SUNDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS: “Old Time Religion” .. Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and to exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto you.” There is a hunger among evangelicals for the old time religion in America like we once experienced. An America where it’s people are living close to God and following closely the sacred scriptures for moral practice. There is a spiritual dearth in the land today. Millions are lost in sin. They completely ignore the preacher of the truth, and our churches are not being attended, because it has no place in their lives. For those that do have their names on the church roll, they live as though their membership means nothing to them, as though Christ is nothing more than a convenient fire escape. We have gotten away from the true Gospel of Christ. We can blame “unbelief” as a reason God has no place in our lives. In a recent poll nearly half of all Americas do not believe in God with “absolute certainty” and nearly one quarter are either atheist, or agnostic toward God. In the early sixties 96% of the American people believed in God. 3% did not believe, and 1% was uncertain. How far in “unbelief” we have moved from God! The Old Time Religion believes in God as the creator of all things and His Sovereignty over all His creation. Jude exhorts us to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto us. If you want to see a change in America, or in your community, or in your home, or in your own life then we must earnestly contend for the faith as found in Jesus Christ. We must proclaim the Old Time Religion as Peter proclaimed on the day of Pentecost and three thousand souls were saved. We must proclaim as Paul proclaimed the old time religion and whole cities were turned to the Lord. We must proclaim as Stephen proclaimed and men were cut to the heart by the power of the gospel. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16) The “Old Time Religion” believes in a personal God that can save us and transform us by His power through acceptance and faith in His Son Jesus Christ. The “Old Time Religion” believes that Jesus Christ is the divine Saviour. Jesus was prophesied of old, He was born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life. He was crucified by wicked men. He was buried and in three days He rose again triumphant over death and the grave. He ascended into heaven and intercedes for us daily. He is coming back again to take His bride out of this world. He is God incarnate, having lived among men and is now seated at Gods right hand. He is Lord of lords, and King of kings. It is not enough to know these things. Sinners must have a personal saving experience with Jesus Christ. There must be a coming to Him and acceptance of His atoning work on the cross as your sin sacrifice. The “Old Time Religion” includes a faith in Jesus Christ. The “Old Time Religion” includes a belief in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God working in the human heart. He convicts us of sin. Then He points us to the Saviour Jesus Christ. When we receive Jesus He comes to live in our hearts, to keep us, to guide us, to comfort us, and to seal us for the day of redemption. He is God in us! He abides with us for the rest of our lives. The “Old Time Religion” includes a belief in the Bible as God’s Holy Word. We read in II Peter 1:21, that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” And, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof (for those who don’t know better), for correction, (for those who do know better) for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17) We believe it from Genesis, “In the beginning,” to Revelation and the last “Amen.” The “Old Time Religion” includes a belief in heaven and hell. The gospel includes the pleasant and the unpleasant. Heaven is the place where Christ is, where men and women want to go at the end of the way. Hell is where the devil is and it is the place of endless torment. The one is gain, and the other is loss! Heaven is full of happiness, and hell is full of horror. (see Luke 16:19-31) The “Old Time Religion” includes the way of forgiveness of sin. The only way to be saved is through the Christ of the, “Old Time Religion.” Christ saves the soul for eternity; He gives assurance of forgiveness and peace within. He changes our life, and it is the only thing that will change America. It is the only thing that will change you. He will walk with you daily and will give your heart assurance at the end of the way for a bright eternity with Him. How can I get the “Old Time Religion?” That is easy, just get Christ and you will have it! Amen? Amen! Give Me That Old Time Religion (Charles D. Tillman) Tis the old time religion, Tis the old time religion, Tis the old time religion, And it is good enough for me, It was good enough for our mothers, and it is good enough for me, It was good for our fathers, and it is good enough for me, Makes me love everybody, and it is good enough for me, It has saved our fathers and our mothers, and it is good enough for me, It will do when I am dying, and it is good enough for me, It will take us all to heaven, and it is good enough for me!
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 11:46:26 +0000