TEXT:
Jeremiah 1:11-12 (KJV)
11  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
12  Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

Jeremiah 1:11-12 (NCV)
11  The LORD spoke his word to me, saying: "Jeremiah, what do you see?" I answered, "I see a stick of almond wood."
12  The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, because I am watching to make sure my words come true."

I. A SPEAKER MUST BE A SEER

  A. A SPEAKER MUST FIRST BE A SEER
    1. Before Jeremiah became a speaker for God, he had to be a seer.
    2. The name for a prophet, in O.T. times, was "seer"
    3. This meant a man could see with his mind’s eye.
    4. This meant that he had spiritual insight.
    5. If you would speak for God, you must be a seer of God.
    6. It is important that you not speak for God when God has not spoken.

  B. FAR TOO MANY SPEAK WITHOUT SEEING
    1. Much of what is preached today is smoke, mist, and fog.
    2. People have sat under such preaching for years and cannot tell
        you the simple plan of salvation.
    3. They can’t answer the simplest questions about the things of God.
    4. It’s not because they weren’t able to comprehend.
    5. There was simply nothing there for them to comprehend.
    6. They’ve been listening to a preacher who hasn’t seen anything.
    7. You take a man who hasn’t seen anything and ask him to explain
        what he has seen, he has to make up something.
    8. When that preacher describes what he’s seen it amounts to nothing.
    9. Before you can tell what you’ve seen, you have to see something.
    10. The one who would speak for God must first see the light of God.

  C. TRUE SEERS ONLY SPEAK OF WHAT THEY SEE
    1. The true speaker for God must only see what God sets before him.
    2. Some are so deep that if God sets the rod of an almond tree before
        them, they can’t find it.
    3. They are so busy looking for the fiery chariots and the angels, that
        they can’t see a simple little stick.
    4. THE FLIES AND THE BEES
        An experiment was conducted in which six bees and six flies were placed
        inside a bottle. The bottle was turned on its side with its base facing the
        light coming through a window. At the other end, the mouth of the bottle
        was left open. The 6 bees tried to find their way out through the base of
        the jar -- until they all died of hunger and exhaustion. The bees' are logical
        and they understand that the light is the way out. The light shining through the
        bottom of the jar convinced them that it was the only way out. So, they
        pressed up against the bottom of the bottle looking for an opening with no
        thought of ever looking anywhere else.  So, they never find the opening at
        the other end of the bottle.  On the other hand, the flies all got out of the
        bottle within two minutes.  Flies are not concerned about logic.  So, they
        just kept buzzing around inside the jar until they accidentally found the open
        neck and flew out to freedom. Thus, the bees remained prisoners of their
        own logic while the flies met the good fortune that often awaits the simple.

II. A SPEAKER MUST SEE ACCURATELY

  A. NOTICE THE TEST GOD GAVE TO JEREMIAH
    1. This was a test to see if Jeremiah would speak accurately.
    2. This is the start of the book of Jeremiah and of his prophecy.
    3. If it had been one of us, we would have started him out with
        something much more mysterious.
    4. We would have shown him fiery chariots carried on the backs of
        angels or we would have shown him some great open vision.
    5. But, Jeremiah is simply tested with "a rod of an almond tree."
    6. God said, "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
    7. Jeremiah said, "A stick from an almond tree."
    8. God said, "That’s real good, Jeremiah, I’m watching to see that
        my word is fulfilled."
    9. The NIV says in verse 12, "You have seen correctly, for I am
        watching to see that my word is fulfilled."
    10. When we look in the Bible, we see some very simple things.
            a. The type of things that save little children’s souls.
            b. The type of things that unlearned men can understand.
            c. The type of things that are so simple that it confounds the wise
                (1Cor.1:27)

  B. MAY GOD GIVE US GRACE TO SEE CORRECTLY
    1. Lord, please give us grace to see rods of almond trees when You
        set them before us.
    2. May we see such simple truths as
            a. "Ye must be born again."
            b. "…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
            c. "Whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
    3. People want to hear about Bible Codes, I’ve got a gospel code for
        you, it’s called the FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS.
    4. People want to know about Y2K, but they need to be more
        concerned about P2MTG?
        (Prepare to meet thy God - Amos 4:12)
            a. P2MTG IS INEVITABILITY
                It is sure to come to everyone.  No one can escape.
            b. P2MTG IS IMMINENT
                It will be sudden and shocking! It could happen today!
            c. P2MTG IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MAN TO FIX
                Rom 3:23 For all have sinned…
    5. THE PREACHER AND THE JANITOR
        There was no gymnasium on a certain seminary campus, so the students
        played basketball at a nearby public school. The janitor there was an old
        black man with white hair who would patiently wait until the seminarians
        had finished playing. Invariably he sat there reading his Bible.
        One day a young preacher studying at the seminary came up to the janitor
        and asked, "What are you reading?"
        The janitor answered, "The Book of Revelation."
        With a bit of surprise, the preacher asked, "The Book of Revelation? Do
        you understand it?"
        "Oh yes," the janitor replied. "I understand it perfectly."
        "You understand the Book of Revelation! What does it mean?"
        Very quietly the old janitor answered, "It means that Jesus is gonna win."

  C. ACCURATE SEEING BRINGS FURTHER SEEING
    1. Once Jeremiah passed this test, he was given more.
    2. Those who see what they can see, and take care to see it well, are
        the ones who will receive further instruction.
    3. If you will not diligently study the Scriptures to find the obvious,
        then don’t expect God to show you the deeper truths of His
        Word.

III. CAN YOU SEE THE ALMOND STICK?

  A. MOST OF GOD’S PROMISES ARE SIMPLE
    1. They are straightforward and simple.
    2. They are easy to understand and to remember.
    3. We may not remember all our promises.
    4. How often have you had that sinking feeling when you remember?
    5. But God never forgets a promise that he has given.
    6. We even forget God’s promises.
    7. Even when we are in trouble and desperately need them…
    8. But God never yet forgot a promise!
    9. All these centuries, and He has never failed to keep his word.
 
  B. THEY ARE AS SIMPLE AS AN ALMOND STICK
    1. God simply promised to bring Israel back into the land.
    2. That promise was as simple as an almond stick. 
    3. God said what he meant and He meant what He said.
    4. Over the years, there were many who attempted to make this
        promise say something else.
    5. They thought God wasn't going to bring the Jews back into the land
        because He had waited for almost 2,000 years.
    6. But, in this century, the Jews have returned to Israel.
    7. God’s Word is forever settled in heaven and in earth!
    8. He’s not twisting it and rewriting His word to get out of keeping His
        promises.
    9. His promises are as simple as an almond stick.

  C. CAN YOU SEE THE ALMOND STICK?
    1. Isaiah 53:5 "…with his stripes we are healed."
    2. Can you see the obvious?  Can you see that it says God heals?
    3. Can you see the almond stick here?
    4. Matt.28:20 "…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
        world."
    5. You may feel all alone and wonder where the presence of God is,
        but He is right there all the time, like the footprints in the sand.
    6. Can you see the almond stick?
    7. Romans 10:13 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall
        be saved."
    8. The devil may tell you it’s impossible for you to be saved, but
        God’s word says something totally different.
    9. Can you see the almond stick?
    10. 1John 1:8-9 says, "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves
        and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins God is faithful and
        just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
    11. Your self-image is so wounded that you think you could never be
        cleansed, but God’s word plainly says different.
    12. Can you see the almond stick?

OTHER SERMONS BY PASTOR GRIFFITH 

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