November 5, 2023
Does God Change His Mind?
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
Jeremiah 18
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’”
I. Listen to the Warning
God Warns of Judgement with Readiness to Show Mercy to Those Who Repent.
II. Look to His Mercy
Jonah 3:10
God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.
Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
On the Other Side of Repentance is the Abundance of God’s Mercy.
Romans 5:8
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Next Steps
- I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
- I repent of my rebellious heart and commit to changing my behavior.
- I commit to model the heart of God and extend forgiveness to others.
Deep Dive
- How does God use natural consequences and everyday circumstances to get our attention?
- Why do we often ignore the warnings of His justice and wrath when we sin?
- Read Jeremiah 18:1-11 and discuss our need to be thankful for the “Potter’s hand.”
Springboard
- Describe a moment where you were shown grace.
- How can grace be offensive when given to those who don’t deserve it?
- Read Jonah 4:2 and react to Jonah’s response to God’s character.