On May 5, 1974, Brother Stephen delivered a ministry in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on the life and calling of the prophet Jeremiah. He emphasized the significance of Jeremiah's prophetic role during a tumultuous time in Judah, particularly under the reign of King Josiah, who sought to reform the nation. Jeremiah, called by God at a young age, was tasked with delivering messages of both judgment and hope. Stephen highlighted Jeremiah's humility and sensitivity, noting that despite his fears, he recognized the weight of his calling. God assured Jeremiah of His presence and support, empowering him to speak boldly against the wickedness of the people. The ministry also discussed the dual nature of Jeremiah's commission: to tear down and to build up, reflecting God's thorough approach to restoration. Stephen encouraged the congregation to understand their own divine appointments within the body of Christ, emphasizing that God's calling is based on His foreknowledge and election. Ultimately, he reminded them that fulfilling God's calling requires reliance on His power, not personal strength, and that true ministry comes from a place of humility and obedience.
Introduction to Jeremiah's ministry and context
Jeremiah's calling and God's assurance
Jeremiah's humility and sensitivity
The dual nature of Jeremiah's commission: tearing down and building up
Understanding divine appointments in the body of Christ
Reliance on God's power for fulfilling one's calling
1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. 12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. 13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north. 14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. 17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.