Old time Religion
Ephesians 4:4 (NLT) 4We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.
The above words were written by Paul approximately 1946 years ago. If there had not been division in the church starting the words would not have been necessary.
"Modern to the last minute Sunday's methods may be, but his message is unmistakably the "old-time religion" He believes his beliefs with out a question. There is not twilight zone in his intellectual processes; no mental reservation in his preaching. He is sure that man is lost without Christ, and that only by the acceptance of the Savior can fallen humanity find salvation. He is as sure of hell as heaven, and for all the modernized varieties of religion he has only vials of scorn." …""Intolerant" cry the scholars of Sunday. "
I find it most interesting that these words were written about an evangelist over 92 years ago. A man who was not concerned with the religions of the day, but the souls of the people. Then again, I am not surprised because the same word "intolerant" has been used against myself and this ministry. "Intolerant" is becoming the battle cry of two distinct groups. It would seem that these groups would be at total opposite ends of the spectrum, but they are closer than one would think. The first group is of the world and do not know Jesus. They are just your typical heathen that wants to justify their sin and vomit. But the second more surprising group is the new, tolerant, we all make mistakes, cotton candy gospel ( Laodicean) churches, that truly do not know Jesus' heart. It saddens my heart that anyone who preaches holiness, truth, the word of God is labeled as an intolerant bigot. But I am not surprised because throughout the history of the church anyone who truly stood by the word of God has been labeled as "intolerant." In the first century when Peter and Paul were preaching they had words because Peter was already showing favoritism toward the Jews. I can see some of either Paul's followers or Peter's crying that the other side was intolerant. There was a big chasm for a while on whether to circumcise or not. But praise God the Holy Spirit still had rein and they came to the right mutual conclusion. The conclusion of what Jesus wanted not man.
Just like this statement : "Homosexuality, lying, drunkenness, stealing, adultery, fornication, murder, are straight from the pit of hell, and if anyone, a homosexual, adulterer, liar, thief, murderer, fornicator, or a "just plain nice guy" who has not accepted Jesus dies with out repenting they will spend eternity in hell. " That statement no matter how true, is labeled as being intolerant. Yet I can show you scripture after scripture that states the God considers sin punishable by eternal death in hell. But even though this is a Bible truth I will be labeled as an intolerant bigot if I preach it. We'll label on because I believe first and foremost the Word of God and I will preach the truth no matter what you want to label me. I would rather offend you than offend God. You see that was truly what was meant by old time religion. The simple Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Most of the truly great preachers had several things in common. First, they preached the simple Gospel of salvation. They did not get mixed up in mans doctrine they believed the word of God and took it at face value. You see to quote Billy Sunday. " Theology bears the same relation to Christianity that botany does to flowers, or astronomy to the stars. Theology changes, but Christianity abides. Nobody is kept out of heaven because he does not understand theology. It isn't theology that saves it is Christ!" The second thing they had in common is that most were common men and did not have a theology degree. They had the Bible. They were taught by the school of hard knocks and the Lord Himself. Look at Paul, he tells us he is a Jew's Jew. He tells us of all the great learning he has. And what did he say? I consider it as dung. One great old time evangelist who raise the dead and may have lead millions to salvation had been taught to read by his wife and had read the Bible and no other book in his lifetime. Finally; they all had no respect for the modern religions. "and for all modernized varieties of religion he has only vials of scorn." They did not worry if they offended anyone. They did not care if they were labeled as intolerant as long as they knew they were preaching the word given to them by the Lord. Jesus as always said it best. The Bible makes sure we know because it is in all four gospels. Luke 21:17 (NLT) 17And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. OR John 15:18-19 (NLT) 18"When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. 19The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.
So my friend if you are really popular in the world I would have to venture that you do not have a true allegiance to Jesus. Pastor if your Church is large and the world loves your preaching and your books, you might want to reevaluate your standing for Jesus. Christ makes it plain and clear that, if you preach and teach the truth you will be hated by the world. If you stand up for Christ in your work place you will be labeled, an intolerant bigot. You might even loose your job. But who do you want to fear? The one who can fire you or the one you can cast you into the fires of hell for eternity? Who do you want to fear the one you labels you as a bigot and will spend eternity in hell, or the one who can condemn you to an eternity in hell?
Until either man or my Lord takes my life away I will preach the truth of that old time religion. I would suggest that no matter what your religion is that, you get back to the Bible basics. A sin is a sin no matter how the world wants to candy coat it. I would suggest to anyone who wants to have a better understanding of that old time religion that they read a few sermons from the pastors in the late 1800's to early 1900's. One of the most famous sermons was preached in 1741 by Johnathan Edwards called Sinners in the hands of an Angry God. Just read of a few of these sermons preached by men who only feared God and you will better understand my heart.
We do not need to be worried about church growth. If we were about our Fathers business preaching and spreading the Gospel of Jesus the churches would be filled to overflowing. In Africa the meetings are filled all the time because they are still hungry for the truth and they want the peace that can only come from Jesus.
Have you ever wondered why so many prosperity preachers have gained success today? Why the prevailing message preached from the pulpit in this country is "what God wants to do for you!" ? The reason is that Christians no longer know that peace that passes understanding that comes for a deep personal relationship with Jesus. Because the peace and joy is not there the average Christian is seeking something else to fill the void. But let me leave you one personal example of that peace and joy that only comes from a deep abiding personal relationship with Jesus. As all of you know Mary and I have a business we own in the world. Last year one of the people who worked for us made a serious mistake and cost us over 50% of our monthly income. Being the human I am I went into a panic and did the "why me" thing for a few minutes. Then I realized my Lord was still in control. I went into the prayer office and got on my face before the Lord and said "the Lords gives and the Lords takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord. " I just had a good old time with my Jesus and praised Him for the work in my life. Within a week He had replaced the work. Within a couple of months He even gave the same work back to us. Now almost a year later He has blessed this old pastor to the point that we will be totally out of debt by the end of summer. I did not even have to preach a "God wants to bless you sermon so send in your $20 dollars". Blessed be the name of the Lord. I will always hold to Jesus words. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Give me that old time religion where it is not what God can do for me but what I can do for God. You can take it to the bank my friend, if you truly, with all your heart seek first to serve the Lord and seek first His kingdom and seek first all his righteousness, then everything else will fall into place and you will not want.
Think about it and God Bless
Pastor A. J.
