Encourage the congregation to return to the old path of faith, love, justice, and compassion for it leads to eternal life and divine restoration.
Good morning, church family. As we gather here today, we are reminded of God's unwavering love for us and his eternal promise of restoration.
As we open our hearts and minds to the divine word, let us reflect on the profound wisdom of Jeremiah 6:16,
"Thus says the LORD: Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
In this verse, we hear God's call to return to the old path - the path that leads to eternal life. It's a return to a life centered on God, on faith, on love, on justice, and on compassion.
It reminds me of the words of A.W. Tozer, who said, "The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it."
Let's bow our heads in prayer as we embark on this journey together.
Dear God, we ask for your guidance as we seek the old path. Help us to heed your call and return to the ways that lead to eternal life. May we embody your love, mercy, and justice in all that we do. We pray for your divine restoration in our lives. In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen.
The old path to eternal life is a path that is not new or revolutionary, but rather, it is ancient and timeless. It is a path that has been trodden by the faithful throughout the ages, a path that leads to the heart of God and to the promise of eternal life.
Not a physical journey, but a spiritual one: It is a journey of faith, trust, and surrender. It is a journey that begins with the recognition of our need for God and our inability to achieve salvation on our own. It is a journey that requires us to put our faith in Jesus Christ, to accept His sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins, and to commit our lives to following Him.
A path of transformation: As we walk this path, we are not merely passive travelers, but active participants in the process of sanctification. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to put off the old self with its practices, and to put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. This transformation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Living a life of love, justice, and compassion: It means loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. It means seeking justice for the oppressed, caring for the poor and the needy, and showing compassion to the hurting and the broken. It means being the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His love and grace.
A path of obedience: It is a path that requires us to obey God's commandments and to live according to His principles. It is a path that calls us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow Jesus. It is a path that challenges us to live a life that is pleasing to God, not because we are trying to earn our salvation, but because we are grateful for the salvation that has been freely given to us.
Not an easy path: It is a path that is often steep and narrow, a path that is filled with trials and tribulations. But it is also a path that is filled with joy and peace, a path that is filled with the presence of God. It is a path that leads to a life that is abundant and fulfilling, a life that is marked by the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Leads us back to God: It takes us back to the heart of our faith, back to the timeless wisdom of the Bible. It is a path that calls us to return to the ancient ways, to the ways of faith, love, justice, and compassion. It is a path that promises rest for our souls and the hope of eternal life.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how you discovered and began to walk the old path to eternal life. How did this affect you?
God's call to return is an invitation to a life of faith, love, justice, and compassion ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
