Zedekiah had made an alliance with Egypt to rebel against Babylon. Egypt in the bible repersents the world. Zedekiah and the people did not want to listen to the message of Jeremiah. His message was not the one they wanted to hear, because they wanted to do things their way and not God's way. Have you made an alliance with the world? Are you wanting God to tell you through his preacher that it is ok to walk hand in hand with the world? Are you willing to except the, "message that God sends your way?" 

Later they imprisoned Jeremiah falsely charged as a traitor. Why, because they were anger at God that is why? Many times people get angry at God and want to kill the messagner. Now, Zedekiah comes to him secretly to see if Jeremiah had a message from the Lord. Jeremiah's message had not changed! Babylon would come and be victorious over the king and the city of Jerusalem.

There is always a message from God for those who ask. It may not always be the message we would like to hear, but God always has a word for us. This morning God has a message for you regardless of who you are and what your relationship to Him might be. Let's take a moment this morning to hear the "word from the Lord". There are three messages to three different groups of people, we all fit into one of these groups, and one of these messages applies to us.

I. The Message to the Unsaved. (Amos 4:12)

    1. If you were to die today, do you know where you would spend eternity?

      A. Life is so uncertain, we must prepare for eternity today! (Js.4:14),

      B. Many have put off their preparation thinking that they had plenty of

           time. But we may not have that time, today may be your last day in this

           life. Maybe before tomorrow morning you will be standing before your

          God, and then what?

    2. You can prepare today!

       A. You must repent, notice what Jesus said in (Luke 13:5)

            1. Repent: to change your thinking about sin and turn from that sin unto

                God.

           2. This can only be accomplished through the new birth.

       B. "Ye must be born again!" (John 3:3)

            1. That was Jesus' message to Nicodemus, and it is still the same for

                all today

    3. Jesus is coming again! (John 14:1-6)

       A. He told His disciples that if He should go away When He returns, He

           will return to execute judgment upon this world, if you haven't prepared

           for eternity, you will be cast into the lake of fire forever and ever.

       B. Are you ready to meet Jesus Christ?

II. The Message to the Backslidden. (Jer. 3:22)

    1. The backslidden Christian has forgotten:

       A. Where he was before he was saved, Why God saved him.

       B. What his goal in life is supposed to be.

      C. What would have happened to him if God had not saved him.

      D. He has forgotten the mercy and the grace of God!

    2. Are you backslidden?

       A. Has there ever been a time when you were more concerned for the

             lost?

      B. Do you find it a chore to read your Bible, pray, witness, and serve?

    3. The cure for backsliding is simple.

       A. Come back to God! "Return, ye backsliding children..." Jer. 3:22a

       B. With all your heart determine that you are going to serve Him and

           rededicate your life to Him.

    4. What will it take to bring you back to God?

        A. For the prodigal son it took rags, hunger, and poverty!

        B. For Jonah it took a storm and the belly of a whale!

        C. For King David it took the death of his newborn son!

        D. What will it take for you this morning?

        E. What will it take for America as a whole to come back to God? I

             thought 911, but seemingly not so. Shortly after 911 many people

             found their way to church, wanting to hear from God. But now the

             churches are once again nearly empty. What will it take to bring

            America back to God? Back to faith in Jesus Christ?

III. The Message to the Child of God. (Rom.12:1-2)

    1. I know that these verses are not new to any of us. But knowing what they

        say and doing what they say are two completely different things!

        (Js. 1:22)

    2. We are to live lives of consecration.

        A. A living sacrifice: a sacrifice had nothing to say about giving its life on

             the altar.

        B. Holy: this means that we are to be separated from sin and unto God

            for service!

       C. This is reasonable service to God, He loved us enough to die for us,

            we ought to be willing to live our lives for Him.

    3. We are to live lives of transformation.

         A. Not conformed, or pressed into the mold of this world. But

              transformed, by the renewing of our minds.

        B. Our minds are renewed through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

    4. The result of a life of consecration:

        A. The will of God is known.

        B. The will of God is done.

        C. The will of God is enjoyed.

Zedekiah asked Jeremiah, "Is there any word from the Lord?" The answer was yes! God is not silent! He has spoken to us through His Word. He has a message for every man, woman, boy and girl here today!

The question is this, Will you listen and heed the message? It may not be the message that you wanted to hear, but it is the message that we all need to hear and obey this morning.

If you are here this morning without Christ, you need to repent and put your faith in Jesus today, there is no time to waste! If you are saved, but you know in your heart that you are backslidden, you need to come back to God now! Don't waste another moment of your life. Christians, give the Lord your life. Turn it over to Him and allow Him to use you in His service as He sees fit. Present yourselves a living sacrifice! Do it today!