You Can’t Cut Out God’s Word

Key Texts: Jeremiah 36; Luke 13:1–5; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:24–25; Romans 6:3–4; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 5:22–33; 1 Timothy 2:9; Hebrews 10:24–25 (NASB 1995)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNykUHmx6SE

Introduction

• Many people want a “cut-and-paste” religion—keeping what they like and discarding what they don’t.
• History gives us a famous example in Thomas Jefferson, who cut out the miracles and the deity of Christ to make a Bible that fit his views.
• Our culture still practices the same thing: buffet-style religion—pick what you want, leave the rest.
• Jeremiah 36 shows us where that attitude leads through the example of King Jehoiakim.

I. God’s Word Was Written to Call People to Repent (Jeremiah 36:1–7)

• A. God commanded Jeremiah to write all the words He had spoken—from the days of Josiah onward.
• B. Baruch read the scroll publicly.
• C. The purpose was mercy.
  • God wanted the people, and the king, to repent.
  • Just as in Jonah’s day, judgment could be turned aside by genuine repentance.

Callout — Encouragement:
God warns before He judges. His Word is an invitation to change, not just a sentence of doom.

II. Jehoiakim Cut Up God’s Word and Burned It (Jeremiah 36:20–26)

• A. The king listened to a few columns of the scroll.
• B. Then he took a penknife, cut the scroll, and threw it into the fire.
• C. Some servants tried to stop him. Others did nothing.
• D. The king showed complete contempt for God’s message.
• E. He also tried to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch.

Callout — Rebuke:
Rejecting God’s Word is not neutral. It is open defiance against God.

III. You Can Burn the Scroll, But You Can’t Destroy God’s Word (Jeremiah 36:27–32)

• A. God told Jeremiah to write the words again.
• B. The message did not change.
• C. The judgment did not disappear.
• D. The king’s rebellion only added more words of condemnation.

Callout — Warning:
Ignoring Scripture does not erase its authority. God’s Word stands whether we accept it or not.

IV. The Message Has Always Been the Same: Repent or Perish (Luke 13:1–5; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Hebrews 9:27)

• A. Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
• B. Paul warned of eternal destruction for those who do not obey the gospel.
• C. Hebrews reminds us that judgment follows death.
• D. From Old Testament to New Testament, God’s call is consistent:
  • Repent.
  • Change.
  • Turn back to God.

Callout — Application:
Grace does not cancel repentance. It calls us to it.

V. The Spirit of Jehoiakim Is Still Alive Today

• A. People cut out what they don’t like.
  • Baptism (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21).
  • Obedience.
  • Moral standards.
• B. Others ignore passages that confront their lifestyle.
  • Marriage roles (Ephesians 5:22–33).
  • Modesty (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3).
  • Faithful assembly and mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24–25).
• C. The problem is not misunderstanding.
  • The problem is refusal to submit.

Callout — Warning:
Disagreement with God does not change God. It only puts us at odds with Him.

VI. A Seared Conscience Refuses to Change

• A. Some people harden themselves through repeated sin.
• B. Scripture describes a conscience “seared as with a branding iron.”
• C. Jehoiakim’s stubbornness led to a brutal end.
• D. Stubborn rejection of God’s Word still leads to destruction—if not in this life, then in eternity.

Callout — Rebuke:
Stubbornness before God is not strength. It is spiritual suicide.

VII. Josiah Shows the Right Response (2 Kings 22–23)

• A. When Josiah heard God’s Word, he tore his clothes.
• B. He repented.
• C. He removed idols and changed the direction of the nation.
• D. He did not cut the Word—he submitted to it.

Callout — Encouragement:
True repentance starts with changing yourself, not rewriting Scripture.

Conclusion / Call to Action

• Jehoiakim tried to destroy God’s Word. He only destroyed himself.
• Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
• Peter said the Word of God endures forever. (1 Peter 1:24–25)
• The question is not whether Scripture will stand.
• The question is whether we will submit to it.
• Today, choose to obey:
  • Believe in Christ.
  • Repent of sin.
  • Confess Him.
  • Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
  • Or return and correct what needs to change.

Final Call:
Do not cut out God’s Word. Let God’s Word cut your heart and change your life.

Slide Deck (12 Slides)

Slide 1 — You Can’t Cut Out God’s Word

Main Content:

• Jeremiah 36
• The danger of rejecting Scripture
• The call to submit to God’s Word
  Scripture:
• Matthew 24:35
  Design Intent:
• Light background
• Strong, clear title
• Serious and reverent mood

Slide 2 — A Cut-and-Paste Religion

Main Content:

• Keeping what we like
• Discarding what we don’t
• “Buffet-style” faith
  Design Intent:
• Clean layout
• Thought-provoking tone
• High contrast text

Slide 3 — God’s Word Was Given to Call for Repentance

Main Content:

• Jeremiah commanded to write
• Baruch read the scroll
• God’s purpose: repentance
  Scripture:
• Jeremiah 36:1–7
  Design Intent:
• Warm, readable background
• Hopeful but serious tone

Slide 4 — The King’s Contempt for God’s Word

Main Content:

• Jehoiakim cut the scroll
• Threw it into the fire
• Ignored God’s warning
  Scripture:
• Jeremiah 36:20–26
  Design Intent:
• Light background
• Strong contrast
• Sobering mood

Slide 5 — You Can’t Destroy God’s Word

Main Content:

• God said, “Write it again”
• The message did not change
• Judgment did not disappear
  Scripture:
• Jeremiah 36:27–32
  Design Intent:
• Clear, confident
• Reassuring but firm tone

Slide 6 — The Message Has Always Been the Same

Main Content:

• Repent or perish
• Judgment is real
• Obedience matters
  Scripture:
• Luke 13:1–5; Hebrews 9:27
  Design Intent:
• Serious, instructive
• High readability

Slide 7 — The Same Spirit Today

Main Content:

• Cutting out baptism
• Ignoring obedience
• Rejecting hard teachings
  Design Intent:
• Clean layout
• Challenging tone

Slide 8 — Examples People Want to Ignore

Main Content:

• Baptism: Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4
• Marriage roles: Ephesians 5
• Modesty: 1 Timothy 2:9
• Assembly: Hebrews 10:24–25
  Design Intent:
• Light background
• Clear, organized
• Teaching-focused

Slide 9 — A Seared Conscience

Main Content:

• Repeated sin hardens the heart
• Refusal to change
• Spiritual danger
  Design Intent:
• Serious, warning tone
• Simple and direct

Slide 10 — Josiah: The Right Response

Main Content:

• He heard God’s Word
• He repented
• He changed his ways
  Design Intent:
• Encouraging
• Hopeful and corrective

Slide 11 — God’s Word Endures Forever

Main Content:

• Heaven and earth will pass away
• God’s Word will not
  Scripture:
• Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:24–25
  Design Intent:
• Uplifting
• Strong, confident tone

Slide 12 — The Call to Respond

Main Content:

• Do not cut out Scripture
• Submit to God’s Word
• Let it change your life
  Design Intent:
• Inviting but serious
• Clear and readable