The Preacher's Kid Who Was Called
Jeremiah 1: 4-10

I am a preacher's kid as are some of you. I have heard all the jokes about our particular subculture. If preacher's kids are the meanest kids in town it is simply because they run with the deacon's kids. I was six weeks old before my sin nature kicked in and that was only because my mother put me in the church nursery in a baby bed beside a deacon's baby.

Jeremiah was the son of a preacher. His father was Hilkiah. There were no deacons in those days so Jeremiah got a good start on life. He was called by his heavenly Father to not only follow in his earthly father's footsteps, but to become a voice for all his people.

I. A Personal Call (vs. 4)

Jeremiah was certain of his call. It did not come from his father. It did not come from his mother. It did not come from the tribe of Levi. It was a personal, distinct, no-doubt-about-it call from God. Can you remember when God's call was branded in your heart? Can you echo Jeremiah's words, "Then the word of the LORD came to me . . . "? How difficult it must be to stand on Sundays and preach when you have never been personally called to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ. It must be equally painful for those who sit and listen. Charles Spurgeon said concerning the call of the minister, " He that can toy with his ministry and count it to be like a trade, or like any other profession, was never called of God. But he that has a charge pressing on his heart, and a woe ringing in his ear, and preaches as though he heard the cries of hell behind him, and saw his God looking down on him-oh, how that man entreats the Lord that his hearers may not hear in vain!" (Spurgeon At His Best, pg. 127, Tom Carter).

II. A Predestined Call (vs. 5)

Here was one preacher's kid whose [call] was conceived in the courts of heaven before he was conceived in the land of Benjamin. God told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you and ordained you a prophet to the nations." The "Befores" of the Bible are most significant. Exodus 13: 22, reminds us that God never with draws His blessings from His people, "He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people." Psalm 100:2, gives the perfect order of worship for a Thanksgiving service, "Come before His presence with singing . . . " Isaiah 43:13, reminds us of the sovereignty of almighty God, "Indeed before the day was, I am He . . . "

The Apostle Paul said concerning the [call] of God upon his life, " . . . forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are before, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward [call] of God in Christ Jesus," Philippians 3:13-14.

Could Jeremiah have said "No", to his call? He tried, but God's will prevailed. Could you have said, "No"? Since you did not it is reassuring that your call and mine were known to God before He ever informed us. This fact alone should be a constant source of encouragement as well as a reminder of the awesome responsibility of this high and holy [call].

III. A Pleaful Response (vs. 6)

Jeremiah's response to God's call on his life was a plea much like that of Moses', "I cannot talk". It is not the silver tongue orator, but the one whose tongue has been touched by the coals from off the altar that God blesses the most.

God uses the most unlikely people to shake the foundations of the nations. On April 28, 1854, a nineteen-year-old young man accepted the call as pastor of New Park Street Baptist Church in London. Upon his acceptance the Baptist Manual of 1854 simply listed that a "J. Spurgeon" had filled the vacancy of pastor at New Park Street. Charles Spurgeon's letter of acceptance to this church which could trace its history back to 1652 asked that the members, "Remember my youth and inexperience, and pray that these may not hinder my usefulness. I trust also that the remembrance of these will lead you to forgive mistakes I may make, or unguarded words I may utter." (C.H. Spurgeon — The Early Years, pg. 259, Banner of Truth).

Sounds like Jeremiah doesn't it? Never underestimate what God can do with and through a young man who, after pleading with Him, yields in total surrender to the [call].

IV. Provision for the Call (vss. 7-8)

What comforting and challenging words for a young preacher to hear, "For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD."

Remember that as children of the Most High we are commanded to share the truths of the scriptures. We are not called to be politically correct, but spiritually correct. We speak in the name of the King of kings and under His authority that we might face down the enemies of the cross. When we stand before the One who called us and provided all our needs may we be found faithful in proclaiming the words He has placed in our mouths.

V. Power for the Call (vss. 9-10)

Never underestimate the power of the touch; especially when it is God who does the touching. As God touched the mouth of Jeremiah to bestow His blessings and release His anointing He does the same for everyone who responds to the [call] today. God not only put wisdom and knowledge in the head of Jeremiah, and boldness and courage in his heart, He put His words in his mouth.

He will do the same for any of His children who have been called, touched and sent out. What a difference it makes when you serve Christ, knowing that you have the same anointing, the same commission and the same power available to you as did young Jeremiah. We do not serve a defeated King, but one who is able to, "root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant."

So, the next time you sense God's leadership to act on His behalf, remember the prophet Jeremiah. When God calls you to do something, He will provide everything you need to answer His call.

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Sermon brief provided by Jerry Drace, Evangelist, Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association, Humboldt, TN