pleased with those who understand him and know him.” If you know the God revealed in the Bible, if you know the God revealed in Jesus Christ, if you know that God is the maker of both love and judgment, then God is pleased in you. This is what the NKJV says: “But let him who glory glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight.” A literal translation of this verse would be: “Let the one who brags boast about this. That is, he understands me and knows me. And that I, the Lord, am a doer of kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the world. Because I rejoice in these things.”
Those who boast of God without boasting of their wisdom, their strength, or their wealth, and those who live according to what pleases God, God is pleased with them. Do you know the word “delight”? In Webster's dictionary, it says this: “something that gives great pleasure” Yes. God is pleased with those who boast about him. May your life be a life that pleases God.