THAT OLD TIME RELIGION CHURCH

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL)

Remember this Old Christian tune,

Give me that old time religion
give me that old time religion
Give me that old time religion
It's good enough for me
(and it goes on for umpteen verses)

(You may want to print the song and have all sing at the start of the message)

What do you think about that "Old Time Religion"? Does it still work? Do you have that "Old Time Religion's? If not, would like it? Oh, you may say, how can I get it? Well, let's just see.

Simply put, you can't buy it, you can't earn it, Mom or Dad, can't give it to you? And, you will never ever get good enough, on your own, to receive it.

It's just a matter of accepting the living God's free gift of Salvation, by faith and accepting Gods grace to change your life forever.

"For by Grace you have been saved through faith: and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God: not as a result of works, that no one should boast". (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Once, the legionary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant was ask to what he contributed his success, in which he replied, "Momma told me to always dance with the one that brought me" So, as Christians we need to go back and dance with the one who brought us,"

So, what do we mean by the "Old Time Religion? Basically, it all centers around The Lord Jesus Christ.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever".(Hebrews 13:8)

It's simply God's Plan Of Salvation for all mankind, starting with the curse of sin, in the Garden of Eden.(Genesis 3:1-24)

And it ends with the redemptive need of salvation, made possible with Christ's death (1 Corinthians 15:3) and resurrection(Luke 24:6).

To quote the old time evangelist, Billy Sunday, "Christianity means a lot more than church membership. Many an old skin-flint is not fit for the balm of Gilead until you give him a fly blister and get after him with a currycomb.

There are too many Sunday-school teachers who are godless card-players, beer, wine and champagne drinkers. No wonder the kids are going to the devil. No wonder your children grow up like cattle when you have no form of prayer in the home."

I recently heard of an old time Deacon, that would always pray,

"Lord let something happen, in the service today, that's not in the bulletin".

I must agree, I sometimes miss that Old Time religion, when visiting various modern churches. I miss the spontaneous expressions of Praise and worship, in the form of an occasional "Amen" or "Hallelujah".

How about you? Are you seeking that "Old Time religion" church? Well, I've been there, done that. My family, and I, had the good privilege of attending a small Bible Church for 30+ years, before the church closed. I guess breaking in a new church, is somewhat like breaking in a new pair of shoes. But it can and should be done.

What is the criteria for choosing a church? If the church does not believe in the 15th Chapter of 1 Corinthians, then shake the dirt from your feet and move on.

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and that He raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The most common problem we have encountered at the churches we have tried is that there are many "so called clicks" established (both in adults and youth) and it can sometimes be difficult to break into the routine, as newcomers are sometimes ignored.

Remember, Church fellowship is great. However, one does not attend a church for the people but for the fellowship of God, through Jesus Christ. Your testimony may just be the spark that lights the Holy Spirit's fire in the church.

God Bless.

About The Author:
Growing up as a Salvation Army Officer's(ministers) kid, was quite an experience. Yes, that makes me the proverbial "Preachers Kid" or "PK" for short. Well, you might think being exposed to the Christian way of life, one would have an automatic ticket into God's kingdom. Not so, for, we all must come in by the way of the cross.

For you see, looking back growing up as a "PK", the most important message I remember was the strong, but simple, evangelistic teaching which states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no one should boast".( Ephesians2:8-9) To that I shout "Amen"

I still believe in that "Old Time Religion". I can't help but ponder those old "brush-arbor" revival meetings where the "Amen's" and the "Hallelujahs" echoed, as the spirit led. Since retiring from my secular profession, I pray that God will use this compilation of poems and sermons to give encouragement and strength to the Christians as well as draw the sinner into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.