Sunday Sermon Starter 10-24-11

Surely you don’t know anyone who rejoices in the sins of others. Sadly that last sentence was written with a tinge of sarcasm because we all likely know more than one person who finds some delight in the shortcomings of others. Whether it is because of a grudge between people or because of some “holier than thou” attitude that seems to persist with some, there are even Christians who anticipate people falling into sin like a dog anticipates scraps of food falling from the dinner table. This is not at all the manner by which God has expected His children to react to sin. Sin should cause us to weep. It should trouble our spirits and break our hearts. That was the perspective toward sin that men like Jeremiah had and such an example should be regularly reminded.A few years ago as I began a new work I made it a point to preach an overview of every book in the Bible. Below is my attempt at surveying the book of Lamentations, a book all about sorrow over sin. The lessons we learn from its five chapters should be constant reminders of just how serious sin is in our lives.

Title: Emotion Over the Iniquitous

Text: Lamentations 1:20-22

Main Point: As Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, stood to look over the state of his brethren the depths of depravity into which they had plunged caused him to weep uncontrollably. Their sin would cause them to lose their souls. Did they not know? Did they not care? Had no one warned them? In these five chapters resides five great points regarding the emotions that we should have toward sin:

Discussion Points:
1. The Way of Wickedness (Lamentations 1) – First, Jeremiah recalls Jerusalem’s memory (Lamentations 1:7). Jerusalem had been prosperous and blessed, but in their prosperity they look at God as being disposable. Thus, Jeremiah then recalls Jerusalem’s mistake (Lamentations 1:8-11). The result of their wickedness was that God’s vengeance would be taken upon them at the hand of other nations against whom they had scoffed believing they were unbeatable.

2. The Wrath of God (Lamentations 2) – Wickedness always spurs the wrath of God. And in this chapter, Jeremiah first mentions the fierceness of God’s anger (Lamentations 2:1-5). A number of pictures are painted in these verses but all to the point that God was terribly disappointed with them. But how would God’s anger result? Two ways are indicated: the temple would be destroyed (vs. 6-7) and the city would be destroyed (vs. 8-10).

3. The Weight of Sorrow (Lamentations 3) – How was the wrath of God going to affect the people? In chapter 3 there are three things mentioned: it was too bitter to taste (vs. 14-19), it was too strong to bear (vs. 48-54), and it was too sad to remember (vs. 20-25).

4. The Want of Help (Lamentations 4) – How would the people react? Well, Judah had put herself in an unenviable position (vs. 1-2) that led to their unattainable plea (vs. 7-11).

5. The Wreck of Iniquity (Lamentations 5) – All of this had to take its toll on the people and two things are particularly mentioned: (1) the reproach of the people (vs. 1-6), and (2) the recognition of the sin (vs. 7-22). It would prove to be more than could be they could bear.

The book of Lamentations pictures the ravages of sin in no way ever pictured before and since time. It shows just how terrible sin is and why it should be grieved. Ultimately the world will never abandon sin until it is reminded about just how bad sin is and why it is so devastating. Let’s remind ourselves of this and then endeavor to remind those to whom we are privileged to preach!

-Andy Brewer