INTRODUCTION

● Gratitude and Grief: The 4th of July is complicated because grief is mixed with gratitude. We're grateful for freedoms yet grieve at their cost.

● Jeremiah's Lesson: One of the lessons we learn from the 52 chapters and 33,000 words that we call Jeremiah is that a __________ heart is an __________ heart.

● Temple Security: In Jeremiah 7:4, crowds would gather and cheer, "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD," convinced that God would bless them simply because the temple was there.

BROKEN HEARTS, OPEN HEARTS

The Problem: Churches expect God's blessing while neglecting widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor—they want the benefits of being God's people without the behavior required of God's people.

WHEN HOPE AND HEARTACHE HOLD HANDS

God's New Covenant Promise

● Divine Initiative: God creates. God implants. God writes. God interrupts. God intervenes. God replaces. God restores.

● New Covenant: "The time is coming when I will make a brand new covenant with my people. I will put my instruction within them - write it on their hearts!"

Jesus as the Answer

● The Gospel Story: God created a world where everything and everyone could thrive. When human partners failed, God came to earth as __________ of Nazareth.

● Victory Established: We now live in the victory of Jesus the __________ King, who has established the kingdom of God that no one and nothing can destroy.

● Personal Transformation:
- If you feel the weight of getting ahead at the expense of others, Jesus offers forgiveness and a new way forward.
- If you're exhausted by oppression disguised as opportunity, Jesus offers rest and justice.
- If you're tired of being used as a buffer between the haves and have-nots, Jesus offers authentic belonging.

PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD LIFE TOGETHER

Bible Reading Community
● Community Practice: This is not Pastor Matt's message this morning; this is our church's message because we are responding to what we received as we read Jeremiah together. Reading the Bible together helps us become more like Jesus.

First-Time Commitment
● Gospel Invitation: For those who've never entrusted their life to Jesus, the prayer includes:
- "Jesus, I confess that I __________ you."
- "Forgive me for how I've participated in harm and for serving kingdoms other than yours."
- "Make me an agent of your __________ and __________."
- "Make me a citizen of your kingdom, where everyone belongs and everyone flourishes."

Kingdom Vision
● God's Promise: "I have it all planned out - plans to take care of y'all, not abandon you, plans to give y'all the future you hope for" (Jeremiah 29:11).
● Community Goal: "I'll make them into a people with one mind and heart, always honoring Me, so that they and their children can live good, whole lives."

KEY TAKEAWAYS

● A broken heart is an open heart that has room for hope to take root and spread.
● Modern "temple chants" provide false security while avoiding justice obligations to vulnerable populations.
● Jesus offers freedom from both personal guilt and systemic captivity.
● God's new covenant vision transcends racial categories and economic divisions.
● United Church can show the world what it looks like to live with liberty and justice for all.
● This is the America that could still be—God's beloved community where justice rolls down like waters.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

● During the Sermon: Fill in the blanks with key words and phrases as Pastor Matt preaches.
● Personal Reflection: Consider how this message applies to your life and what steps you can take to participate in God's healing work.
● After the Sermon: Review your notes and pray for guidance in moving from broken-hearted awareness to hope-filled action.
● Community Application: Discuss with others how United Church can embody Jeremiah's vision of multiethnic covenant community.
● Bible Reading: Join the church's Bible Reading Plan to continue learning together as we read Lamentations and Ezekiel this week.