TRUTH AND THE KING'S PENKNIFE

Intro.
1. Judah was being ruled by wicked king Jehoiakim, son of Josiah - 2 Chrn. 36:5.
2. God commanded His words be written - 36:1-2.
3. How people received God's word then is a commentary on how men respond to God's word today. We must examine how we react to what God's word says!

I. WHY GOD SENT SCRIPTURE TO MANKIND - 36:1-8.
  A. Please Note: Scripture Is From God, Not Man - 36:2, 4, 8, 10-11, 29.
    1. How was it obtained? - 36:17-18 (2, 4); 1:9.
      -Words of Jeremiah = Words of Jehovah - 36:10-11.
    2. Authoritative:
      a. 2 Pet. 1:21; Heb. 1:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:16.
      b. 1 Ths. 2:13 (1 Cor. 14:37; Gal. 1:11-12) - God's word, not man's!
      c. We must believe & obey scripture because it is from God!
  B. God Sent Scripture To Expose Sin - 36:2-3.
    1. 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Tit. 1:9 - Preach the word (scrip-ture, 3:16) to reprove, rebuke...convict of sin.
    2. God sent a word we can know (understand) so that we can know (understand) our sin! (Rom. 7:7)
    3. It is right for us to read & apply scripture, & with it to reveal God's judgment against sin!
  C. God Sent Scripture To Produce Repentance - 36:3, 7.
    -2 Tim. 2:24-26 - Correcting through knowledge of the truth.
  D. God Sent Scripture To Command Godly Living - Tit. 2:11-12.
-2 Tim. 3:16-17-

II. HOW PEOPLE REACT TO GOD'S WORD:
  A. Baruch: Obeyed - 36:8. cf. Matt. 7:21, 24-27.
    1. Today: People think they can partially obey & still please God!
  B. The People Of Jerusalem: Heard But Unresponsive - 36:10 (cf. Isa. 6:9-10); 4:4.
    1. Hearts deceived & fattened by sin - Unreachable.
    2. Today: Many do not understand the scriptures, not because it is impossible, but because their hearts & lives reject it!
  C. Princes: Fear Without Repentance - 36:13-19.
    1. 36:15 - Curious to hear it.
    2. 36:16 - Afraid of it.
    3. 36:17-18 - Asked questions.
    4. 36:19 - Afraid of its consequences.
    5. Yet - Didn't stand up and accept it! - 36:24. -cf. Acts 24:24-25-
  D. King Jehoiakim: Utter Contempt - 36:20-26.
    -(Cut up/burned it/not afraid/persecuted messenger)
    1. How to be saved - Cut & burn!
    2. True worship - Cut & burn!
    3. Moral conduct - Cut & burn!
    4. Modern penknives (Others have tried to use Jehoiakim's penknife):
      a. Modernism toward Bible.
      b. Doctrines of men (Matt. 15:6-9).
      c. Perversions w/o divine authority (Gal. 1:6-9).
      d. Twisting (2 Pet. 3:16).
      e. Alternations vs. obedience (1 Sam. 15:22-23).

III. RESULTS:
  A. God's Word Survives Every Onslaught & Rejection - 36:27-28, 32. [1 Pet. 1:23-25]
  B. Transgressors Will Be Destroyed - 36:30-31 (2 Chrn. 36:5-6; Jer. 22:18-19). [Rom. 2:5-6]

Conclusion
1. Shall we be like Jehoiakim? (Change, reject &/or try to destroy what we don't agree with in the word of God?
2. This will surely cost us our souls! - Jno. 8:31-32; 12:48