THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CANNOT CHANGE

LAMENTATIONS 4-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. YOU CAN’T CHANGE REALITY [4:1-17]

1. The Changing Values of Men [4:1-10]

2. The Unchanging God of the Bible [4:11-16]

3. The Misplaced Faith of Foolish Men [4:17]

 

II. YOU CAN’T CHANGE REAPING [4:18-22]

– you will reap what you sow

1. The Persecutors’ Aggressiveness [4:18-19]

2. The Powerless Anointed [4:20]

– how different from our Anointed One, the All-Powerful Lord Jesus Christ [Ps. 2, Acts 10:36-40]

 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly.

3. The Punishment Accomplished [4:21-22]

i.e., “as good as done”

 

III. YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE REDEEMER

1. A Prayer for Consideration [5:1]

2. A Prayer of Confession [5:2-16] compare v. 14 with

Jeremiah 25:10-Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

Nehemiah 8:10-Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

3. A Prayer of Contemplation [5:17-22, Jn. 12:32, James 4:8]

-And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

-Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.