I.   Jeremiah began his work around 627 B.C. during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah.

II.  Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet and for good reason.
     A.   He underwent great hardships and trials for the message which he delivered.
     B.   The message he had to deliver was not a popular one.
     C.   We often see the picture of him weeping because of the fate of Israel.

III. Jeremiah spent much of his time pleading to God and asking him to spare the people.

IV.  He also tried to get the people to repent of their sins.

V.   In Jeremiah 9:23-24, Jeremiah relays a message from God that applies very well today.    
     23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty
     man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:24 But let him that
     glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which
     exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I
     delight, saith the LORD.  Jer 9:23-24 (KJV).

VI.    The word "glory" means simply "to boast."

VII.   Notice there are three things we are told not to boast in and then are told what we are to
       boast in.
  A.   Do not boast in:
       1.   Wisdom.
       2.   Might.
       3.   Riches.
  B.   Do boast in:
       1.   Knowledge and Understanding of God.
       2.   Specifically his:
            a.   Loving kindness.
            b.   Judgment.
            c.   Righteousness.

  A.   Wisdom: applied knowledge.
       1.   What is our wisdom compared to God's?  (1 Cor. 1:20).  20 Where is the
            wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not
            God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  1 Cor 1:20 (KJV)
       2.   Wisdom can be a good thing.
            a.   Fools despise wisdom (Prov. 1:7).  7 The fear of the LORD is the
                 beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 
                 Prov 1:7 (KJV)
            b.   We are to get wisdom (Prov 4:5-9).  5 Get wisdom, get
                 understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my
                 mouth.6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her,
                 and she shall keep thee.7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore
                 get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.8 Exalt her,
                 and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when
                 thou dost embrace her.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament
                 of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.  Prov 4:5-9
                 (KJV)
            c.   We are to apply our hearts to wisdom (Psa. 90:12).  12 So teach us
                 to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 
                 Psalms 90:12 (KJV)
            d.   We are to walk as wise (Eph. 5:15).  15 See then that ye walk
                 circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  Eph 5:15 (KJV)
       3.   Wisdom becomes wrong when:
            a.   We boast in it.  Again, what is our wisdom compared to God's.
            b.   It becomes earthly (materialistic) (1 Cor. 1:20; 3:19; Isa. 29:14). 
                 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is
                 written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.  1 Cor 3:19
                 (KJV)
            c.   We have many people today who think that they are more wise
                 than God (evolutionists).

  B.   Might: physical strength.
       1.   What is our strength compared to God's? (Job 38:4-12).  4 Where wast
            thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast
            understanding.5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or
            who hath stretched the line upon it?6 Whereupon are the foundations
            thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;7 When the
            morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?8 Or
            who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out
            of the womb?9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick
            darkness a swaddling band for it,10 And brake up for it my decreed place,
            and set bars and doors,11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no
            further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?12 Hast thou
            commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to
            know his place;  Job 38:4-12 (KJV)
       2.   It is not wrong to be powerful.
            a.   David was mighty.
            b.   Abraham was a mighty man.
            c.   Even Job had an huge house with many servants.
       3.   Might becomes wrong when we boast in it.
            a.   Nebuchadnezzar was a man who boasted in his might (Dan. 4:30);
                 and he was humbled (Dan. 4:32).  30 The king spake, and said, Is
                 not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the
                 kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my
                 majesty?  Dan 4:30 (KJV)      32 And they shall drive thee from
                 men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they
                 shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass
                 over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the
                 kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.  Dan 4:32
                 (KJV)
            b.   David when he numbered Israel (2 Sam. 24).
            c.   God is the one who gives men power (Rom. 13:1).  1 Let every
                 soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but
                 of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Romans 13:1
                 (KJV)
            d.   If our world leaders could only learn this!

  C.   Riches: material wealth.
       1.   What is our wealth compared to God's?  (Psa. 24:1).  1 The earth is the
            LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 
            Psalms 24:1 (KJV)
       2.   It is not wrong to be wealthy.
            a.   Job was wealthy.
            b.   David was wealthy.
            c.   The apostle John was probably well-off (Mk. 1:19-20; Jn. 19:26). 
                 19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the
                 son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship
                 mending their nets.20 And straightway he called them: and they
                 left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and
                 went after him.  Mark 1:19-20 (KJV)
       3.   Wealth is wrong when:
            a.   You boast in it (Lk. 12:16-21).
            b.   You are not generous in your giving to the Lord ( 2 Cor. 9:7).  7
                 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give;
                 not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  2
                 Cor 9:7 (KJV)
            c.   You make obtaining wealth your number one priority (Lk. 12:22-
                 31).
            d.   Wealth is dangerous (Mt. 19:23-24).  23 Then said Jesus unto his
                 disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter
                 into the kingdom of heaven.24 And again I say unto you, It is
                 easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a
                 rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  Matt 19:23-24 (KJV)

  D.   Conclusion to this section: Proverbs 16:18.  18 Pride goeth before destruction,
       and an haughty spirit before a fall.  Prov 16:18 (KJV)

  A.   Understanding of God.
       1.   This takes a great deal of work (2 Tim. 2:15).  15 Study to shew thyself
            approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
            dividing the word of truth.  2 Tim 2:15 (KJV)
       2.   However, we can understand God's word.
            a.   Jn. 8:32.  32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
                 you free.  John 8:32 (KJV)
            b.   Col. 2:2-3.  2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit
                 together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of
                 understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and
                 of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of
                 wisdom and knowledge.  Col 2:2-3 (KJV)
            c.   We can gain this understanding without the "illumination" of the
                 Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
  B.   Knowledge of God.
       1.   We can know that we know God (1 Jn. 2:3-5).   3 And hereby we do know
            that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4 He that saith, I know
            him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
            him.5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God
            perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  1 John 2:3-5 (KJV)
       2.   We know that we know him if we keep his commandments.
       3.   By keeping his commandments, we can have fellowship with him (1 Jn.
            1:7).

  C.   Specific things to boast in:
       1.   He exercises loving kindness.
            a.   Neh. 9:17; Psa. 26:3; 35:7-10; 1 Jn. 3:1.
            b.   Christ shows all the qualities of the Father (Col. 2:9; Jn. 14:8-9).  8
                 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
                 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet
                 hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen
                 the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?  John
                 14:8-9 (KJV)
                 (1)  Mt. 9:36.  36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was
                      moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and
                      were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  Matt
                      9:36 (KJV)
                 (2)  He healed the lame.
                 (3)  He died for us.
       2.   He exercises judgment.
            a.   What a comfort this is to us.  The wicked will not go unpunished
                 and we will not go unrewarded.
            b.   God's judgment is righteous.
            c.   Psa. 62:12; Eccl. 12:13-14; Jn. 2:24-25; Rom. 2:2-6; 3:25-26; 2
                 Cor. 5:10.
       3.   He exercises righteousness.
            a.   To exercise righteousness is to do righteous works.
            b.   Rom 3:24-25.  24 Being justified freely by his grace through the
                 redemption that is in Christ Jesus:25 Whom God hath set forth to
                 be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
                 righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
                 forbearance of God;  Romans 3:24-25 (KJV)
            c.   Rom. 1:16-17.  17 For therein is the righteousness of God
                 revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by
                 faith.  Romans 1:17 (KJV)

I.     What's the sum of the matter?

II.    Do not glory in material things; they pass away (1 Jn. 2:15-17).

III.   What are we to glory in?  God (1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17-18).

IV.    Do you have reason to glory in God? 

V.     Have you been glorying in God?