Remember Shiloh
Jeremiah 7:1-15
Introduction: In the days of Jeremiah (around 600 B.C.), the people of Judah faced difficult times. The northern kingdom of Israel was history - taken into Assyrian captivity.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had defeated Assyria, and was making his way into Judah. The people of Judah had developed a false trust that was condemned by God and something
that we would do well to avoid today.
The False Trust of Judah The Lord’s Response The False Trust of Christians The Lord’s Response
Jeremiah’s commission was to preach in Jer 7:12 But go ye now unto my place 1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened Remember Sardis:
the Temple… which was in Shiloh, where I set my name unto them for examples: and they are
at the first, and see what I did to it for the written for our admonition,... Rev. 3:1 …I know thy works, that thou
Jer 7:2 Stand in the gate of the LORD's wickedness of my people Israel. (I Sam. hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
house, and proclaim there this word… 4:10-11) Do we put our faith and trust in the Church
and our membership – or in Christ Jesus? The living name of Christ does not free us
and to call for repentance as the city was in In essence God was saying – “Remember from the threat of condemnation.
danger of being destroyed by Babylonian Shiloh”. Do we think that by crying “Church of
forces. Christ, Church of Christ, Church of Christ” Rev 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in
Jos 18:1 And the whole congregation of in that final day, as Judah cried “Temple, Sardis which have not defiled their garments;
Jer 7:3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the the children of Israel assembled together at Temple, Temple” – will excuse our and they shall walk with me in white: for
God of Israel, Amend your ways and Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the transgressions? they are worthy.
your doings… congregation there. And the land was
subdued before them. “The Church will be saved.” – True As always – salvation is based on individual
Yet they trusted in the temple to excuse consecration. “work out your own
their failure to fully serve the Lord: Shiloh was the original location of the “I am a member, therefore I will be saved.” – salvation…”
tabernacle and ark of the covenant – yet This is faulty reasoning.
Jer 7:4 Trust ye not in lying words, God did not spare them – and neither Remember Laodicea:
saying, The temple of the LORD, The would he spare Jerusalem for their Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth
temple of the LORD, The temple of the transgressions, just because the Temple his angels, and they shall gather out of his Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art
LORD, are these. was located there. kingdom all things that offend, and them neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold
which do iniquity; or hot.
They trusted in the Temple, not in God, to Jer 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a Rev 3:16 So then because thou art
excuse their obvious sin – but God saw adultery, and swear falsely, and burn furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
through their hypocrisy: incense unto Baal, and walk after other gnashing of teeth. spew thee out of my mouth.
gods whom ye know not; And come and
Jer 7:8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, stand before me in this house, which is Salvation is dependent on God’s grace – not Laodicea had a false trust and were in danger
that cannot profit. called by my name, and say, We are Church ritual. of expulsion because of worldliness.
delivered to do all these abominations.
Conclusion: Like the Jews whose salvation from destruction depended upon their wholehearted service to God, so our salvation depends on complete and faithful obedience to the will of
Christ. We must avoid the false trust associated with "virtue by association", and the unfounded fear that comes with “guilt by association” and remember that God has promised to do to us
just as He did to Israel if we are not faithful, and to reward us if we are. He will do this based on our own merit. Though we may be members of the Body, we are “members in particular” –
we will be judged individually.
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: