The Book of Jeremiah

[evangelist6589]

I am reading a Warren Wiersbe commentary on the book of Jeremiah. I have noticed that the culture of Jeremiah's day was similar to that of ours. Relativism, & pluralism seems to have been a common attitude during his time. I find it interesting that God calls Jeremiah to do some open air preaching and expose the hypocrites. Many today say that open air is ineffective, it does not work, it offends people, and so on. Or they might say that open air was a common way to communicate in that culture, and for this they may have a point. However no one can say that God cannot use open air preachers. I am persuaded that he prefers open air, as in the book of Revelation chapter 11 I believe Moses & Elijah preach for 1260 days.

 

[Greektim]

I am reading a Warren Wiersbe commentary on the book of Jeremiah. I have noticed that the culture of Jeremiah's day was similar to that of ours. Relativism, & pluralism seems to have been a common attitude during his time. I find it interesting that God calls Jeremiah to do some open air preaching and expose the hypocrites. Many today say that open air is ineffective, it does not work, it offends people, and so on. Or they might say that open air was a common way to communicate in that culture, and for this they may have a point. However no one can say that God cannot use open air preachers. I am persuaded that he prefers open air, as in the book of Revelation chapter 11 I believe Moses & Elijah preach for 1260 days.

You seem pretty convinced that the 2 witnesses are Elijah and Moses. Couldn't they just be 2 witnesses??? Since you consider my view absolutely unbiblical (and thus heretical???) I'm not even going to say what I think it is.

As to open air preaching, I will say one thing and admit another: (1) I have never seen it done successfully & (2) I've never done it myself. So I am biased. 2,000 years ago, yes it was a good idea. In the states 2012, I'm not convinced. Maybe some current societies that are less modern it works, though.

 

[jonathan.borland]

I think it takes a proper and Spirit-filled preacher to be effective at open-air preaching. However, I don't think Jeremiah would have been considered very successful by modern standards, but his job was a little different than today's preacher. Still, give me a D. L. Moody or John Broadus, who both were very successful open-air preachers, and I think the results today would be similar. God mightily uses men who are wholly devoted to him. The key word is "wholly."

 

[evangelist6589]

I think it takes a proper and Spirit-filled preacher to be effective at open-air preaching. However, I don't think Jeremiah would have been considered very successful by modern standards, but his job was a little different than today's preacher. Still, give me a D. L. Moody or John Broadus, who both were very successful open-air preachers, and I think the results today would be similar. God mightily uses men who are wholly devoted to him. The key word is "wholly."

Why are you worried about success and results? God is in control and all he asks is that I be obedient. To many people today are obsessed with "results" when God only asks for obedience.

 

[Van]

Results are important. Otherwise you are building on the foundation of Christ with sticks and straw, are you not?

We all have a "measure of faith" which means a specific sphere of ministry within the "body of Christ." Far be it for me to find fault with another of Christ's slaves. Paul shifted from presenting God's word to Jews, who rejected it to speaking in the open air to Gentiles. But he was mindful of results, exercising self control so he would be an effective ambassador of Christ.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I am reading a Warren Wiersbe commentary on the book of Jeremiah. I have noticed that the culture of Jeremiah's day was similar to that of ours. Relativism, & pluralism seems to have been a common attitude during his time. I find it interesting that God calls Jeremiah to do some open air preaching and expose the hypocrites. Many today say that open air is ineffective, it does not work, it offends people, and so on. Or they might say that open air was a common way to communicate in that culture, and for this they may have a point. However no one can say that God cannot use open air preachers. I am persuaded that he prefers open air, as in the book of Revelation chapter 11 I believe Moses & Elijah preach for 1260 days.

I am preaching through Jeremiah on Sunday mornings and have thought that the culture was very much like ours... But I am preaching inside :laugh:

 

[jonathan.borland]

Why are you worried about success and results? God is in control and all he asks is that I be obedient. To many people today are obsessed with "results" when God only asks for obedience.

If the result is the repentance of sinners then I should say that we should all be concerned with results. If you read D L Moody's biography, he wasn't concerned so much with obedience as he was with communing with the Lord for vast amounts of time every day and wrestling with him in prayer.

 

[evangelist6589]

Results are important. Otherwise you are building on the foundation of Christ with sticks and straw, are you not?

We all have a "measure of faith" which means a specific sphere of ministry within the "body of Christ." Far be it for me to find fault with another of Christ's slaves. Paul shifted from presenting God's word to Jews, who rejected it to speaking in the open air to Gentiles. But he was mindful of results, exercising self control so he would be an effective ambassador of Christ.

Not if you hold to a Biblical view of the sovereignty of God unto salvation. Read Acts 13:48 I believe which says that the "Lord added to the number." Also read the book of Jeremiah as I am doing. He was rejected and did not get a single convert yet was a success. The Lord is in control of the results.

Too many thee days have a man centered/Arminiean view of evangelism rooted in Pragmatism. They do whatever works, and so deny the sufficiency of the scriptures, and the power of God unto salvation.

 

[evangelist6589]

If the result is the repentance of sinners then I should say that we should all be concerned with results. If you read D L Moody's biography, he wasn't concerned so much with obedience as he was with communing with the Lord for vast amounts of time every day and wrestling with him in prayer.

Not if you hold to a Biblical view of the sovereignty of God unto salvation. Read Acts 13:48 I believe which says that the "Lord added to their number."

 

[evangelist6589]

Results are important. Otherwise you are building on the foundation of Christ with sticks and straw, are you not?

We all have a "measure of faith" which means a specific sphere of ministry within the "body of Christ." Far be it for me to find fault with another of Christ's slaves. Paul shifted from presenting God's word to Jews, who rejected it to speaking in the open air to Gentiles. But he was mindful of results, exercising self control so he would be an effective ambassador of Christ.

Being overly concerned with results means that pragmatism will take its tole, and disobedience of the Bible will happen.

 

[Van]

Being overly concerned with results means that pragmatism will take its tole, and disobedience of the Bible will happen.

I pointed to scripture indicating results are important, i.e. not building with sticks and straw. You respond based on your man-made doctrine, results do not matter because the future is fixed.

Thus you have made the word of God to no effect. Presenting me with a generalized criticism, you are too pragmatic, does not even address the scriptural support for my view.

Lets see if any Calvinist takes a stand against ignoring results and ignoring the need to not disqualify ourselves by not walking the talk.

Let him who has a mind understand, Calvinism hinders evangelism.

 

[evangelist6589]

I pointed to scripture indicating results are important, i.e. not building with sticks and straw. You respond based on your man-made doctrine, results do not matter because the future is fixed.

Thus you have made the word of God to no effect. Presenting me with a generalized criticism, you are too pragmatic, does not even address the scriptural support for my view.

Lets see if any Calvinist takes a stand against ignoring results and ignoring the need to not disqualify ourselves by not walking the talk.

Let him who has a mind understand, Calvinism hinders evangelism.

I trust in God to bring the converts and me to preach the word of God. Did you read Acts 13:48? There are TONS & tons of support for what I say. Take for example the prophet Jeremiah, or even Noah. They were dedicated to preaching but did not gain any converts. Does this mean they were a failure? In the mind of a pragmatist yes, but in the mind of God NO.

 

[Van]

I said results matter and pointed to the scripture that teaches results matter. You ignored it and referred to another verse. You also said Jeremiah and Noah had no results. So you side stepped Peter and Paul who presented the New Covenant because they taught results are key.

And yes I have read Acts 13:48 and I am well aware of what it actually says, which of course is entirely different from what you probable teach.

You seem to deny that some folks build on the foundation of Christ with sticks and straw, and therefore are failures in the mind of God. They enter heaven bringing nothing with them, as one escaping from a fire.

Final thought, who are you supposed to model, Jeremiah or Jesus. Consider the parable of the lazy servant who did not make the most of his opportunity to add to his Master's treasure. Calvinism is unbiblical and hinders evangelism.