25 OCTOBER (PREACHED NEW YEAR’S EVENING 1785)
A heart to know me
‘And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.’ Jeremiah 24:7
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Jeremiah 24:1–10
This was an encouraging word concerning the people that should return from Babylon—but not confined to them. It is repeated within some variety of expression more than once by this prophet, by Ezekiel, and applied by the Apostle to the Hebrews as a summary of the blessings of the New Testament dispensation. It is an encouraging word likewise to me and my hearers. I am to speak more especially to young people. Many of you are yet unsettled, undetermined. How can I expect to prevail on you, or what can you expect from me? But the gospel I preach is a gospel of grace. The Lord undertakes to do all. It is a word of sovereignty and power—they shall, and I will. However, he that does all, works by means. The means of his own appointments to which he has annexed his blessing, are now in our hands. He will do it, but he will be enquired of by us to do it for us. I therefore enter upon the service with hope, with a cheerful expectation that neither my preaching nor your hearing shall be in vain. I mean not to be large in what is usually called a doctrinal way. Young persons have usually warm passions, lively imaginations. The world is opening upon them with pleasing prospects—and this word of experience makes them too ready to mistake its shadows and delusions for realities. I must endeavour, if you will allow the expression, to outbid the world. This I shall effectually do if the Lord the Spirit is pleased to enable me to open the meaning of this promise, and to accompany what I shall say, with the life, light and influence of his Spirit.
FOR MEDITATION: I will give them a heart to know me—this is all that is wanting. Lord give them this, and the rest will follow. Ignorance of God is the root of every sin, and is the source of every misery.
SERMON: JEREMIAH 24:7 [1/4] [FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE]
Milo 