Help QuickNav Adv. Options
KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Section Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Section Next Book
The Blue Letter Bible
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Jeremiah 48:11

toggle collapse
Choose a new font size and typeface
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"THE DANGER OF EASE"
Intro: The prophet speaks of the impending judgment to come upon neighboring Moab, and the reason for its destruction.
I. "MOAB HAS BEEN AT EASE FROM HIS YOUTH."
A. It seems that man instinctively looks for the easy life.
1. "Take it easy." - "Easy does it." -- phrases often heard.
2. I try to avoid trouble like the plague.
3. We often look at trouble as a sign of God's anger or judgment.
B. There is a great danger in ease.
1. It creates a softness.
a. Look how flabby a man gets, who doesn't work.
b. You don't develop strength kicking back on the chaise.
2. To try to shelter a tree from all the breezes is to insure its destruction in the wind.
a. Exposure to the breezes causes the roots to go deep.
b. To over-protect your child will leave him totally unprepared for the realities of life.
C. God uses trials and tribulations to strengthen His children.
1. They expose our weakness and drive us to our source of strength.
2. Paul uses a strange paradox, "When I am weak then am I strong."
a. Where I think I am strong and need no help, is where I usually fail.
b. Where I know I am weak and must rely completely upon God for strength, I always stand.
c. "His strength is perfected in my weakness."
II. "HE HAS SETTLED ON HIS LEES."
A. We are now introduced to wine-making processes.
1. After the juice is fermented, the thicker the dregs or lees begin to settle in the bottom.
a. At this point, the top is poured off into another vessel.
b. Again the lees are allowed to settle and the top is poured into another vessel.
c. By this method the wine is refined - it becomes clear and flavorful.
2. If this process is not followed and it settles in the lees, it will take on the flavor of the sour lees and will begin to smell sour.
a. This is what the prophet declares has happened to Moab.
b. It has never had any disturbance - it has turned sour.
B. God uses disturbances to refine our lives.
1. We seem to settle into comfortable routines so easily.
a. I've got a good job - nice home, a new car - the kids are back in school...
b. I now have a little time for me.
1. Next weekend we'll go to Vegas - then the following, to San Diego.
2. Get our ski gear out.
3. Check out the brochures on a Caribbean cruise...
"The good life... it stinks."
c. God is saying: "Haven't you forgotten someone?"
d. You go into the office Monday morning - note on your desk to see the boss. "The company doesn't need me anymore. Oh, God, how am I going to make my house and car payment?"
e. "What's that? I was hoping you would remember Me."
2. Through disturbances He often gets our attention.
a. He so often has something for us which is so much better.
b. We're not looking.
c. What so often for the moment look like calamities, are blessings in disguise.
Sermon Notes for Jeremiah 48:11 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Jeremiah 48:11 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Isaiah 1:18 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Lamentations 3:21 Next Book →
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
← Back to all Commentaries
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
  [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV
Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.