“An Old Time Religion”
June 8, 2008
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2 Timothy 3: 1-5
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.” 2 Timothy 3:12-14
John Wesley’s Diary:
July 7, 1739. — I had an opportunity to talk with him (some preacher friend) of those outward signs which had so often accompanied the inward work of God. I found his objections were chiefly grounded on gross misrepresentations of matter of fact. But the next day he had an opportunity of informing himself better: For no sooner had he begun (in the application of his sermon) to invite all sinners to believe in Christ, than four persons sunk down close to him, almost in the same moment. One of them lay without either sense or motion. A second trembled exceedingly. The third had strong convulsions all over his body, but made no noise, unless by groans. The fourth, equally convulsed, called upon God, with strong cries and tears. From this time, I trust, we shall all suffer God to carry on his own work in the way that pleaseth Him.
June 15, 1739. — While I was earnestly inviting all sinners to “enter into the holiest” by this “new and living way,” many of those that heard began to call upon God with strong cries and tears. Some sunk down, and there remained no strength in them; others exceedingly trembled and quaked: Some were torn with a kind of convulsive motion in every part of their bodies, and that so violently, that often four or five persons could not hold one of them. I have seen many hysterical and many epileptic fits; but none of them were like these, in many respects. I immediately prayed that God would not suffer those who were weak to be offended. But one woman was offended greatly; being sure they might help it if they would; — no one could persuade her to the contrary; and she got
three or four yards, when she also dropped down, in as violent an agony as the rest. Twenty-six of those who had been thus affected (most of whom, during the prayers which were made for them, were in a moment filled with peace and joy) promised to call upon me the next day. But only eighteen came; by talking closely with whom, I found reason to believe that some of them had gone home to their house justified. The rest seemed to be waiting patiently for it.
When you talk about “Old Time Religion” to a lot of people it means great emotionalism, fantastic signs, people slain in the Spirit, and all sorts of Spiritual manifestations, demonstrations, and wonders. And it obviously DID occur. John Wesley’s preaching’s was often accompanied by it. But if that is what you focus on – you will miss the whole thing. John Wesley was not focused on charismatic happenings – He was focused on holiness and changed lives. As you read his diaries you will find he could care less about the manifestations. He never ‘primed the pump’ or worked people up. But the Holy Spirit did reveal Himself -and people were slain by the Spirit and demons were cast out of people – as the Spirit willed. I don’t think we should seek the manifestations. We should seek the Master. Don’t pray for the signs. Pray for the Spirit. Don’t seek the outward signs – seek the inward signs. When the Holy Spirit comes – His desire is not to impress people – but to change lives.
When you talk about “Old Time Religion”, what some people long for is the fluff – not the real deal. Let me share with you what the “Old Time Religion” really was.
First of all, it was based on the Bible. In our Scripture we read,
“continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.” 2 Timothy 3:14
But it continues: “and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
The old time religion was based on the Word of God. Romans 10:8-18
“But what does it (the Bible) say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." … "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
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.”
In Washington D.C. there is a building called the "National Institute of Standards and Technology." This facility is responsible for storing perfect samples of weights and measurements. They have what are called “prototypes” of pound weights and kilograms. There are measuring rods for feet, yards and metric measurements like meters.
For example, they have a “Meter Standard” a reinforced bar of platinum alloyed with exactly 10% iridium. When they want to know the exact measurement of a “meter” they cool this bar down to 0 degrees Celsius at a sea level of 45 degrees latitude - then they know they will have the exact tip to tip measurement of a meter. That bar is known as “prototype #27, because the original is kept in a suburb of Paris at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.
We Christians also have a measuring rod that never changes. It’s called the Bible. People are so confused today. They don’t know who to believe or what to believe. TV documentaries and so called experts claim to know the truth and push theories and errors and even lies as truth. There is so much speculation and wrong teaching that it has confused our generation.
Life becomes much easier and much more stable when you realize and choose to accept the Bible as truth. It becomes your rock. It becomes your anchor. It becomes your compass. It becomes your guidebook. And in these uncertain times – it will encourage and comfort you. It teaches me and it gives me correct information. It rebukes me and repairs my wrong ways of thinking. It corrects me and corrects my character flaws. The old time religion was based on the bible and we need to base our faith and our lives on God’s Word. Read it daily. Think about it every day and through out the day. If you want the old time religion – it starts with the old time Word of God.
Secondly, the ‘old time religion preached against sin and preach holiness.
Hebrews 3:12-14 says, “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”
Charles Spurgeon, the old evangelist of early America, said the highest compliment ever paid to him the words of an open enemy who said, “Here is a man who has not moved as much as an inch forward in all his ministry. At the close of the 19th century he is preaching the theology of the 1st century and is proclaiming the doctrine of Nazareth and Jerusalem, which was current 1800 years ago.”
Spurgeon preached the old time religion. And we need to preach about sin
as it was preached about by God’s servants 2000 years ago.
1. The Dictionary says: “Sin is a transgression, evil, a violation of accepted moral, religious code.”
2. Sin is any lack of conformity to the character of God.
3. Sin is a hopelessly incurable disease of the soul.
4. Sin is rebellion against God.
5. Sin is the opposite of holiness, of God, and of morality.
Folks we need to stop sinning. The Bible defines sin as ‘wrong doing’, and knowing right and not doing it. The Bible says to avoid all appearances of evil. Today people who call themselves Christians live together while still unmarried. Today people who call themselves Christians rarely read the Bible, seldom go to church and aren’t involved in building the Kingdom in any way. Today people who call themselves Christians are little different from the world in speech, habits and action. Many Christians are just as mean and selfish and rude – or even more so – than the world. When you got the old time religion – you stopped sinning. We need to do the same.
Thirdly, the ‘old time religion’ preached a holy walk with God. In other words, it changed your life. Jesus is still in the life changing business – and He still wants to change your life. How? Another way of saying we need to become holy – is to say we need to become “Christlike”. Holiness is a state of purity of heart and intentions. Willful sin is gone. A desire to walk in a way that’s pleasing to God is the attitude. The Bible says,
“…find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:10
Are you striving to live your life in a way that you please God? That’s what John Wesley and Spurgeon and all the great men of God lived and preached. Today we have too many people who straddle the fence. We want just enough religion to get us to heaven – but not so much that it will change our lives and ruin our fun!
There’s a couple of things the Bible clearly reveals is true religion. Listen:
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:26-27
If you think you are religious and blow up and get angry and let your mouth run and curse or use derogatory words – your religion is worthless. In other words – it won’t get you to heaven. You better repent. You better stop it.
You say, “Yeah, but – THEY made me do it! The DEVIL made me do it! She pushed me over the edge. He said the wrong thing! Religion God accepts is pure and loving. It is the kind where the Christian is ‘IN’ the world – but doesn’t let the world pollute them.
Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:35
Is your life a life of love? When people talk about you – do they say, “He is such a loving, caring person. She is such a kind and gentle woman.”
I started this old time religion sermon by reading 2 Timothy that says “There will be terrible times in the end days…” We see it happening now. Terrible things are happening. Terrifying things are happening. Traumatic events are just around the corner. But the old time religion will see us through. It was good enough for Paul and Silas. It was good enough for mom and dad – and it’s good enough for me.
Do you want it? Are you willing to get it? It means dying out to self. It means surrendering your will to God. It means repenting of your sin. If you want it – come and get. Come and knell at this alter and repent and pray – as we sing. Let’s stand
“I Surrender All”
