Give Me That Old Time Religion

GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION

Text 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 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 that arouse their fleshly desires and cravings.

Turn to JEREMIAH 6:16-17

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.

When I was a kid growing up in church we would sing a song entitled “Give Me That Old Time Religion” It 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 have been and are being continually eroded.

The world is changing so fast. And yet we in the church seem 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!

A. 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, but now all we are doing is competing with the world. God never intended for us to do that. This society is so entertainment minded that we feel that is what we have to do also. So we don’t preach like we use to, we just create programs.

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.”

Then Some use the excuse that the Bible is out of date. Where In the world did that come from? Satan has got some of you hock line and sinker! And I have heard others say well the Bible is just too difficult to understand. Not if you have the spirit!

1. 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?

a. Because It Convicts. Hebrews 4:12 John 16:8;

b. Because It Converts. James 1:18 I Peter 1:23 Romans 10:17

c. Because It Corrects. II Timothy 3:16-17

d. Because It Cleanses. Psalm 119:9 John 15:3

e. Because It Conquers. Ephesians 6:17

f. Because It Comforts. I Thessalonians 4:18

2. We Don’t Need Another Book About The Book.

a. Commentaries are good. (Sunday School Books)

b. 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 In The Book If We Are Going To Preach.

B. We Need Get Back To Preaching and Teaching On Sin