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Sermon:
GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION
Play give me that old time religion
James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
A person must keep himself unspotted from the world.
Pure religion does not become corrupted with false beliefs or with false religion. It holds to the purity of the gospel and to the truth of the Word of God.
Pure religion does not focus upon form and ritual and ceremony. It focuses upon the power of God to change lives eternally and it reaches out to change people’s lives by visiting them.
Pure religion does not become morally corrupt; it does not become entangled with the affairs and pleasures of this world.
Pure religion stirs people to separate themselves from the things of this world
Turn to JEREMIAH 6:16-17
16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. 17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Jeremiah the prophet was called of God to carry forth the message to Israel and Judah of impending judgment. They had sinned against God in that they forsook God for idols. He urges them to repent and walk in the old paths to find rest for their souls, but they reject the message and the judgment of God is upon them.
The song I just played “Give Me That Old Time Religion” Said it was good for our fathers, mothers and it was good enough for me.
I don’t know where we lost the concept of that song but we need to get it back again.
We are living in an age in which the old-time principles of God’s word are being twisted to fit and a lot of times left out all together
The world is changing so fast. And the church seems to be in a race with all the worldly methods and attitudes.
What has happened to the “Old Time Religion.”
God’s word says to us that we are to ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.
I know people say we have to change because of the times but I serve a savior who never changes and neither do His principles.
I. WE NEED SOME OLD TIME PREACHING & TEACHING!
We need get back to Preaching & Teaching the Word Of God!
Romans 10:14-18 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [18] But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”
There was a time when almost every preacher preached the Word
now so many is competing with the world.
God never intended for us to do that. This society is so entertainment minded that alot of churches feel that is what they have to do also. So alot of preachers don’t preach they use entertainment or just create programs.
Don't get me wrong I want to do a lot of outreach programs to try and get people's attention but I also know that we need to hear thus saith The Lord
That's just what I intend to continue to preach
1 Cor. 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
I have heard a lot of people say the Bible is just too difficult to understand.
I say Not if you have the spirit!
They keep making new translations
I say there's nothing wrong with the original
If it ain't broke don't fix it
We Don’t Need Another Bible.
There has never been anything wrong with the one we have.
I want you to know that It Is A Supernatural Book.
Why?
Because It Convicts.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Because It Converts.
I Peter 1:23
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Because It Corrects.
II Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Because It Cleanses.
Psalm 119:9
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Because It Conquers.
Ephesians 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Because It Comforts.
I Thessalonians 4:18
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
We need to get back to the bible
2. We Don’t Need Another Book About The Book.
Commentaries are good. (Sunday School Books)
Commentaries cannot replace the word.
Commentaries are an interpretation.
Commentaries are subject to error.
Nothing can replace getting into the scriptures with the aid of the Holy Spirit.
We Just Need To Get Into The Book Then just Preach it and teach it and allow The Holy Spirit to do what he does best
B. We Need Get Back To Preaching and Teaching On Sin
There was a time, when almost every preacher preached hell hot and heaven real.
Now all that you hear about is...
“The power of positive thinking.”
And other motivational messages
Filled with prosperity preaching
There was a time When almost every preacher preached against sin. .
Now we hear ear tickling words
Jesus did not beat around the bush He called sin what it was “sin.” Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
The Apostles named sin.
Paul named sin.
Old fashioned preachers named sin
I know that’s not very popular.
But it's what we need
People don’t mind a preacher talking about sin, as long as he doesn’t touch on theirs.
People don’t like to hear their sin named.
There was a time when every preacher preached the truth not what people wanted to hear
We need to get back to those ways
II. WE NEED SOME OLD TIME FASTING & PRAYING!
Mark 9:29 “And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
We tend to forget just how powerful Fasting and Prayer are. It is fascinating to read of the accounts of the prayers of the saints.
Moses cried out to God and God Spared Israel from judgment.
Joshua’s prayer made the sun stand still.
Hannah’s prayer was answered with a baby boy.
Solomon got wisdom in answer to his prayer.
Fire came down from Heaven when Elijah prayed and it devoured the sacrifice on Mount Carmel.
Elijah had the great power of God upon his life. But when Elisha prayed for a double portion of the Spirit, God did not bat an eye when He gave it to him.
They called upon God and He answered them
He showed them great and mighty things
We tend to forget just how powerful prayer is.
We need to get prayer back to the altar once again.
We need to get back to praying earnestly again
Praying for the souls of lost family and friend.
Praying over conviction of sin that is in our life.
Praying for solutions to our problems.
Praying for the preachers and teachers
When you come down to this altar and get on your knees your telling God that you mean business
We need to get serious again
B. We need to get prayer back in the home and in our lives once again.
II Chron. 7;14 Has the answer as to why we are in the condition we are in.
You've heard me use that verse a lot it says
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
III. WE NEED SOME OLD TIME PRIORITIES!
When people put God First in their lives
When a man’s word was binding.
When a Christians priority was to serve God.
The first priority of everyone should be to take care of his life—eternally.
Why should we be concerned about a few short years when we have the opportunity to have eternal life forever?
Why seek the things that only provide for a physical body for a brief time and then fade away?
Why not seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
That should be the first priority of every Christian out there
IV. WE NEED SOME OLD TIME FAITH & PERSEVERANCE! (Hebrews 11)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
A. We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Abel. (vs 4)
Hebrews 9:22--"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
Leviticus 17:11--"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
Abel believed what God said regarding the blood.
His brother Cain tried to come to God in a bloodless way and was not accepted.
"What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
We have to come to God on His terms, not our own.
We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Abel.
B. We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Enoch. (vs 5)
It Was A Faith That Affected His Walk.
Genesis 5:24--"Enoch walked with God."
It Was A Faith That Affected His Talk.
Jude 14-15--"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
Ephesians 4:17
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Enoch walked the walk and he talked the talk
We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Enoch
C. We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Noah. (vs 7)
It Was A Faith That Moved Him To Action.
We Say We Believe In Hell, But Has It Moved Us To Action?
We Say We Believe Christ Is Coming Soon, But Has It Moved Us To Action?
We Say We Believe Judgment Is Coming, But Has It Moved Us To Action?
We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Noah.
D. We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Abraham. (vs 8)
A Faith Of Unquestioning Obedience.
A Faith Of Total Trust.
A Faith Of Believing God For The Impossible.
The birth of Issac.
A Faith Backed Up By Works.
The offering of Issac.
James 2:14-26
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.
Only Trust and obey
E. We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Issac, Jacob, and Joseph. (vs 20-22)
A Faith That Looks Beyond The Present To The Promises Of God.
A faith that looks beyond this world
Some people Are So Earthly Minded That They Are No Heavenly Good.
I would rather be So Heavenly Minded That I am No Earthly Good.
Like the songwriter wrote
This world is not my home I'm just a-passin' through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
F. We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Amram and Jochebed. (Moses parents, vs 23)
A Faith That Looks At Children As Potential Servants Of God.
And trains them up right in the ways of The Lord
G. We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Moses. (vs 24)
A Faith Built on The Faithful Teaching From His Parents.
Why did Moses lead the life he did?
1) He Received Proper Training.
2) He Received Proper Testimony.
We Need To Get Back To The Faith Of Others Too Numerous To Mention. (30-40)
We need to get back to that old time religion
An old time religion that was good enough for so many before us
With a faith that will carry us through
