Old Testament Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 3:12 – 16 ( KJV)
Jer 3:12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Jer 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jer 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
New Testament Scripture Reading: John 8:27 – 36 (KJV)
Joh 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) God has always provided Pastors / Shepherds to teach and lead His flock, who themselves were not perfect, but they were however, GIFTED by God to operate in the capacity of leading and teaching the flock to guide them to eternal life through FAITH and not by works, as in the days of Jeremiah the Prophet.
2) The Old Testament is a catalogue not only of the saved remnant of believing Jews, but also of the failures of many Israelites, who started walking with God and failed to complete the course proving that they were never really sincere from the beginning but were somehow relaying on their relationship to God through the flesh alone, but not by FAITH.
3) Jesus taught that it is not the ones who start with Him walking by Faith who are the saved; but the ones who stay the course through thick and thin and finish in Him are the ones who are the saved. (Many are called but few are CHOSEN)