A summary of a sermon from Jeremiah preached by Pastor at Iden Green on Sunday 10th February, 2002AD

Jeremiah 6 - 8 are chapters which tell of the spiritual and moral corruption of Jerusalem and the judgement of God that will result. When something is radically wrong we normally ask how the situation arose. For example, if you go to the doctor with an ailment he will ask the history. The condition of Jerusalem was serious and looked terminal. Doubtless there was a variety of factors that contributed, but conspicuous in these chapters and elsewhere in this book is this: false prophecy.

Jeremiah 5:30-31 is an introductory paragraph before chapters 6-8: An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. See also Jeremiah 6:13-14, 7:4,8, 8:8,11

Two false prophesies are identified.

(i) Peace, peace (Jeremiah 6:14: They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace. See also 8.11) They said everything was fine when it was not at all. They said that sin did not matter and that no judgement would fall on the nation. But remember Isaiah 48:22 (and Isaiah 57:21) "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked." The preachers said there was peace when God clearly said there was no peace. We have corresponding false prophets today. They teach "situation ethics". That is, that right and wrong are not absolute but depend on the situation. They are persuasive when they argue as an example that it would be right to assault a man in a situation where he threatened the life of a child. Of course , we need to discuss all sorts of moral dilemma's, but that does not detract from the moral absolutes of the ten commandments and the law of the Lord. Modern false teachers also promote "conditional immortality". That is to say that we do not have an immortal soul that is in danger of eternal hell, but instead if we do not make heaven we shall simply cease to exist and we will know nothing about it. One false prophet says that we need not worry about sin and the other that we need not be concerned about eternity.

(ii) The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD (Jeremiah 7:4: Do not trust in these lying words, saying, 'The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these.' They thought that as long as the Jerusalem temple stood and the sacrifices and rituals were carried out, all would be well for the nation. Religion was used as a lucky charm. Nominal Christianity is not dead yet. It may not be quite so prevalent, but what are we to say of the Church of Scotland spokesman (minister) who commenting after the death of a baby said that her baptism shortly before was valuable because it would comfort the parents. This was apparently without respect to their own salvation or lack of it. What sort of doctrine of baptism is this? Does it not sound dangerously like the "temple theology" of Jerusalem - religion as a talisman?

Now what is the ACTION REQUIRED?

Jeremiah 6:16 expresses it in terms of a journey or spiritual pilgrimage:

1. Stand in the ways and see. Assess the situation. You come to the cross roads and you try to get your bearings in order to see which way to go. Where have we got to as evangelical Christians? Do we not see the undermining of the very foundations of the evangelical faith? Look at these three essential areas of doctrine:

- the authority of the Bible in all that it intends to affirm

- the centrality of the cross for atonement - not the cross as an example of love but as an act which does something for us.

- the necessity of a work of the Holy Spirit to regenerate and sanctify the soul if we are to be saved.

These are the defining doctrines of evangelicalism. How are we doing in regard to them? Assess where we are.

2. Ask for the old paths. Don't remain silent and let the prophets get away with any weak compromise. Demand the old paths. Require gospel truth from the pulpit. Of course, antiquity is no guarantee of rightness. Yet looking back to the evangelical preaching and church life of thirty years ago, the ways of that day will prove a pretty good guide. Insist on the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

3. Walk in it. We do not want "dead orthodoxy". There is not point in having the right way before you and then not walking in it. You will not get anywhere by just looking at the right road. You have to go down it!

Now notice that the instruction of this verse is followed by a promise to those who do as is directed: Then you will find rest for your souls. What a precious promise. In this perplexing day with all its waywardness and wickedness how we long just for rest - for real peace. That we shall be granted if we will only stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, and walk in it.