Jehoiakim's Penknife Jeremiah 36:23 I. Introduction. A. Background of Jeremiah's book. B. Jehoiakim did not want to accept the truth. 1. Attitude prevailed throughout human history. 2. Relate about the woman who cut Mark 16:16 out of her Bible. 3. The truth that was rejected in Jeremiah's day was not received by the leaders. C. Jeremiah had Baruch(scribe) to record the destruction in a "book." 1. The hope: some would turn from their evil ways. 2. The king did not want to accept what God had decreed. 3. Jehoiakim took his penknife, cut up the book and cast the pages into the brazier: Jeremiah 36:23. D. A "penknife" comes in many different forms: the ultimate aim is to reject what God says. 1. The truth interferes with folks' attitudes, beliefs, and practices. 2. They "cut out" what is not acceptable to them. E. The cutting up the book did not stop the coming destruction. 1. Slicing away at the book of God will not change the truths therein. 2. Jehoiakim's penknife has been used through the centuries for men to have their own ways. 3. There came a time when Jehoiakim paid for his disregard of God's commands; so there is coming a time that all "cutters" of the word will pay the price. II. Body. A. Through the ages, men have "whittled"(cut) out what they did not want to accept. 1. Attacked everything from the creation to the virgin birth to heaven and hell, ad infinitum. 2. And they can somehow enlist others and lead them into cutting the truths from their hearts(Jehoikim had sympathizers). 3. An example from the N.T.: III John 9-10. a. Cut out faithful at home, cut out the apostles and anyone who opposed him. b. One can draw a circle so tight that only that one fits in it. B. It is not unusual for men to "whittle" at the word of God itself: treating little better than the works of man. 1. Attack the inspiration of the Bible. 2. Speak in terms of "cultural" situations: not apply today. 3. View the writings of inspired men as little better than opinions. 4. Should we forget? Romans 1:16-17. 5. Note: John 12:48. C. Denominations "cut away" at the book when it comes to: 1. God's plan for salvation. a. Most want to cut out the necessity of baptism. b. Or--only believe(short other actions). c. Cut out faithfulness: once saved, always saved(do some brethren believe this doctrine?) 2. The pattern for worship. a. Necessity of Lord's Supper. b. Scriptural giving(use fund raising methods). c. Cut out congregational singing: bring in choirs, solos, etc. as well as adding an instrument. d. They can worship any way they please--if do not want to follow Christ. 3. The organization of the church. a. Deny local congregations autonomy. b. Whittle out human organizations. D. Even "brethren" use penknives on God's word. 1. When it comes the organization of the church. a. Cut out the autonomy--tie churches together in projects. b. Cut out the pattern of New Testament and carve organizations and institutions that suit their desires. c. Each church in New Testament had elders, deacons, and saints in each locality without superstructures: Acts 20:28. 2. In the work of the church. a. Cut out the passages that limit the Lord's church to doing what God said: Ephesians 4:12. b. Carve out a place to allow recreation, worldly pursuits, etc. to replace the spiritual responsibility. c. How can one read the New Testament and turn the Lord's church into a "humanitarian" society whose primary work is to serve the flesh? E. The "penknife" has been used: 1. In moral issues. a. Lusts have become acceptable? Cut out Matthew 5:27-28. b. Does I John 2:15-17 need to be cut out of one's Bible? c. Romans 6:12 is still there--it has not been cut out! 2. The area of marriage and the home. a. Matthew 5:31-32 must have been cut out of some Bibles. b. A host of folks want to shave Ephesians 5:23 from their Bibles. c. Shall we sever Ephesians 6:1-4 from the word of God? III. Conclusion. A. Men whittle at the word of God until there is little or nothing left to believe or practice. B. Put up the penknives: take the word of God and let it settle the matter. -James L. Yopp