That Old Time Religion

Introduction

I was thinking of the Blackwood’s that are coming today. and I couldn’t help but sing some of the old gospel hymns that I grew up with. Hearing them strummed on a guitar. Sometimes I wish I learned how to play those old songs of the faith.

As I was singing to myself I remembered a song. “Old Time Religion”.

Just give me that old time religion, its good enough for me. And at time I wish God had blessed me with singing :)

As I remembered that song I remembered a passage

Hebrews 13:7-8

Hebrews 13:7–8 NIV

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews was written by … Some one. Some say Paul. It defiantly has Paul ideas in it. Though it is greatly different in style and Greek. And it quotes mostly from the Greek Septuagint not like Paul’s other work which quotes from the Hebrew. Leading many to say Paul didn’t write it. Luke, Apollos are other suggested authors.

What ever the case it is an interesting letter, that God has brought down for us.

Here we are reading the concluding remarks. And the author is telling the audience that even though the leaders of the church changes, Christ is the always the same.

If Christ was changing then we couldn’t count on the hope of Christ.

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Personally one of my favorite words of hope, in this ever changing and often confusing world.

What does it not say

Doesn’t’ say that we know Christ in full. We are always and should always be searching for a better understanding of Christ.

Doesn’t say that our perception of Him will always stay the same.

Doesn’t mean that the way we spend time with him will never change, Look where we have come through out history. We broke from the Catholic church, we have produced Bibles that anyone who wants to hear can hear, or read (almost anyway only 9.7% of languages have full bibles, but 97% of people have some form of the scriptures). The idea of a daily quiet time would have been unheard of for much of our history.

That Old Time Religion

But as I remember that song. I think I need more than just that So what we need is more than just that old time religion.

Religion is the practices of the faith. How we express our belief in God. We are Christians, meaning that we believe is Christ. Most are reformers, meaning we broke from the Roman Catholic Church in our history, and some of you in your own life.

Religion changes. Christ Stays the same.

I don’t need that old time religion. I need that that Hesed, that Loyal Love of Christ. That Saving Relationship with Christ.

Once we accept Christ into our hearts we step into what should be the best relationship of our lives.

Instead often we focus on that Old Time Religion. We focus in on doing the way we always have and always will do it. Instead of focusing on the growing relationship of Christ. Our relationship should grow and should be constantly growing.

But instead we get bored.

With church

with Study

with Prayer

With life

Because we are not focusing on the Christ that never changes and Our Ever changing relationship with the one that doesn’t Change.

Ever seen a child’s reaction when a person they love come into the room?

It is an excitement, Full of Joy, Happy to see you.

Matt. 18:3 “3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

We are to become like little children

Coming to Christ with that same excitement

Next Steps

So if you are board with the same “old time Religion” accept the relationship that brings life.

John 10:10 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

We need to focus more on the relationship that we have instead of the religion that we have.

That is the true calling of Christ

How is Your relationship Today.

Bibliography

https://www.wycliffe.net/resources/statistics/