10/19/2025 Midtown Church Sacramento
“God’s Vision Statement”
Dr. Efrem Smith
Key Passage: Jeremiah 29:1-9
Biblical Foundation:
The Book of Jeremiah 34- Freedom, Judgment, and the Problem of Slavery and Sin.
- Jeremiah: The Weeping (Emotional) Prophet — He delivers God’s vision statement to His people.
- Judgment and Restoration — God announces judgment for the sins of Judah, yet also reveals a vision of restoration and a renewed covenant. Even in the midst of judgment, Jeremiah helps the people see that renewal is possible.
- The 70-Year Exile — From 605 BC to 536 BC, Judah was exiled to Babylon through three separate deportations when King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Judah in 605 BC, 597 BC, and 586 BC.
The Big Question:
If we saw life the way God sees it, what would change?
Point #1: God Has Plans for Where We Are
Jeremiah 29:4-7, Daniel 1:1-17
Point #2: God Provides Deliverance From Where We Are
Jeremiah 29:10-11
Point #3: God Prefers A Devotional Relationship
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Final Thought: God Promises A Destination and, In The Meantime, An Indwelling
Jeremiah 29:14, John 14:1-4 and 15-27