THE SUPREME NEED OF THE WORLD

JEREMIAH 5:1

A. "RUN YE TO AND FROM THROUGH THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM, AND SEE NOW AND KNOW AND SEEK IN THE BROAD PLACE THEREOF, IF YE CAN FIND A MAN, IF THERE BE ANY THAT EXECUTETH JUDGMENT, THAT SEEKETH THE TRUTH; AND I WILL PARDON IT"
  1. In this passage God reveals the complete breakdown of morality of His ancient covenant people:
    1. He declares it to be a city of hypocrites, whose citizens deny with their lives the religion they profess with their mouths - Matt. 23:1-22
    2. The prophet acknowledges that they have God upon their lips and that they are very scrupulous in their observance of the outward ceremonies, but their hearts are far removed from their God - Is. 29:13
    3. The people had forsaken God; the fountain of living waters and made themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that hold no water - Jer. 2:13
  2. The sad part of it all was that no voice was raised to uphold justice and judgment:
    1. The prophets were busily engaged to receive the flattery of the people
    2. And the judges occupied themselves to receive bribes
B. LET US CONSIDER, PRAYERFULLY, THE IMPLICATION OF OUR SUBJECT TITLE - THE SUPREME NEED OF THE WORLD
  1. Rational, observing people realize that the world is in serious trouble:
    1. Unrest and perplexities are steadily on the increase; and the end is not yet in sight Luke 21:25-26
    2. Moral restraint in society seems to be in full retreat
    3. Disrespect for law and order is common among youth - 2 Tim. 3:1-5
    4. The prophet Isaiah says, "For, behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people" - Is. 60:1
  2. The supreme need of the world:
    1. Is not for more men with seemingly unlimited brain power; we do not cast any reflection on the men of science
    2. For we know that in spite of the phenomenal advancement of physical science, morality is on the decline
    3. There never has been a time in the history of the United States when the people sensed insecurity as they do now
C. THIS WRITER BELIEVES THAT THE SUPREME NEED OF THE WORLD IS
  1. Of men that hate iniquity and love righteousness:
    1. Men like Joseph who could not be induced to fall for flattery which would lead to immorality - "how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God" - Gen. 39:9
    2. Men like Daniel, who upheld judgment and justice regardless of the price he had to pay - Dan. 1:8; 6:5-10
    3. Men like Abraham Lincoln whose honesty made him immortal in the minds of people who love integrity
    4. Men that have the good of the people at heart and that cannot be bought or sold by any worldly inducements
  2. Such men cannot be found except that they have a living connection with God:
    1. Men of the stature of Job - "That man was perfect and upright and one that feared God, and eschewed evil" - Job 1:1
    2. Men of faith like Paul who brought hope and courage to men at a time when they despaired of life, "I believe in God" - Acts 27:25
    3. Men of prayer like Moses and Abraham who stepped into the gap between God and a disloyal people - Ps. 106:23; Gen. 18:22-33
  3. The world is in supreme need of God's man, Jesus Christ:
    1. He only is able to solve the world's biggest problem - sin - Matt. 1:21
    2. Sin is the bottom of the world's troubles
    3. Sin is the ruination of a nation
  4. Jesus Christ has provided God's remedy for sin:
    1. He paid for man's sin on the shameful cross of Calvary - Rom. 5:6-8; I Cor. 15:3
    2. He provides the power to overcome sin and its enticements - Phil 2:13; 4:12
  5. He only can bring peace and security to a restless and insecure world:
    1. He is the Prince of peace - Acts 5:31
    2. When He was born into the world, the angels proclaimed the gospel of peace - Luke 2:14


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