Jeremiah 1:5 - Homiletics

Predestination.

I. CONSIDER THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DIVINE PREDESTINATION .

1. This implies

2. This predestination does not involve fatalism ; it is consistent with human freedom of action and personal responsibility. On the one hand we must conclude, from its existence, that there are certain possibilities with which God endows a man, and certain limits with which God has hedged him about. But on the other hand, we must recognize that it depends on the man's own will and effort whether he use those possibilities, and attain to the end enclosed within those limits. He has a Divine vocation, but he may neglect it; he may fail in realizing God's idea of his life. There rests on him the responsibility of accomplishing his destiny.

II. CONSIDER THE GROUNDS FOR BELIEF IN A DIVINE PREDESTINATION .

1. It is revealed in Scripture (e.g. Acts 2:23 ; Romans 8:29 ; 1 Peter 1:2 ).

2. It is involved in the idea of the providence of a supreme God. God foresees all the future; in every act of his all other events and their relation to this must be present to the mind of God. With such knowledge a universal control of events, such as is implied by a providence not interfering from without now and again at critical moments, but immanent in the whole course of the world, must imply a Divine preordination.

3. It is proved to us by experience .

III. CONSIDER THE PURPOSE OF A DIVINE PREDESTINATION .

1. It must often he mysterious . Until we review life as a whole we shall not be able to interpret the meaning of its several parts. We cannot judge of the architect's design by examining the separate stones which lie scattered in the builder's yard. But:

2. It is not arbitrary . The very idea of destiny as determined by a Being of infinite thought implies purpose based on reason. God would not determine events simply to manifest his unfettered rights of sovereignty. Such aimless caprice could only emanate from a senseless despot.

3. It is turned to a good purpose. This must be so, for if God is good his designs must be good. The predestination is

IV. CONSIDER THE PRACTICAL EFFECT OF THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION . It contains no excuse for indolence and no reason for despair, for God fits all of us for sonic service, the accomplishment of which depends on our own faithfulness.

1. It should lead us to i nquire what is God ' s will , rather than to carve out a career for ourselves.

2. It should make us humble , submissive , obedient , and diligent in service, since there is a Divine idea of our life which God expects us to realize.

3. It should inspire courage in the midst of difficulties. Jeremiah was brave in the thought that he was fulfilling a Divine destiny. Such a thought inspires energy in face of enmity, contempt, isolation, and apparent failure.