THEOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL- Notice the rich theology that comes from verse 4:

Omniscience ( . . . I knew you before . . .)

Creation ( . . . I formed you . . . )

Calling ( . . . I set you apart . . . )

Selection ( . . . I appointed you . . . )

Proclamation ( . . . as my spokesman to the world . . . )

STRUCTURE - I’D LOVE TO, BUT I’M TOO . . . The reason Jeremiah gives for his resistance is that he is both too young and too unsuited for the task (1:6). Yet God’s call could not be avoided. God commanded Jeremiah not to speak of himself as a boy and not to be afraid of the powers he would confront. God would be with him, for his calling was based on the foresight and choice of God and not based on good career counseling.

FRESH SENSE OF CALL- How can knowledge of God’s presence, calling, and selection provide us enough motivation to begin to consider new ways of being in mission in our communities?

 

 

JOHN DONNE [16th century]

Batter my heart, three-personed God, for you

As yet but knock, breathe, Shine and seek to mend;

That I may rise and stand, O’erthrow me and bend

Your force to break, blow,

JOHN WESLEY [17th century]:

I am no longer my own, but yours.

Put me to what you will,

Rank me with whom you will;

Put me to doing, put me to suffering;

Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,

Exalted for you or brought low for you;

Let me be full, let me be empty;

Let me have all things, let me have nothing;

I freely and heartily yield all things to your

pleasure and disposal. Amen. [1]

We have a sermon based on this passage in the DPS archives; you might want to review what we have already have available in storage.

For a great perspective on this passage, check out Eugene Peterson’s meditation in his book on Jeremiah. [2]

The passage lends itself to a careful and thoughtful meditation on the mystery of the God who knows us, calls and consecrates us. The theology in a nutshell above under "Scripture" might be a useful form from which to build a sermon.

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[1] Frank Whaling, ed.  John and Charles Wesley: Selected Prayers, Hymns, Journal Notes, Sermons (NY: Paulist Press, 1981), page 387.
[2] Run with the Horses by Eugene Peterson (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1984), pp.37-43.