3/1/26                                                                                 Rentz

 

 

A Longing for the “Old Time Religion”

Jeremiah 6:16

 

Introduction—For some reason, over the past few weeks, I have been spending a fair amount of time thinking about how ministry has changed through the course of my life.  While technology has greatly enhanced our ability to get God’s Word out to the masses, I also have watched some things that continue to be dangerous themes.  Not everything in the past was good and needing to be maintained, but there are some qualities that would be good to reclaim.

 

I. When Worship Was Simply Focused

                A. We should remember where God found us and

                    how He has led us (Deut.32:7-10)

                B. We have allowed religious entertainment to

                    replace a personal experience (Lk.7:31-35)

                                1. Churches were not in competition

                                2. The main criteria was whether God’s

                                    Word was being honestly preached

                C. We gathered together with a sense of joy, not the

                    fulfillment of an obligation

 

II. When Worship Was Result Focused

                A. We gathered with a desire to hear from God

                    (Is.30:21-22)—we were ready to hear and act

                B. We have allowed a soothed conscience to replace

                    personal commitment—we would rather be

                    validated than corrected by the Holy Spirit

                C. “Why do we do what we do?”—Are we more

                    focused on a Godly life, or a prosperous life?

 

III. When Worship Was Biblically Focused

                A. The Bible was the framework for life rather than

                    convenient adornments (Ps.19:7-10)

                B. We have allowed religious education to replace

                    holy fervor

                                1. It is wise for the servants of God to gain

                                    Biblical training

                                2. We must never exalt education above the

                                    power of God on display (Acts 4:13)

                C. Fanciful theories must never replace the plain

                    preaching of Scripture

 

IV. When Worship Was Purely God Focused

                A. We are not worshipping God for the purpose of

                    gaining personal praise—the sad sin of Ananias

                    and Sapphira

                B. We are prone to desire a worship that strengthens

                    me instead of exalting God—He alone is worthy of

                    our praise and adoration (Rev.5:9, 12)

                C. Only Jesus can give us the rest and comfort that

                    we need (Matt.11:28-30)

 

Conclusion—Perhaps there will come a day when this current time will be viewed as the “good old days.”  Although, I do find myself longing for a time when worship and our relationship with God was much more simply focused and stabilized.  Let’s cut through the fanfare and fluff of life and seek the Lord in simple faith and honesty.