Regular Heros
Week 6 - Jeremiah
July 30th, 2023
Pastor Ezequiel Gasca

Q: What makes a regular Hero/ a regular Christian?

A regular Hero, a Regular Christian is known for their obedience.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” —Matthew 14:15 (ESV)

I. Before obedience, a regular hero is foreknown- there is a purpose!

“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” —Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

II. A call to obedience demands a response

Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak. —Jeremiah 1: 6-7 (ESV)

What are your excuses to the Lord?

III. A regular hero is empowered for obedience

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.”

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,

“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.” —Jeremiah 1: 8-10 (ESV)

O Lord, you have deceived me,
and I was deceived;
you are stronger than I,
and you have prevailed.
I have become a laughingstock all the day;
everyone mocks me.
For whenever I speak, I cry out,
I shout, “Violence and destruction!”
For the word of the Lord has become for me
a reproach and derision all day long.
If I say, “I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,”
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.
For I hear many whispering.
Terror is on every side!
“Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”
say all my close friends,
watching for my fall.
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
then we can overcome him
and take our revenge on him.”
But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior;
therefore my persecutors will stumble;
they will not overcome me.
They will be greatly shamed,
for they will not succeed.
Their eternal dishonor
will never be forgotten. —Jeremiah 20:7-11 (ESV)

Will you trust God to empower you?

Obedience is the proof of God’s love in our lives, the mark of a regular Christian, a regular hero.

Notes:

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is being foreknown by God/loved by God such an important factor when he calls us to do something with our faith?
   

2. If obedience is a byproduct of the Holy Spirit in us, how are some ways we can foster our relationship with God from day to day, moment by moment? Would a closer relationship with God make it more natural to do His will and hear his voice?
   

3. Jeremiah found himself doubting God’s call in his life, do you ever feel yourself doing the same? What are some things all Christians are called to, regardless of specific gifting?
   

4. Whether we perfectly obey God’s will or not, how is the gospel (what Jesus came to do on Earth) good news for Christians who feel they are falling short?